The new phase will feature 75 properties including 12 affordable new homes built on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council.
Bellway is to invest further in North Lanarkshire with the launch of a second phase of properties at Cloverhill in Gartcosh.
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Located off Johnston Road, Cloverhill is a stylish family development, near Johnston Loch, surrounded by rolling countryside and next to the popular lifestyle garden centre, Homegrown.
The new phase will feature 75 properties including 12 affordable new homes built on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council.
Styles on offer will include a choice of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, such as the Erinvale, a contemporary three-bedroom home with a striking dual aspect living room and the Sunningdale, an impressive five-bedroom luxurious property.
Each home will feature energy-efficient technology, including an air source heat pump in place of a traditional gas boiler, helping homeowners reduce their energy use and utility bills.
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Prices will range from £339,995 for the Erinvale, a three-bedroom home, to £494,995 for the five-bedroom Sunningdale.
Pauline Coates, sales director, Bellway Homes Ltd (Scotland West), said: “Cloverhill benefits from a unique location, tucked away and surrounded by countryside you could be anywhere but is still commutable to both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“There are lots of country trails to explore but with all the amenities you need close by. It really is a hidden gem.”
Cloverhill is very accessible just a four-minute drive to Gartcosh railway station and Edinburgh is just an hour away.
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For country lovers Strathclyde Loch and Country Park is close by and for a spot of shopping, Glasgow Fort is an 11-minute drive.
The sales centre for Cloverhill is currently located at Bellway’s Ellingwood development in Robroyston, which is open Monday and Friday from 10am until 5pm, Thursday from 10am until 7pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 5pm.
The sales centre can be contacted at 0141 413 4939 and further information is available from bellway.co.uk
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
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And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
President Donald Trump was reportedly smuggled off Air Force One in a catering cart last month as part of an elaborate ruse to foil potential Iranian assassination threats.
The commander-in-chief had traveled to Turkey for last month’s NATO summit onboard a 747-8 donated by Qatari officials, which the Trump administration has spent vast sums of money improving for security.
But as the summit concluded, Trump announced he would not take the newly-outfitted plane – and would instead take an older model for ‘old time’s sake.’
Trump was then seen boarding the older-model plane that was set to transport him to a United States military base in the UK as cameras rolled at an airport in Ankara.
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Behind the scenes, though, Trump was taken by a food cart that had been fitted to the belly of the plane, a senior official familiar with the plot told The New York Times.
He was then transported to a smaller Air Force C-32A plane via an airport catering truck that is typically used to load meals and other supplies to Air Force One ahead of the president’s flight, according to the Washington Post.
Trump then reportedly traveled onboard the smaller plane in secret to the UK due to a credible threat against the president and Air Force One from Iran.
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President Donald Trump was reportedly smuggled off Air Force One in a catering cart in a ruse due to the threat of an assassination from Iranian officials
A catering truck was visibly parked on the opposite side of Air Force One after Trump boarded the plane on July 8
Video of the escape obtained by the Washington Post showed a man in a suit entering the catering truck’s cab before a container was loaded into the bed of the vehicle, which then pulled away from Air Force One.
But the container had notably been lifted to the level of the plane for several minutes.
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When the container was then lowered, a person in a suit stepped out of the truck’s cab, which remained at ground level, and ascended the stairs leading up to the nearby C-32A.
Moments later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was seen boarding the C-32A separately using external stairs as part of an attempt to make the flight appear typical.
Meanwhile, as journalists boarded the plane they believed the president was on, White House staff directed them to close their window shades.
The report comes weeks after White House Communications Director Steven Cheung first suggested administration officials engaged in subterfuge as Trump was departing the summit.
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‘As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him and we use every tool at our disposal – including distraction and misdirection – to address those threats,’ Cheung previously told The Times.
Trump was seen boarding an older-model plane that was set to transport him to a United States military base in the UK as cameras rolled at an airport in Ankara
Trump was reportedly smuggled off the plane using a container connected to a catering truck
The statement suggests administration officials viewed the Iranian threat as credible, taking extreme precautions to ensure the president’s safety amid renewed military strikes on Iran.
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But the threats were not directed at the Qatari-donated jet itself, and Cheung has denied that the plane posed a security risk.
‘The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff,’ he said in a statement to the Washington Post.
The Daily Mail has also reached out to the White House for comment.
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This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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Trump ‘smuggled off Air Force One in a CATERING CART as part of elaborate ruse to switch planes and foil potential Iranian assassination threat’
No Man’s Sky Cosmos – happy birthday (Hello Games)
The Tuesday letters page tries to piece together the clues about GTA 6’s online mode, as a reader recommends indie hit Big Walk.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
10 years young I don’t want to make anyone feel old but No Man’s Sky is 10 years old this week. I know, I was pretty shocked too. That takes me back a bit to that pre-Covid world where the games industry seemed to be on the right path and that even when things went wrong, like with No Man’s Sky’s launch, they got fixed.
Kudos to Hello Games for putting in the hard work and as a fan I will definitely say that it is worth playing and that it is 100 times better now than when it first came out. Plus, there’s a new free update they’ve just released, called Cosmos, just for the anniversary.
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Sometimes you’ve got to have patience and although that doesn’t excuse the state it launched in, at this point they’ve made up for it and more. I think that’s a lot more than you can say for other publishers that have been dishonest with their customers. So happy birthday No Man’s Sky and here’s to another 10 years. Canin
Long tail Interesting words from the Take-Two boss about GTA 6’s multiplayer. He didn’t say what it’s going to be, but he did seem to confirm that it’s going to be separate to GTA Online, so the idea that they’re going to upgrade GTA Online but basically keep it as the multiplayer seems to not be the case.
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Would they really run GTA Online and GTA Online 2 at the same time though? I’m not so sure, but there’s no way GTA 6 isn’t going to have a massive online mode of some sort. It’s actually quite hard to guess what they’re going to do, but I’m sure they’ve got a plan. I’m sure that everything to do with GTA 6 is actually designed around the online, not the story campaign.
No one seems to be in a hurry to reveal what’s going on though, so while GTA Online keeps churning over, bringing in the money, they seem to be taking it slow and are pushing GTA 6 as a single-player game, for this year at least. What you can say is that GTA 6 is not going to be a flash in the pan. Zeiss
Big recommendation I got to the credits of Big Walk with two friends last night. What a fantastic game. The end section in particular is an absolutely outstanding achievement in gaming. One of the all-time experiences.
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We’ve still got a bunch more to do in game and we’ll definitely come back to finish it off.
I usually avoid voice chat in games, but I’m glad I gave this a go. We started just two of us playing, then added a third. I would like to see what the game’s like with larger groups, probably more chaotic but at least there’d be a better chance of someone having a light for those very dark nights.
I encourage everyone to try and find at least one other person who they can play with and give Big Walk a go. Euclidian Boxes
Merry-go-round Saw this video and thought people here would be interested in it. I’ve heard the theory that Silent Hill 2 is a sequel, not a remake, a few times before, but as much as I enjoyed the remake I didn’t really pick up on that as a possibility. I did notice that some things were different from the original, but I just thought that was artistic licence.
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There’re spoilers in the video, so I won’t go into any detail, but if you’ve played the game before I think you’ll find it very interesting the way it all seems to add up. If you haven’t played the game, I would very much recommend it and if you watch the video I think you’ll be impressed by the amount of detail Bloober Team put into it.
I know they get a lot of stick for the quality of their other games but for me they did Silent Hill 2 proud. The best thing about this sequel theory is that it’s not even necessarily true. The video makes it seem that way but it’s all up to your interpretation and I hope Konami never gives an official answer as to what’s going. Cobalt84
Dutch uncle I don’t really know what to say about 1666: Amsterdam, other than I’ve never heard of it before, it sounds pretty weird, and also pretty janky. I’m not really a fan of the idea of releasing a single-player game half-made into early access. You can’t argue with Baldur’s Gate 3 and Hades 2 though, so I’ll guess I’ll keep an eye on it.
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I would’ve been much more interested if it skewed closer to Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time though, instead of Assassin’s Creed. If he made that I’m surprised the platforming side of the Amsterdam game seems so bad. Also, we don’t really need more Assassin’s Creed but we sure could do with more 3D platformers like Sands Of Time. Murphy2
Drone attack I love that that id Software dev really ripped into Microsoft and publishers in general. Of course they don’t understand art. These people are just robots… corporate drones. They don’t seem to understand any kind of human emotion or the concept that not everyone is as rich as them.
The only time I ever heard anyone at Microsoft saying they were upset about laying off thousands of people is when one of them said we should feel bad for Phil Spencer, for having to do it. These people can only think about their own well-being, not their employees, not their customers, and definitely not the games industry as a whole.
It’s not just Microsoft either, it’s all of them. They’ll see the whole of gaming go the way of the dodo if it meant they could just make a bit more money this year, because who cares about what happens afterwards?
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There’s nothing we can do about this either. You could try and play nothing but indie and retro games but even using a PC you’re probably using Microsoft products. There’s Linux and SteamOS but only the super hardcore are going to do that, so we’re just stuck giving money to these awful companies, that treat us like dirt.
How many of us buy and play EA Sports FC and look at what EA has become now. I don’t want to give them a penny of my money, but will I really have the strength not to? Walker
Busy day Good morning readers! Please can we give a bit of pre-emptive love for Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.
The trailer looked amazing, the last two games were outstanding, and the next is out in two weeks! Cannot wait! What’s that?! GTA6 trailer preview out that day too?! Pffft to that! Sid Spector
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GC: That’s also the same day Star Wars Zero Company is out.
First questions I’m hoping any day now we get an annoucement for a Zelda Direct, although I realise it could easily not be until next month I can’t believe it will be any longer than that, unless it’s been delayed into next year.
I have so many questions about the game, but first of all whether it’s a 1:1 remake with the original, like Star Fox, or if it’s something that will mess with the design a bit. I wonder, for example, whether they will try and give a bigger role for Zelda. She seems to have joint top billing in the movie and Ocarina Of Time technically has a more active role for her (do I need to hide spoilers in such an old game?) but I think it would be quite easy to make those bits playable, when they weren’t before.
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The other question is how are they going to handle the fact that the game world is tiny, by modern standards? Is Hyrule Field going to be more or less the same size as it was before or will it be a massive Breath Of The Wild style area? I guess that would be the best idea but it’s going to be a bit of a change – although maybe not as I think those of us that played it at the time remember it as being massive even if it wasn’t really.
If the two seconds of footage they’ve shown is accurate then the art style seems to be mostly realistic, with just a hint of cartoonish, but I’m curious to see how far they’ll go with some of the stranger things. And will that style carry over to the next mainline game? There’s so many questions to ask and Nintendo seems in no rush to answer them. Gaston
Inbox also-rans All I ever hear about PC versions of console games is poor performance and bugs. Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is just the latest in a very long list. Ther’s no way I’d buy a PC when all this is so common. Prince
Never mind the cyberattack, I’m just shocked there was anyone in the UK that actually ordered a Steam Machine. I don’t think anyone from the Inbox has owned up to ordering one, have they? Christon
The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
Powley, 34, who will play Petunia Dursley in the upcoming HBO Max television adaptation of the Harry Potter series, said she “strongly disagrees” with Ms Rowling’s beliefs.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Ms Powley said: “The trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance.”
“I strongly disagree with JK Rowling’s views on gender,” says Bel Powley, who will be playing Petunia Dursley (Harry Potter’s Muggle aunt) in HBO’s forthcoming TV adaptation of the Harry Potter books.
“I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and… pic.twitter.com/NzHWpjiM90
Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on Monday said he’ll sue to force the Trump administration to restore his security clearance, which it revoked Friday after claiming he had disclosed sensitive information about the Qatari-gifted jet now serving as Air Force One.
Kendall, a West Point graduate who served as President Joe Biden’s head of the Air Force, said on CNN Monday that he’ll sue the administration, noting it has a history of retaliating against critics by stripping their clearances. “As my mother taught me years ago, you stand up to bullies,” said Kendall, who has denied disclosing classified information.
Mark Zaid, a prominent national security attorney who sued the administration after his own clearance was revoked by the Trump administration, confirmed in a post on X that Kendall had hired him. “More to come,”” Zaid wrote.
Zaid specializes in helping a variety of military and civilian clients maintain security clearances in the face of investigations.
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Last year he became a target of the Trump administration’s efforts to strip security clearances from people they perceived to be enemies when he was named among 14 other people in an executive order signed by Trump. In a March 2025 executive order, Trump named former President Joe Biden and members of his family, Biden-era Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and New York state Attorney General Letitia James as being unsuitable to retain their clearances because it was “no longer in the national interest.”
In August 2025, Trump revoked the security clearances of 37 more current and former national security officials, some of whom worked on matters that have long infuriated Trump, like the intelligence community assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election on his behalf.
Trump has tried to squelch reports of problems with the jet that Qatar gifted him last year, which he intends to use as Air Force One for the remainder of his term. His Justice Department last month subpoenaed New York Times reporters who wrote about security concerns with the jet, which lacks the advanced anti-missile technology of its predecessor. After being criticized by a federal judge for sloppy legal work, the government grudgingly withdrew the subpoenas.
A “devastating” wildfire in the New Forest, in Hampshire, is now under control, but firefighters say they will still be working into the night and for several days to come..
The wildfire began when a van caught fire on the A31 near Bratley Wood shortly after 17:20 BST on Sunday, forcing motorists to abandon more than 20 vehicles.
The area hit by the fire is protected heathland and home to a number of rare species, the New Forest National Park Authority said.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service on Monday evening asked the public to avoid the area, while National Highways said the A31 dual carriageway through the New Forest would remain closed until further notice.
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Aerial footage of scorched vegetation showed how the fire funnelled outwards in a south-easterly direction as the wind fanned the flames.
Smoke from the blaze could be seen drifting across both sides of the Solent, prompting fire to urge people to keep doors and windows shut.
New Forest National Park Authority warned the impact on the forest ecosystem and rare species would be severe.
Singer Louise Redknapp has reportedly split from businessman and former Army officer boyfriend Drew Michael after the pair dated for two years – sources say ‘it was all very amicable’
Louise Redknapp has reportedly split from her boyfriend of over two years.
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The singer, 51, started dating Drew Michael two years ago. The businessman and former Army officer, 42, was her first serious romance since the breakdown of her 19-year marriage to football pundit Jamie Redknapp, 53, almost a decade ago.
Louise married Jamie in June 1998 on a private yacht in Bermuda but the pair separated in 2017 following Louise’s stint on Strictly Come Dancing. Jamie went on to marry model Frida Andersson and they had first child, Raphael, together in November 2021, just after getting married.
Louise and Drew had been dating seince autumn 2023 and split earlier this year according to sources. However, friends insist she is thriving and enjoying single life once more and she recently jetted off to Ibiza with friends.
A source told The Sun: “ Louise and Drew decided to end things a little while ago. Things had been really good between them but it felt like their relationship had run its course and they both thought it was best to move on.
“It was all very amicable and although it’s never fun when a relationship ends, Louise has thrown herself back into her social life and her busy work schedule. She’s in no rush to jump back into another relationship because she feels very fulfilled with her life right now, but she’ll see what happens.”
Frida has now become stepmother to Jamie’s boys Beau and Charley, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Recalling the moment he told his eldest son that Frida was pregnant, he said on The Romesh Ranganathan Show: “It didn’t go down that well with Charley, I’ve got to be honest.
“I went to pick him up at school and tell him Frida was pregnant [and] it went down like a lead balloon, if I’m honest.”
Frida has four children from her former marriage to American hedge fund tycoon Jonathon Lourie: a girl and three boys and Jamie admits blended families “are never straightforward”. Speaking to The Times, he said: “Of course, there are going to be moments when it’s a little bit… you know… something gets said, but that’s absolutely natural and they all get on well.
“You have to give a lot of leeway for that and make sure that you’re understanding other people’s feelings.”
The Mirror has contacted Louise’s representatives for comment.
If you’re looking for a summer day out, this Scottish harbour town is a historic delight, and has plenty to do from exploring caves to walks along stunning coastal paths
With the summer holidays soon coming to an end, now might be the time to go out and explore somewhere new, and this harbour town could be the perfect day out.
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A recent Telegraph article named Britain’s 10 loveliest harbour towns, and coming in as the best for ‘cuteness’ was a Scottish destination that beat some of its better known rivals.
It said: “With its pastel-painted cottages and boat-bobbed harbour, comely wee Pittenweem looks made for tourists. But actually, those lobster pots stacked along the quay are still very much in use. This is an authentic working fishing village, where seafaring is still central to daily life.”
Start your day with a stroll along Pittenweem’s harbour, where you’ll still see the small boats coming in with a fresh catch. There are fish and chip shops just a few steps from the waterfront, so you can try locally caught haddock or cod, or even shellfish such as lobster, crab, or langoustines. Chip Ahoy at the Larachmhor often comes highly-recommended, and is regularly a finalist in the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards.
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A walk to Pittenweem Lighthouse is also a great way to see the waterfront, giving you views of the cute cottages and stone buildings along the harbour. It also has one of Scotland’s most unique outdoor swimming spots, a tidal pool that fills with sea water twice a day, and has been designed to be sheltered from the tides making it a calm spot to swim or splash around.
Head inland, and you can visit St Fillan’s Cave, a natural underground cavern said to be the home of a saint in the 7th-century. The cave has become a minor pilgrimage spot, and you can pick up the key at the Pittenweem Chocolate Company before letting yourself round for a tour.
Once you drop off your key, take a seat at the Cocoa Tree Café, which serves decadent hot chocolate and sweet treats, or pick up some artisan chocolates to take home with you as a souvenir.
Wander around the cobblestone streets and you’ll find a variety of quaint independent shops, local food stores, and artisanal shops. Pittenweem has arty vibes, and you’ll find lots of little galleries displaying works from artists who have been inspired by the rugged beauty of the area. Its yearly art festival brings both local and international artists to the area.
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Another Scottish harbour town made the list at number nine. Tobermory on the Isle of Mull was named best for colour, thanks to its waterfront houses painted in vivid tones. Those with children of a certain age will recognise the town from the CBeebies series Balamory, and many of the houses from the original series can still be spotted.
But there’s more to the town than just kids’ stories. Tobermory is still an active fishing harbour, and also has a traditional distillery and visitors’ centre where you can learn how the island’s whisky is made.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Raleigh was founded in Nottingham in 1887 and gained fame for its Chopper model, which featured extended handlebars and is now part of its retro range.
Accell Group, based in the Netherlands, bought the company in 2012 for around 100 million US dollars (£74 million), adding to its roster of bike brands throughout Europe including Haibike, Winora and Ghost.
Raleigh owner Accell Group enters administration
Accell UK and Ireland filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators last week as the wider group kick-started insolvency proceedings.
Chief executive of Accell Group, Jonas Nilsson, said: “This is a deeply sad and frustrating situation given all the hard work and everything we have achieved, with the support of shareholders and lenders, to restructure Accell’s operations and finances.
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“It is an especially difficult moment for our employees, creditors, customers, suppliers, and partners.”
Earlier this year, Accell restructured, secured additional funding, and reduced debt.
But the group said it had now “explored every possible avenue” for the business’s future, including discussions with potential buyers.
Having failed to secure a viable solution, the company has now begun insolvency proceedings in the Netherlands.
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Raleigh was founded in Nottingham in 1887 and gained fame for its Chopper model. (Image: PA)
Mr Nilsson said: “Every realistic option for the future of the business has been tirelessly explored, and none have resulted in a solution to continue the Group in its current form.
“Our immediate focus is to support an orderly process, provide clarity wherever possible, and work with the relevant court-appointed administrators to preserve viable activities and employment where circumstances allow.”
Now, Accell UK and Ireland has officially entered administration, placing the future of Raleigh at risk.
Oliver Wright, Joanne Hewitt-Schembri, and Shamil Malde from FTI Consulting were appointed joint administrators on August 6, according to The Gazette.
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Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026
It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several other retailers entering administration or liquidation and others announcing widespread store closures.
Major high street brands LK Bennett, Claire’s, and Quiz have been forced to close all their remaining stores after falling into administration.
UK fashion retailer Leading Labels is also set to close its remaining 15 stores after falling into liquidation.
Whitbread recently confirmed it will be closing all its UK restaurants in September:
It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.
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It hasn’t all been bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.
Meanwhile, brands including Evans and Bodycare have returned to the UK high street this year after previously closing all their stores.
Have you ever owned a Raleigh bike? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
Jungfrau, in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is a winter wonderland all year round and you can get to the top without climbing up the sheer face
Majestic as one of the tallest mountains in the Alps – Jungfrau makes up the trio of The Eiger and Monch.
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Standing at 13,642 feet (for context, that’s 9,000 feet higher than Ben Nevis, the UK’s biggest mountain) its huge peaks are covered in snow all year round.
As someone who it’s fair to say is not a natural mountain climber – I’d blame it on my crippling fear of heights – the mountain dubbed the ‘top of Europe’ wasn’t something I ever thought I’d scale in my lifetime but how wrong I was.
The ever ingenious Swiss have come up with a way of making this peak accessible to everyone, and I mean everyone.
From our base in Interlaken we first travelled by train through the Swiss mountains, taking in meadows, peaks, farms, chalets and views too beautiful to be real before arriving at the Grindelwald Terminal. From here it was a short walk to a cable car which scales thousands of feet of the mountains, including flying past the north face of the Eiger, in a mind-blowing 20 minute journey.
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The final part of the journey, while lacking the immense views, is no less spectacular – what feels like an almost vertical train through the heart of the mountain – before arriving at the top of this immense peak.
A word of caution here, you are VERY high up so when you arrive it’s absolutely vital to take a few minutes to acclimate yourself to the height and avoid altitude sickness.
As soon as you disembark a true winter wonderland awaits. Snowy peaks as far as the eye can see, views for hundreds of miles,
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With almost terrifying Swiss planning, the scene at the top is organised into an epic tour so you don’t miss a thing. The route could not be more clearly signposted, and takes at least 90 minutes.
First up there is the unbelievable Sphinx platform, and home to the Sphinx Observatory, one of the highest in the world, another 1,000 feet in the air with utterly epic views of the mountains below, there are ice sculptures, ice tunnels, frolicking in snow, snow sports and the highest Lindt chocolate shop in the world – note, do not be tempted to part with your money here, the prices are also sky high.
A cafe on what feels like the top of the world – it felt rude not to order hot chocolate with all the trimmings and while away half an hour gazing at the perfect white snow and splendour.
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You can book the 8-day Goldenpass, Mont Blanc & Jungfrau Express from £2,799pp. Find out more at greatrail.com.
The forgotten Iranians caught in the deadly stalemate of Trump’s war
This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Persian
“We’re constantly terrified by the sound of explosions. The electricity and water keep being cut off. We are without jobs and have no food. It feels like no one is coming to help the people of southern Iran. We don’t want war.”
These remarks reflect dozens of messages and firsthand accounts received by Independent Persian from residents of the southern provinces of Hormozgan, Bushehr, Khuzestan and Sistan and Baluchestan.
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With intermittent US military strikes on southern Iran in recent weeks under a very precarious ceasefire, residents say they are now grappling not only with the threat of explosions but also prolonged power outages, water cuts, internet disruptions, shuttered businesses and a complete lack of meaningful government support.
James Reynolds11 August 2026 02:00
Recap: Trump demands compensation from Iran in snub to latest demands
After Iran on Saturday demanded the US meet six new conditions, including compensation for the war, before they reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump on Monday indicated he was surprised by the terms – and demanded compensation from Iran.
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“I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict … even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings!” he wrote on Truth Social.
“But it is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran …”
He concluded: “I have instructed my representatives to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations.”
Hopes of reopening the Strait appeared less likely in light of the post.
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(Truth Social)
James Reynolds11 August 2026 01:00
Comment: Has Donald Trump begun to plan for life without Benjamin Netanyahu?
Netanyahu’s belated snub of the US-backed Gaza peace plan shows his dilemma ahead of ‘massacre’ election he faces in October – without the Israeli right he is finished, and without Trump’s backing he is toast, says Donald Macintyre
James Reynolds11 August 2026 00:00
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What to make of Trump’s claims for compensation from Iran
Donald Trump on Monday responded to Iran’s conditions for a peace deal with his own demands that Iran pay compensation for people killed in wars, attacks and protests, in a rhetorical escalation likely to complicate efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said in a post on Truth Social that Iran had never mentioned such terms in their prior meetings. But the Iranian demands were largely in line with the terms of a preliminary peace deal signed in June, which has since broken down.
Referring to Tehran’s crackdown on demonstrations in late 2025 and 2026, he also said Iran had killed some 52,000 protesters. The US based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) put the figure closer to 6,500 in February.
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Trump also said Iran should compensate families of the 17 U.S. sailors killed in an October 2000 attack in Yemen on the naval vessel USS Cole, which has been blamed on al Qaeda, not Iran.
While Washington continues to insist a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is coming, Iran says its terms must be met first. Also, an agreement with Oman would give Tehran more leverage over the key waterway than it had before the war began, further complicating future talks with the US.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 23:37
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Comment: Trump has lost his war on geography in the Strait of Hormuz. What now?
Solving the Hormuz issue without creating a dangerous precedent has become an impossible task, says Anchal Vohra.
If Iran can blackmail the global community into paying for safe passage, what’s stopping the Houthis from blocking Bab al-Mandab, the vital 20-mile-wide“Gate of Tears” located between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, or anyone else?
Trump might still sing his own praises, but diplomats across the world are holding their heads in their hands, waiting for him to leave the White House and hoping for someone reasonable to come to power:
James Reynolds10 August 2026 23:00
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Trump says Iran responsible for regional wars
Quoting his own post on Truth Social, Donald Trump goes on to blame Iran for the casualties inflicted by regional wars.
Truth Social (Truth Social)
James Reynolds10 August 2026 22:24
Catch up: Trump reportedly considers walking away from Iran without nuclear deal
Donald Trump is taking a wait-and-see approach to Iran as negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and permanently end the war appear to have once again stalled following reports that the president is reportedly considering walking away from the conflict without securing a nuclear deal.
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“We are low keying it,” Trump told Axios on Sunday, claiming the U.S. strategy will eventually “work out.”
“We are only semi-negotiating with them,” he added. “We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money.”
James Reynolds10 August 2026 22:00
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What are Iran’s six demands of the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran’s top security official has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain shut until the US meets six demands, including compensation for the war.
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, laid out Iran’s terms in a statement on Saturday.
In his words, these were:
1. Never, and in no language, threaten Iran or insult the sanctities of this nation.
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2. Permanently end the war and aggression against Iran and Iran’s allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and Iraq.
3. Lift the naval blockade and withdraw its military forces (naval and air) from around Iran.
4. Pay in full, without any reduction, the damages caused to Iran by the two wars of aggression and imposition.
5. Lift the unjust and illegal sanctions against the Iranian nation.
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6. Unconditionally release the blocked and stolen assets of the Iranian people.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 21:00
Trump says US has cleared Strait of Hormuz of mines
Donald Trump now claims the US has already mineswept the entire Strait of Hormuz.
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Iran has maintained a grip on traffic passing between the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf while insisting the narrow channel remains shut.
Intertanko, the tanker owners association, relayed estimates in June there were around 80 mines still in the strait hindering navigation and keeping ships to agreed Iranian routes.
James Reynolds10 August 2026 20:41
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Watch: Trump says voters are angry with Republicans – but not him
Trump says voters are angry with Republicans – but not him
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