Haspel confirmed as first female CIA director

Gina Haspel has been confirmed as the next CIA director, making her the first woman to lead the intelligence agency.

Ms Haspel faced opposition in the Senate over her role in the use of harsh interrogation methods, but was confirmed in a 54-45 vote. The 61-year-old insisted she does not believe torture works and would refuse a presidential order she considered “immoral” even if it was legal. Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, said “She can and will stand up to the president.”