INTERNATIONAL REPORT

For five years now, the Beethoven Foundation for Art and Culture in Germany has been organizing "Sonotopia", an international artistic residence in three countries that revolves mainly around the sound identity of a city’s every day sounds and how they are perceived by the listeners. What do these noises say about a city? Is a there another message behind the sounds? This year two students from Luxembourg and Germany were able to spent one month in Dakar with two Senegalese artists to create sound installations that represent what the city means to them. Emmanuelle Landais reports from Dakar. Click the "play" button above to listen to the audio report, or subscribe to our podcast by searching for "RFI international report".

In a novel way to educate Liberian citizens about the Covid-19 pandemic, President George Weah has released a song to raise awareness about coronavirus. Weah hopes to appeal to music lovers across the nation of some 4.5 million people to ensure Covid-19 does not spread further than the three cases already confirmed in the capital Monrovia. With the aftermath of the 2014 Ebola outbreak that killed over 4,000 Liberians, the authorities are not taking the situation lightly. Correspondent Darlington Porkpa has this report from Monrovia. Click the "play" button above to listen to the audio report and listen to the President Weah's song in full below. Also subscribe to our podcast by searching for "RFI international report".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could be facing the biggest ever threat to his power.It comes from two former close allies who’ve formed new political parties and are calling for a more democratic Turkey. With Turkey in the economic doldrums, a situation that is likely to be exacerbated by the coronavirus epidemic, Erdogan is seen as more vulnerable than ever. But, as correspondent Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, the new parties are themselves facing formidable challenges. Click the 'play' button above to listen to the audio report, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report.  

Female students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, in Mexico City, are occupying faculties and schools to protest gender violence.   Authorities have asked protesters to return control of the buildings as coronavirus cases rise across the country.  The students say that won’t happen until more is done to keep them safe from violence and sexual harassment.  According to official figures, the number of homicides in Mexico climbed to a new high in 2019, reaching more than 34,000.  Ed O'Brien reports from Mexico city. Click the 'play' button above to listen to the audio report, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report.

Kenya’s tourism sector has been hard hit by the deadly coronavirus sweeping the world. Vacant rooms and visitor cancellations have forced many hotels to close their doors, leading to staff layoffs. Correspondent Joseph Jira reports from Mombasa. Click the 'play' button above to listen to the audio report, or subscribe to our podcast by searching 'RFI international report.