Jerusalem  - Israeli President Shimon Peres Monday night asked Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to form a new governing coalition, to replace that headed by Ehud Olmert, who resigned the premiership Sunday night.

Peres spent Sunday night and Monday consulting with the representatives of all Knesset factions on whom to entrust the formation of a new government.

Livni, who replaced Olmert as leader of the ruling Kadima party last week, had been widely tipped to get the nod, even though only a minority of factions recommended Peres nominate her.

New York, Sept. 22: Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and other world leaders.

According to Fox News, the meeting with Manmohan Singh will take place on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the U. N. General Assembly.

Palin will also have separate meetings with Iraqi President Talabani, Georgia President Mikhail Saakashvelli; Ukraine President Victor Yuschenko and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

She will also meet rock star and humanitarian Bono on Wednesday.

New Delhi, Sept 21: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is leaving on a ten-day visit to the US and France this morning. During the visit the Prime Minister will address the UN General Assembly on September 26.

According to sources, the Prime Minister will take up the expansion and reforms in the UN Security Council so that the world body reflects the current global realities.

Washington  - US President George W Bush on Saturday condemned the terrorist bombing at a hotel in Islambad that killed at least 50 people and injured hundreds more.

"This bombing, the latest in a series of terrorist attacks, is part of a continuing assault on the people of Pakistan. This attack is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism," Bush said in a statement.

Brussels  - After South African President Thabo Mbeki on Saturday agreed to step down, the European Union praised the leader as "an outstanding statesman."

EU chief diplomat Javier Solana in a statement noted Mbeki's work with other African nations, including Congo, Burundi and Zimbabwe, where he brokered a power-sharing deal just days ago.

"Once again South Africa's democracy has proved its high degree of maturity," Solana said.