france24--2020-04-04--Britain's Labour Party picks Keir Starmer as its new leader

Britain 's main opposition Labour Party named Keir Starmer , a former director of public prosecutions who opposed the country 's exit from the European Union , as its leader on Saturday .
Starmer , who has tried to carry the socialist supporters of outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn while also keeping more centrist Labour members on board , beat Rebecca Long-Bailey , an ally of Corbyn , and Lisa Nandy in the contest .
He won with 56.2 % of the vote by party members and supporters .
`` It 's the honour and privilege of my life to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It comes at a moment like no other in our lifetime , '' he said in a pre-recorded statement , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Under my leadership we will engage constructively with the government , not opposition for opposition 's sake .
Not scoring party political points or making impossible demands .
But with the courage to support where that 's the right thing to do .
`` But we will test the arguments that are put forward .
We will shine a torch on critical issues and where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things not happening as quickly as they should , we 'll challenge that and call that out . ''
The leadership contest , under way since Corbyn led Labour to a crushing defeat in the December election , has been overshadowed by the coronavirus outbreak , which all but silenced the three candidates ' campaigns .

Britain's main opposition Labour Party named Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions who opposed the country's exit from the European Union, as its leader on Saturday.
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Starmer, who has tried to carry the socialist supporters of outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn while also keeping more centrist Labour members on board, beat Rebecca Long-Bailey, an ally of Corbyn, and Lisa Nandy in the contest.
He won with 56.2% of the vote by party members and supporters.
It’s the honour and privilege of my life to be elected as Leader of the Labour Party.
I will lead this great party into a new era, with confidence and hope, so that when the time comes, we can serve our country again – in government. pic.twitter.com/F4X088FTYY — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 4, 2020
"It's the honour and privilege of my life to be elected as leader of the Labour Party. It comes at a moment like no other in our lifetime," he said in a pre-recorded statement, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Under my leadership we will engage constructively with the government, not opposition for opposition's sake. Not scoring party political points or making impossible demands. But with the courage to support where that's the right thing to do.
"But we will test the arguments that are put forward. We will shine a torch on critical issues and where we see mistakes or faltering government or things not happening as quickly as they should, we'll challenge that and call that out."
The leadership contest, under way since Corbyn led Labour to a crushing defeat in the December election, has been overshadowed by the coronavirus outbreak, which all but silenced the three candidates' campaigns.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-04--Trump fires intelligence watchdog who triggered impeachment process

Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson arrives to testify at a House Intelligence Committee closed-door hearing on a whistleblower complaint about President Donald Trump 's dealings with Ukraine , on Capitol Hill in Washington , US , October 4 , 2019 .
U.S. President Donald Trump notified Congress on Friday that he is firing the inspector general of the U.S. intelligence community who was involved in triggering an impeachment probe of the president last year .
In a letter to key lawmakers , Trump said he planned to remove the official , Michael Atkinson , in 30 days , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as inspectors general . ''
`` This is no longer the case with regard to this inspector general , '' he said .
A U.S. official said Thomas Monheim , a career intelligence professional , would serve as acting inspector general for the time being .
Atkinson , a Trump appointee , had determined that a whistleblower 's report was credible in alleging Trump abused his office in attempting to solicit Ukraine ’ s interference in the 2020 U.S. election for his political benefit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed himself to “ serious national security and counter-intelligence risks ” when he pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son during a July 25 phone call , according to a Justice Department legal opinion .
After contentious , partisan hearings , the Democratic-led House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump but the Republican-led Senate acquitted him of the charges in early February .
Democrats heaped criticism on Trump for firing Atkinson , particularly as the country reels from the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unconscionable that the president is once again attempting to undermine the integrity of the intelligence community by firing yet another an intelligence official simply for doing his job , '' said Democratic Senator Mark Warner , ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee .

U.S. President Donald Trump notified Congress on Friday that he is firing the inspector general of the U.S. intelligence community who was involved in triggering an impeachment probe of the president last year.
Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson arrives to testify at a House Intelligence Committee closed-door hearing on a whistleblower complaint about President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine, on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, October 4, 2019.
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In a letter to key lawmakers, Trump said he planned to remove the official, Michael Atkinson, in 30 days, saying, "it is vital that I have the fullest confidence in the appointees serving as inspectors general."
"This is no longer the case with regard to this inspector general," he said.
Trump is removing the inspector general of the intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, per letter sent to lawmakers tonight. pic.twitter.com/myPDqoJ8G4 — Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) April 4, 2020
A U.S. official said Thomas Monheim, a career intelligence professional, would serve as acting inspector general for the time being.
Atkinson, a Trump appointee, had determined that a whistleblower's report was credible in alleging Trump abused his office in attempting to solicit Ukraine’s interference in the 2020 U.S. election for his political benefit.
Atkinson was also concerned that Trump potentially exposed himself to “serious national security and counter-intelligence risks” when he pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son during a July 25 phone call, according to a Justice Department legal opinion.
After contentious, partisan hearings, the Democratic-led House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump but the Republican-led Senate acquitted him of the charges in early February.
Democrats heaped criticism on Trump for firing Atkinson, particularly as the country reels from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In the midst of a national emergency, it is unconscionable that the president is once again attempting to undermine the integrity of the intelligence community by firing yet another an intelligence official simply for doing his job," said Democratic Senator Mark Warner, ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
(REUTERS)
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