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<p>Germany, on Wednesday (Jan 10) said that they have approved the delivery of 150 IRIS-T air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, marking a reversal in the years-long decision to ban arms exports to the kingdom. The restrictions were imposed by Berlin in 2018 in response to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit confirmed a report by the German weekly Spiegel, which said Berlin had authorised the sale of the 150 missiles to Riyadh. “The details of this report are accurate,” said Hebestreit, speaking at a daily press conference.</p>

<p>He added that IRIS-T could “be fired from aircraft at airborne targets, that is to say missiles, drones and so on”.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What changed Germany’s mind?</strong></h2>

<p>The move marks a major shift of policy for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government. According to Spiegel, the authorisation to send missiles, produced by German arms maker Diehl and fired by Saudi Arabia’s Eurofighter jets, was granted towards the end of last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reuters citing a security source said that the new batch of missiles is meant to replenish Saudi stocks depleted over the past years, adding that recently the kingdom has used them to shoot down drones fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-railways-grind-to-near-halt-in-three-day-train-drivers-strike-678776">German railways grind to near halt in three-day train drivers’ strike</a></strong></p>

<p>The ban on Saudi Arabia was imposed by the government of&nbsp;former Chancellor Angela Merkel following Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.</p>

<p>However, Berlin has recently loosened its stance, and even praised Saudi Arabia’s “constructive approach,” amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock during a visit to Jerusalem on Sunday (Jan 7) said Saudi Arabia has been making a significant contribution to Israel’s security after Hamas’ October 7 attacks and “this is helping to contain the danger of the conflict spreading across the region.”</p>

<p>She noted that Riyadh had also made efforts to intercept missiles fired at Israel by Iran-backed Yemen-based Houthi rebels.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Scholz and Baerbock have also said that Germany will no longer stand in the way of British plans to sell additional Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia.</p>

<p>Currently, Saudi Arabia has 72 Eurofighters, as reported by DW. Previously, the United Kingdom said that they would like to supply 48 more to the kingdom, a decision which required Berlin’s approval since the Eurofighter project is a joint British, German, Italian and Spanish effort.</p>

<p>German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, currently in Saudi Arabia to discuss energy and economic cooperation, said the country had an important role to play regarding the stabilisation of the Middle East.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-in-favour-of-tangible-steps-for-palestinian-state-blinken-tells-abbas-678690">US in favour of 'tangible steps' for Palestinian state, Blinken tells Abbas</a></strong></p>

<p>“Saudi Arabia is engaging in a such way that there is no escalation there,” Habeck said in comments broadcast by NTV. He added, “My perception is that Saudi Arabia is self-confident enough to know its role and wants to fulfil it.”&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Decision sparks disagreements</strong></h2>

<p>The shift in policy about supplying arms to Saudi Arabia has sparked disagreements within the ruling coalition, with prominent figures from Baerbock’s Green Party voicing their concerns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Co-chair of the Greens, Ricarda Lang insisted that “with a view on the human rights situation, including Saudi Arabia’s domestic constitution, I think as before that it is wrong to deliver Eurofighters” to the kingdom.</p>

<p>Notably, the 2021 coalition agreement between Scholz’s SPD, FDP and Greens explicitly states that there will be no approval of arms deliveries to any country directly involved in the war in Yemen.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Germany, on Wednesday (Jan 10) said that they have approved the delivery of 150 IRIS-T air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, marking a reversal in the years-long decision to ban arms exports to the kingdom.

Germany, on Wednesday (Jan 10) said that they have approved the delivery of 150 IRIS-T air-to-air missiles to Saudi Arabia, marking a reversal in the years-long decision to ban arms exports to the kingdom. The restrictions were imposed by Berlin in 2018 in response to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit confirmed a report by the German weekly Spiegel, which said Berlin had authorised the sale of the 150 missiles to Riyadh. “The details of this report are accurate,” said Hebestreit, speaking at a daily press conference. He added that IRIS-T could “be fired from aircraft at airborne targets, that is to say missiles, drones and so on”. What changed Germany’s mind? The move marks a major shift of policy for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government. According to Spiegel, the authorisation to send missiles, produced by German arms maker Diehl and fired by Saudi Arabia’s Eurofighter jets, was granted towards the end of last year. Reuters citing a security source said that the new batch of missiles is meant to replenish Saudi stocks depleted over the past years, adding that recently the kingdom has used them to shoot down drones fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. ALSO READ | German railways grind to near halt in three-day train drivers’ strike The ban on Saudi Arabia was imposed by the government of former Chancellor Angela Merkel following Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. However, Berlin has recently loosened its stance, and even praised Saudi Arabia’s “constructive approach,” amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock during a visit to Jerusalem on Sunday (Jan 7) said Saudi Arabia has been making a significant contribution to Israel’s security after Hamas’ October 7 attacks and “this is helping to contain the danger of the conflict spreading across the region.” She noted that Riyadh had also made efforts to intercept missiles fired at Israel by Iran-backed Yemen-based Houthi rebels. Scholz and Baerbock have also said that Germany will no longer stand in the way of British plans to sell additional Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia. Currently, Saudi Arabia has 72 Eurofighters, as reported by DW. Previously, the United Kingdom said that they would like to supply 48 more to the kingdom, a decision which required Berlin’s approval since the Eurofighter project is a joint British, German, Italian and Spanish effort. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, currently in Saudi Arabia to discuss energy and economic cooperation, said the country had an important role to play regarding the stabilisation of the Middle East. ALSO READ | US in favour of 'tangible steps' for Palestinian state, Blinken tells Abbas “Saudi Arabia is engaging in a such way that there is no escalation there,” Habeck said in comments broadcast by NTV. He added, “My perception is that Saudi Arabia is self-confident enough to know its role and wants to fulfil it.” Decision sparks disagreements The shift in policy about supplying arms to Saudi Arabia has sparked disagreements within the ruling coalition, with prominent figures from Baerbock’s Green Party voicing their concerns. Co-chair of the Greens, Ricarda Lang insisted that “with a view on the human rights situation, including Saudi Arabia’s domestic constitution, I think as before that it is wrong to deliver Eurofighters” to the kingdom. Notably, the 2021 coalition agreement between Scholz’s SPD, FDP and Greens explicitly states that there will be no approval of arms deliveries to any country directly involved in the war in Yemen. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany resumes arms sales to Saudi Arabia, ending years-long ban

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<p>Taiwan on Saturday is set to hold elections&nbsp;which are being closely watched - in China as well as the United States. It is said that the election results will impact the future of Taiwan's relations with Beijing. Apart from the US and China, experts and Taiwanese authorities have raised concerns about what could hamper the election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They have said that the election campaign has been hit by a wave of disinformation and TikTok videos, which are particularly aimed at candidates China opposes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Beijing has made it clear that it opposes the frontrunner Lai Ching-te, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rejects China's assertion that Taiwan is its own territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-satellite-launch-sparks-safety-alert-on-taiwan-phones-amid-election-tensions-678213">China’s satellite launch sparks safety alert on Taiwan phones amid election tensions</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>A report by the news agency AFP detailed how one Chinese hashtag criticising Lai received over 8.5 million views. The report added that replies to such posts and videos criticising the DPP were filled with derogatory remarks and conspiracy theories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On one video featuring DPP opponents, one TikTok user commented: "She's a foreigner." The video claimed Lai's running mate Hsiao Bi-khim was secretly a US citizen, and thus ineligible.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hsiao has often stated that she handed up her US citizenship years ago. However, the unfounded claim about Hsiao's US citizenship has been the most persistent social media allegation during the election campaign.&nbsp;</p>

<p>AFP also said that it has discovered her name on a US government registry of those who have renounced their nationality.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-imposes-sanctions-on-us-defence-giants-amid-growing-taiwan-tensions-677647">China vs US intensifies: Dragon nation imposes sanctions on US defence giants amid growing Taiwan tensions</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>According to experts, the flow of disinformation demonstrates a Beijing-linked effort to undermine any lawmakers who oppose Taiwan's status as a part of China.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jonathan Sullivan of the University of Nottingham told the news agency that "(China-led) information campaigns are sustained, systematic and produce huge volumes of misinformation -- anything to discredit... the legitimacy of Taiwan's democracy."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sullivan added, "Taiwan faces an extremely well-resourced and motivated rival for 'hearts and minds'."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lai has levelled accusations against China of using "all means to interfere with this election". Meanwhile, Beijing has dismissed the allegations as "rumours and hype".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Taiwan on Saturday is set to hold elections which are being closely watched - in China as well as the United States. It is said that the election results will impact the future of Taiwan's relations with Beijing.

Taiwan on Saturday is set to hold elections which are being closely watched - in China as well as the United States. It is said that the election results will impact the future of Taiwan's relations with Beijing. Apart from the US and China, experts and Taiwanese authorities have raised concerns about what could hamper the election. They have said that the election campaign has been hit by a wave of disinformation and TikTok videos, which are particularly aimed at candidates China opposes. Beijing has made it clear that it opposes the frontrunner Lai Ching-te, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rejects China's assertion that Taiwan is its own territory. Also read: China’s satellite launch sparks safety alert on Taiwan phones amid election tensions A report by the news agency AFP detailed how one Chinese hashtag criticising Lai received over 8.5 million views. The report added that replies to such posts and videos criticising the DPP were filled with derogatory remarks and conspiracy theories. On one video featuring DPP opponents, one TikTok user commented: "She's a foreigner." The video claimed Lai's running mate Hsiao Bi-khim was secretly a US citizen, and thus ineligible. Hsiao has often stated that she handed up her US citizenship years ago. However, the unfounded claim about Hsiao's US citizenship has been the most persistent social media allegation during the election campaign. AFP also said that it has discovered her name on a US government registry of those who have renounced their nationality. Also read: China vs US intensifies: Dragon nation imposes sanctions on US defence giants amid growing Taiwan tensions According to experts, the flow of disinformation demonstrates a Beijing-linked effort to undermine any lawmakers who oppose Taiwan's status as a part of China. Jonathan Sullivan of the University of Nottingham told the news agency that "(China-led) information campaigns are sustained, systematic and produce huge volumes of misinformation -- anything to discredit... the legitimacy of Taiwan's democracy." Sullivan added, "Taiwan faces an extremely well-resourced and motivated rival for 'hearts and minds'." Lai has levelled accusations against China of using "all means to interfere with this election". Meanwhile, Beijing has dismissed the allegations as "rumours and hype". (With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan election: Pro-China disinformation targets voters with deepfakes and manipulative videos

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<p>Concerns about the impact of social media on users' mental health have always been there. Do tech giants like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram care, or is it all about engagement for them? If they do care, to what extent?</p>

<p>In the last few years, instances where social media has contributed to self-harm have come to light across the world.</p>

<p>&nbsp;A recent incident that especially shocked the world is from the UK, where a woman Chloe Macdermott made a so-called suicide pact with strangers she met online and killed herself.</p>

<p>Paul Rogers, the coroner investigating her case, said he believed tech giants like Google and Amazon have the power to prevent tragedies like Chloe Macdermott's suicide pact.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjt6amOuNWDAxUEsVYBHR6dCJgQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coroner-investigating-chloe-macdermott-suicide-pact-says-google-amazon-can-prevent-such-tragedies-675522" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/coroner-investigating-chloe-macdermott-suicide-pact-says-google-amazon-can-prevent-such-tragedies-675522&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjt6amOuNWDAxUEsVYBHR6dCJgQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Chloe Macdermott suicide pact: 'Google, Amazon can prevent such tragedies', says Coroner investigating case</a></strong></p>

<p>WION decided to investigate how easy or difficult it would be to go about making such a pact on the big three social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For this, we simply ran a search for the term 'suicide pact,' to see what would come up. The results were concerning.</p>

<h2><strong>Twitter/ X</strong></h2>

<p>On Elon Musk's Twitter, now called X, the search for 'suicide pact' brought up a page that said in bold "Help is available".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you are not alone. Our partners can help. You can refer to NIMHANS website for resources or contact the helplines given in the Twitter list," it adds.</p>

<p><img alt="X 1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a9de136-ad45-431f-998d-7b250aac83e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Fb.png" /></p>

<p>This is followed by two links, if&nbsp;one is searching in India. One opens up the NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) website, India's apex centre for mental health.</p>

<p>The other one, labelled 'Suicide Prevention Helplines (Twitter List),' should lead to a detailed depository of helplines, but brings up a page that says <em>"Hmm...this page doesn't exist. Try searching for something else."&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em><img alt="X 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22e28d1f-0b44-4e23-a2a1-799cfbf31da2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/twit%20suicide%202.png" /></em></p>

<p>Needless to say, this is concerning. If the search was run by someone contemplating suicide, to them, stuck in a dark phase, this might seem like a further sign of hopelessness.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Mumbai: 23% more minor girls than boys died by suicide in 4 years</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mumbai-23-more-minor-girls-than-boys-died-by-suicide-in-4-years-657629/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<p>This could very well be a result of the social media giant formerly known as Twitter slashing its global trust and safety staff by 30 per cent since the Musk 2022 takeover.</p>

<p>Apart from this, the search fetched results that could be triggering. Here are some.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who's up for a suicide pact?</p>
— Mario (@thecarnello) <a href="https://twitter.com/thecarnello/status/1743767596254494749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">suicide pact anyone?</p>
— 🐾tee🐈‍⬛ (@newfoundg0ry) <a href="https://twitter.com/newfoundg0ry/status/1742500102978121990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">first date idea: suicide pact</p>
— Kat (@ollkorrect0) <a href="https://twitter.com/ollkorrect0/status/1728930369884557661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">anyone up for a suicide pact?</p>
— jai (@bellepitseleh) <a href="https://twitter.com/bellepitseleh/status/1742884774577115294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A suicide pact would be so cool right now</p>
— Campurr (@Purrpurrchan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Purrpurrchan/status/1734580324338729275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Facebook</strong></h2>

<p>The same search for 'suicide pact' on Facebook showed a page with yet another "Help is available" sign. Two buttons followed this one. The first one, 'Get Support', led to another page that had very helpful results.</p>

<p><img alt="FB1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="96b63b21-d55c-4397-ba40-4040e5573e0d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Fb_0.png" /></p>

<p>A 'Reach out to a friend' nudges users to get in touch with people they trust, which for someone stuck in the dark loop of self-harm can be a lifesaver, especially given that mental health problems often come with self-isolation.<br />
<img alt="FB2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ed834737-14f8-4c1a-963e-a30bf4e43bdd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/fb%202.png" /></p>

<p>The second button, 'Contact a helpline', brought up several helplines from across the country; telephonic, email-based and even websites.</p>

<p><img alt="FB3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5c898cd4-6d6a-4282-b490-c07f483df913" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/fb%203.png" /></p>

<p>'See suggestions from professionals outside of Meta', which was the third option, showed infographics on things that "others have found helpful".</p>

<p><img alt="FB4" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61dd60a9-bbe6-4478-ba96-8660cee530fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/fb%204_0.png" /></p>

<h2><strong>Instagram</strong></h2>

<p>Another Meta platform, Instagram, is especially popular among young people. However, our hopes which were raised by Facebook's exhaustive and helpful content were dashed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The search for 'suicide pact' on Instagram fetched many results; accounts, hashtags etc. that made mention of the term. Instagram, which as per Statista boasts 30.8 per cent of users between the ages of 18 and 24, an especially vulnerable age group, didn't even have a "Help is available" for courtesy's sake.</p>

<p><img alt="IG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="472003ab-18ed-4240-a86e-9e49999d7c8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IG%20suicide.jpg" /></p>

<p>Given that a huge percentage of the users on these platforms are young children, should certain content and search results be censored, at least to some extent?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjt6amOuNWDAxUEsVYBHR6dCJgQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/disturbing-trend-in-2022-more-people-than-ever-died-by-suicide-in-the-united-states-664285" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/disturbing-trend-in-2022-more-people-than-ever-died-by-suicide-in-the-united-states-664285&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjt6amOuNWDAxUEsVYBHR6dCJgQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">Disturbing trend: In 2022, more suicides than ever took place in the United States</a></strong></p>

<p>While these tech giants claim to address mental health concerns, their actions sometimes fall short.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Social media platforms' emphasis on engagement can inadvertently lead to the amplification of sensational, provocative, or harmful material that can contribute to dangerous steps taken at sensitive moments.</p>

<p>Big tech must recognise that striking a balance between user engagement and mental well-being is not just a moral obligation, but a critical step towards fostering healthier online communities.</p>


Concerns about the impact of social media on users' mental health have always been there. Do tech giants like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram care, or is it all about engagement for them?

Concerns about the impact of social media on users' mental health have always been there. Do tech giants like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram care, or is it all about engagement for them? If they do care, to what extent? In the last few years, instances where social media has contributed to self-harm have come to light across the world. A recent incident that especially shocked the world is from the UK, where a woman Chloe Macdermott made a so-called suicide pact with strangers she met online and killed herself. Paul Rogers, the coroner investigating her case, said he believed tech giants like Google and Amazon have the power to prevent tragedies like Chloe Macdermott's suicide pact. Also read | Chloe Macdermott suicide pact: 'Google, Amazon can prevent such tragedies', says Coroner investigating case WION decided to investigate how easy or difficult it would be to go about making such a pact on the big three social media platforms: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. For this, we simply ran a search for the term 'suicide pact,' to see what would come up. The results were concerning. Twitter/ X On Elon Musk's Twitter, now called X, the search for 'suicide pact' brought up a page that said in bold "Help is available". "If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you are not alone. Our partners can help. You can refer to NIMHANS website for resources or contact the helplines given in the Twitter list," it adds. This is followed by two links, if one is searching in India. One opens up the NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) website, India's apex centre for mental health. The other one, labelled 'Suicide Prevention Helplines (Twitter List),' should lead to a detailed depository of helplines, but brings up a page that says "Hmm...this page doesn't exist. Try searching for something else." Needless to say, this is concerning. If the search was run by someone contemplating suicide, to them, stuck in a dark phase, this might seem like a further sign of hopelessness. Watch | Mumbai: 23% more minor girls than boys died by suicide in 4 years × This could very well be a result of the social media giant formerly known as Twitter slashing its global trust and safety staff by 30 per cent since the Musk 2022 takeover. Apart from this, the search fetched results that could be triggering. Here are some. Who's up for a suicide pact? — Mario (@thecarnello) January 6, 2024 × suicide pact anyone? — 🐾tee🐈‍⬛ (@newfoundg0ry) January 3, 2024 × first date idea: suicide pact — Kat (@ollkorrect0) November 27, 2023 × anyone up for a suicide pact? — jai (@bellepitseleh) January 4, 2024 × A suicide pact would be so cool right now — Campurr (@Purrpurrchan) December 12, 2023 × Facebook The same search for 'suicide pact' on Facebook showed a page with yet another "Help is available" sign. Two buttons followed this one. The first one, 'Get Support', led to another page that had very helpful results. A 'Reach out to a friend' nudges users to get in touch with people they trust, which for someone stuck in the dark loop of self-harm can be a lifesaver, especially given that mental health problems often come with self-isolation. The second button, 'Contact a helpline', brought up several helplines from across the country; telephonic, email-based and even websites. 'See suggestions from professionals outside of Meta', which was the third option, showed infographics on things that "others have found helpful". Instagram Another Meta platform, Instagram, is especially popular among young people. However, our hopes which were raised by Facebook's exhaustive and helpful content were dashed. The search for 'suicide pact' on Instagram fetched many results; accounts, hashtags etc. that made mention of the term. Instagram, which as per Statista boasts 30.8 per cent of users between the ages of 18 and 24, an especially vulnerable age group, didn't even have a "Help is available" for courtesy's sake. Given that a huge percentage of the users on these platforms are young children, should certain content and search results be censored, at least to some extent? Also read | Disturbing trend: In 2022, more suicides than ever took place in the United States While these tech giants claim to address mental health concerns, their actions sometimes fall short. Social media platforms' emphasis on engagement can inadvertently lead to the amplification of sensational, provocative, or harmful material that can contribute to dangerous steps taken at sensitive moments. Big tech must recognise that striking a balance between user engagement and mental well-being is not just a moral obligation, but a critical step towards fostering healthier online communities.

Dark side of social media: Do X, Facebook, Instagram care about your mental health? WION investigates

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On Wednesday, the World Health Organization announced that December saw approximately 10,000 deaths linked to COVID-19. The UN-backed health agency reported that hospital admissions increased by 42% in almost 50 nations during the month, mostly in Europe and the Americas. Additionally, compared to November, there was a 62% rise in admissions to the intensive care unit. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, "This level of preventable deaths is not acceptable, even though 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic."

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<p>United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden abruptly walked out of his contempt hearing at Capitol Hill on Wednesday (Jan 10), as soon as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stood up to question him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At a US House of Representatives hearing, the Republican lawmakers were pushing for a vote to hold Hunter in contempt of Congress for not testifying in their impeachment inquiry targeting his father.&nbsp;</p>

<p>House Republicans have alleged that Joe Biden and his family improperly profited from policy actions in which Biden participated when he was vice president in&nbsp;2009-2017.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hunter left as soon as it was MTG’s turn to speak, took all the cameras with him, and made a statement to the press in the hallway. I know she was HEATED 💀 <a href="https://t.co/HpfwT62jau">pic.twitter.com/HpfwT62jau</a></p>
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) <a href="https://twitter.com/notcapnamerica/status/1745143405921935693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The&nbsp;House Oversight and Judiciary Committees advanced resolutions recommending that Hunter&nbsp;be held in criminal contempt of Congress, sending the matter to full House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Hunter entered the hearing without speaking to the media, and sat quietly in the gallery with his lawyer, causing pandemonium, with members of the House Oversight Committee arguing with each other and scolding him for the surprise. He left before the vote on the resolution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As Hunter was exiting, a man yelled out&nbsp;“What kind of crack do you normally smoke, Mr&nbsp;Biden?”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden made an unexpected appearance at a US House committee hearing called by Republican lawmakers pushing for a vote to hold him in contempt of Congress <a href="https://t.co/EYJPYQFPrI">https://t.co/EYJPYQFPrI</a> <a href="https://t.co/PnfHEEat8s">pic.twitter.com/PnfHEEat8s</a></p>
— Reuters (@Reuters) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1745230288379163031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We plan to question Hunter Biden about this record of evidence during our deposition, but he blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas," Committee chairperson James Comer said.</p>

<p>"Hunter Biden's willful refusal to comply with the committee subpoenas is a criminal act. It constitutes contempt of Congress and warrants referral to the appropriate United States Attorney's Office for prosecution, as prescribed by the law. We will not provide Hunter Biden with special treatment because of his last name."</p>

<h2><strong>'You're the epitome of white privilege'</strong></h2>

<p>US Representative Nancy Mace (a Republican) slammed Hunter's surprise appearance at the hearing by saying that he was the "epitome of white privilege."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You are the epitome of white privilege -- coming into the Oversight Committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed. What are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here!" Mace added.</p>

<p>Representative Jared Moskowitz (also a Republican) said,&nbsp;"The witness accepted the chairman's invitation. It just so happens the witness is here. If the committee wants to hear from the witness and the chairman gave the witness that option, then the only folks that are afraid to hear from the witness with the American people watching, are my friends on the other side of the aisle.</p>

<p>"I don't know if there's a proper motion, Mr. Chairman, but I'll make a motion. Let's vote. Let's take a vote. Who wants to hear from Hunter right now, today?"</p>

<p>Hunter's lawyer Abbe Lowell slammed Republican chairs for commandeering an unprecedented resolution to hold someone in contempt who has offered to publicly answer all their proper questions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Last year Chairman Comer made an explicit offer that people like Hunter and others like him have the option to attend the deposition or a public hearing - whichever they chose," Lowell said.</p>

<p>"Hunter chose a hearing where Republicans could not distort, manipulate, or misuse that testimony honour and then ignoring that invitation and proving once again that they cared little about the truth and wanted only to, quote, 'move the needle of political support', which was a quote Chairman Comer confessed was his true purpose," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden abruptly walked out of his contempt hearing at Capitol Hill on Wednesday (Jan 10), as soon as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stood up to question him.

United States President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden abruptly walked out of his contempt hearing at Capitol Hill on Wednesday (Jan 10), as soon as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stood up to question him. At a US House of Representatives hearing, the Republican lawmakers were pushing for a vote to hold Hunter in contempt of Congress for not testifying in their impeachment inquiry targeting his father. House Republicans have alleged that Joe Biden and his family improperly profited from policy actions in which Biden participated when he was vice president in 2009-2017. Hunter left as soon as it was MTG’s turn to speak, took all the cameras with him, and made a statement to the press in the hallway. I know she was HEATED 💀 pic.twitter.com/HpfwT62jau — chris evans (@notcapnamerica) January 10, 2024 × The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees advanced resolutions recommending that Hunter be held in criminal contempt of Congress, sending the matter to full House. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Hunter entered the hearing without speaking to the media, and sat quietly in the gallery with his lawyer, causing pandemonium, with members of the House Oversight Committee arguing with each other and scolding him for the surprise. He left before the vote on the resolution. As Hunter was exiting, a man yelled out “What kind of crack do you normally smoke, Mr Biden?” President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden made an unexpected appearance at a US House committee hearing called by Republican lawmakers pushing for a vote to hold him in contempt of Congress https://t.co/EYJPYQFPrI pic.twitter.com/PnfHEEat8s — Reuters (@Reuters) January 10, 2024 × "We plan to question Hunter Biden about this record of evidence during our deposition, but he blatantly defied two lawful subpoenas," Committee chairperson James Comer said. "Hunter Biden's willful refusal to comply with the committee subpoenas is a criminal act. It constitutes contempt of Congress and warrants referral to the appropriate United States Attorney's Office for prosecution, as prescribed by the law. We will not provide Hunter Biden with special treatment because of his last name." 'You're the epitome of white privilege' US Representative Nancy Mace (a Republican) slammed Hunter's surprise appearance at the hearing by saying that he was the "epitome of white privilege." "You are the epitome of white privilege -- coming into the Oversight Committee, spitting in our face, ignoring a congressional subpoena to be deposed. What are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here!" Mace added. Representative Jared Moskowitz (also a Republican) said, "The witness accepted the chairman's invitation. It just so happens the witness is here. If the committee wants to hear from the witness and the chairman gave the witness that option, then the only folks that are afraid to hear from the witness with the American people watching, are my friends on the other side of the aisle. "I don't know if there's a proper motion, Mr. Chairman, but I'll make a motion. Let's vote. Let's take a vote. Who wants to hear from Hunter right now, today?" Hunter's lawyer Abbe Lowell slammed Republican chairs for commandeering an unprecedented resolution to hold someone in contempt who has offered to publicly answer all their proper questions. "Last year Chairman Comer made an explicit offer that people like Hunter and others like him have the option to attend the deposition or a public hearing - whichever they chose," Lowell said. "Hunter chose a hearing where Republicans could not distort, manipulate, or misuse that testimony honour and then ignoring that invitation and proving once again that they cared little about the truth and wanted only to, quote, 'move the needle of political support', which was a quote Chairman Comer confessed was his true purpose," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Video | Hunter Biden abruptly walks out of contempt hearing as Marjorie Taylor Greene starts speaking

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