Three New Leaders in One Weekend

While we were busy watching a TV show about all the good TV shows, worrying about our economy, closing down Yankee Stadium and, as ever, following the campaign trail, the rest of the world was going about its business. And my was there much business:

• In SOUTH AFRICA Prime Minister Thabo Mbeki stepped down from his position because of infighting within his party, the African National Congress. President Jacob Zuma, the arch-rival of Mbeki, will presumably take his place.

• In PAKISTAN Benizir Bhuto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, took office this weekend. He also narrowly escaped death or severe injury because he did not go to the Marriott Hotel, where unknown attackers car-bombed the popular tourist hotel.

• IN ISRAEL Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stepped down amid corruption chargers. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, a younger woman with limited experience but a clean record when it comes to corruption, will presumably take his place.

I'd also like to point out that in addition to the attack in Pakistan this weekend, there was the Yemen embassy bombing and a kidnapping in Egypt. I worry that these are rumbles of a worse shock to come and no one's paying attention because of the election, the economy and the two wars currently going on in the world. Help!