Palestine

Gaza soil contaminated by bombings: report

Last year’s Israeli bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip has left a high concentration of toxic metals in the soil, according to a study by the New Weapons Research Committee (NWRC).

Greater Middle East

Jordan-CIA connection in Afghan suicide blast

The suicide bombing that killed seven CIA operatives and one Jordanian intelligence official in Afghanistan sheds light on secret partnerships the US has forged in its war on al-Qaeda.

Southeast Asia

Malaysia: churches under attack

Four Christian churches in Malaysia were attacked with petrol bombs amid tensions over a court ruling allowing the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims in the country.

Planet Watch

EPA proposes stricter smog regulations

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed stricter smog standards that would replace the Bush administration’s broader 2008 national smog regulations.

Iraq

Blackwater settles lawsuits over Iraqi deaths

Blackwater reached a settlement in seven federal lawsuits filed by Iraqi citizens that claimed the security firm created a reckless culture that resulted in numerous deaths.