"The England set-up is very lucky to have someone who has been close to a lot of the England players and the younger players coming through who can step into the job quite easily, " he said.

BBC: Moores provides upbeat approach

The Lisbon Treaty came a step closer to coming into force during an EU summit in Brussels after EU leaders struck a deal with the Czech Republic - the last EU state to sign up to it.

BBC: Mandelson: Blair does want EU job

Nearly a year and a half into the U.S. mortgage crisis, Congress has taken its most significant step in coming to the aid of beleaguered borrowers and propping up mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac .

FORBES: Help Is On the Way

So in the first instance, there is some -- again, some step that needs to be taken on the Palestinian side, again, to give Israel that confidence coming into the negotiation.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing with Jay Carney and Ben Rhodes