Meeting of more than just minds

UNITED STATES - Gossips have had a field day over rumours of a high-diplomacy two-step between United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay.

The New York Times reports that a trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, this week had reporters speculating about mutually single Rice, 51, and MacKay, 40, routinely named Canada's sexiest MP.

While the newspaper said there was no evidence to suggest the pair were an item, the two "do keep offering up tantalising tidbits and comments to take out of context and misconstrue".

During a joint press conference MacKay said: " Secretary Rice loves the cool Atlantic breezes here in Nova Scotia, and she left the window open last night". The audience tittered.

Rice confirmed she called MacKay "Peter" and told the assembled local leaders that MacKay had introduced her to his family.