Media-Whore D'Oeuvres

"In a single, unexpected stroke President Barack Obama may have made his trip to India one of the most important of his presidency. By announcing his support for Indian permanent membership in the U.N. Security Council, Obama advanced a number of important goals. First, he went a long way toward establishing a truly special relationship between the world's largest democracy and the United States. He embraced an issue that was important to Indians and, despite the certainty of Pakistan's public unhappiness with the decision and China's less public but nonetheless undoubted discomfort with it, he showed courage and vision in doing so. Second, he found an issue that could measure up to or even trump the Bush administration's nuclear deal with India, thus ensuring a strong sense of momentum in a relationship that must move forward if both countries are to rise to the challenges of the new century. Third, he underscored that his administration was serious about turning rhetoric about rethinking multilateralism, and working with a new set of powers, into action. While working within the framework of the G-20 was a step in that direction, that process actually began two years ago under the Bush administration. Adjustments made in the structure of international financial institutions were another positive step, but frankly were rather underwhelming, leaving behind serious representational imbalances." (David Rothkopf/ForeignPolicy)

"A ticking clock situation is playing out at Paramount Pictures over the sci-fi classic Dune, one that is emblematic of how studio infatuation for branded fare has brought with it the added burden of pleasing rights holders who not only get gross deals but also a big say in how movies are made and released. Rumors raced recently that Paramount would end four years of development on the Frank Herbert novel by putting the project in turnaround. I'm told that's not true, but the studio will be done with Dune by next spring if it hasn't firmed a production start by then. The rights holders won't grant another option extension. Armed with a new Dune draft by Chase Palmer, the studio and producers Kevin Misher and Richard P. Rubinstein are going out to directors today to create a new movie out of the 1965 book that is reputed to be the biggest selling science fiction novel ever." (Deadline)

"The New York Times hosted a party for Harold Holzer and Craig Symonds who have co-edited The New York Times Complete Civil War-1861-1865. Hefty and handsome, this book is an anthology of coverage of the Civil War by the newspaper of record. The party was held on the 15th floor of the Times building on West 41st Street. The highlight of the evening was when actor André De Shields read the famous battle-field correspondence by New York Times' correspondent, Samuel Wilkeson." (NYSocialDiary)

"Has Courtney Love set her sights on a new man? Despite recently complaining of money woes, she bid a whopping $17,000 for tea with Oscar winner Adrien Brody at Paul Haggis' Artists for Peace and Justice fund-raiser for Haitian schools Friday night. Spies said Love got into a fierce bidding war with Gerard Butler over Brody at the bash, which also marked the opening of restaurant Salon Millesime at the Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue. She also scooped up a walk-on part in Haggis' next movie. Also there: Russell Crowe, Susan Sarandon, Salman Rushdie, Edward Norton, Trudie Styler, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Andre Balazs." (PageSix)