Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, is bracing for an all-out attack as Russian forces close in. Shelling has already reached the outskirts of Kyiv, while others cities are also suffering heavy bombardment.

Shanghai reported three COVID deaths — the first since a strict lockdown started last month. Meanwhile, Germany's health minister said the mask mandate may be brought back in autumn.

The World Health Organization said more than twice as many people died as a result of the COVID pandemic than official data shows, if including deaths of other causes that might not have occurred in more typical times.

Seven Russian oligarchs, many involved with oil and gas, have recently died under mysterious circumstances. Though suicide is officially suspected, speculation about the Kremlin's involvement abounds.

Posts on social networks have propagated the theory, based on claims by French doctor Didier Raoult, that vaccination has increased Covid-19 infections. FRANCE 24’s Georgina Robertson and Sophie Samaille look at some of the statistics and investigate in this week's show.

North Korea on Sunday reported a total of 42 deaths from "fever" after admitting its first-ever COVID-19 cases days before. Lockdown policies have been implemented across the country, according to state-run media.

Earlier this month, a leaked draft majority opinion suggested that the US Supreme Court was set to strike down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which affirmed the legality of a woman's right to an abortion under the US Constitution. The news sparked protests in cities across the United States, with hundreds of demonstrations taking place again over the weekend. Gail Sredanovic, a member of the Raging Grannies activist organisation, joined us on Perspective to express her concerns.

South African authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 22 young people found inside a popular tavern in the coastal town of East London, provincial health officials and the presidency said on Sunday.

Every year, some 10,000 low-paid migrant labourers return home to southeast Asia from the Gulf in body bags. Half of these deaths are unexplained, and with no labour laws in place — nor any will from home nations to investigate — the cycle of exploitation continues unabated. These figures are estimates published in a report from the NGO FairSquare. As summer begins, more and more of these vulnerable workers are succumbing to heat-related illnesses. For more, we speak to Nicholas McGeehan, Director of FairSquare Research and Projects.

Ahead of World Alzheimer's Day, the German government's statistics office released figures showing that hospitalizations and deaths had more than doubled in the past two decades as the country ages.

Iranians have defied crackdowns and showed up for protests in cities across the country, posing a serious challenge to the establishment. A human rights group has said 83 people have died over the course of protests.

Indian health officials have ordered a maker of cough syrups to halt production after they were linked to the deaths of children in The Gambia. Maiden Pharmaceuticals broke rules "across its manufacturing and testing activities," Indian regulators found.