UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Khaleej Times, Dubai, May 6: Though U.S. President Barack Obama only recently expressed confidence about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, his top administration seems to think otherwise.

The recent indicators from Washington suggest growing U.S. concern about the vulnerability of these weapons, especially at a time when Taliban influence within the country has grown to alarming proportions. It is expected that the American nuclear concerns will be a key topic of discussion between Obama and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in Washington this week — just ahead of the trilateral talks including Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Scathing criticism

Zardari recently came under scathing criticism from Obama for his running of a dysfunctional and ineffective government that is rapidly losing its writ and credibility, both internally and internationally. Washington’s deep concern about what may be the worst-case scenario should not, however, be dismissed as mere hyperbole.

In an interview to the BBC, the U.S. National Security Adviser, General James Jones, while commenting on the precarious situation within Pakistan, has sought guarantees on the safety and security of its nuclear program.

INDIA

The Hindustan Times, May 4: Being a star is a tough job: no matter how much you work hard for a cause: one false step in these stifling times of political correctness and you’ll be hauled and roasted over the coals. Coals? Those dirty coals? We can already hear the green brigade shouting. Similar protests, we believe, also greeted Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio, no mean environmentalist himself, when he asked for a plastic straw at a green event in London.

Green habits

Earlier at the event, Mr. DiCaprio, who runs a dedicated foundation and an ecosite to boot, had talked at length about his green habits: he said that he was a big fan of recycling and saving the earth and he always preaches his near and dear ones about it. His organization, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, actively fosters awareness about environmental issues. That’s not all: he serves as a board member of the International Fund For Animal Welfare.

So, is Mr. DiCaprio guilty of not doing what he is preaching? Granted, he did ask for a plastic straw, we think this is much ado about nothing. As everything else, political correctness, too, thrives on publicity and when it gets a popular star as its target, it has fulfilled its mission. In fact, the green brigade has a lot to thank Mr. DiCaprio about.

SWEDEN

Dagens Nyheter, Stockholm, May 5: While the world’s auto industry, nearly paralyzed, watches stockpiles of unsold cars growing and searches in vain for customers, Fiat’s management has made a move.

Last week, (Fiat) CEO Sergio Marchionne ... promised to support Chrysler if and when the company passed the acid test of bankruptcy administration. And the same Marchionne appeared in Berlin to seek the support of the German government for a Big plan: Fiat’s cars plus GM’s European brands Opel, Vauxhall, Saab plus what is left of Chrysler.

Trustworthy business plan?

Is this what everyone has been longing for — a trustworthy business plan? Marchionne has cleaned up Fiat’s businesses and made the company perform well. But that was under a different situation for the auto industry.

The plan of Fiat’s chief for a new big European auto company is just as much about helping Fiat. And it is the Germans who would pay, among other things with slimmed down and shut down plants.