Police in the US town of Uvalde, Texas are facing questions over why it took an hour to neutralise the gunman who murdered 19 small children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School. The tragedy comes amid increasing calls for greater gun control measures. Among the demands of campaigners are a ban on assault weapon sales, as well as universal background checks and so-called red flag laws. Pastor Mike McBride, director of the LIVE FREE gun violence prevention campaign with the Faith in Action network, joined us on Perspective to tell us more.

Two cases of monkeypox were confirmed by Argentina on Friday in individuals who had recently arrived from Spain.

The leaders of the US, the UK, and Canada all slammed the Supreme Court's move, which puts US women at risk of losing their right to abortion. Meanwhile, Donald Trump said "God made the decision" on reproductive rights.

It was supposed to be a festive celebration marking the 246th anniversary of the independence of the United States. Instead, it was yet another reminder of rampant gunviolence in the country as a gunman disguised in women's clothing opened fire on a parade in a Chicago suburb, killing several people. The 21-year-old assailant has been charged with seven counts of first-degree murder.

Drug cartels in Latin America are now making more money from synthetic drugs like fentanyl than the illicit substances the continent is best known for, like cocaine and marijuana.

Fake abortion clinics use federal dollars to lie to women and dissuade them from having abortions. These groups are trying to change that.

Can Joe Biden switch the US from fossil fuels to renewable energy, especially when places like West Virginia are so dependent on coal? Well, the biggest challenge just might be a Republican victory in midterm elections.

The second "surveillance balloon" announcement comes after the first sighting prompted the top US diplomat to postpone a trip to Beijing. China claims the balloons are used for scientific purposes.

China said the device deviated from its route, and "accidentally strayed over Latin America and the Caribbean." This comes even as the US is seaching for the remains of the suspected surveillence balloon it shot down.

A South Carolina jury on Thursday found Richard "Alex" Murdaugh guilty of killing his wife and son, convicting the once-influential attorney of murder in a case that has gripped the nation's attention for nearly two years.

As Honduras contemplates switching diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China, experts say unofficial ties with remaining allies are stable but it's important to maintain formal relations, amid pressure from Beijing.

The European Commission hopes that pushing ahead long-brewing trade deals with Latin American governments can boost the EU.