Baghdad - Iraq received the US reply on Thursday on amendments Baghdad wants to a security agreement that will form the legal basis for the future presence of American forces, an Iraqi government spokesperson said.

Iraqi political factions will take their time to decide on the changes on the American side, Ali al-Dabbagh said.

Tel Aviv/Washington - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice landed in Israel Thursday to "continue to work" on the Israeli- Palestinian peace process, but the White House admitted that it was unlikely the sides would meet their self-imposed deadline.

"We do not think that it's likely that it would happen before the end of the year," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said, in the first admission by the Bush Administration that that the goal of reaching a deal by the end of 2008 would not be successful.

Doha - Silhouettes instead of photographs, and computer manipulation to conceal thighs: that is how Qatar promoted this week's season-ending WTA Championship.

For years the WTA has appealed to sensuality to sell its stars, but the first experience of a Masters tournament in the Middle East left it with no alternative but to moderate its presentations.

Brussels - European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels on Friday to hammer out a common stance on pursuing a rapid overhaul of the world financial system in the wake of the recent round of global market turmoil.

During their lunchtime summit in Brussels, leaders are to discuss a revised paper submitted by the French presidency of the EU, which sets out five guidelines designed to avoid a new credit crunch.

Washington - The United States condemned the terrorist attack on a bus in Russia's North Ossetia republic on Thursday that left 11 people dead.

"The United States condemns the heinous act of terrorism that took place today," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said.

An explosion hit a crowded minibus in the populous city of Vladikavkaz as as it stopped for exiting passengers at the entrance to a movie theatre and market. Regional authorities said a preliminary investigation pointed to terrorism, but the source of the attack was unclear.

Washington - President George W Bush will welcome president- elect Barack Obama to the White House on Monday to discuss the transition phase over the coming months, the two announced Thursday.

Bush and his wife Laura will greet Obama and his wife Michelle before the two leaders retreat to a private meeting Monday afternoon.

Obama said the talks would help ensure a "smooth, effective transition" between now and January 20.

"I thank (Bush) for reaching out in the spirit of bipartisanship that will be required to meet the many challenges we face as a nation," Obama said.