Africa

Reggae Vibe, Ebola Message: African Superstars Try To Go Viral

7:03am November 09, 2014

by Linda Poon

They're some of the most popular musicians in West Africa, joining voices to sing (mainly in French but also in some local languages) about defeating an "invisible enemy."

Tom Magliozzi, co-host of Car Talk, could opine about driving in far-off places.

Hello 'Car Talk,' I Need A Good Car To Get Around Africa

6:47am November 08, 2014

by Eleanor Klibanoff

It's not just American drivers who are mourning the death of Car Talk co-host Tom Magliozzi. He reached a global audience as well.

Liberia's 'Flags Of Convenience' Help It Stay Afloat

8:11pm November 07, 2014

by Julia Simon

The weak Liberian economy has been hit by the Ebola crisis. One thing Liberia does have going for it is an unusual export — its flag. The Liberian flag is the second most popular flag flown by international cargo ships and is a huge source of revenue.

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Chief warden Emmanuel de Merode calls Virunga "the greatest park on Earth" for its remarkable diversity, including rare mountain gorillas.

How Africa's Oldest National Park Can Benefit Both Gorillas And Locals

7:42pm November 07, 2014

by Tanya Basu

Virunga, a new documentary on the Congolese park, premieres Friday on Netflix. We spoke to the chief warden about endangered mountain gorillas, oil speculators and the power of tourism.

Siatta Scott Johnson (at right), who has guided NPR journalists through Liberia and its lingo, advises two girls on how best to carry bananas and bread.

World News

From 'Big Jues' To 'Tay-Tay Water,' A Quick Guide To Liberian English

3:12pm November 07, 2014

by Michaeleen Doucleff

An NPR reporter found that Liberian English is ... kind of like English and kind of like nothing you've heard before. Just stick an "o" at the end of a phrase if you're happy, and you're on your way.

Mumadou Traore says the Ivory Coast's French bureaucracy is a "blessing" when it comes to Ebola.

No Ebola, S'il Vous Plait, We're French: The Ivory Coast Mindset

2:44pm November 07, 2014

by Gregory Warner

The country borders Liberia and Guinea, but so far Ebola hasn't arrived. Maybe it's because of the French heritage. When the authorities tell people what to do to keep the virus out, they listen.

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Guinea Is Seeing More Ebola Cases: Can The Trend Be Stopped?

2:08pm November 07, 2014

by Jason Beaubien

The country where the outbreak began is now seeing an uptick in the number of new patients. Marc Poncin of Doctors Without Borders explains why — and what's being done to bring things under control.

The Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars are staying (and playing) in the U.S. until Ebola is under control in their homeland.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars Are Refugees Again — From Ebola

1:32pm November 07, 2014

by Aaron Cohen

They began their U.S. tour just as Ebola started spreading in Sierra Leone. They don't want to go back until the epidemic is under control. So for now, they're giving concerts and sending money home.

Saah Exco was found alone on a beach in Liberia's West Point slum, naked and abandoned and likely an Ebola victim.Research suggests the story of one needy individual motivates charitable donors more than statistics about millions of sufferers.

Why Your Brain Wants To Help One Child In Need — But Not Millions

4:14pm November 06, 2014

by Shankar Vedantam

Donations to fight Ebola are lower than expected. One psychologist thinks the reason may be the impact of hopelessness. A really big problem makes people less likely to give.

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Students taking part in Columbia University's Ebola design challenge demonstrated for judges how to use a special chamber for decontaminating small items.

From Blue Bleach To Hazmat Hacks, Students Take On Ebola Challenges

12:24pm November 06, 2014

by Linda Poon

College students excel at thinking creatively under pressure. Now they're designing tools to confront the challenges of Ebola, including friendlier-looking protective gear and diagnostic aids.