Lahore, Aug. 4: Stating that extremists continue to be trained in Pakistan’s remote and often volatile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has categorically stated that peace talks with the militants have failed, and therefore, advocated joint Pakistan-United States military operations to improve the deteriorating situation there.

Washington  - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised Congress on Friday for passing legislation that allows Libya to settle all pending lawsuits by victims of terrorism.

Under the arrangement, Libya will place money into a fund to compensate victims and their families, including those who have not already been in connection to the 1988 Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Libya is to provide about 800 million dollars for compensation into the fund to settle existing lawsuits and be immune from any further legal action.

Washington  - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began a series of closed-door meetings Wednesday with Israeli and Palestinian officials in an effort to nudge along the peace process.

Rice met with her Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, ahead of a planned three-way meeting with chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia.

Washington  - Reaching a Middle East peace deal by the end of the year will be "difficult" but the Israelis and Palestinians are committed to the goal, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday.

Rice's comments came ahead of a meeting planned for Wednesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia in Washington.

Washington - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with her Chinese counterpart, Jiechi Yang, on Monday ahead of next month's Olympics in Beijing.

The two diplomats were expected to discuss President George W Bush's attendance of the Opening Ceremonies on August 8 and a host of bilateral issues.

Bush decided to participate in the event despite calls from human rights groups for a boycott because of China's crackdown against Tibetan monks earlier this year.

Perth, July 26 : Condoleezza Rice showed a little bit more than she intended at a recent Perth visit, courtesy her flesh-coloured blouse.

Dr Rice started day two of her Perth stopover with a morning coffee at trendy Perth cafe Cino To Go, with her host, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Stephen Smith. With the camera lights flashing her blouse appeared a little more revealing that she would have expected.

Later, Dr Rice cheered and applauded by 450 schoolgirls after answering their questions during a visit to their school.