South Korean Vlogger Claims She Aborted Baby at Nine Months, Sparking Investigation

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A South Korean vlogger is under investigation for murder after claiming she aborted her pregnancy at 36 weeks, an act that has shocked the nation. The woman posted a video on YouTube detailing her experience, prompting a police investigation at the request of the South Korean government. Despite global norms restricting abortions after 24 weeks, South Korea lacks any abortion laws since the 2019 repeal of its previous ban, creating a legal vacuum that has left doctors and patients in uncertainty.

The decriminalization of abortion in 2019 was seen as a victory for reproductive rights, but the failure of the National Assembly to pass new abortion legislation has led to widespread confusion. Women’s rights organizations in South Korea are criticizing the government, stating that the lack of regulation exposes women to unsafe practices while stifling access to safe abortions.

Historically, abortion was heavily restricted in South Korea, with criminal penalties for both doctors and women. However, with the government failing to enact new laws by the 2020 deadline, abortion effectively became legal at any stage of pregnancy. While this development was celebrated by reproductive rights advocates, the absence of clear policies continues to create risks for women, as seen in the current case. In a country still dominated by conservative attitudes, the debate over abortion remains divisive, with religious groups playing a powerful role in stalling legislative progress.

Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Kills Hezbollah Commander and Over a Dozen Others

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Israel launched a rare and deadly airstrike in a densely populated area of southern Beirut on Friday, killing Ibrahim Akil, a senior Hezbollah commander, and 13 others. This strike targeted Beirut’s southern Dahiya district, marking the deadliest attack on Lebanon’s capital in decades. Akil, a commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force and a member of its Jihad Council, was among those killed. The United States had sanctioned Akil for his involvement in the 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut and other attacks, offering a $7 million reward for his capture.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant describing the operation as part of “a new phase of war” aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah threats. Hezbollah confirmed Akil’s death, praising him as a significant military leader.

This airstrike is part of the ongoing escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, further inflamed by Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel, which followed earlier explosions in Lebanon attributed to Israeli operations. The latest Israeli strike occurred as fears of a full-scale conflict between the two rivals increase, with Israel bolstering its forces on the northern border in response.

Dow Reaches New Record After Fed Rate Cut, Posts Winning Week

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a new record on Friday, capping off a significant rally following the Federal Reserve’s first major interest rate cut in four years. The 30-stock Dow edged up 38.17 points (0.09%) to close at 42,063.36, marking a fresh high. However, the S&P 500 dipped slightly by 0.19% to 5,702.55, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.36% to end at 17,948.32. Earlier in the week, the Dow surpassed 42,000, and the S&P 500 crossed the 5,700 threshold for the first time.

All three major indexes recorded weekly gains, with the S&P 500 rising 1.36%, marking its fifth positive week in six weeks. For the year, the index is up over 19%. The Dow saw a weekly increase of 1.62%, and the Nasdaq gained 1.49%.

The market surged following the Federal Reserve’s decision on Wednesday to slash interest rates by a half percentage point, its first reduction since 2020. While the immediate market reaction was muted, Thursday saw stocks rally, particularly in tech, with Nvidia and Home Depot benefitting from expectations of lower borrowing costs.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller commented on Friday, noting that inflation is falling more quickly than anticipated, supporting his decision to back the half-point rate cut. Mark Hackett, Nationwide’s chief of investment research, stated, “Investors viewed the aggressive rate cut as a positive catalyst,” adding that the Fed has effectively assured markets that this cut was a proactive step to sustain economic momentum rather than a reaction to faltering conditions.

However, sentiment was dampened slightly by FedEx’s reduced earnings outlook, which caused its shares to drop over 15%. Competitor UPS also declined by 2.7% in sympathy.