Bob Dole, giant of Republican politics and presidential nominee, dies aged 98

Bob Dole, the long-time Kansas senator who was the Republican nominee for president in 1996, has died. He was 98.

The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, ordered flags at the Capitol flown at half-staff.

Born in Russell, Kansas, in 1923, Dole left college to serve in the US infantry in the second world war, suffering serious wounds in Italy and winning a medal for bravery.

His wounds cost him use of his right arm but he entered state politics and soon became a Republican power-broker, representing Kansas in the US House from 1961 to 1969 and in the Senate until 1996. He had spells as chairman of the Republican National Committee and as Senate minority and majority leader.

He pursued the Republican nomination in 1980 and 1988 and finally won it in 1996, at the age of 73 and two decades after being on the ticket.

Dole received both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest US civilian honours.