* IAEA chief lashes out over Israeli raid in Syria Mohamed ElBaradei accuses Jewish state of ‘taking the law into its own hands’, says ‘if countries have information that another country is working on a nuclear-related program, they should come to us’.

* Iraq warns Turkey over incursion Iraq’s foreign minister has warned of serious consequences if Turkey launches a ground assault against Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq.

* Livni pushes China to break with Iran Countries must unite in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons technology, even if that clashes with their own narrow economic interests, Israel’s foreign minister said Monday.

* Abbas: Hamas planning W. Bank takeover Hamas is planning to overthrow the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank with the help of external forces, PA President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday.

* Holy dispute Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the UN and Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs president, has a stern warning for the religious faithful.

* Iraq’s vulnerable Christian minority gets promise of support Iraq’s prime minister pledged Saturday to protect and support the Christian minority that has been fleeing the chaos and sectarian violence in the country.

* Much of U.S. Could See a Water Shortage An epic drought in Georgia threatens the water supply for millions.

* US hands over Karbala to Iraqis US forces have handed control of the mainly Shia province of Karbala in central Iraq to local authorities in a tightly-guarded ceremony.

* EU warns Israel not to impose ‘collective punishment’ in Gaza The European Union cautioned Israel on Monday against imposing “collective punishment” against the 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by cutting of delivery of fuel supplies to the territory.

* Saudi king chides UK on terrorism Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has accused Britain of not doing enough to fight international terrorism, which he says could take 20 or 30 years to beat.