Plus: Polish parliament debates abortion, and the life of a pioneer of sumo. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. Today my colleague Will Vernon is reporting on the rise of suicides among younger Americans. It's an important piece on a concerning trend, but it contains upsetting material. We're also covering Poland's abortion debate, sumo fighting and Italian dolce vita. | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | Suicide on the rise for young Americans | | Ben Salas is one of the NC State students who took his own life last year. Credit: BBC | Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 35, and it's on a steady rise across generations. In 2000, 30,000 people died of suicide. In 2022, 50,000 did. My colleague Will Vernon visited North Carolina State University in Raleigh, which experienced 10 student suicides over the past two academic years. NC State has invested in counselling and is helping students to recognise signs of mental struggle among their classmates. "But there may be no warning signs", said assistant vice-chancellor Justine Hollingshead. "Individuals don't tell their family or friends, they don't reach out to resources and they make that decision." It's also hard to tell exactly what's behind that overarching trend. There are, however, many hypotheses. The Covid pandemic harmed "young people in terms of acquiring the social skills and tools that they need," said Dr Christine Crawford, a psychiatrist. Images of war and polarising political messages on social media can also lead to anxiety and depression, she added. Josue Melendez, a suicide helpline operator, said many of his younger callers mentioned financial pressures as well.
An important note: If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help and support can be found worldwide at Befrienders. You can also visit BBC Action Line.
In the UK: Children as young as nine have been added to malicious WhatsApp groups promoting self-harm, sexual violence and racism, a BBC investigation has found. | |
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| Polish parliament debates abortion | Abortion is only allowed in Poland when the pregnancy endangers a woman's health or when it results from rape or incest. For the first time in more than 30 years, Polish MPs have discussed whether women should have the right to abortion on demand. |
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| | | The Catholic faith remains strong in Poland and many expected the debate to provoke strong, perhaps stormy emotions. But many MPs didn't take the time to turn up and listen. Few MPs for the right-wing opposition attended, while there were also many absences from government members. "The abortion ban kills and does not make abortion disappear. People who want one simply find another way," Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula said. Outside parliament, anti-abortion protesters displayed a banner comparing the left-wing minister to Adolf Hitler. About 20 demonstrators struck a church bell as the taped cries of a newborn were played on a loop.
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES | The life of a pioneer of sumo |
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| | | Some of the biggest names in sumo honoured the fighter for his strength, modesty, and kindness. Credit: Getty Images | Sumo legend Taro Akebono, who drove a resurgence in the sport's popularity and became its first foreign grand champion, has died earlier this month of heart failure at the age of 54. Hannah Ritchie tells us how the Hawaiian-born wrestler broke barriers in the traditional sport. |
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT | Rediscovering la dolce vita | Netflix's Ripley casts Atrani in black and white, but the tiny city is full of colour. | |
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And finally... | A bird's impression of a police siren has confused some officers in Bicester, north of Oxford. Close you eyes and have a listen. | |
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In History newsletter | The past comes to life through the BBC's unique audio, video and written archive, each Thursday. | |
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MORE BBC NEWSLETTERS | | US Election Unspun: Cut through the noise in the race for the White House, every Wednesday. Subscribe. | | Future Earth: Essential global climate news and hopeful developments, every Tuesday. Subscribe. | | Football Extra: Latest news, insights and gossip from the Premier League, weekdays. Subscribe. | |
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