* Refugee fears prompt Congo talks Fears are growing for the fate of more than 250,000 civilians forced to flee their homes by fierce fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

* ‘Iran soon to be able to attack Europe’ The head of the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency said Friday that Iran was not far from attaining the means to use missiles against all of Europe and against the US in five to six years.

* Olmert ‘wants more Syria talks’ Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wants to resume indirect peace negotiations with Syria.

* Petraeus takes helm of U.S. Central Command Gen. David Petraeus took charge Friday of U.S. Central Command.

* US justifies Syria, Pakistan raids A country should have the right to attack another if it is harboring a potential terrorist threat.

* Ahmadinejad calls U.S. Syria raid ‘a blind and savage act’ Iran’s official news agency says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has condemned a recent U.S. raid inside Syria near its border with Iraq as a savage act.

* Iraq earmarks $15 billion for reconstruction Iraq has earmarked some $15 billion – nearly 25 percent of its 2009 draft budget – to help rebuild the country’s crumbling infrastructure, energy and oil facilities.

* Lebanon uncovers espionage ring working for Israel The Lebanese army has uncovered an espionage ring operated by Israel for many years.

* Crude Oil Is Poised for Record Monthly Drop as Demand Declines Crude oil fell in New York, poised for its biggest monthly drop since trading began in 1983.

* EU condemns settler violence The European Union called on Israel Friday to put an end to violent settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.