U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a message of reassurance to European allies at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, while the U.S. military conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria. Simultaneously, the Congressional Budget Office projected a concerning rise in the national debt, and a new drug showed promise in treating a dangerous pregnancy complication.
Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference aimed to revitalize the relationship between the United States and Europe, according to Time. He stated that the U.S. and Europe shared a long history and "belong together," a message seen as an olive branch after previous tensions. Rubio emphasized the intertwined destinies of the U.S. and Europe, referencing the two world wars of the 20th century. This speech followed a year of strained relations due to President Donald Trump's approach to the alliance.
Also on Saturday, the U.S. military reported a series of airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria, as reported by NPR News. These strikes were in retaliation for a December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. U.S. Central Command stated that American aircraft conducted 10 strikes against over 30 IS targets between February 3 and Thursday, targeting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office projected a significant increase in the national debt in the coming years, according to Fortune. Publicly held debt is currently at $31 trillion, approximately 100% of GDP. By fiscal year 2030, the debt is expected to exceed the record set after World War II, surging to 120% by 2036. Annual debt interest costs are projected to more than double from current levels, reaching $2.1 trillion by 2036, which would consume a larger portion of federal spending and further accelerate budget deficits. A key driver in interest costs is the yield on bonds issued by the Treasury Department.
In other news, a new drug showed promise in treating preeclampsia, a dangerous complication of pregnancy. Abigail Hendricks, who benefited from a new drug trial, shared her experience, stating, "For me, a baby is a blessing."
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