World Briefs

JERUSALEM. - Israel's president has picked Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to form a new Israeli government. President Shimon Peres made the expected announcement Monday evening after consulting all of Israel's political parties. After Peres handed her the folder with the official appointment, she said, "I agree to take upon myself the role of forming a government. " Livni now has 42 days to put together a coalition government. She was the automatic choice as prime minister-designate after she won a party primary to succeed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He resigned because of multiple corruption allegations.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan- Pakistan's top leaders were to dine at the Marriott devastated by a truck bombing over the weekend, but changed the venue at the last minute, a senior official said Monday. A hotel official, however, denied there were any plans for a government dinner. The attack that killed 53 people and wounded hundreds came at a time of strains in the U.S.-Pakistani alliance over increasing unilateral raids by U.S. forces in Afghanistan aimed at militants across the border in Pakistan. Two intelligence officials said Pakistani troops and tribesmen opened fire on two U.S. helicopters Monday after they crossed from Afghanistan into the northwest tribal region, where Taliban and al-Qaida militants are operating.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA. - Venezuela is taking issue with a John McCain campaign ad focusing on President Hugo Chavez. The Spanish-language TV spot is running in Florida. It features Chavez cursing the U. S. during a recent speech when he expelled its ambassador. His expletives are bleeped out. The ad notes that Democrat Barack Obama has expressed willingness to meet with Chavez, and asks: "Do you think we should talk with Chavez?" The Venezuela Information Office condemned the ad Friday as an "attempt at fear-mongering" that demonizes Venezuela and Chavez. The U. S. -based office, which is funded by Chavez's government, said his words "were taken out of context and used as a baseless attack. "

MORELIA, MEXICO. - Mexican police are testing a new weapon against widespread corruption in their ranks: home ownership. Officers and prison guards in Michoacan state can now get special deals on houses and financing through a pilot program designed to keep them out of the pockets of organized crime. The strategy is part of Mexico's desperate push to professionalize local law enforcement, infamous for extorting bribes at bogus traffic stops and providing security for drug lords.