New U.S.-South Korea collaboration; Why Sudan matters.; Remembering Harry Belafonte

Plus, what do Americans really think about abortion rights? [View this email online]( [NPR Up First Newsletter]( by Suzanne Nuyen April 26, 2023 Good morning. Are you job searching? Try a career in tech. Despite mass layoffs in Silicon Valley, [tech jobs are still plentiful and stable]( even for those without college degrees. Here's what else we're following today. President Biden and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will announce new steps they plan to take to try to deter North Korea from using nuclear weapons. Plans include the U.S. [sending its first nuclear ballistic submarine to South Korea]( since the early 1980s. Yoon is in the U.S. this week on the first state visit from a South Korean leader in 12 years. [A screen shows a file image of U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance in Seoul, South Korea.]( Ahn Young-joon/AP 🎧 "South Koreans have been asking for, and the U.S. has been promising more consultation on how they're going to deter North Korea," NPR's Anthony Kuhn says on Up First this morning. "At the end of the day, this is about [reassuring a jittery South Korean public]( he reports from Seoul. North Korea has launched more than 80 test missiles since the start of 2022. Sudan's warring generals [continue to fight]( despite efforts from the U.S. and other regional powers to establish a cease-fire. Saudi Arabia, Russia and Egypt all have interests in the region. 🎧 NPR's Michele Keleman spoke to experts about what's at stake for Sudan. Susan Stigant, director of the Africa program at the U.S. Institute of Peace, tells her: "[It’s really important for the U.S. to help get Sudan back on track]( On Up First, Kelemen adds she's heard complaints that U.S. diplomacy in Sudan has been "too focused on appeasing the generals and not on pressuring them or imposing sanctions on them to get back to serious negotiations.” A new NPR poll shows support for abortion rights is high, though many also support some restrictions. Of the 1,300 respondents, 66% said abortion should only be legal [during the first three months of pregnancy]( at most. Twenty percent think abortion should be legal in all circumstances, and 9% think it should never be legal. 🎧 "Almost everyone is somewhere in the middle," Domenico Montanaro says on Morning Edition. He adds, "it [makes it tough for some politicians]( in this post-Roe world to figure out a firm position." ➡️ The topic has become a political flashpoint, and Vice President Kamala Harris has made it clear it will be a [key part of her campaign](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- [The silhouette of a teenage girl using a smartphone. ]( Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images In 2017, psychologist Jean Twenge warned of a teen mental health crisis linked to social media but faced skepticism due to a lack of data. Now, new studies [paint a clearer picture]( of the relationship between social media and teen mental health. 📱 Teen social media use has skyrocketed in recent years. The rise in tech use coincides with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.📱 A study — considered one of the best to date on the subject — found an uptick in mental health issues after Facebook arrived on college campuses. 📱 The data suggest the more time teens spend on social media, the higher the risk for health problems — and certain ages are more vulnerable than others. --------------------------------------------------------------- [ Harry Belafonte in a scene from the 1959 film Odds Against Tomorrow.]( Photographer/Source Singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte died yesterday at 96. His [style, class and charisma]( broke racial barriers and earned the star an EGOT. He was active in the civil rights movement and a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 🎧 Lavaille Lavette, who wrote a children's biography of Belafonte, discusses his legacy with Michel Martin on Morning Edition. She says she wants "young people today" to know he was more than an entertainer, and he “[challenged everyone to do more.]( 🍿 Belafonte's influence touched many corners of popular culture and political progress. Celebrate his life by watching these [three can't-miss performances](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [ A headshot of Mattel's first Barbie with Down syndrome.]( [Mattel]( This Barbie has Down syndrome. Mattel hopes the newest Barbie will "[allow even more children to see themselves]( and promote inclusion. Who is Dark Brandon? President Biden [included the meme]( on his new 2024 campaign website, and you can get it on a T-shirt. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is heading to Harvard. She's been [selected for several fellowships]( and says she's excited to find time for reflection, which she says is critical to support new leaders. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. 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