Weekly Development Policy News

Click here (opens Google Reader) to access my weekly selection of mainstream news articles covering rich world policies and practices that affect poor people in developing countries.Much of this week's development news focused on the military conflict in Georgia and private-sector investment in developing countries. As the crisis in Georgia endures, the US sends a steady flow of humanitarian aid to assist Georgians. Also, a number of private firms committed to significant investments in developing countries including Brazil, Zimbabwe and Thailand.Sample articles:Two More US Aid Flights to Georgia: Pentagon (Agence France-Presse: 8/15/08)US Navy ships and Air Force planes continued to ship humanitarian aid to Georgia for the third day in a row. The ships and planes carried a range of gear from medical equipment to cots, sleeping bags and sheets.Brazil: Wal-Mart to Invest $1 Billion in Expansion (New York Times: 8/13/08)Wal-Mart pledged to invest at least 1 billion dollars to expand operations in Brazil. The company plans to add 80-90 stores to the existing 318 beginning in early 2009.Read all the articles from this week (opens Google Reader)