Pew Environment Group says national parks and heritage sites are at risk if Obama lifts mining moratorium • In pictures: Grand Canyon under threat America’s most majestic landscapes – from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore – are at risk because of booming global demand for uranium, a new report warns. The report, by the Pew Environment Group , calls on the Obama administration to overhaul antiquated laws governing the mining of gold and uranium, and offer permanent protection to national landmarks. The administration must decide by July whether to extend a two-year respite on thousands of mining claims in areas around the Grand Canyon , Mount Rushmore, Joshua Tree national park and the area around Yosemite national park . If it does not, there is nothing to stop mining interests from drilling on its claims around the canyon, the report warns. “These claims are all still active, and there is nothing right now that the government can do to prevent them from becoming mines,” said Jane Danowitz, who works on public lands protection for Pew. Obama moved to protect public lands soon after coming to the White House, calling a two-year halt to mining in sensitive areas. The interior secretary, Ken Salazar , must now decide whether to extend the ban. But environmental organisations argue Obama had already demonstrated reluctance to take on a fight with Republicans over protecting America’s natural heritage. Under a spending deal reached last week , Obama agreed not to use money from a newly launched wilderness initiative that would have protected 7.3 million acres of land from drilling. Critics argued the initiative had only been launched last December, and had not been allotted funds, so the funding ban would make no impact on reducing the deficit that Obama is targeting. The last five years have seen a 2,000% increase in mining claims in the west. More than 8,000 mining claims have been staked in the Grand Canyon alone – mainly by major international companies rather than the pick and shovel claims of yore. The claims are a legacy of America’s antiquated mining laws, which were written to lure newcomers to the west. Mining National parks Conservation Mining United States Suzanne Goldenberg guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Pew Environment Group says national parks and heritage sites are at risk if Obama lifts mining moratorium • In pictures: Grand Canyon under threat America’s most majestic landscapes – from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore – are at risk because of booming global demand for uranium, a new report warns. The report, by the Pew Environment Group , calls on the Obama administration to overhaul antiquated laws governing the mining of gold and uranium, and offer permanent protection to national landmarks. The administration must decide by July whether to extend a two-year respite on thousands of mining claims in areas around the Grand Canyon , Mount Rushmore, Joshua Tree national park and the area around Yosemite national park . If it does not, there is nothing to stop mining interests from drilling on its claims around the canyon, the report warns. “These claims are all still active, and there is nothing right now that the government can do to prevent them from becoming mines,” said Jane Danowitz, who works on public lands protection for Pew. Obama moved to protect public lands soon after coming to the White House, calling a two-year halt to mining in sensitive areas. The interior secretary, Ken Salazar , must now decide whether to extend the ban. But environmental organisations argue Obama had already demonstrated reluctance to take on a fight with Republicans over protecting America’s natural heritage. Under a spending deal reached last week , Obama agreed not to use money from a newly launched wilderness initiative that would have protected 7.3 million acres of land from drilling. Critics argued the initiative had only been launched last December, and had not been allotted funds, so the funding ban would make no impact on reducing the deficit that Obama is targeting. The last five years have seen a 2,000% increase in mining claims in the west. More than 8,000 mining claims have been staked in the Grand Canyon alone – mainly by major international companies rather than the pick and shovel claims of yore. The claims are a legacy of America’s antiquated mining laws, which were written to lure newcomers to the west. Mining National parks Conservation Mining United States Suzanne Goldenberg guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Pew Environment Group says national parks and heritage sites are at risk if Obama lifts mining moratorium • In pictures: Grand Canyon under threat America’s most majestic landscapes – from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore – are at risk because of booming global demand for uranium, a new report warns. The report, by the Pew Environment Group , calls on the Obama administration to overhaul antiquated laws governing the mining of gold and uranium, and offer permanent protection to national landmarks. The administration must decide by July whether to extend a two-year respite on thousands of mining claims in areas around the Grand Canyon , Mount Rushmore, Joshua Tree national park and the area around Yosemite national park . If it does not, there is nothing to stop mining interests from drilling on its claims around the canyon, the report warns. “These claims are all still active, and there is nothing right now that the government can do to prevent them from becoming mines,” said Jane Danowitz, who works on public lands protection for Pew. Obama moved to protect public lands soon after coming to the White House, calling a two-year halt to mining in sensitive areas. The interior secretary, Ken Salazar , must now decide whether to extend the ban. But environmental organisations argue Obama had already demonstrated reluctance to take on a fight with Republicans over protecting America’s natural heritage. Under a spending deal reached last week , Obama agreed not to use money from a newly launched wilderness initiative that would have protected 7.3 million acres of land from drilling. Critics argued the initiative had only been launched last December, and had not been allotted funds, so the funding ban would make no impact on reducing the deficit that Obama is targeting. The last five years have seen a 2,000% increase in mining claims in the west. More than 8,000 mining claims have been staked in the Grand Canyon alone – mainly by major international companies rather than the pick and shovel claims of yore. The claims are a legacy of America’s antiquated mining laws, which were written to lure newcomers to the west. Mining National parks Conservation Mining United States Suzanne Goldenberg guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Pew Environment Group says national parks and heritage sites are at risk if Obama lifts mining moratorium • In pictures: Grand Canyon under threat America’s most majestic landscapes – from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore – are at risk because of booming global demand for uranium, a new report warns. The report, by the Pew Environment Group , calls on the Obama administration to overhaul antiquated laws governing the mining of gold and uranium, and offer permanent protection to national landmarks. The administration must decide by July whether to extend a two-year respite on thousands of mining claims in areas around the Grand Canyon , Mount Rushmore, Joshua Tree national park and the area around Yosemite national park . If it does not, there is nothing to stop mining interests from drilling on its claims around the canyon, the report warns. “These claims are all still active, and there is nothing right now that the government can do to prevent them from becoming mines,” said Jane Danowitz, who works on public lands protection for Pew. Obama moved to protect public lands soon after coming to the White House, calling a two-year halt to mining in sensitive areas. The interior secretary, Ken Salazar , must now decide whether to extend the ban. But environmental organisations argue Obama had already demonstrated reluctance to take on a fight with Republicans over protecting America’s natural heritage. Under a spending deal reached last week , Obama agreed not to use money from a newly launched wilderness initiative that would have protected 7.3 million acres of land from drilling. Critics argued the initiative had only been launched last December, and had not been allotted funds, so the funding ban would make no impact on reducing the deficit that Obama is targeting. The last five years have seen a 2,000% increase in mining claims in the west. More than 8,000 mining claims have been staked in the Grand Canyon alone – mainly by major international companies rather than the pick and shovel claims of yore. The claims are a legacy of America’s antiquated mining laws, which were written to lure newcomers to the west. Mining National parks Conservation Mining United States Suzanne Goldenberg guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Pew Environment Group says national parks and heritage sites are at risk if Obama lifts mining moratorium • In pictures: Grand Canyon under threat America’s most majestic landscapes – from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore – are at risk because of booming global demand for uranium, a new report warns. The report, by the Pew Environment Group , calls on the Obama administration to overhaul antiquated laws governing the mining of gold and uranium, and offer permanent protection to national landmarks. The administration must decide by July whether to extend a two-year respite on thousands of mining claims in areas around the Grand Canyon , Mount Rushmore, Joshua Tree national park and the area around Yosemite national park . If it does not, there is nothing to stop mining interests from drilling on its claims around the canyon, the report warns. “These claims are all still active, and there is nothing right now that the government can do to prevent them from becoming mines,” said Jane Danowitz, who works on public lands protection for Pew. Obama moved to protect public lands soon after coming to the White House, calling a two-year halt to mining in sensitive areas. The interior secretary, Ken Salazar , must now decide whether to extend the ban. But environmental organisations argue Obama had already demonstrated reluctance to take on a fight with Republicans over protecting America’s natural heritage. Under a spending deal reached last week , Obama agreed not to use money from a newly launched wilderness initiative that would have protected 7.3 million acres of land from drilling. Critics argued the initiative had only been launched last December, and had not been allotted funds, so the funding ban would make no impact on reducing the deficit that Obama is targeting. The last five years have seen a 2,000% increase in mining claims in the west. More than 8,000 mining claims have been staked in the Grand Canyon alone – mainly by major international companies rather than the pick and shovel claims of yore. The claims are a legacy of America’s antiquated mining laws, which were written to lure newcomers to the west. Mining National parks Conservation Mining United States Suzanne Goldenberg guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Pew Environment Group says national parks and heritage sites are at risk if Obama lifts mining moratorium • In pictures: Grand Canyon under threat America’s most majestic landscapes – from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore – are at risk because of booming global demand for uranium, a new report warns. The report, by the Pew Environment Group , calls on the Obama administration to overhaul antiquated laws governing the mining of gold and uranium, and offer permanent protection to national landmarks. The administration must decide by July whether to extend a two-year respite on thousands of mining claims in areas around the Grand Canyon , Mount Rushmore, Joshua Tree national park and the area around Yosemite national park . If it does not, there is nothing to stop mining interests from drilling on its claims around the canyon, the report warns. “These claims are all still active, and there is nothing right now that the government can do to prevent them from becoming mines,” said Jane Danowitz, who works on public lands protection for Pew. Obama moved to protect public lands soon after coming to the White House, calling a two-year halt to mining in sensitive areas. The interior secretary, Ken Salazar , must now decide whether to extend the ban. But environmental organisations argue Obama had already demonstrated reluctance to take on a fight with Republicans over protecting America’s natural heritage. Under a spending deal reached last week , Obama agreed not to use money from a newly launched wilderness initiative that would have protected 7.3 million acres of land from drilling. Critics argued the initiative had only been launched last December, and had not been allotted funds, so the funding ban would make no impact on reducing the deficit that Obama is targeting. The last five years have seen a 2,000% increase in mining claims in the west. More than 8,000 mining claims have been staked in the Grand Canyon alone – mainly by major international companies rather than the pick and shovel claims of yore. The claims are a legacy of America’s antiquated mining laws, which were written to lure newcomers to the west. Mining National parks Conservation Mining United States Suzanne Goldenberg guardian.co.uk
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Pew Environment Group says national parks and heritage sites are at risk if Obama lifts mining moratorium • In pictures: Grand Canyon under threat America’s most majestic landscapes – from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore – are at risk because of booming global demand for uranium, a new report warns. The report, by the Pew Environment Group , calls on the Obama administration to overhaul antiquated laws governing the mining of gold and uranium, and offer permanent protection to national landmarks. The administration must decide by July whether to extend a two-year respite on thousands of mining claims in areas around the Grand Canyon , Mount Rushmore, Joshua Tree national park and the area around Yosemite national park . If it does not, there is nothing to stop mining interests from drilling on its claims around the canyon, the report warns. “These claims are all still active, and there is nothing right now that the government can do to prevent them from becoming mines,” said Jane Danowitz, who works on public lands protection for Pew. Obama moved to protect public lands soon after coming to the White House, calling a two-year halt to mining in sensitive areas. The interior secretary, Ken Salazar , must now decide whether to extend the ban. But environmental organisations argue Obama had already demonstrated reluctance to take on a fight with Republicans over protecting America’s natural heritage. Under a spending deal reached last week , Obama agreed not to use money from a newly launched wilderness initiative that would have protected 7.3 million acres of land from drilling. Critics argued the initiative had only been launched last December, and had not been allotted funds, so the funding ban would make no impact on reducing the deficit that Obama is targeting. The last five years have seen a 2,000% increase in mining claims in the west. More than 8,000 mining claims have been staked in the Grand Canyon alone – mainly by major international companies rather than the pick and shovel claims of yore. The claims are a legacy of America’s antiquated mining laws, which were written to lure newcomers to the west. Mining National parks Conservation Mining United States Suzanne Goldenberg guardian.co.uk
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Owen spends what remains of his inheritance on building a set of boarding kennels, in this exclusive story by Rose Tremain. But can the pit-bulls to which his neighbours object bring him anything but trouble? This is the first in a series of stories about oil from writers around the world, including Tim Gautreaux, Joanna Kavenna and China Miéville. Find more over the next week, including a graphic story from Simone Lia, at guardian.co.uk/books/series/oilstories Owen Gibb grew up on a hundred-acre farm in south Norfolk, with apple orchards and a pond for geese and ducks, and fields of lush grazing for a fine herd of Herefords. Wooden chicken houses, set out across a muddy rise, were shaded by ancient oaks. In the cool dairy, butter was churned. When Owen’s parents died, he had to sell the farm. What remained to him,
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On Wednesday a gay couple were ejected from the John Snow pub in Soho, London, for kissing. Follow all the kissing in public news and reaction – live 11am: When Jonathan Williams and James Bull went on their first date together, it is doubtful their hopes for the night involved ending up on the front page of a national newspaper (see Guardian), appearing on national radio (see Radio 5Live) and becoming social networking heroes (Twitter, Facebook). After enjoying a meal in Covent Garden, the couple had headed for the John Snow pub in Soho – supposedly the capital’s “gay village”. After sipping on the pub’s Samuel Smith cider, they tentatively locked lips for the first time. Young love was blossoming. But that young love was shattered when a man claiming to be the landlord asked them to refrain from their tender embraces. Williams and Bull declined, but were apprehended again by a female member of staff, who described their lip-locking as “obscene”. Williams took to Twitter to register his discontent, and an internet storm was born. Tonight over 400 people have committed to a ‘kiss-in’ at the John Snow, where the sage began. “Please remember THIS IS A LOVE REVOLUTION,” the Facebook event page reads. “Just lip balm, fresh breath, and kissing. it’s all about being fun and sexy.” Will you be kissing in a tavern tonight? Are you planning your own snogging event in defiance of prudish publicans? Share your plans below, and follow all the latest kissing news live. Gay rights Adam Gabbatt guardian.co.uk
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The latest developments from the courtroom as they happen, as the pathologists who conducted postmortems on Ian Tomlinson’s body continue their evidence 10.51am: Dr Nat Cary, the second pathologist to conduct a postmortem on Tomlinson’s body, has taken the witness stand . Cary was instructed by solicitors for Tomlinson’s family and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). He has a very long list of qualifications (no room to repeat them here) and has been on the Home Office register of forensic pathologists for 18 years. He has a moustache, and is wearing a light pink shirt and a grey tie. He is being questioned by Alison Hewitt , counsel to the inquest. When Cary conducted his examination – on 9 April 2009 – more information as to the circumstances of Tomlinson’s death, including this video footage showing his encounter with PC Simon Harwood , were available. Cary: I suppose the most important information I had was that clearly Mr Tomlinson had been involved in police contact shortly before he collapsed. And I don’t think that was known to Dr Patel at the time he carried out his examination. Hewitt: Had you seen prior to your postmortem the piece of footage of that contact between Mr Tomlinson and PC Harwood? Cary: Yes, because I watch the television quite a lot. 10.36am: We heard on Tuesday that a sample of the fluid found in Tomlinson’s abdomen was inadvertently discarded . A juror had asked a question about this mix-up, to which Thornton has replied that Patel took the sample in case he was unable to obtain a blood sample from elsewhere. Patel was able to take another blood sample, rendering the fluid less important. As a result the sample, which we would all have liked to have, of the fluid in the abdomen was, according to Dr Patel, discarded. It was not needed. So when the issue arose later about the proportions of blood [and bodily] fluid, he went back to see if the sample was available, and it was not. 10.31am: Patel has had to postpone his evidence due to illness, again. He arrived at the hearing but was “not 100%” and has gone home. He is scheduled to reappear on Monday morning, judge Peter Thornton QC said. It is nothing to do with this hearing or any questions he has been asked. It is not a trivial thing, but it is something he has been suffering from some time which has re-occurred. 10.30am: Some slight delays here. Remember you can also follow proceedings via Twitter . 10.10am: A quick clarification. I said yesterday that Patel altered his description of the level of blood found in fluid in Tomlinon’s abdomen a year after his initial postmortem. Elsewhere I have explained the crucial importance of the “extent of blood” found in Tomlinson’s abdomen. To be clear, Patel did not alter his original notes. The new description of the fluid appeared, as we explained correctly on Wednesday , in his second, amended report. 9.58am: The thirteenth day of evidence in the Ian Tomlinson inquest is about to start. Dr Freddy Patel , the controversial pathologist who concluded Tomlinson died of a spontaneous arrhythmic heart attack at the G20 protests is expected to finish his testimony shortly. You can read his evidence over the last three days here , here and here . Next up will be Dr Nat Cary , the second pathologist to conduct a postmortem on Tomlinson’s body. The jury has heard how Cary (along with two other forensic pathologists) contradicted Patel’s findings, concluding instead that he died of internal bleeding in the abdomen. Ian Tomlinson Police G20 Protest London Dr Freddy Patel Paul Lewis guardian.co.uk
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