Sandy Gall, the revered war correspondent and long-standing ITN broadcaster, has died at the age of 97. Known for his fearless reporting from some of the most dangerous conflict zones around the world, Gall's career spanned over six decades, during which he became one of the most trusted voices in British journalism. His passing marks the end of an era for war reporting and broadcast journalism.

Gall's journey in journalism began in the early 1950s with Reuters, covering significant global events such as the Suez Crisis and the assassination of President Kennedy. His transition to ITN in 1963 marked the start of a legendary tenure that would see him cover pivotal moments in history, including the Vietnam War and the Soviet-Afghan War. Gall's dedication to reporting from the front lines, often without official clearance, underscored his commitment to bringing the truth to the public.

Beyond his achievements in journalism, Gall was also known for his humanitarian efforts. After retiring from ITN in 1992, he founded Sandy Gall's Afghanistan Appeal, a charity aimed at aiding victims of war, particularly those injured by landmines and children in refugee camps. His work off the field was a testament to his compassion and dedication to making a difference in the lives of those affected by conflict.

Sandy Gall's legacy is not only defined by his groundbreaking reporting but also by his mentorship to younger journalists and his unwavering integrity. As tributes pour in from colleagues and admirers worldwide, it's clear that Gall's contributions to journalism and humanitarian efforts will continue to inspire future generations. His was indeed a great life, generously and courageously lived.

Families of the 29 victims killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash are escalating their decades-long fight for answers, preparing to deliver a petition with more than 47,000 signatures to Downing Street demanding a public inquiry. The Chinook Justice Campaign has published 110 "critical questions" they want answered about the tragedy that claimed the lives of 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew members when the aircraft crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994.

The campaign comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry into the incident, prompting families to declare they will "see the UK government in court." Among those delivering the petition on Tuesday are brothers Andy and Matt Tobias from Watford, whose father John Tobias was killed in the crash. The petition delivery will be accompanied by an attempt to deliver a letter directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Central to the families' concerns are questions about mission authorization, aircraft selection, and whether those on board were properly warned of risks. The campaign has gained momentum amid revelations that key documents related to the crash have been sealed until 2094—a century after the incident occurred. David Hill, technical expert for the Chinook Justice Campaign, characterized the government's position as "a betrayal by the state of them and their loved ones."

The crash investigation has followed a contentious path over the past three decades. Initial findings blamed pilot error for the tragedy, but this conclusion was overturned in 2011. The continuing secrecy surrounding the incident has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue it "undermines trust not only in the MoD but in the government itself." As families prepare to confront the government directly, the case represents one of Britain's longest-running military accountability battles.