But Governors will have to trump the critics by stressing the larger economic benefits for the state.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: The State Tax Reformers

"The secretary is not planning to put a big plan on the table, " state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, stressing the trip was a "listening tour".

BBC: John Kerry returns to Middle East on 'listening tour'

Political commentator Nichole Bacharan says the election was the triumph of a platform proposing far-reaching reforms for Europe's third-largest economy over one stressing the need to preserve the country's welfare state.

NPR: Sarkozy Wins Resounding Victory in French Vote

Only a "credible" political process towards a Palestinian state could bring peace to the region, Mr Blair said, stressing that "real change" in conditions for people in Gaza were part and parcel of this.

BBC: Gaza solution is possible - Blair

Hong Kong (CNN) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang has called on his nation's tourists to improve their behavior, stressing it was important to project a "good image of Chinese tourists, " official state media outlet Xinhua reported.

CNN: Vice Premier to Chinese tourists: Be polite!

But he insisted that Palestinians needed to be offered hope if violence was to end, stressing the need to improve living conditions and make steps towards the resumption of negotiations for a Palestinian state.

BBC: US isolated at Mid-East talks