A West African Dust Storm

For the Geo Quiz, we are not looking for a dry and dusty trade wind that is causing a vast Saharan dust cloud to hover over West Africa.

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.

Washington DC Woman Crowned Queen of Ghana Village

Imagine getting a phone call out of the blue from a former lover asking you to become his queen. That’s exactly what happened to a Washington DC woman who was crowned queen of an African Village Friday.

Hazmat Modine’s New Album “Cicada”

It is the band’s collaborative effort with the Beninese-based Gangbé Brass Band.

Bushmeat black market thrives in Paris

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Genevieve Oger reports from Paris on the underground trade in bushmeat from West Africa. The illicit trade worries health officials and some, but not all, conservationists. Download MP3

The scale of illegal meat importation from Africa to Europe via Paris

Senegal farmers push local food movement

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Adherents of the local food movement argue: buying produce that’s grown nearby is good for the community, good for the planet and good for your health. Some farmers in the West African nation of Senegal are trying to make that case to their fellow countrymen, but it’s not so easy to get people to change their buying habits. The World’s Jori Lewis has the story. Download MP3

• Multimedia: See a slideshow of Jori Lewis’ photos from Senegal
• Senegal street children
• Africa at the G8

Between Ghana and Benin

For today’s Geo Quiz we’re looking for the country between Ghana and Benin in West Africa. One of this country’s most popular tourist attractions is the crumpled remains of an airplane…

Lead Recycling Exacts High Price for Health

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In the West African nation of Senegal, an informal recycling industry has poisoned children and left a neighborhood severely polluted. Residents caused the contamination by pulling apart car batteries to extract the lead. The government is now cleaning up the site, but many of the children will never be the same. Jori Lewis reports. Download MP3 (Photo: Jori Lewis)

• The Blacksmith Institute
• Jori Lewis on Senegal’s struggling fishery industry (Aug 2009)

Best Global Music 2009

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Just under a week to go before Christmas is upon us. We brought in Tom Schnabel, music programmer at KCRW, to discuss our top World music picks of the year. And maybe, just maybe it will spur you to make a last minute addition to your list. Download MP3

• Best Global Music 2009
• Best Global Music 2008
• Best Global Music 2007
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Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou

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Even though the music business continues to suffer economically, record labels are still releasing lots of old music that’s been re-mastered and tweaked so it sounds fresher than ever. Columbia is about to re-issue everything Miles Davis recorded for them. 70 CDs in total. But I want to talk about the music of an old band that few people in the west have ever heard of: “Orchestre Poly Rhythmo de Cotonou.” We hear more today about Orchestre Poly Rhythmo de Cotonou. 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

Senegal’s fishing crisis

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People in the West African country of Senegal have made their living from the sea for generations. But overfishing has put the region’s fish stocks in crisis. And the Senegalese are struggling to find a solution. Jori Lewis has this report. >>> See photos from Senegal

US re-trains and re-arms Liberia’s military

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The US government is conducting an experiment in peacekeeping in Liberia. It’s retraining and rearming the Liberian army. The plan is to turn what was a notoriously criminal military into a force for stability. As Anna Sussman reports, the plan has raised hopes — and concerns — in the West African nation.

Global Hit: Tcheka

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Madeleine Bair reports on a young guitarist from the West African archipelago of Cape Verde. His name is Tcheka and he’s making his music known well beyond his homeland.

Tcheka

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Download MP3Madeleine Bair reports on a young guitarist from the West African archipelago of Cape Verde. His name is Tcheka and he’s making his music known well beyond his homeland.