Alexi Navalny: Danger of dissent

Pope Francis warns that Lebanon faces "extreme danger that threatens the very existence of the country" following last month's massive explosion.

Since the spring, the border between the United States and Canada has been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This closure impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of American patients, who are used to buying medicine over on the Canadian side of the border, where it's much cheaper. Some Americans suffering from diabetes have even begun decreasing their food intake in order to ration their insulin supply. Our Canada correspondents report.

In France, the arrival of 5G technology is imminent: phone network providers hope to begin 5G operations by the end of the year. Together they have spent more than €2 billion purchasing the required frequencies. While the transition to a 5G world is expected to revolutionise various parts of the economy, including the industry and health sectors, there are also fears about its rollout. Many NGOs are warning of health and environmental risks. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris-Trent, Hanane Saïdani and Wassim Cornet report.

In India, the pandemic and the coronavirus lockdown have been accompanied by an unprecedented wave of arrests. Police have made it a habit to book any opponents of India's increasingly authoritarian government under a terrorism prevention act. This draconian law allows the state to imprison any individual suspected of terrorism without a trial. As FRANCE 24’s correspondents report, the Indian state is sending a clear message to its critics to stay in line.

Moscow is barring some German and EU officials from entering Russia as part of its response to EU sanctions following the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

In Kenya, abortion is strictly prohibited except in cases of rape or medical emergency. Women and girls risk their lives with back-alley abortionists. DW's Mariel Müller met a young woman who survived an unsafe abortion and the man who carried it out.

Tall and lean with a powerful chest, the rare Sarail hound has been treasured in Bangladesh for centuries. But the dogs -- believed to have descended from English greyhounds and sighthounds owned by Mughal-era feudal landlords, or from hunting dogs brought by Arab traders -- are dwindling in numbers with just dozens remaining in the South East Asian country, according to some estimates.

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine says he fears for his life since losing last week's presidential election. He tells FRANCE 24 that he and his wife are still under house arrest and surrounded by the military. Also, around 140 people are killed and tens of thousands forced from their homes in Sudan's troubled Darfur region. And finally, the world's largest fish – whale sharks – normally migrate thousands of kilometres every year, but some are skipping the trip to stay in Tanzania.

Archaeological sites in Sudan can be found across the Nile Valley. These pyramids, temples, statues, jewels and other archaeological treasures date from the Meroitic Empire, an ancient Nubian dynasty that ruled over a vast territory from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD. But this priceless heritage is today under threat from urbanisation, grave robbers and gold diggers. In order to save what's left, the government is raising popular awareness. Our correspondents report.

United Nations experts say some 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray province are acutely threatened by starvation, with millions more at risk. Agencies and aid groups say conflict is to blame.

Surrounded in mystery and tales of demons, the Well of Barhout in Yemen's east -- known as the "Well of Hell" -- is a little-understood natural wonder. Closer to the border with Oman than to the capital Sanaa 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) away, the giant hole in the desert of Al-Mahra province is 30 metres wide and thought to be anywhere between 100 and 250 metres deep.

Danish is transgender, Khalid is gay. But in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule, LGBTQ people face the death penalty. So their only option is to flee the country. Here's their story.