Across Asia: Israel/Palestine

Peace talks 'on right track'

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that Mideast peace talks are "moving in the right direction" although she warned Israel that it should stop new settlement activities that could upset progress.

Rice's comments came after she held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the end of a three-day Mideast mission with the goal of achieving an agreement before President Bush leaves office next January.