What We’re Reading 8/18/09

Aug 18th, 2009 11:54 AM UTC
By Chandler Smith

Washington Post: Clinton Puts Spotlight On Women’s Issues
Clinton’s just-concluded 11-day trip to Africa has sent the clearest signal yet that she intends to make women’s rights one of her signature issues and a higher priority than ever before in American diplomacy.

Reuters: Chinese firm invests $2.4 billion in post-war Angola
China’s Sinohydro Corporation has invested $2.4 billion to rebuild infrastructure in Angola since the end of the country’s civil war in 2002, a company spokeswoman was quoted on Monday as saying. Danielle Crisa told the state-owned Angolan news agency Angop that Sinohydro was building new hospitals, irrigation canals for agriculture and other infrastructures aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Angolans.

AllAfrica.com: Emerging Economies Hold Promise for Continent
In the last three years Africa’s trade with China has doubled, reaching $106.7 bn in 2008. And while China dominates in terms of sheer numbers, trade and investment with other emerging markets, such as Brazil, India and Malaysia, has also been rising sharply in recent years.

Mail and Guardian: Ill-prepared Africa braces as swine flu hits
Poverty, disease and overburdened health systems make Africa an easy target for swine flu, which health experts say will be difficult to track as it spreads across the continent.

-Chandler Smith

TAGS: What We're Reading