Still, from Cuba's point of view, this could well be the first step of many that may eventually lead to major change.

CNN: Cubans hope for spring thaw in Cold War relationship

Her elevation to the status of "respected mother" was seen by many as the first step in the transfer of power to her sons.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The House of Kim

It's a tremendous step, the first of many as we get into exploration of the Solar System, back to the Moon and on to Mars.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Shuttle soars but doubts remain

The first step was knowing the scope of our problem: How many veterans are homeless and where are they?

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"This is a very positive step, we welcome the arrest, I hope this will only be the first of many arrests, trials and convictions of death camp guards, " the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Efraim Zuroff told AFP news agency.

BBC: Germany arrests 'former Auschwitz guard' Hans Lipschis

The first step toward accomplishing this is to end the over-subsidization of higher education, which creates incentives for many to postpone work.

FORBES: Americans Need More Work And Less College

In July the city created Wi-Fi hotspots at 10 payphone kiosks in three of its boroughs, the first step in a pilot program designed to make wireless access available to as many people as possible in the city.

CNN: Is the pay phone making a comeback?

"We see today's pastoral letter as a first step on the road to healing for many who lost faith in their church, " he said Saturday on behalf of Survivors of Child Abuse (SOCA).

CNN: Pope's Irish child abuse letter fails to calm storm

Union leaders deny any intention of bringing it or the country to its knees, but many see Wednesday's stoppage as the first step in a campaign to draw attention to the problems of ordinary people.

ECONOMIST: Colombia