The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group conducted the largest-ever aircraft carrier airstrike near Somalia, launching approximately 125,000 pounds of munitions against ISIS militants, whose numbers have surged in the region. Simultaneously, the strike group played a crucial role in deterring Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, executing 670 strikes and intercepting 160 enemy drones and missiles over five months. This deployment, initially routine, was extended to support the ongoing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen. The Truman and its escorts are now participating in NATO exercises in the Mediterranean Sea after leaving the Red Sea.
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Recent attacks by Islamic State-linked extremists in Mozambique’s Niassa Reserve, one of Africa’s largest protected areas, have resulted in at least ten deaths and the displacement of 2,000 people. These attacks, which include the beheading of civilians, have forced the suspension of all conservation work, jeopardizing decades of efforts to protect lions, elephants, and other key species. Nine conservation and safari camps have been abandoned or destroyed, severely impacting tourism and conservation funding. The resulting insecurity threatens the reserve’s status as a vital wildlife refuge and its potential designation as a World Heritage site.
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US banking regulators plan to significantly reduce capital requirements for major banks this summer, potentially reversing key post-2008 crisis protections. This follows extensive lobbying by the banking industry, arguing that current regulations hinder lending and competitiveness. The proposed changes would lower the supplementary leverage ratio, impacting the amount of high-quality capital banks must hold against risky assets. This deregulation effort aligns with the Trump administration’s broader push to reduce regulations, despite concerns about increased market volatility.
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John Q. Hosedrinker