Sia Tolno: A Rising Singer From Sierra Leone

Sia Tolno is from Sierra Leone and critics are comparing her sound to that of the late great Miriam Makeba and Tina Turner.

Fiber Optic Cable Emerges from the Sea in Liberia

Getting online is difficult in Liberia. Connections are slow, and internet access can be very expensive. But that may be starting to change. Last week, a fiber optic cable arrived in Liberia. The cable literally emerged from the sea. As Bonnie Allen reports from Monrovia, it’s expected to eventually bring the country a decent high-speed internet connection.

The Mandingo Ambassadors

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During the early 60s, many West African governments ran music contests resulting in some groups being dubbed ‘national orchestras’. Guinea’s Mamady Kouyate, one of the big players of that era, can now be found playing in a small bar in Brooklyn. The World’s Alex Gallafent saw the show. (photo: Alex Gallafent) Download MP3

• Mandingo Ambassadors on MySpace
• Barbès bar and performance space in Brooklyn
• Global Hit on Facebook

Nazi Traitors, Hamid Karzai, Guinea

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On the history podcast this week a compilation of recent stories. Gerry Hadden tells us the story of a Nazi traitor who finally had his conviction overturned. Alex Gallafent tells us about changing U.S. views of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. And Marco Werman interviews Loyola University historian Elizabeth Schmidt about the significance of the September 28th stadium in Guinea. Download MP3

Guineans in New York City look toward home

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The violence that has rocked the West African nation of Guinea in the past weeks has left many Guineans living outside the country anxious about their friends and families back home. Mamadou Sidy Barry (pictured) lives and works in New York City. He’s trying to organize opposition to Guinea’s military rulers. The World’s Alex Gallafent takes the pulse of Guineans in New York. Download MP3 Photo: Alex Gallafent.

• Massacre in Guinea (Oct. 8, 2009)
• Timeline: Guinea
• Country profile: Guinea