United States President Barack Obama has lifted a ban on drilling for oil and gas off the US coast. The decision means that drilling platforms may now appear off the southern and eastern Atlantic coasts, in the east of the Gulf of Mexico and in one location off the northern coast of Alaska.

Mr Obama said he had taken the decision after considering it for a year, and that he believed it would help strengthen the country’s economy. He said his intention is to make the US less dependent on foreign supplies of energy.
 
The measure is being seen as a concession to the Republicans, in a bid to gain their support for a new, wide-ranging climate bill. However, the Republicans say the measure does not go far enough. They want to see more territory opened for drilling.
 
Environmental organisations have condemned the plan for endangering wildlife and coastal areas merely to give oil companies more profits.