USPT-NewYork Saturday, June 28, 2025, a funeral was held for Adriana Smith, a 31-year-old Georgia woman who was declared brain-dead but kept on a ventilator due to the state's strict abortion law, known as the LIFE Act. The service took place at Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, a suburb of Atlanta, drawing a large crowd of family, friends, fellow nurses, and community members who came to honor her life.
Who was Adriana Smith?
Adriana Smith, a dedicated nurse and mother of two, suffered a catastrophic stroke in February 2025, caused by multiple blood clots in her brain. At the time, she was nine weeks pregnant. Her boyfriend rushed her to the hospital after finding her struggling to breathe, but doctors declared her brain-dead shortly after. Despite her family's wishes, Georgia’s LIFE Act, which bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, required that Smith remain on life support until her unborn child could survive outside the womb.Smith’s baby, named Chance, was delivered prematurely via emergency C-section on June 13, 2025, weighing just 1 pound, 13 ounces. Days after the delivery, Smith was taken off life support, allowing her to pass. Her story has sparked widespread debate about the implications of Georgia’s restrictive abortion laws and their impact on families facing medical tragedies.
The funeral service was a poignant moment for those who knew Smith. The Atlanta Metropolitan Nursing Honor Guard performed a touching tribute, formally relieving Smith of her nursing duties in a “final call of duty” ceremony. Mourners carried white roses, symbolizing love and remembrance, as they gathered to celebrate her life and legacy. Large images of a smiling Adriana adorned the church, reflecting her vibrant spirit.
Dr. Eric Vickers, senior pastor at Fairfield Baptist Church, spoke at the service, calling Smith a “martyr of these times” due to the circumstances surrounding her prolonged life support. Smith’s younger sister, Naya, also shared heartfelt words, praising her sister’s kindness, love, and wisdom.
Georgia’s LIFE Act, enacted after the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, prohibits abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks. In Smith’s case, this law meant her body was kept alive for months, despite being brain-dead, to ensure the fetus could be delivered. This has raised ethical concerns among advocates, with some, like Georgia State Representative Park Cannon, calling for “Adriana’s Law” to protect individual autonomy in medical decisions, even under restrictive fetal personhood laws.
Smith’s story is not isolated. Since the LIFE Act’s implementation, tens of thousands of women in Georgia and other states with similar laws have been forced to travel out of state for abortion care, according to recent reports. The law’s rigid framework has been criticized for prioritizing fetal life over the dignity and wishes of patients and their families.
Markets Are Shaky: Stock markets dropped a lot in early April. People worry this could hurt the world’s economy.
Impact on Major Countries
European Union (EU)Effect: China’s buying more from EU countries like Germany (up 5%), but a global slowdown could cut EU GDP by 0.3%, per Oxford Economics. Prices for cars and tech might rise too.
South Korea
What’s Happening: South Korea’s $168B trade with the US and $241B with China (2023) focus on chips. It’s stuck between both giants.
Effect: Soybean exports to China are up 25% since March, per customs data. But a global recession could lower demand, risking a 0.5% GDP cut.
As of April 1, 2025, rescue operations persist in Myanmar following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on March 28. The military government reports that the death toll has risen to over 2,000, with more than 3,900 injured. However, independent sources suggest that the actual number of fatalities could be significantly higher, with some estimates reaching up to 10,000.
Complicating relief efforts, reports indicate that Myanmar's military junta is accused of unfairly distributing aid and continuing attacks on resistance forces despite the disaster. Opposition groups are urging international agencies to send aid directly to earthquake-affected areas under rebel control, fearing further deprivation of assistance amidst the ongoing civil war.
In response to the crisis, the United Nations has issued an urgent appeal for $8 million to address the immediate needs of those affected. International aid is beginning to arrive, but access to remote areas remains a significant challenge due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing conflict.
These remarks echo Kremlin narratives, which have frequently criticized Zelensky’s decision to suspend elections due to martial law imposed after Russia’s invasion. The comments quickly drew backlash from world leaders. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Zelensky, emphasizing his democratic legitimacy and the need for international unity. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders also reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine.
Zelensky fired back, accusing Trump of spreading Russian disinformation and undermining Ukraine’s efforts to resist aggression. The heated exchange has fueled concerns that the fractured relationship could impact U.S. efforts to broker peace, further isolating Ukraine.As tensions rise, diplomatic efforts to stabilize U.S.-Ukraine relations remain crucial. However, Trump’s latest statements signal a potential shift in America’s stance on the conflict, leaving Ukraine’s future uncertain.Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signals a potential shift in American foreign policy, raising concerns about U.S. support for its European allies and a perceived alignment with the Kremlin.
Throughout his political career, Trump has been known for unpredictable decisions, including canceled international visits, abrupt phone call terminations, and the imposition of strict tariffs. However, his latest remarks on Ukraine mark a more significant departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy.
Some of Trump’s allies argue that Zelensky should have anticipated the former president’s reaction. Senator J.D. Vance told The Daily Mail that publicly criticizing Trump is an ineffective approach, stating that attempting to influence him through media comments is "an atrocious way to deal with this administration."
White House officials have maintained that Trump’s primary goal is to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which he believes has been mismanaged. He has consistently emphasized the urgency of reaching a settlement, stating, "I don’t care so much about anything other than I want to stop having millions of people killed."
Despite this stance, Trump’s simultaneous criticism of Zelensky and rhetoric resembling Russian narratives raises uncertainty about how he intends to achieve peace while maintaining U.S. global leadership.