Human beings as we know them are excited by every development in their offspring, because what purpose is there for the hard labor of parenthood if not to send forth an independent, productive adult who can satisfy his own needs?

NEWYORKER: The Slows

Mr Aziz found room to placate, if not satisfy, his military masters: defence spending is to rise 10%, more than Pakistan can afford but less than the near 30% rise in the larger defence budget of the country's adversary, India.

ECONOMIST: The general dictates the tune to which Pakistan will dance