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Frustration as Tomahawk plans stall
Frustration as Tomahawk plans stall

Otago Daily Times

time14 hours ago

  • General
  • Otago Daily Times

Frustration as Tomahawk plans stall

Locals are frustrated that plans to turn the former Tomahawk School site into a recreation space have gone nowhere. The Star reporter Sam Henderson explores why the land remains a blank canvas. The site of the former Tomahawk School at the end of Luke St has become a bone of contention as plans to develop it for the community appear to have stalled. The school was demolished in 2019, and six years on, the site remains underdeveloped: a bare concrete slab surrounded by a wide swathe of grass. The local community made a submission to the 2024 annual plan, asking for planning help so residents and council staff could design the space together. When that bid failed, residents spoke at the nine-year long-term plan hearing, asking for at least $800,000 to be set aside to develop the site as a recreation area. The submission noted two community meetings held in 2023, both showing strong backing for redeveloping the site. Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman Paul Pope organised a petition urging the council to fund landscaping at the site, which was signed by about 130 current and former residents. An online survey drew 85 responses, with support for a recreation hub featuring native planting, a playground for young children, a half-court for basketball or netball and a pump track. Resident Sally Dicey said the community was eager to see the site developed. "We are quite special in that we are close to the city, but we have got a strong community identity." But she was frustrated that discussions seemed to have gone nowhere. "There has just been no follow up at all." The area has seen new growth, such as 15 new houses on Sunset Tce and an additional 45 houses new houses expected. "There's a lot of kids in that subdivision, a lot of young kids," Ms Dicey said. "There is a really good vibe among the kids, so for them to actually come and have a basketball court, or a rebound wall for kicking a ball or that kind of thing [would be good]. "We are not asking for any buildings, we are asking for a recreation hub." At present, it felt like development plans were "spinning in circles", Ms Dicey said. Mr Pope said at least three facilitated meetings had been held previously with Dunedin City Council staff about the site's future. "It needs to be built into the parks and recreation's work plan from now until the end of the year to make sure that the community are on the right track." The community would even be willing to help fundraise if the council provided seed money in next year's annual plan and led the design and compliance work, he said. "This is why the group actually need the support of the DCC." Dunedin City Council group manager parks and recreation Heath Ellis said during the nine-year long-term plan process, councillors had considered a range of amenity requests, but decided not to allocate funding for the former Tomahawk School site. Councillors asked staff to work with the relevant Tomahawk groups to present a submission including a plan for consideration at the 2026-27 annual plan process. Dates for when the council's 2026-27 annual plan process would begin were yet to be set. Development stalled • Tomahawk School closed in 2010. • Ngāi Tahu Property bought the site before selling it to the Dunedin City Council in 2012. • Discussion about community uses for the site began as far back as 2012. • In 2016, the Dunedin City Council invited the community to suggest ways to use or develop the site. • For a time, it appeared those plans would be shelved when a 20-year lease was offered to a local kindergarten. • Those plans fell through in 2017, and the school was demolished in 2019.

Trump doubles down on claim Iran strike ‘completely destroyed' nuclear sites
Trump doubles down on claim Iran strike ‘completely destroyed' nuclear sites

The Hill

time16 hours ago

  • Politics
  • The Hill

Trump doubles down on claim Iran strike ‘completely destroyed' nuclear sites

President Trump is doubling down on the administration's claim that U.S. military strikes 'completely destroyed' Iran's three nuclear sites last month, pushing back against a new assessment reportedly showing that only one of the three facilities was wrecked. 'All three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or OBLITERATED. It would take years to bring them back into service and, if Iran wanted to do so, they would be much better off starting anew, in three different locations, prior to those sites being obliterated, should they decide to do so,' Trump said in a Saturday morning post on Truth Social. A new intelligence assessment, reported by multiple news outlets on Thursday, indicates that Iran's nuclear enrichment site in Fordow was mostly destroyed during the June 21 strikes, but the two other principal sites — Natanz and Isfahan — were not and could potentially resume enriching uranium if Tehran greenlights it. The Defense Department, along with the White House, pushed back on the assessment, contending that the airstrikes, carried out by B-2 bombers and submarines firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, destroyed all three facilities. 'The credibility of the Fake News Media is similar to that of the current state of the Iranian nuclear facilities: destroyed, in the dirt, and will take years to recover,' the department's chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. 'President Trump was clear and the American people understand: Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz were completely and totally obliterated.' 'There is no doubt about that,' he added. Parnell told reporters earlier this month that the Defense Department's intelligence assessments indicated that Iran's nuclear program was degraded by 'one to two years.' The Trump administration strongly criticized news outlets for reporting in June that an early, low-confidence report, compiled shortly after the U.S. strikes by the Defense Intelligence Agency, said that military strikes on the nuclear facilities only set Iran's nuclear program back by months. The U.S. military mission, called Operation Midnight Hammer, was launched on June 21, just days after Israel and Iran began trading blows. Trump said in late June that he would consider bombing Iran's nuclear sites again if U.S. intelligence raised more concerns about Tehran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.

Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort Launches 'Summer Grill by George'
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort Launches 'Summer Grill by George'

Web Release

time2 days ago

  • Web Release

Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort Launches 'Summer Grill by George'

As Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, one of Morocco's leading luxury hospitality destinations, has announced the opening of its new seasonal restaurant, Summer Grill by George, now welcoming guests throughout the summer. The open-air venue offers a refined culinary experience that blends high-quality cuisine with a serene natural setting. Located on a panoramic terrace surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the golf course and Atlantic Ocean, the restaurant is designed as a tranquil space where guests can enjoy leisurely summer lunches in the open air, accompanied by fresh ocean breezes and a relaxed atmosphere. The concept was created specifically to celebrate the lightness of summer and offer a moment of escape and enjoyment in a stunning natural environment. In this context, Jacques Claudel, General Manager of Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, stated: ''Summer Grill by George' is a thoughtfully curated seasonal addition that reflects Mazagan's ongoing commitment to culinary creativity. The restaurant embodies our focus on quality, local character, and refined hospitality within a serene natural setting.' Claudel added: 'Our goal is to offer guests distinctive moments where exceptional cuisine is paired with relaxed coastal views—reinforcing Mazagan's position as a leading luxury hospitality destination in Morocco.' Summer Grill by George offers a unique blend of elegance and simplicity, inviting guests to gather around a generous table of fresh, flavorful dishes. The summer menu captures the essence of the season, highlighting premium aged meats and fresh seafood, complemented by an array of Mediterranean-inspired salads that showcase the quality of locally sourced ingredients. The menu's centerpiece features two standout dishes that define the restaurant's culinary character: the Tomahawk steak, a premium cut of beef grilled to perfection, and the grilled lobster, served with a delicately balanced sauce designed to enhance its natural richness. For dessert, the experience concludes with a refreshing Pavlova citron yuzu, combining lemon and yuzu cream, crisp meringue, and lemon–verbena crumble for a vibrant and aromatic finish. The restaurant is open daily for lunch throughout the summer season, offering a relaxed yet elevated setting for families, friends, and food lovers seeking a distinctive seasonal experience where bold flavors meet a captivating coastal landscape.

Trump Rejected Army's Iran Attack Plan, US Damaged Only 1 Of 3 Key Nuke Sites: Report
Trump Rejected Army's Iran Attack Plan, US Damaged Only 1 Of 3 Key Nuke Sites: Report

News18

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • News18

Trump Rejected Army's Iran Attack Plan, US Damaged Only 1 Of 3 Key Nuke Sites: Report

Last Updated: US President Donald Trump did not want to engage the US in a prolonged conflict in West Asia with Iran. US President Donald Trump personally rejected a sweeping military plan to expand US strikes on Iran, broadcaster NBC News said in a new report, citing current and former officials familiar with the deliberations. The proposal, drawn up by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), would have targeted three more nuclear sites and unfolded over several weeks. The report said that the plan stretched far beyond the limited strikes Trump eventually authorized last month. The report highlighted that the US President wanted to be consistent with his desire to avoid prolonged foreign entanglements for the US military and is said to have pushed back on the idea. Officials told the broadcaster that Trump was wary of dragging the US into a deeper conflict with Tehran and concerned about potential casualties on both sides. The CENTCOM plan, dubbed the 'All-In Plan" by some officials, had envisioned a sustained offensive, but the NBC News report said Trump's instinct was to opt for a shorter, more targeted action. The US strikes last month targeted three key nuclear enrichment sites in Iran — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. According to two serving officials, the attack on Fordow, considered a cornerstone of Iran's nuclear ambitions, was the most significant, with US intelligence assessing that it may have set back enrichment operations there by up to two years. Much of the Trump administration's public messaging after the strikes has zeroed in on Fordow. In a Pentagon briefing responding to early Defense Intelligence Agency assessments, which suggested Iran's nuclear program overall had been delayed by only three to six months, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine focused heavily on Fordow's impact, offering little comment on the strikes at Natanz and Isfahan. Before the strikes, US officials were aware that Iran had hardened facilities and stockpiles of enriched uranium at Natanz and Isfahan and some likely buried too deep even for the US military's 30,000-pound GBU-57 'bunker buster" bombs, the NBC News report said. These massive bombs, which had never been used in combat until the Iran operation, were specifically designed for deeply fortified sites like Fordow, built into the side of a mountain. However, by 2023, intelligence suggested that Iran was expanding tunnel networks at Natanz, possibly digging deeper than the GBU-57's reach. Isfahan, too, was believed to have underground tunnels. While the US deployed GBU-57s at Natanz, it opted for Tomahawk missile strikes on surface targets at Isfahan, avoiding the bunker busters there altogether. view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 20:08 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Pakistan's Strategic Miscalculation: Trump, Tehran, And The Cost Of Misplaced Trust
Pakistan's Strategic Miscalculation: Trump, Tehran, And The Cost Of Misplaced Trust

News18

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • News18

Pakistan's Strategic Miscalculation: Trump, Tehran, And The Cost Of Misplaced Trust

Last Updated: Asim Munir, who had spent months manipulating Pakistan's political structure and suppressing dissent, was himself played by Donald Trump. In a seismic show of force, the United States on June 22 executed a devastating strike against Iran's core nuclear infrastructure. The Fordow enrichment complex, nestled deep within a mountain, was targeted by a fleet of B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers in what became the largest and second-longest B-2 mission in US military history. Almost simultaneously, 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines slammed into Iran's key sites at Isfahan and Natanz. President Donald Trump, never one to understate his actions, proclaimed later that day: '…The strikes have been spectacularly successful. Iran's key nuclear facilities have been completely and totally obliterated…" These weren't hollow words. The mission employed eight GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—each capable of delivering over 6,000 pounds of high explosives. Even if the bombs didn't reach the deepest subterranean vaults of Fordow, the sheer concussive force of nearly 48 tons of explosives in a confined space left little doubt: Iran's sensitive nuclear equipment is no longer operational. The devastation at Natanz and Isfahan—far more vulnerable sites—would be even more complete. The US had long harboured ambitions of dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure. But what had been missing for years was the political will. That changed in June 2025. With this one sweeping strike, 'Project Amad", Iran's covert nuclear program first initiated in the 2000s, now lies in ruins. The regime in Tehran, which drew its power and deterrence from nuclear ambiguity, has been jolted into a crisis. A Perfectly Sequenced Campaign with Israel Starting mid-June, Israel escalated to strategic targets inside Iran – hitting power grids, oil depots, tunnels, air bases, and even targeting nuclear scientists and senior commanders. The precision and lethality of these operations sent shockwaves through Iran's military and political hierarchy. Facing unprecedented disruption, the Iranian leadership retreated into digital silence, severely limiting communication and mobility. This inherently caused a paralysis in knowing, decision-making and acting against what was coming. Only once Israel had softened Iran's defences did the United States strike, leveraging its stealth capabilities and missile supremacy to hit targets only it could neutralise. The result was a textbook execution of a joint strategic playbook, demonstrating new levels of coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv. Grey Zone Warfare: A Six-Dimensional Offensive This campaign was a prime example of modern Grey Zone Warfare, waged across six interlinked domains: Diplomatic, Information (including intelligence), Military, Economic, Political, and Technological (DIME-PT). Diplomatically, it reshaped the power equations in West Asia. Militarily, it showcased stealth dominance and kinetic precision. Economically, it targeted critical infrastructure that funds Iranian regional influence. Politically, it cornered the Iranian regime at home and abroad. Technologically, it employed unmatched capabilities in cyber, stealth, and satellite warfare. Informationally, it seized the narrative, leaving no ambiguity about American resolve. Neither Russia nor China – Iran's supposed backers – made any significant move to deter or respond. India, historically friendly with both Iran and Israel, maintained strategic silence – an indication of tacit approval. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Iran's neighbour and erstwhile ally, found itself scrambling for relevance, and in the process, revealed the deep flaws in its strategic thinking. Pakistan: The Cost of Being Played In the lead-up to the US strike, Pakistan was caught playing a dangerous double game. Just a day before the bombing, Pakistan's government reportedly proposed nominating Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize – a surreal move given Trump's well-known hawkish stance on both Iran and Pakistan. Within 24 hours, the same government was publicly condemning Trump for bombing Iran's nuclear sites. This flip-flop was more than a diplomatic embarrassment – it exposed the strategic shallowness of Pakistan's power elite. The central figure in this misadventure was General Asim Munir, who had recently self-promoted to Field Marshal after India's Operation Sindoor, which shattered Pakistan's nuclear deterrence bluff. Seeking international validation, Munir flew to Washington and was hosted by Trump at a high-profile White House luncheon. Overwhelmed by praise, and blind to precedent, Munir appeared to miss a crucial detail: Trump had not forgotten his own words from 2018, when he declared: 'The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan. No more!" Yet here was Munir – naively believing flattery and symbolism would reset the clock. While he publicly signalled support for Iran, he quietly offered strategic cooperation to the United States, hoping to position Pakistan as a regional mediator. Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister, parroted this illusion on social media, claiming to have spoken to the Iranian President 'to express Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran." A Masterclass in Strategic Deception – But Not by Pakistan What played out was a masterclass in American strategic deception – not by Pakistan, but against Pakistan. Munir, who had spent months manipulating Pakistan's political structure and suppressing dissent, was himself played by Trump. In offering backdoor deals, mineral access, and intelligence cooperation, Pakistan hoped to regain Washington's trust. But Trump – and the US national security establishment – saw through it. Pakistan was using the same tactics it once employed with China, offering mineral rights and geostrategic leverage as bait. China learned its $64 billion CPEC lesson slowly. The United States learned it overnight. What remains is a country that has betrayed old allies like Iran, undermined its credibility, and overestimated its importance in a new regional order. A Self-Inflicted Wound The US strike on Iran was more than a military triumph – it was a strategic earthquake. For Pakistan, it exposed not just a diplomatic failure, but a crisis of judgement. Caught between old loyalties and new ambitions, Pakistan bet on the wrong strategy – and perhaps the wrong president. In the brutal clarity of international affairs, there are no rewards for sycophancy, only consequences. The United States acted decisively. Israel coordinated expertly. Iran miscalculated fatally. And Pakistan – well, Pakistan simply played itself. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. About the Author Brigadier Brijesh Pandey Brig Brijesh Pandey is a veteran with distinguished career of 35+ years in Indian Army, specialising in Artillery and pioneering Information Warfare. Proven leader with expertise in strategic planning, More tags : Asim Munir donald trump Israel-Iran tensions pakistan view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 23, 2025, 13:56 IST News opinion Opinion | Pakistan's Strategic Miscalculation: Trump, Tehran, And The Cost Of Misplaced Trust Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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