Steve Linick: State Department official investigating Pompeo is fired

Latest move against independent executive branch watchdogs who have found fault with Trump administration The Trump administration has fired the state department’s inspector general who is reported to have been investigating the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, for a potential abuse of office. The inspector general, Steve Linick, was given notice of his dismissal late on Friday night and is to be replaced by Stephen Akard, a close ally of the vice-president, Mike Pence, from his home state of Indiana. A state department spokesperson said that Akard, who has been running the office for foreign missions, would take over immediately as acting inspector general. Continue reading...
https://bit.ly/2TaEtak

Iraq appoints new prime minister after months of protests and jockeying

Intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi is regarded as being acceptable to both US and Iran Iraqi lawmakers have approved a new prime minister and government after six months without one as parties squabbled until the last minute over cabinet seats in backroom deals. The new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iraq’s intelligence chief and a former journalist, will head the new government. He will begin his term without a full cabinet, however, after several ministerial candidates were rejected. Continue reading...
https://bit.ly/2WDaetH

GM investors want to know how much more coronavirus pain remains

Investors want to know what kind of economic hit General Motors Co expects from the coronavirus pandemic as it moves forward, whether it needs to raise further cash and when North American vehicle production will resume when it reports first-quarter results on Wednesday.
https://reut.rs/2W963Xa

Venezuela detains two Americans allegedly involved in failed raid to remove Maduro

President Nicolas Maduro claims men were among 13 ‘terrorists’ involved in plot to enter country via the coast and oust him Venezuelan authorities have detained two US citizens allegedly working with a US military veteran who has claimed responsibility for a failed armed incursion into the oil-producing country, President Nicolas Maduro said on Monday. In a state television address, Maduro said authorities arrested 13 “terrorists” on Monday allegedly involved in a plot he said was coordinated with Washington to enter the South American country via the Caribbean coast and oust him. Continue reading...
https://bit.ly/2zeUTHm

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