Editor's pick: RFI English's standout stories of 2025

In 2025, we reported on war and displacement, culture and climate, power and pushback. Our journalists followed conflicts, questioned politics, unpacked new technologies and listened to people living through change. Some stories were hard reads. Others offered hope, humour or human grit. These are our top picks from the year – stories that reflect what we try to do at RFI English: explain the world, and stay close to the people living through it. Thank you for staying with us along the journey.