As high-profile corporate abuses have unfolded, one after the other, most boards have become preoccupied with reassessing their responsibilities and implementing the new accounting rules.

FORBES: A New Era In Corporate Governance

Getting into college is very competitive, tuition is very expensive, and, with economic uncertainty, students become preoccupied with majoring in subjects that may lead to jobs.

NEWYORKER: Get Rich U.

With the launch of euro notes and coins only weeks away, the prospect of the war dragging on for months, and crucial meetings ahead to finalize EU and Nato reforms, it's not a good time for Mr Berlusconi to become preoccupied with his personal ratings.

BBC: Italy stumbles on world stage

As politicians become increasingly preoccupied with the elections, new battle lines are being drawn.

ECONOMIST: South Korea

"Opponents of the Zimbabwe Government have become so preoccupied with the media bill just passed by parliament that they have lost sight - understandably so - of the other two repressive laws passed recently, " the paper said.

BBC: Media rounds on Zimbabwe law

This is a timely reminder that however preoccupied this country is right now with itself, it has become and will remain intimately involved in the Middle East and beyond.

FORBES: A walk down Wall Street