More important is the formal promise given by the equalities minister, Lynne Featherstone, to go beyond the letter of last year's law and look for ways to remove the wider inequality between gays and straights.

ECONOMIST: Gay unions

The benefits go far beyond the Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that is diagnosed in only 600 American boys a year, to diseases like cancer and AIDS. Such drugs could even have a big effect on the muscle weakening that comes with aging.

FORBES: Bioengineering The Perfect Athlete

While there is still a long way to go, the progress to date is far beyond what most observers thought possible a year ago.

WHITEHOUSE: Share This Post

Considering that 40 percent of new jobs come from the top-performing one percent of companies in any given year, this bill could unlock possibilities that go far beyond the bottom line for corporations and institutions.

FORBES: Why We Need Entrepreneurs in Government Agencies

To do so, he must clearly go beyond the lip service that he paid to our "addiction to oil" in last year's State of the Union speech by taking steps that will make a difference.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Securing America's energy needs

With one year to go until the European Elections and the General Election just 12 months beyond that, it will be fascinating to find out whether or not voters in our shire counties are ready to drive an express train through traditional party political loyalties.

BBC: HS2 spells double trouble in next week's council poll