The High Number of Suicides Among Active Military Service Members and Veterans

A new report out this week focuses on a serious problem for the Pentagon: the high number of suicides among active military service members and veterans. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Kathy Kilcoyne, whose 25 year old son Colin — a veteran of the war in Iraq — took his own life in January.

Slump Causes Suicide Spike

Suicides are on the rise in those European countries suffering the most from the economic crisis.

British Council in Kabul Attacked

Nine people were killed Friday after gunmen stormed the British Council office in Kabul.

South Korea’s ‘Coffin Academy’

An unusual attempt to turn South Korea’s high suicide rate around by ‘getting close to death.’

Self-immolation as protest

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The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on the history of politically-motivated self-immolation, a protest technique that has recently emerged in Tunisia and Algeria. Download MP3

We’re interested in what you think about these extreme acts of protest. Is is morally justifiable to commit an act of self-immolation? Share us your thoughts here.

Mourning the Shah’s son

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Iranian-American author and journalist Azadeh Moaveni about the apparent suicide this week of Alireza Pahlavi, the younger son of the former Shah of Iran. Download MP3

The Facebook Site of Alireza Pahlavi
Azadeh Moaveni: Iran Reacts to Suicide of the Shah’s Son

Female suicide bombers

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It was two female suicide bombers who reportedly detonated belts filled with nails and metal fragments in Moscow yesterday. Authorities blame the attacks on extremists in the Northern Caucasus region, which includes Chechnya. Female suicide bombers have struck there before. Lindsey O’Rourke studies female suicide bombers at the University of Chicago.

Army suicides

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The U.S. Army is experiencing a suicide problem. Between January and July of this year, there were 96 reported suicides among active duty soldiers. That puts the service on course to set a suicide record this year. The Army is now trying to figure out what’s behind the growing number of suicides, and how to prevent them. But getting to the bottom of the problem won’t be easy, as the The World’s Katy Clark reports. (photo: Associated Press)

Entire program – August 31, 2009

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Today on The World: The top US commander in Afghanistan calls for a new strategy; Also, in Japan a new party takes on the challenges of caring for its aging population; And confronting an increasing number of suicides among its ranks, the US Army starts a new study to understand the problem.

Yonlu

The World’s Marco Werman tells the story of young Brazilian musician Yonlu, who committed suicide in 2006, and left behind a treasure of recorded music.Listen