AT the head of Nidderdale are two remote reservoirs surrounded by bleak moorland. The circuit of both and an exploration of the upper end of Nidderdale make for an enjoyable walk, full of history, cracking views and exploration.

There is parking in the village of Middlesmoor at the road end. From here head north west along a good track, used by farmers and workers on the reservoirs.

The track climbs steadily to Rain Stang (the trig point at nearly 1,500 feet is just off path to the right) before the views open up impressively to the north and back down the valley near How Stean Gorge to the left.

From the high point the track carries on for a few hundred metres before dropping steeply towards the first of the two man-made bodies of water in the Upper Nidd. Scar House Reservoir was completed in 1936 and provides water for Bradford, plenty of it as the dam wall itself is nearly 200 feet high.

The reservoirs have excellent fishing, with brown trout the most common catch and for the walker it is also a fine location for bird watching. On arrival at the reservoir head west (left) alongside the waters till arriving at the second reservoir Angram. Go no further west. Ahead is bleak country, peat hagged moorland. I once visited, never again!

Cross the dam of Angram Reservoir and head north east (right) along a path soon turning in to a good track to the north of Scar House Reservoir. On reaching the track let your imagination take over at what has become known as the ‘Lost Village of Lodge’. Remains exist of a village that almost certainly dated back to the Middle Ages. During the summer of 2016 archaeologists discovered remains that confirmed its ancient beginnings.

Scar House, Upper Nidd

In the 19th century Lodge was a busy community, situated well on a well-travelled pack horse route, with many nearby farms and a bustling community, even before the arrival of the reservoir builders. Now most, but not all, is buried under the reservoirs. Remains (including a narrow gauge railway) of the reservoir works are more visible. A truly fascinating history.

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Country walks: Hebden Bridge reservoirs and moorland

From the lost village follow the excellent track east to the end of Scar House Reservoir and then take the footpath which climbs for 100 m ignoring the main track dropping to the dam. The path (part of the Nidderdale Way) heads over the wonderfully name Woo Gill. It is near here that three tinkers’ bodies were once discovered, headless, in a place known as Dead Man’s Hill!

Moors shooting lodge in Upper Nidd. Images: Jonathan Smith

Turn left and climb to the high path on the rim of the dale. I do prefer this high route purely for the views both behind you to the west and ahead to the south but there are alternatives lower in the valley itself.

The path meets a shooters track and carries on its southerly course, sticking close to the rim of the Nidd valley. After a further mile the track arrives at the spectacularly situated Shooters Lodge, from here take the bridleway steeply downhill, into the valley at Thrope Farm.

Cross the River Nidd at the farm and walk for a quarter of a mile alongside the river before taking the footpath to your right, this sting in the tail climbs nearly 200 feet back in to the village of Middlesmoor.

Fact Box:

Distance: Roughly 12 miles

Height to Climb: 450m (1,480 feet)

Start: SE 092743. There is a small car park at the top end of Middlesmoor.

Difficulty: A long day but on good tracks and paths throughout. A couple of steep, short climbs.

Refreshments: The Crown at Middlesmoor is an excellent, traditional Dales pub, great for walkers.

Upper Nidd map. Jonathan Smith

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer 298) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

* Jonathan runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:

He has written three books on walking in the Dales; ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘The Dales 30’ mountains and the long distance path ‘The Bracken Way. Buy them direct from Where2walk

Jonathan runs Navigation Training Courses. The first Beginners Course of 2026 is on Saturday, March 14 from Long Preston, near Settle.

You can now buy Dales 30 T-shirts and caps from the NEW Dales 30 website.

Where2walk.co.uk features hundreds of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs. Visit the website for details of all these walks and guiding days.

Sales of Lego have increased dramatically over the past few years, with more adults than ever before getting into building with blocks. Recommended’s own tech editor, Nathan Spendelow, spent a gruelling 18 hours putting together Lego’s Star Wars Death Star, callusing his hands and getting a sore back in the process.

One longtime fan who has made Lego his full-time career is Graham E. Hancock. The editor of monthly Lego magazine Blocks, he’s also the author of several books about Lego, including LEGO Heroes: LEGO Builders Changing Our World – One Brick at a Time, Lego Fun Family Challenges and LEGO Star Wars: The Force of Creativity.

As a lifelong Lego fan, there’s nobody better to answer your questions about bricks, including why they’re so expensive, exciting new launches and which sets he would recommend for children and those with dexterity issues.

We caught up with Hancock for our Readers Ask series, where industry specialists answer queries from our Telegraph Recommended Reader Panel. Read his answers below.

How can I determine whether the difficulty level of a Lego set is suitable for my child?

George, London

If you’re thinking of getting a Lego set for your child, go with the age marking on the box that matches their age.

Start with something small and approachable to see how they get on with it. Once you’ve seen them build that first set and get a sense of how natural they find it, you can determine whether you want to get them another set of the same age marking, something simpler or something more complicated.

Why do you think there has been a resurgence in Lego over the last five years?

David, London

It’s been happening over the last 20 years. Sales of Lego sets keep growing and growing. But five years ago, everyone was stuck at home as a result of the pandemic, so people were looking for things to do within the house.

By coincidence, the Lego Group had just introduced a whole new range focusing on adults. These two things coincided and, all of a sudden, people felt comfortable telling others that, as grown-ups, they were sitting at home and building Lego.

I want to encourage my grandson’s creativity rather than the ability to follow instructions – what do you recommend?

Siri, London

You might be surprised to know that there have been instructions in Lego boxes for 70 years. It’s something lots of generations have grown up with. There’s something satisfying about following the steps to build a set and getting a complete model at the end of it.

There’s also something fun about dumping that box of bricks onto the dining room table and getting creative. It doesn’t have to be an either/or thing. You might think that children aren’t being creative when following instructions, but they’re learning how the different pieces and elements interact with one another and different ways they can use them. When they do build things creatively themselves, they’ll use some of these tips and tricks in their own models.

If your child loves building Lego sets, it’s worth getting them a big box of loose bricks, with doors, windows and wheels. Maybe it can be a family activity, to dump them out and build imaginatively around a table. This can be fun, inspiring and joyful.

People have been advised to watch for symptoms indicating potential key side effects

Guidance from the NHS warns that ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone and, in some cases, could make discomfort worse. On its website, the health service explains that ibuprofen is a type of painkiller known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are commonly used to treat a wide range of pain, including headaches and migraines, joint and muscle aches, toothache and period pain. They can also help bring down a high temperature.

However, the NHS notes that ibuprofen may cause more side effects than paracetamol and, in some people, can lead to stomach pain. With this in mind, the NHS advises people to try paracetamol before trying ibuprofen.

What are the side effects of ibuprofen?

The NHS cautions: “Like all medicines, ibuprofen can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.” Because of this, there are three serious side effects you should watch for.

The NHS says: “Ibuprofen can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.”

Possible serious side effects of ibuprofen include:

1. stomach ulcers or bleeding inside your stomach – causing symptoms such as tummy pain, shortness of breath, pale skin, vomiting blood or poo that’s black, sticky and tar-like
2. an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing
3. a problem with your kidneys – causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, blood in your pee or swelling in your ankles, feet or hands

If you experience any serious side effects call NHS 111 – or 999 in an emergency.

Common side effects of ibuprofen tablets, capsules, liquid and granules include:

• indigestion and stomach aches
• feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
• headaches
• a rash
• dizziness
• diarrhoea or constipation

The NHS further cautions: “These are not all the side effects of ibuprofen. For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.”

Who can and cannot use ibuprofen?

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Most adults can use ibuprofen. But ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• You’ve had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen, aspirin or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
• You have a stomach ulcer, or you’ve had them before
• You have asthma or allergies (such as hay fever)
• You have chickenpox
• You have a heart, liver or kidney condition
• You have problems with blood clotting
• You’ve had a stroke
• You’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant

Can I take ibuprofen?

The NHS advises taking the lowest dose that works for you and using it only for as long as necessary to reduce the risk of side effects.

You should not take ibuprofen tablets or capsules for more than 10 days unless a doctor tells you to. For other types of ibuprofen, you should check the packaging or patient leaflet for guidance on how long they can be used and whether they are suitable for you, as they may not interact well with other medicines you are taking.

The NHS also recommends seeing a GP if your pain worsens or does not improve. Always speak to your GP before starting any new medication or if you have concerns about your health.

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Countryfile’s Ben Fogle has admitted that he worried that his wife Marina thought he might be having an affair as he took on one role

Countryfile presenter Ben Fogle has revealed he was forced to confide a major secret to his wife amid concerns she might suspect him of infidelity. The BBC star recently appeared on The Masked Singer, where his identity remained closely guarded for weeks whilst the celebrity judging panel and viewers at home attempted to guess who was beneath the costume.

The broadcaster reached the semi-finals before being unmasked as Sloth in a dramatic reveal. In an exclusive interview with the Express, the 52-year-old explained: “I decided that I would really go for it. It was very hard keeping it a secret from my family. I did tell my wife, because I was pretty convinced that she would think I was having an affair or something if I didn’t tell her and then disappeared every Saturday night.”

He added: “But I didn’t tell my children so it was a massive shock to them when they watched it on the night. It was so wildly different to anything that I’ve ever done before that they didn’t even have an inkling! They were open-mouthed.”

Discussing whether he’d consider another programme beyond his usual remit, Ben said: “I’m so lucky that I get to travel and do really fun things. I think that if another show came up and I thought it was going to be challenging and looked really fun, and would be so wildly different from what I do on a day-to-day basis then I would certainly explore it.

“I’m in my 50s now, and I think that when I turned 50, I decided that this was the time to just make the most of life. Because, not to sound cliché, but we really do only have one life. And sometimes we can take ourselves too seriously but there’s something really refreshing about shaking it up.”

He added: “If another show came up then I would definitely be all in because if it’s as much fun as I had in those few weeks on The Masked Singer then it would definitely be worth it.”

Ben is presently touring nationwide with his latest theatre production WILD. On stage, he shares narratives and accounts of optimism, potential, and encouragement.

From his remarkable experiences with both humanity and the natural world; the wilderness of Northern Sweden to the jungles of Honduras; the harsh extreme landscapes of Chernobyl to the mountains of Nepal; Ben transports audiences on an adventure with motivating and heartening stories of self-discovery, leaving them captivated, enlightened, and thoroughly entertained.

Discussing his motivation for creating the show, Ben explained: “I get asked by people all the time about how they can live off grid, how other people have done it and how to go on expeditions.

“So I thought it would be a lovely way to take people behind the scenes and peek behind the curtain. There will be illustrations, video, photos, music and plenty of anecdotes.”

Countryfile is on BBC One on Sundays and on BBC iPlayer

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Sisters Ellie and Izzi have been on the programme since 2015 and have discussed their Aunty Margaret on numerous occasions.

Due to the continued mentions, some viewers theorised that she wasn’t real and had been created for the purposes of having something for the sisters to discuss on the show.

In a post on the r/Gogglebox Reddit page two years ago, one user said: “Here’s my theory. Aunty Margaret isn’t real, she’s a fake character they push further and further out there every week.”

Some agreed, as one commented: “Lol my partner and I have said the same thing!

“Either that or it’s code for someone who isn’t called Margaret at all.”

Not everyone was on-board though, as one shared: “I think she is real. Too many stories over the years for her to not exist or to keep up a ruse without slipping.”

Fans were able to get half an answer to this on last night’s (Friday, February 27) episode as Aunty Margaret popped round to see Ellie and Izzi.

Gogglebox fans say the show is ‘teasing’ them about Aunty Margaret’s appearance

After the first advert break on the show, narrator Craig Cash shared that Aunty Margaret had popped round to see the sisters.

She was discussing a new coat she had bought, with her back being visible to the camera.

Some fans were excited to see that she was real after all as one wrote on X: “WE FINALLY GET TO MEET ‘THE’ Auntie Margaret!

“Wonder if she watches what they say about her?”

Another posted: “Auntie Margaret is a real person!!”

Some were keen to actually see what she looked like, as one commented: “Come on !!! Who want to see more of Auntie Margaret, seen tonight as a shadowy figure, showing off her new coat, celeb in waiting.”

Recommended reading:

Another said: “I’ve always wanted to see what Auntie Margaret looks like. They’re just teasing us now.”

A third shared: “Are we finally going to see the infamous Aunty Margaret??”

One joked: “Is ‘auntie Margaret just a talking coat’”.

Gogglebox airs on Channel 4 at 9pm on Friday evenings.

One Premier League star who has played for both Manchester City and Leeds is unlikely to have mixed feelings on Saturday’s showdown

Former Manchester City and Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips will be nowhere in sight when the two clubs face off on Saturday. That’s after the Yorkshireman’s £42million transfer to City from Elland Road back in 2022 ultimately ended with a distressed phone call to his old boss.

Having built himself as a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s iconic Leeds team, Phillips was eventually snapped up by Pep Guardiola. However, what promised to be the next phase in an endearing tale of hard work paying off petered into a period of utter stagnation.

Phillips, 30, has made just 32 first-team appearances for City as he approaches the fourth anniversary of his move to the Etihad. He’s won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and more as a City player, yet all that glitters isn’t gold.

Now on loan at Championship side Sheffield United, his third loan away in as many seasons, Phillips is attempting to resurrect the old him once more. And it was a similar sense of desperation that led him to reach out to Bielsa in April 2023 after he was found at fault for Leicester City’s only goal during a 3-1 City win.

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“I just felt s***,” said Phillips. “It was probably the low-point, confidence-wise. I spoke to Bielsa afterwards. He called me back via a translator and we had a conversation for around half an hour.

“He said he’d watched every game I’d been involved in since I moved from Leeds and he told me what he thought I should do to become the player I was at Leeds.”

Linking up with Guardiola in Manchester inevitably came with its own complications. But then Phillips had just come from a club where he thrived under Bielsa, revered as a tactical taskmaster and one who demands painstaking sacrifice in training; how bad could it be?

One particularly tough episode related to Guardiola publicly calling Phillips out for returning “overweight” after the 2022 World Cup. The England anchor later empathised with the sentiment and conceded the Catalan was likely right, though his execution left a lot to be desired.

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“He was right to do so, but there are different ways to go about it,” Phillips later told The Guardian. “I did not disagree with him, but obviously I took a big knock on my confidence and how I felt at City. And my family were not happy about it, either. Especially my mum.”

From Phillips’ perspective, he had gone from being the local hero at Leeds and the most valuable player in the squad, as his City fee would attest. Under Guardiola, however, it wasn’t long before he became just another piece of the furniture, and one that was hardly critical to his manager’s plans.

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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.

Saturday’s Premier League clash takes place at Phillips’ former stomping ground at Elland Road. Daniel Farke’s men have made a habit in surprising some of the Premier League elite, having already taken results off the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United in recent months.

They’ll hope to repeat those heroics against the current runners-up if they’re to boost their own bid against relegation. Despite technically still being a City player today, Phillips will not be on the pitch as former club Leeds continue in trying to secure their top-flight future.

Netflix audiences have binged through the latest episodes of Regency period drama Bridgerton

Bridgerton season four, part two was finally released on Netflix and many fans have already raced through the episodes.

The new episodes arrived on Thursday, February 26, focusing on the aftermath of Benedict Bridgerton’s (played by Luke Thompson) well-intentioned but disappointing proposal to Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) when he asked her to be his mistress.

Many may have already finished the episodes and are starting the show from the beginning as they now have an arduous wait for season five.

The next outing has already been greenlit and will focus on either Eloise Bridgerton’s (Claudia Jessie) love story or that of her sister Francesca (Hannah Dodd).

While viewers wait, here’s a look at Bridgerton’s best-ever rated episodes as per IMDb.

Bridgerton’s top 10 episodes from worst to best

10. An Unthinkable Fate – season 2, episode 5

Perhaps one of the most dramatic episodes of the Netflix period drama, An Unthinkable Fate holds an 8.1/10 rating on the site and sees Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) left reeling after Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) proposes to her sister Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran) after confirming he didn’t want a love marriage.

9. After the Rain – season 1, episode 8

The season one finale After the Rain has an 8.1/10 rating and features a beautiful Bridgerton declaration of love from Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) to her husband Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) after they finally reconcile and plan to have children. Daphne also reveals how she discovered the truth about Simon’s heartbreaking childhood and difficult relationship with his father, which prompted him to avoid having any offspring.

8. The Duke and I – season 1, episode 5

Another season one fan-favourite is The Duke and I with an 8.1/10 rating. The episode follows Simon and Daphne’s hasty marriage after persuading Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) of their undying love. After their nuptials and their fabricated courtship, the pair then confess they’ve actually fallen for each other and utter the immortal line: “I burn for you.”

7. Tick Tock – season 3, episode 5

Tick Tock holds an 8.2/10 rating and sees Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) announce his sudden engagement to Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) after their steamy carriage ride, where they confessed their love for one another. The other big element of drama is Penelope’s deadline to tell Colin and the Ton that she is Lady Whistledown, all of which is scuppered when Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) falsely says she is the scandal sheet writer.

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This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Bridgerton.

6. Harmony – season 2, episode 7

Coming in with an 8.2/10 rating, season two’s Harmony focuses on the aftermath of Edwina and Anthony’s aborted wedding, the discord between Edwina and Kate, and scandal swirling around the Bridgerton family.

5. A Bee in Your Bonnet – season 2, episode 3

Yet another season two episode to make it into Bridgerton’s 10 best episodes is A Bee in Your Bonnet, which is rated 8.2/10. Anthony tries to win over Kate in order to marry her younger sister Edwina. However, the pair end up getting closer after embarking on a competitive game of Pall Mall with the rest of the Bridgerton siblings. Later, Anthony fears for Kate’s life after a bee lands on her chest and he thinks it will fatally sting her, just like his father Edmund Bridgerton (Rupert Evans).

4. An Offer from a Gentleman – season 4, episode 4

Despite only coming out this year, season four of Bridgerton has been met with much fan praise and the midseason finale An Offer from a Gentleman holds an 8.4/10 rating. The episode in question saw Benedict deliver his indecent proposal to maid Sophie after the pair had a racy moment on a staircase.

3. The Field Next to the Other Road – season 4, episode 3

The Field Next to the Other Road from season four has ended up with an 8.4/10 rating as well and sees Benedict and Sophie falling in love while staying at My Cottage in the countryside. The pair also share a passionate kiss after Benedict emerges from a lake when an unwitting Sophie spots him while on a walk around the estate.

2. The Viscount Who Loved Me – season 2, episode 8

The season two finale of Bridgerton holds a special place in fans’ hearts after it looked like Kanthony could finally get their happy ending after much strife.

The instalment retains an 8.5/10 rating from fans, who love seeing Kate and Anthony Bridgerton finally as husband and wife after she recovers from a horse-riding accident.

1. Old Friends – season 3, episode 4

Bridgerton’s best-rated episode currently holds an 8.6/10 rating, which could change as audiences watch the fourth season.

The episode marks the midway point in Polin’s season and sees Colin finally confess his love for Penelope, before they embark on their steamy carriage moment.

Bridgerton season 4 is streaming on Netflix now

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Police are appealing to witnesses after a statue of the late monarch was vandalised

PSNI have appealed to the public for witnesses after a statue of Queen Victoria was vandalised.

The vandalised statue is located in the grounds of the Belfast Hospital complex which is also named after the late monarch.

Republican group Lasair Dhearg posted a picture on social media on Friday afternoon appearing to show one of its supporters pouring red paint over the statue. In an accompanying post, the group said “Belfast activists” had paid a visit to the “Famine Queen” – a reference to the Irish potato famine of the mid-19th century.

It stated: “British monarch Victoria oversaw the Great Hunger and the decimation of the Irish population as millions perished and emigrated.

“In a socialist republic all the symbols of Empire will be stripped from the land; street names, statues, institutions and those that will stand against the people organising for a better future. Only the fight for a socialist republic can bring about the end of occupation and imperialism in Ireland.”

READ MORE: New dog park in Belfast opens using upcycled playground equipmentREAD MORE: Man charged to court after alleged kidnapping in Derry

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it received a report of criminal damage on the Grosvenor Road site in west Belfast on Friday afternoon.

“It was reported that paint was thrown over a statue in the area,” the PSNI said.“Inquiries are at an early stage and police would appeal to any witnesses, or anyone who might have any information which could assist us, to get in touch.”Work was under way on Friday evening to remove the paint.In a statement, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: “Belfast Trust is aware of an incident in which the statue of Queen Victoria, on the Royal Group of Hospitals site, was daubed with red paint.“Trust staff are working to have this paint removed as quickly as possible. Police have been informed of the incident.”

DUP Assembly member Phillip Brett added the vandalism was an “utter disgrace”.He said those responsible wanted to “intimidate” and also “erase” British identity from Northern Ireland.

“This wasn’t ‘activism’,” he said, “it was an attack on shared space, on heritage and on basic respect.

“If they truly cared about working-class communities, they would be campaigning to improve public services, not defacing public property and intimidating others. We must be clear. Criminal damage is criminal damage. It should be condemned, investigated and those responsible held accountable before the courts without delay.

“And let me be clear to those who think they can erase British identity from Northern Ireland, we are not going anywhere.”Ulster Unionist Assembly member Alan Chambers, who is the party’s health spokesman, also condemned the incident.“The disgraceful defacing of the statue at the Royal Victoria Hospital was a completely senseless and unacceptable act of vandalism,” he said.“Whatever views individuals may hold about history or heritage, there is absolutely zero justification for targeting a healthcare facility in this manner. The Royal Victoria Hospital exists to provide care and treatment to some of the sickest people in Northern Ireland and at the most vulnerable moments in their lives.“It is a place dedicated to saving lives and supporting families – it should never be seen as an opportunity for idiotic political protest or criminal damage. Every pound that now has to be spent repairing this damage is a pound taken away from the health service. At a time when our health service is already under immense pressure, with budgets stretched, it is utterly irresponsible that scarce resources will now have to be diverted to clean up this mess.“Those responsible have shown a clear disregard not just for our shared public spaces, but for the patients and staff who rely on the Royal Victoria Hospital every day. That is why I hope they will be identified and held fully accountable. I urge anyone with information about this despicable incident to come forward.”

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An explosion was reported in Tehran on Saturday, as Israel’s defence minister said the country had launched a preventative attack against Iran.

Witnesses said they heard the blast in the Iranian capital. There was no immediate comment from the government in Tehran. Iranian state television acknowledged the blast, without providing more details.

The development comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme – its long-running effort to enrich uranium, which Western powers fear could be used to produce nuclear weapons.

In Washington, the US president, Donald Trump, signalled frustration with the latest round of negotiations. Speaking to reporters, he said he was “not happy” with how discussions were progressing.

“I’d rather do it the peaceful way, but they’re very difficult people…they’re very dangerous people,” Mr Trump said.

Oman’s foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating the talks, expressed hope for a positive outcome as he sought “enough space to really close these remaining areas that we need to discuss and agree upon”.

Meanwhile, staff have been withdrawn from the British Embassy in Iran, ahead of the possible US strikes. At the US embassy in Jerusalem, non-emergency US staff and their families have been told to leave Israel due to safety risks.

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Israel’s operation against Iran was coordinated with US, Israeli official says

The Israeli operation against Iran on Saturday was coordinated with the U.S., an Israeli defence official told Reuters.

The operation was planned or months and the launch date was decided weeks ago, the official added.

Holly Evans28 February 2026 07:03

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Protests in Iran continue amid threat of US strikes

People in Iran have continued to protest against the government as the US threatens military strikes against Tehran over its nuclear programme.

University students in Iran are holding protests calling for the government to be overthrown, The New York Times reported.

The new wave of anti-government demonstrations, which started last Saturday, comes after thousands were killed in Iran’s crackdown on protesters last month, per the NYT.

Namita Singh28 February 2026 07:00

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Pictures: Explosion reported in Iran as Israel launches ‘preventative attack’

Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:59

Israeli airspace closed to civilian flights, airports authority says

Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights on Saturday, the airports authority said, after Israel launched what the defence minister described as a pre-emptive attack against Iran.

Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:50

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Israel launches daylight strike on Tehran as sirens sound nationwide and US forces mass in region

Israel launched a daylight attack on Saturday on Iran’s capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city’s downtown.

It wasn’t immediately clear what the target was. But the attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats.” He did not immediately elaborate.

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In Tehran, witnesses heard the blast. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause.

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel”.

The US military declined to immediately comment on the attack.

Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:48

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Apparent strike in Iran’s capital happened near offices of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

An apparent strike in Iran’s capital on Saturday happened near the offices of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

State television acknowledged an explosion in the area of the offices.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time. He hasn’t been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown.

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Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:42

Israel’s defense minister says his country has attacked Iran and declares a state of emergency

Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, with the country’s defense minister declaring a state of emergency across the country.

Israel Katz made the announcement as thick smoke rose from an explosion in downtown Tehran, Iran’s capital.

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Iranian state television acknowledged the blast, without providing more details.

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that the “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel”.

Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:36

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Israel military triggers sirens to prepare for possible missile attack

Israel’s military on Saturday said it had sounded air raid sirens in areas across the country “to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward Israel”.

Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:33

IAEA flags blind spot over Iran’s 60% uranium as stockpile moved to Isfahan tunnel

The UN’s nuclear watchdog has warned that most of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is being held inside an underground tunnel complex at its Isfahan facility and has pressed Tehran to permit inspections without delay.

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In a report circulated to member states on Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran continues to enrich uranium to 60 per cent purity – a level described as a short technical step from weapons-grade material – while raising concern about its lack of access to the Isfahan site.

Isfahan is one of three nuclear facilities that the United States said it had “obliterated” during last year’s 12-day war.

According to the agency, satellite imagery showed “regular vehicular activity around the entrance to the tunnel complex at Isfahan in which (uranium) enriched up to 20 per cent and 60 per centU-235 … was stored”.

The IAEA stressed the importance of being able to conduct inspections in Iran without further delay.

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The report also said inspectors do not know the precise location of a fourth uranium enrichment facility that Iran had stated it was establishing in Isfahan before the 12-day war. The agency added that it was unaware of whether that facility is operational or whether it currently contains nuclear material.

There was no immediate comment from Iran.

The findings were circulated a day after American and Iranian negotiators met in Geneva for a third round of indirect talks mediated by Oman. The discussions ended without a breakthrough.

Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:30

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Breaking: Explosion reported in Tehran as Israel says it has launched ‘preventative attack’ against Iran

An explosion was heard in Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Saturday, according to witnesses, as Israel’s defence minister said the country had launched a preventative attack against Iran.

There was no immediate comment from the Iranian government about the blast in Tehran.

The reported explosion comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

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Namita Singh28 February 2026 06:22

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