The Latest Breaking News from Radio France Internationale

Comedians from across French-speaking Africa are in Abidjan this weekend for the ninth Festival of Laughter – an event that aims to promote stand-up comedy on the continent, with a hefty dose of self-mockery.

Around 170 people were "executed" in attacks on three villages in northern Burkina Faso a week ago, a regional prosecutor said in a statement on Sunday.

Chad's interim president Mahamat Idriss Deby says he plans to run in this year's long-awaited presidential race, three days after his chief rival was killed in disputed circumstances..

Two years after Malawi experienced its deadliest ever cholera outbreak, a spate of sporadic infections is once again causing alarm. With 59,000 cases since 2022, Malawi has become the worst-hit country in southern Africa – where climate impacts and poor border controls are helping to fuel transmission of the illness.

French President Emmanuel Macron has praised the “courage” of thousands of Russians who risked arrest to mourn opposition leader Alexei Navalny as he was buried in Moscow on Friday. A Russia specialist in France sees signs the Kremlin is nervous.

A bedbug scare in Paris last autumn that grabbed headlines across the globe and led to schools closing was artificially amplified by social media accounts linked to Russian "disinformation" activities, a French minister has said.

Centrist MEP Valérie Hayer has been appointed to head President Emmanuel Macron's list for the European elections in June. RFI looks into the background of this little-known candidate, who has a fight on her hands as the French far right prepares for battle on the hustings.

This week on The Sound Kitchen, a special treat: RFI English listeners' musical requests. Just click on the “Play” button above and enjoy!

As Australia announces plans to double its naval fleet and boost defence spending, the country is also looking to France to help counter China's expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region.