1.   Acrimony was so deep that foreign ministers were unable to agree on even a cease-fire statement, and Israeli and Palestinian negotiators deadlocked on every issue of substance.

2.   House and Senate negotiators deadlocked earlier this week in the latest failed attempt to pass a long-range improvement plan.

3.   However, negotiators have deadlocked on the crucial issue of whether tobacco companies will receive immunity from punitive damages.

4.   With talks on Chinese and British negotiators seemingly deadlocked, China is planning its own series of gala events leading up to the handover.