RARE PHOTOS: 25 | Rare Historical Photos

France skipper Mbappé denies Messi to win second Golden Boot award

Kylian Mbappé will return to France from the World Cup with his reputation as one of the best strikers of his generation enhanced, having become the first player to win the competition's Golden Boot award twice.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 20

Turkey marks a decade since the coup that never was, but never really ended

On 16 July, Turkey marked a decade since the failed coup that shook the nation. Its defeat is widely viewed as the final curtain on military meddling in politics and as the moment when President Erdogan cemented his grip on power, yet the aftershocks for human rights and foreign relations…

Radio France Internationale · Jul 20

Madagascar's wave of disappearances exposes 'deeper institutional failings'

A recent surge in disappearances and violent killings on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar has fuelled fears across the country and prompted the government to deploy hundreds of security personnel. Anti-corruption campaigner Ketakandriana Rafitoson, of Transparency International Initiative Madagascar, told RFI the violence reflects a broader "crisis of confidence"…

Radio France Internationale · Jul 20

Spain crowned world champions as France miss out and England claim bronze

Spain compressed Argentina to claim the first 48-team World Cup and conclude a 39-day extravaganza of 104 matches, 308 goals at 16 stadiums in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 20

Torres' extra-time strike seals Spain's second World Cup as Argentina finish with 10 men

Substitute Ferran Torres struck 37 seconds into the second period of extra-time to edge Spain past a 10-man Argentina and give his side a second World Cup trophy.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 19

Wildfire scorches 12,000 hectares north of Madrid, say Spanish authorities

A wildfire raging 100 kilometres north of Madrid has spread, burning more than 12,000 hectares and forcing several hundred people to evacuate, local authorities announced on Sunday.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 19

Gym culture on the rise in France, as young people reshape ideas about exercise

France is better known for football, cycling, tennis and skiing than weightlifting. But gym culture is on the rise, especially among young people – many of whom have been inspired by social media, with France’s most popular YouTuber building his audience around bodybuilding.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 19

Kenya’s Rift Valley residents reach breaking point: 'The lake moved into my house’

With Kenya’s Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria rising for months now, following above-average rainfall across the Rift Valley over recent years, this summer has seen them – and the communities around them – reach tipping point.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 19

African designer Imane Ayissi redefines luxury on Paris haute couture stage

Models stepped on to a Paris runway last week wearing sculptural gowns in African textiles by Imane Ayissi – the first and still the only designer from sub-Saharan Africa to take part in Paris's haute couture shows.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 19

Spain face Argentina in battle for World Cup supremacy

Defending champions Argentina take on reigning European champions Spain on Sunday afternoon in a World Cup final shimmering with subplots and story lines.

Radio France Internationale · Jul 19