Biden positions proclamation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon NMon as economic boon

After spending most of his appearance near the Grand Canyon describing how his fifth national monument designation would preserve sagebrush, bighorn sheep and 450 kinds of birds, President Biden said on Tuesday that protecting the land long held sacred by Native American leaders was not just a matter of the environment.

“By creating this monument, we’re setting aside new spaces for families to bike, hunt, fish and camp, growing the tourism economy,” Mr. Biden said as he declared nearly a million acres near the Grand Canyon as a national monument, with the 300-million-year-old “majestic red cliffs” serving as his backdrop.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/08/us/politics/biden-national-monument-election.html

Biden may proclaim new NMon to ban uranium mining near Grand Canyon NP as soon as this week

President Biden is likely to announce the creation of a new national monument to protect about a million acres of land around the Grand Canyon from uranium mining as soon as next week, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Senior officials in the Biden administration have been speaking in recent weeks with Native tribes, environmental groups and members of the Arizona congressional delegation, and some of those people have been told to prepare for “a possible announcement” when Mr. Biden visits Arizona next week. The three people familiar with the matter asked not to be identified in order to discuss internal deliberations.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/climate/biden-grand-canyon-mining-monument.html

Italy | Despite progress, UNESCO recommends historic Venice be put on World Heritage in Danger List

To protect its fragile ecosystem and stunning architecture, Venice has taken bold steps. In recent years, it has banned cruise ships from its lagoon and built sea walls to keep out high tides.

Still, the city remains under serious threat, United Nations experts warned this week.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/world/europe/venice-unesco-world-heritage-danger-list.html