One long-time confidant is Yitzhak Molcho, a lawyer who was at his side in his first term and whom American diplomats credit with achieving the modest progress that was then eventually made in negotiation with the Palestinians.

ECONOMIST: America grapples with Israel

For example, it notes that in Tanzania, child mortality in the richest fifth of the population fell from 135 to 90 per 1, 000 births over the research period, while the poorest fifth saw hardly any progress with a modest fall of 140 to 137 per 1, 000 births.

BBC: Inequality 'highest for 20 years' - Save The Children

It pointed out that Microsoft, a relative newcomer to the tablet market, was making modest yet promising progress with its Surface range of tablets - 900, 000 units were shipped in the first quarter.

BBC: iPads on display