Massive 'E' carved into forest for Queen Elizabeth II | MNN - Mother Nature Network

Massive 'E' carved into forest for Queen Elizabeth II | MNN - Mother Nature Network: "Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee in 2012 was marked by an international spectacle of ceremonies, honors, and visits by the royal family to mark 60 years under her rule. Despite the conclusion of the celebration, at least one town in East Sussex, Britain is forging ahead with the finishing touches on a permanent tribute: a 100ft. massive E carved into a forest hillside.

With permission granted by the conservation group Natural England and the South Downs National Park Authority, volunteers worked for months clearing hundreds of trees with donated equipment and guidance from forestry officials.

"It has been a real community effort and it wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the generosity of a number of local businesses," farmer Carola Godman, the project's organizer, told the Daily Mail. "They said they wanted to help out so they could tell their children and grandchildren in years to come that they were part of it.""

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Iran says talks with big powers to be held in January | Reuters

Iran says talks with big powers to be held in January | Reuters: " Iran has agreed to hold talks with six major powers about its atomic program in January but the date and venue has yet to be decided, the country's top nuclear negotiator said on Friday.

The six powers want to rein in Iran's uranium enrichment program to ensure it is geared only for civilian energy, through a mix of diplomacy and sanctions. Iran denies Western assertions it is seeking nuclear weapons capability.

"We have accepted that these talks should be held in January, but until now, the details have not been finalized," Jalili said through a translator during a trip to India.

The six powers - the United States, Russia, France, Britain, Germany and China - have failed to achieve a breakthrough in three rounds of talks since April. But neither side has been willing to break off totally, partly because of concern this could lead to war if Israel attacked its arch-foe.

The powers last met Iran for talks in Moscow. That meeting was followed by low-level technical talks in Istanbul."

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