According to a Senate report out of Brazil, the country's far-right president should face at least 10 charges, including crimes against humanity, for his handling of the pandemic. It paints a damning portrait of Jair Bolsonaro's government: one of corruption, negligence and incompetence. With more than 600,000 deaths, Brazil has the world’s second-highest Covid-19 mortality rate.

Inside the Americas

Brazil probe calls for Bolsonaro to be charged over handling of Covid-19 pandemic

The Biden administration is once again urging courts to step in and suspend a new Texas law that bans most abortions. This latest wrangling comes after an appeals court reinstated the law after a brief 48-hour window. The legal showdown between the state of Texas and the Biden administration is likely to wind up in the US Supreme Court. We take a closer look.

Texas abortion law: Legal showdown with US government continues

It's been a bad week for Facebook. The social media giant saw a six-hour outage of its own site, plus Instagram and WhatsApp. Facebook was also hit with testimony from former employee Frances Haugen, who slammed the company for prioritising profit over protecting its users. Testifying before the US Congress this week, she said the platforms – specifically Instagram – are fuelling eating disorders and body shaming that's particularly dangerous for teenage girls. Haugen also urged the government to regulate social media to help tackle the crisis, with some members of Congress happy to oblige.

Facebook whistleblower's revelations: Calls grow for greater regulation of social media

Peru has the world's highest number of Covid-19 deaths compared to its population. The figures have kept the country's potential tourists at bay for months. But little by little, travellers are starting to return, attracted by iconic sites like Machu Picchu and the former Inca capital Cuzco. Our correspondent Thomas Nicolon reports on how people working in Peru's tourism industry are now hoping for better days.

Tourists slowly return to iconic sites in Peru

Autumn in New York is synonymous with the UN General Assembly. This year's event was held mostly in person for the first time in two years. Over 100 world leaders came to town, including US President Joe Biden, who made his debut UN address. It was a chance for Biden to promote America's wins – and dance around some of the country's more controversial diplomatic moves. We take a closer look.

America first? Exploring Biden's controversial diplomatic moves

This week, the governor of California decisively defeated a Republican campaign to remove him from office. Gavin Newsom easily survived the recall election, leaving dozens of challengers far behind. The victory sends a strong message that California voters are still behind Newsom and the traditional polices of the deeply Democratic state. We take a closer look at the recall mechanism.

California referendum: How does a recall election work?

Twenty years ago, two passenger planes slammed into both towers of the World Trade Center in New York. It was the worst terrorist attack in US history, watched live around the world. In this special show, we try to understand how the consequences are still being felt today. We talk to first responders who now suffer from devastating health issues. We also see how security measures were stepped up in the wake of the attacks and how education has adapted to a new generation that wasn't born during 9/11.

9/11: The day that never ended

This week, America put an end to its 20-year war in Afghanistan. In addition to taking control of the country, the Taliban have also recuperated huge quantities of US military equipment left behind. Much of it was originally meant to be used by Afghan armed forces to defend themselves. Pictures of Taliban soldiers in full US army gear have now got many people worried. Our tech editor Peter O'Brien tells us more about the Taliban's military capabilities.

US withdrawal from Afghanistan: A huge arsenal left in Taliban hands

As a series of destructive wildfires make headlines, why is the western part of North America so prone to wildfires and how is climate change making them worse? We take a closer look.

US West Coast: Why is the region so prone to wildfires?

Cuba is grappling with its largest protests since the era of Fidel Castro. The demonstrations come as the country is facing its worst surge in Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. But it's the economic crisis, and a shortage of food and medicine, that has drawn so many to the streets as the government blames the US for its economic sanctions.

Covid-19 pandemic, economic crisis: Historic protests shake Cuba

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is known by many for his Tesla vehicles and his exploits in outer space. But he's also causing quite a stir on Earth – in a tiny town in southern Texas, to be precise. Many residents in Boca Chica Village say they're being pushed out as Musk's company SpaceX constructs its launch site and rocket production facility there. We take a closer look.

An unwelcome neighbour? Residents angered over sprawling SpaceX launch site

Dozens of people have died in Canada since last week due to record high temperatures which have hit highs of over 46°C. According to the Met Office, the ongoing heatwave is a result of a pressure system which isn't moving. We take a closer look at the phenomenon known as a heat dome.

What is a heat dome? Explaining the phenomenon behind Canada's heatwave

NFL player Carl Nassib has taken to Instagram to come out as gay. The move is being called a watershed moment for American football, the country's most popular sport. Nassib's announcement comes as he enters his sixth season in the league and during Pride Month. We take a closer look.

Making history: Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden sat down with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for their first face-to-face talks as leaders. Both men went into the meeting not agreeing on much, except the fact that relations between their two countries are at an all-time low. We take a look back at Putin's relations with successive US presidents.

From Bush to Biden: A look back at the rocky US-Russia relationship

The FBI says it's recouped most of the ransom money that was paid to a hacker group after it attacked a massive fuel pipeline. The internet criminals installed ransomware on the Colonial Pipeline in May and were paid over $4 million in cryptocurrency by the oil company to stop the attack. We take a closer look.

Cyberattacks in the US: Biden administration on the offensive

Political and social events from the Americas, with exclusive reports and interviews. Every Wednesday at 5.45 pm Paris time.

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Inside the Americas

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