International report

In order to feed 10 billion people by 2050, in a world facing rising temperatures and scarcer water supplies, crop scientists and researchers believe we’ll need to dramatically change the way we produce food.

When it comes to wheat and other cereals, that means developing technologies including genetic engineering. It also means more investment is required in research and development.

Emmanuelle Landais was at the international wheat Congress held in Canada in July to find out more.

This is the second report in a three-part seies.

Can you imagine Paris without croissants, Rome without spaghetti or New Delhi without chapatis?

The wheat used in our favourite foods is the world’s most important crop. But scientific research now shows that wheat will be severely affected by climate change – and this will have an impact on all of our food needs by 2050.

Wheat faces threats from variable weather, disease and many other challenges. To combat these dangers, crop scientists from around the world convened in Saskatoon in Canada’s Sasketchewan province in July for the first International Wheat Congress to discuss how technology can help produce bigger yields, more nutritious grains and also support farmers’ livelihoods around the world.

This report from Emmanuelle Landais, who attended the congress, is the first of a three-part series.

Mexico, which is mired in macho misconceptions, is belatedly facing up to the demands of long-suffering women, who are vehemently protesting that enough is enough. Correspondent James Blears reports that tempers are fraying and women are taking to the streets, marching en mass to demand overdue rights.

For the last part of our series A Parisian Summer, Arnab Béranger hits the Saint Bernard quays near central Paris. Here, summer evenings come alive with hundreds of people from all over the world dancing through the night. Salsa, tango, rock 'n' roll and even French Celtic dancing, this is one of Paris' truly international spots.

Click the 'play' button above to listen to the audio report, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report.

Can comedy teach us anything about the news?As it happens, political stand-up is one of the most popular genres at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Hong Kong protesters using radical action against the police have grabbed the headlines, using “Retake Hong Kong” as their key slogan. They believe a hardline approach is the best way to get Beijing’s attention. RFI met one of them at his university campus in Hong Kong.

A UN tourism report ranks France at the top tourist destination in the world, with nearly 90 million tourists last year. Fifty million visit Paris alone, according to the mayor's office.

For the fourth part of our series A Parisian Summer, Arnab Béranger goes aboard a boat cruise down the Seine. So sit back and enjoy the ride.

Click the 'play' button above to listen to the audio report, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report.

Arts and entertainment have taken over every corner in the Scottish city of Edinburgh.

We're two weeks into the Edinburgh Festivals, and just about every bar, theatre and concert hall is tackling tough issues through art and performance.

Racial and class inequalities in particular are the focus of hundreds of shows.

Assa Samaké-Roman has this second report on a series on the festivals in the capital of Scotland.

Click the 'play' button above to listen, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report'.

We’re going back to the US for part two of our special report with former US gymnast Rachel Haines. Rachel was one of hundreds of girls abused over years by their then-team coach, Larry Nassar.

Today, Colm Flynn talks to Rachel about her recovery, and life today. 

Click the 'play' button above to listen, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report'.

Rachel Haines was a star US gymnast who suffered years of abuse by her then coach, Larry Nassar. Since the national scandal broke in 2016, more than 250 women have accused Larry Nassar of sexual assault, and in 2017 he was convicted and sentenced to 175 years in prison. It was a case that rocked the gymnastics world and for the first time, Rachel has decided to talk about her experience in the hope of helping others.

In part one of our two-part report, our correspondent Colm Flynn travelled to Minnesota to meet Rachel and hear her story. And a warning, some listeners may find some of what she describes upsetting.

Click the 'play' button above to listen, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report'.