Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Construction work on a £90m shopping centre has been delayed by a rapidly increasing population of breeding newts.
The Monks Cross development in York was planned to open next Christmas but has been delayed until Easter in 2014, due to a "huge" rise in newts on the site.
The population of great crested newts has grown by more than 3,000 per cent, from nine to 300, in December.
They will have to be individually caught and re-homed in a nearby wetland habitat before building work can start, because newts are protected under Natural England guidelines.
Dr Mark Hampton, an ecologist, said the rise in numbers could be explained by the wettest summer on record in 2012 – leading to an "exceptionally successful" breeding season.
The shopping centre developers, Oakgate, said they were "disappointed" that work had been delayed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments