Pompeo at his confirmation hearing April 12. Photo: Xinhua/Ting Shen via Getty Images
Mike Pompeo will inherit a State Department where only three of the 10 highest-ranking jobs are filled, and two of those jobs are being performed by people in "acting" roles, per Bloomberg.
Why it matters: If Pompeo is confirmed as the new secretary of state, he'll have a lot of work to do to raise morale at the department — an urgent task when a new international crisis could erupt at any moment.
The backstory: As Bloomberg pointed out, the vacancies are "either because staff have left, been fired or the posts were never filled. Those vacant assignments include positions overseeing the agency’s role in U.S. trade policy, stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, refugee issues and efforts to counter human trafficking."
Where it stands
Secretary of State-designate — Mike Pompeo (awaiting confirmation)
Secretary of State — John Sullivan (acting)
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs — Heather Nauert (acting)
Under Secretary for Political Affairs — Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. (retiring)
Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources — Vacant
Under Secretary for Management — Vacant
Under Secretary for Arms Control & International Security — Vacant
Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy & Human Rights — Vacant
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy & the Environment — Vacant
The UK is aiming to up its stake in the global space economy
A man in a space suit watches a television with school children ahead of the launch of space mission Principia in 2015. Photo: Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images
The United Kingdom Space Agency is working towards owning 10% of "the global space economy by 2030," CNBC reports, which "could be worth more than $109 billion."
The big picture: Per CNBC, the U.K. makes around 44% of the "world's small satellites," but doesn't have the means necessary for launching them into orbit. The UKSA plans to announce major funding grants "for the development of launch facilities."
India to charge child rapists with capital punishment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on International Women's Day. Photo: Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto via Getty Images
India's government approved an Emergency Executive Order on Saturday, taking a stricter approach to sexual assault, the Telegraph reports.
The details: In the aftermath of two high-profile rape cases, thousands of people have protested calling for "an end to sexual violence against women," ABC reported. Per the Telegraph, the new measures "include capital punishment for child rapists, a more rapid investigation and trial process in rape cases, an increase in the minimum sentencing terms, and no bail if the alleged victim is a minor."
