Apr 30, 2018

38 U.S. ambassadorships remain vacant

Erica Pandey

Mike Pompeo has just been tapped to lead a State Department with numerous vacancies. Photo: Shadi Nsoor/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Trump administration has not appointed diplomats to 38 ambassadorships around the world, reflecting a larger issue of key vacancies across the State Department, reports Foreign Policy.

Why it matters: Some of the regions missing ambassadors are crucial to the U.S.'s foreign policy priorities. South Korea is missing a top diplomat amid negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and the European Union and Mexico have vacancies as those nations try to avoid a trade war with the U.S.

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Marisa Fernandez

"It was 30 years ago, get over it": Mike Bloomberg's partner brushes off NDA concerns

Diana Taylor at a Mike Bloomberg event last month. Photo: Ron Adar/Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

Diana Taylor, Mike Bloomberg's longtime partner, dismissed the concerns surrounding non-disclosure agreements used at his company, Bloomberg LP, telling CBS News that she would say to those bothered by the allegations, "It was 30 years ago, get over it."

Why it matters: Democratic candidates have used the NDAs as a talking point against Bloomberg, calling on him to allow women to speak about the reported sexual harassment and gender discrimination they faced while working for him.

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Dan Primack

Trump's opportunity to use Bernie as an economic scapegoat

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photos: Zach Gibson/Stringer, The Washington Post/Getty Contributor

Bernie Sanders is poised to become an economic scapegoat for both the White House and Corporate America, assuming that Sanders comes through Super Tuesday unscathed.

The big picture: If the U.S. economy remains strong, President Trump and CEOs will claim credit (as they've been doing for three years). If it turns sour, they'll blame Bernie (even though it's a largely baseless charge).

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Ben Geman, Amy Harder

Why big banks are breaking up with some fossil fuels

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

JPMorgan Chase is the latest financial giant to unveil new climate commitments, and like its peers, it is hard to disentangle how much is motivated by pressure, conscience or making a virtue of necessity.

Why it matters: The move comes as grassroots and shareholder activists are targeting the financial sector's fossil energy finance, especially amid federal inaction on climate.

Go deeperArrow2 hours ago - Economy & Business