Latest news with #theNorth
L'Orient-Le Jour
30-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Smotrich unveils plan to sell land near Lebanon border to ‘reinforce' northern Israel
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right member of the government, on Wednesday announced a new plan to sell building plots in northern Israel, near the Lebanese border. The initiative, developed in coordination with Minister of Settlements and National Missions Orit Strock — a prominent figure in the settler movement and a member of Smotrich's Religious Zionism party — was unveiled during a conference titled 'Strengthening the North,' Israeli Channel 12 reported. Smotrich also praised the terms of the cease-fire agreement with Lebanon that came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, and insisted that Israel 'will not withdraw from the [five] positions it occupies on Lebanese territory.' He said the government would offer 'serviced land, ready to build on, in the north of the country' for just 100,000 shekels (around $27,000), adding that military reservists would be eligible to buy the plots for only 50,000 shekels (around $14,800). He described the deal as 'an offer you can't refuse.' 'The state (of Israel) needs you,' he said, as northern Israel continues to recover from the nearly 13-month war with Hezbollah that began on Oct. 8, 2023, and ended with a fragile truce on Nov. 27, 2024. The terms of that cease-fire remain under negotiation and have been consistently violated by Israel. Despite Hezbollah's military losses and the ongoing cease-fire, many residents of northern Israel have yet to return to their homes. 'They talk to us about returning, but there's nowhere to return to,' said David Azoulay, head of the Metula municipal council — Israel's northernmost town — in early March. Some 2,900 buildings were damaged in Israel during the fighting, according to a February estimate by former Housing Minister Ze'ev Elkin. 'Even Khamenei has lost hope in Hezbollah' Smotrich said there is now 'a real possibility that Hezbollah could be totally disarmed,' and claimed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had 'lost hope' in the party and is now 'completely indifferent as to whether it is rebuilt or not.' While U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has raised the prospect of a new agreement between Lebanon and Israel during recent visits to Beirut, Smotrich defended the current deal, calling it 'a good agreement.' He argued that it gives Israel 'full legitimacy to effectively prevent Hezbollah from reorganizing at the border.' Despite the cease-fire, Israel has continued near-daily strikes on southern Lebanon, increased incursions along the border, and killed at least 285 people — both militants and civilians — since the truce began, according to a tally by the United Nations and L'Orient-Le Jour. Israel also continues to occupy five positions on Lebanese territory, located on elevated ground near the border. Smotrich reaffirmed that the country 'will not withdraw' from those areas, despite cease-fire terms calling for a full Israeli pullout from Lebanese land.
Telegraph
11-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Manchester United to demolish Old Trafford and build 100,000-seat stadium costing £2bn
Manchester United will demolish Old Trafford and build a new 100,000-capacity ground that Sir Jim Ratcliffe says will be the 'world's greatest football stadium'. United have opted to pursue the development of a new £2 billion world-class stadium rather redeveloping their existing Old Trafford ground with an increased capacity of 87,000. Telegraph Sport revealed in February last year how Ratcliffe wanted to create a so-called 'Wembley of the North' and believes the project offers a 'once-in-a-century' opportunity. The new stadium would be built on land adjacent to Old Trafford, which now appears set for demolition having served as United's iconic home for 115 years. 'Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford,' said Ratcliffe on Tuesday, unveiling the plans at the London offices of architecture firm Foster + Partners. 'Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. 'By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home. 'Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment not just during the construction phase but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete. 'The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance.' Sir Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues as United manager and delivered so many memorable, iconic moments at Old Trafford, has thrown his support behind the plans. 'Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in,' Ferguson said. 'Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in January that she will be 'championing' the project around Old Trafford which is forecast to generate £7.3 billion annually for the UK economy and create around 90,000 jobs nationally. Reeves confirmed the backing of the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham's plans for the regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, including new housing and commercial developments. The Government has said the plans – which will also lead to new public spaces – are a 'shining example of the bold pro-development model that will drive growth across the region'. While public money could be provided to address infrastructure changes and other things in a redeveloped area, funding for the stadium itself will fall squarely on United. With Ratcliffe having claimed United could have 'gone bust' by Christmas without the huge cost cutting measures he has implemented, it remains to be seen how United can finance a new stadium that could cost between £2bn and £2.3bn. Conceptual images and scaled models of what the new stadium and surrounding area could look were unveiled on Tuesday by Foster + Partners, the architecture group appointed to design the stadium district. These will provide a masterplan for more detailed feasibility, consultation, design and planning work as the project enters a new phase. Omar Berrada, the United chief executive, said: 'Our long-term objective as a club is to have the world's best football team playing in the world's best stadium. We are grateful for the feasibility work done by the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force exploring options for the future of Old Trafford. We have carefully considered its findings, together with the views of thousands of fans and local residents and concluded that a new stadium is the right way forward for Manchester United and our surrounding community. 'We will now embark on further consultation to ensure that fans and residents continue to be heard as we move towards final decisions.' Telegraph Sport has reported how Ratcliffe could aim to 'fast track' delivery of a new stadium. It is estimated that it would take around seven years for United to have an operational new stadium. But Ratcliffe is aware that the Sofi stadium in Los Angeles, for example, took around four years to build and sources expect the club's influential co-owner would challenge those responsible to try to 'fast track' delivery of any new stadium. Lord Sebastian Coe, chair of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, said: 'Today marks an important step forward in what I firmly believe can be the biggest and most exciting urban regeneration project in the UK since the 2012 London Olympics. I am proud to have helped lay the groundwork as chair of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force over the past year and would like to thank my fellow members for their contributions. Our exploratory work is now complete, and we will hand over responsibility to Manchester United for delivery of the stadium, and the Mayoral Development Corporation to drive forward the wider regeneration.' Burnham echoed those sentiments. 'Our common goal on the Task force has been to try to unlock the full power of the club for the benefit of its supporters and for Greater Manchester as a whole - creating thousands of new homes and jobs,' he said. 'If we get this right, the regeneration impact could be bigger and better than London 2012. Manchester United could, and indeed should, have the best football stadium in the world.' Lord Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners, added: 'This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance. It all starts with the fans' experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar.'
