The Economist—In need of more
The Economist writes that among the big proposals on domestic spending in Barack Obama’s maiden budget was a subtle indication of a shift in America’s priorities—a promise to double the country’s aid budget, at least eventually. This is welcome news at an uncertain times for foreign-aid flows, the magazine writes, but without similar moves by other rich countries, an increase in American aid will not be enough to offset the effects of the financial crisis. The need for aid is increasing as the economic downturn worsens the already parlous condition of the poor across the developing world.

New York Times—The Crisis at Home and Abroad
In a similar editorial, the New York Times writes that the economic news is so frighteningly bad in the United States and Europe, it has all but squeezed out reports of the turmoil wrecking the developing world. The news there, if possible, is even more frightening, the paper writes, and in a globalized economy there is no insulation for anyone.

Reuters—Obama extends U.S. sanctions against Zimbabwe
President Obama has extended sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying the troubled African nation had not resolved its political crisis. Obama’s announcement came on Wednesday after Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had called for an end to Western sanctions as he tries to rebuild the country’s crippled economy.

Financial Times—Hopes modest for concrete progress at G20
The Financial Times writes that officials of the Group of 20 leading economies meeting in London on Thursday ahead of next month’s summit are searching for the holy grail to which all summits aspire. These are the “deliverables”, or agreements that can plausibly be presented as a justifiable return for the time, salaries and air miles of the dozens of bureaucrats involved. But apart from a possible agreement on extra funding for the International Monetary Fund, which was in train before the G20 alighted on it, officials and observers say it may be difficult to translate the grand principles of international co-operation into concrete progress.

Washington Post—Sudan Ousts Aid Groups After Court Pursues President
Reacting swiftly to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the government of Sudan on Wednesday expelled at least 10 foreign aid groups that provide food, water, medical care and other assistance to more than a million displaced people in the western Darfur region, according to U.N. officials and aid workers.

New York Times—A Campaign for Clean Drinking Water Expands
A project that originated at a boutique ad agency to help Unicef deliver clean drinking water to children in developing countries is expanding in its third year as more firms join to support the cause. The Tap Project, as the initiative is called, takes place this year during World Water Week, which begins on March 22. The program allows patrons at participating restaurants to donate $1 to Unicef each time they order free tap water with their meals rather than costly bottled alternatives.

-Steve Wilson