The Daily Populous

Saturday May 16th, 2020 evening edition

image for Donald Trump fires State Department watchdog said to be investigating one of his top aides

A government watchdog fired suddenly by Donald Trump was investigating Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said a Democratic lawmaker who accused the US president of committing a potentially illegal act of retribution.

Mr Trump sacked State Department Inspector General Steve Linick late on Friday in his latest abrupt dismissal of an official tasked with monitoring wrongdoing inside a government agency.

Eliot Engel, who heads the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he had learned that Mr Linick had opened an investigation into Mr Pompeo.

READ MORE China urges compromise in coronavirus fight after Donald Trump threatens to cut ties.

The State Department confirmed Mr Linick's firing but did not comment on the reason or on whether Mr Pompeo was under investigation.

A State Department spokesperson said the new inspector general will be Stephen Akard, a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence from his home state of Indiana.

Since his acquittal by the Senate, Mr Trump has fumed against a "Deep State" he sees as out to get him. »

Ransomware gang asks $42m from NY law firm, threatens to leak dirt on Trump

Authored by zdnet.com

The extortion attempt is the result of a ransomware infection that Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks (GSMS) suffered last week.

In addition to doubling the ransom demand, hackers have also made another veiled threat against the NY law firm, threatening to release files related to US President Donald Trump.

However, earlier today, entertainment and gossip news site PageSix reported citing sources that President Trump has never been a GSMS client. »

Timothy Olyphant Joins 'The Mandalorian' (Exclusive)

Authored by hollywoodreporter.com

It is unknown whether the actor will play a new character or a returning favorite in a new guise.

Mandalorian has finished shooting under a veil of secrecy, but certain actors} names have leaked out.

Olyphant seems like a good fit for the gunslinging worlds in which the Mandalorian jetpacks around. »

Amazon notifies Canadian workers it is cancelling hero pay despite ‘heavy demand’ and positive COVID-19 cases at warehouses

Authored by pressprogress.ca

Amazon notifies Canadian workers it is cancelling hero pay despite ‘heavy demand’ and positive COVID-19 cases at warehouses.

“We are providing a final extension of the temporary $2/hour pay increase and double overtime pay through May 30.”

Last week, the company also told its Canadian workers it is limiting the amount of unpaid time workers can take off. »

Japan joins calls for probe into WHO's coronavirus response

Authored by japantimes.co.jp
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“With the European Union, (Japan) will propose that a fair, independent and comprehensive verification be conducted,” Abe said on an internet program Friday.

He said the proposal will be made at the WHO’s general assembly to begin Monday.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also said Friday that Japan is joining a chorus of calls for such an investigation, which should be conducted by an independent body. »