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Politics

Labour elects new leader: A look back at Jeremy Corbyn’s highs and lows

Jeremy Corbyn has been a mainstay throughout a turbulent four-and-a-half years years for the UK and the Labour Party.

But his meteoric rise to frontline politics will be remembered for its own volatility.

As the Labour leader stands down after losing the 2019 general election and a new leader is elected this weekend, Sky News looks back at his highs and lows.

3 June 2015 HIGH: Enters Labour leadership race

Jeremy Corbyn – a veteran left-wing backbencher – joined the race to succeed Ed Miliband as Labour leader in June 2015.

The Islington North MP promised to stand on a “clear anti-austerity platform” and to “give Labour Party members a voice in this debate”.

His first hurdle was to gain the backing of at least 35 Labour MPs in order to make the final leadership ballot.

Mr Corbyn managed this with just minutes to spare and was helped by around 15 MPs who – despite not supporting his leadership bid – nonetheless lent him their support in an attempt to widen the debate.

These included former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett and Sadiq Khan, who would go on to become London mayor.

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World News

New Zealand mosque shootings: Defendant changes plea to guilty

A man who was charged over mosque shootings in New Zealand has changed his plea to guilty.

Brenton Tarrant killed 51 people and wounded dozens more at two mosques in Christchurch during Friday prayers on 15 March 2019.

The 29-year-old white supremacist, who live-streamed part of his attack, had originally pleaded not guilty and was due to stand trial on 2 June this year.

He was charged with 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism.

The attack was New Zealand’s deadliest in modern history and forced the government to bring in new legislation banning most semi-automatic weapons.

A sentencing date is yet to be set but Tarrant is facing life imprisonment over the charges.

The plea change came during a hastily arranged court hearing with the country beginning a four-week lockdown over the coronavirus outbreak.

Tarrant appeared in court from his jail cell through a videolink and only a few people were allowed inside the courtroom.

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Economy

Singapore and New Zealand commit to maintaining supply chains amid coronavirus outbreak

SINGAPORE – Singapore and New Zealand will work to remove existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, as both countries on Friday (March 20) committed to maintain connected supply chains amid the coronavirus outbreak.

In a joint statement, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker said both countries are “committed to maintaining open and connected supply chains” and “will work closely to identify and address trade disruptions”.

The ministers recognised that it is in both countries’ mutual interest to ensure that trade lines remain open, including air and sea freight, to facilitate the flow of goods.

They also affirmed the importance of refraining from imposing export controls, tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

They also committed to working with all like-minded countries to ensure that trade continues to flow unimpeded, and that critical infrastructure such as airports and seaports remain open to support supply chains globally.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, the closure and suspension of businesses around the world have led to disruptions in global supply chains.

Mr Chan has spoken on multiple occasions about Singapore’s supply chain resilience. In early March, he said Singapore is reviewing its stockpile of essential items and is also looking at diversifying its supply chains.

Singapore, New Zealand and Chile in January announced the conclusion of substantial negotiations for the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, which will provide a common set of rules, standards and guidelines for global digital trade and commerce.

The agreement is scheduled to be signed and finalised at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting in April.

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