US-Canada border closure puts sick Americans’ lives in danger

US President Joe Biden has dispatched his top diplomat to the region to shore up democracy and reverse gains made by autocrats under his predecessor Donald Trump.

The poisoning of activist Alexei Navalny is not the first attack on a Putin critic in Russia. Engaging in political opposition in Russia can be life threatening.

Abortion rights in America are under threat with the nation's landmark ruling, Roe v Wade, at risk of being overturned or significantly weakened later this year. In response, California is already declaring itself a sanctuary state for women seeking a termination. Annette Young talks to Amanda Becker, the Washington correspondent for the 19th, an American website reporting on gender and policy, on what the Supreme Court is likely to do. Plus we meet photographer, Pamela Tulizo from the Democratic Republic of Congo whose work challenges clichés about women in her country who are often presented as victims.

With three days to go until the first round of the presidential election, French voters are uninterested and undecided, leaving paper La Croix concerned about the country's future. Is alarm over a possible far-right victory a campaign strategy of Emmanuel Macron, or is far-right contender Marine Le Pen "more of a threat than ever before"? We also look at reactions in Burkina Faso to the trial over Thomas Sankara's 1987 assassination, as well as US sanctions on Vladimir Putin's daughters and French campaign goodies.

The recent leak of a confidential US Supreme Court document has confirmed the conservative-majority court's intention to overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision that has guaranteed access to abortion throughout the United States for nearly 50 years. Such a decision would have an unprecedented impact on 75 million women of childbearing age. But at the instigation of the Republican Party, some parts of the US, such as the states of Texas and Oklahoma, are already turning into a medical desert for women who seek a termination. Our correspondents Valérie Defert and Pierrick Leurent report on the "post-Roe America".

In another tragic US mass shooting echoing the 2012 Sandy Hook killings, an 18-year-old gunman has killed more than 20 people – mostly children – in Uvalde, Texas. We take a look at how papers are reacting to the all-too-common event in the United States, including why many blame Republicans. We finish with an editorial arguing that the United States – its policies and institutions – is its own worst enemy.

In another tragic US mass shooting echoing the 2012 Sandy Hook killings, an 18-year-old gunman has killed more than 20 people – mostly children – in Uvalde, Texas. We take a look at how papers are reacting to the all-too-common event in the United States, including why many blame Republicans. We finish with an editorial arguing that the United States – its policies and institutions – is its own worst enemy.

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.