In the Oval Office, Mr Trump hosted Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanese ambassador to the US, Nada Moawad. Senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also attended.
Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump stated: “The Meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah.”
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The Iran-aligned armed group, fighting Israel, was not present at the talks, maintaining its position that it has “the right to resist” occupying forces.
Mr Trump added that he looked forward to hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun soon.
Trump hosted Israel’s ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador to the US Nada Moawad in the Oval Office for a second round of US-facilitated talks, a day after Israeli strikes killed at least five people including a journalist (AFP/Getty)
The ceasefire, reached after talks between the two nations’ ambassadors to Washington last week, was set to expire on Sunday.
It has yielded a significant reduction in violence, but attacks have continued in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have seized a self-declared buffer zone.
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‘Make Lebanon great again’
Ambassador Moawad, who went into the meeting seeking an extension of the ceasefire, thanked Trump for hosting the talks. “I think with your help, with your support, we can make Lebanon great again,” she said.
A Lebanese official earlier said Beirut would push for an Israeli withdrawal, the return of Lebanese detained in Israel and a delineation of the land border in a next phase of negotiations.
Israel has sought to make common cause with Lebanon’s government over Hezbollah, which was founded by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and which Beirut has been seeking to disarm peacefully for the past year.
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Israeli ambassador Leiter said during the meeting that the talks must focus on rooting out Hezbollah rather than on Israel withdrawing its forces.
The Lebanon-Israel ceasefire has yielded a significant reduction in violence, but attacks have continued in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have seized a self-declared buffer zone (AP)
“If Hezbollah and IRGC operatives continue to be treated with kid gloves, a real process of achieving our mutual goal will remain unachievable,” Leiter said, according to remarks shared by the Israeli embassy in Washington.
Asked how the US would help Lebanon to fight Hezbollah, Trump did not provide details but said the US had “a great relationship with Lebanon.” Trump said Israel had to be able to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah.
Trump also called for Lebanon to abolish laws against engagement with Israel. “It’s a crime to talk with Israel?” he responded when asked about the statutes known as anti-normalization laws, which he did not appear to be aware of. “Well, I’m pretty sure that that will be ended very quickly. I’ll make sure of that,” Trump said.
Deadliest day since ceasefire
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The Israeli military said that Hezbollah militants fired a missile at an Israeli military aircraft on Thursday, while also targeting Israeli soldiers operating in southern Lebanon with rockets and a drone, in separate incidents. The militant group also fired rockets toward northern Israel, it said.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
Israel’s military said it carried out a number of strikes in response, killing three Hezbollah militants and targeting the group’s infrastructure that was used to launch the attacks.
Lebanon’s health ministry had earlier said an Israeli air strike had killed three people and artillery shelling wounded two others, including a child.
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Wednesday was Lebanon’s deadliest day since the ceasefire took effect on 16 April.
(L-R) US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israel Ambassador to US Yechiel Leiter listen as US President Donald Trump speaks (AFP/Getty)
Those killed by Israeli strikes included Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, according to a senior Lebanese military official and her employer, Al-Akhbar newspaper.
Israel’s military said on Wednesday it was reviewing an incident in which it had received reports that two journalists were wounded by strikes it said were aimed at vehicles departing a military structure used by Hezbollah. It said Israel does not target journalists.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the group wanted the ceasefire to continue but “on the basis of full compliance by the Israeli enemy”. At a televised press conference, he reiterated Hezbollah’s objections to the face-to-face talks and urged the government to cancel all forms of direct contact with Israel.
Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel reignited on 2 March, when the group opened fire in support of Iran in the regional war. The ceasefire in Lebanon emerged separately from Washington’s efforts to resolve its conflict with Tehran, though Iran had called for Lebanon to be included in any broader truce.
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Hezbollah said it carried out four operations in south Lebanon on Wednesday in response to Israeli strikes.
Nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel went on the offensive following Hezbollah’s 2 March attack, according to Lebanese authorities.
Israel is occupying a belt of the south that extends 5 to 10 km (3 to 6 miles) into Lebanon, saying it aims to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, which has fired hundreds of rockets during the war.
Israel’s military reiterated a warning to residents of south Lebanon not to cross into the area.
A second strike by London Underground drivers this week is going on until midday on Friday, bringing further travel disruption for commuters and visitors to the capital.
Four days of disruption on the Tube began on Tuesday when members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walked out at 12pm over a dispute with Transport for London (TfL) on a new four-day working week.
However, that was just the first of six planned strikes over the coming weeks.
We will keep you updated throughout the day on the status of all affected lines.
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Here are all the Tube lines currently disrupted:
Waterloo & City line – No service on the entire line
Bakerloo line – No service between Harrow & Wealdstone and Queens Park, and severe delays on the rest of the line
Central line – No service between Liverpool Street and White City, and good service on the rest of the line
Hammersmith & City line – No service between Barking and Liverpool Street, and severe delays on the entire line
Metropolitan line – No service between Baker Street and Aldgate, and minor delays on the rest of the line
Piccadilly line – No service between Acton Town and Heathrow Terminals, and between Arnos Grove and Uxbridge, and severe delays on the rest of the line
City of York Council has announced plans to bar motor vehicles and pedal cycles from 17 city centre streets on Sunday, April 26.
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Scout and Girlguiding groups are attending services in York Minster and a city centre church and parading through the city centre streets.
Drummers during the St George’s Day parade in York in 2025 (Image: Dylan Connell)
The closure runs from 12pm to 4pm on Spurriergate, Coney Street, Market Street, Feasegate, New Street, Lendal, St Helen’s Square, Davygate, St Sampson’s Square, Church Street, Parliament Street, High Ousegate, Blake Street, Duncombe Place, Stonegate, Precentor’s Court, and The Purey Cust.
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Traffic management controls at each closure point will be in place to reduce disruption.
A council spokesperson said: “Traffic signs or barriers will indicate the extent of the parking place suspensions.
“No requirement will be made for an alternative route for prohibited traffic.”
Expect plenty of road closures during the 2026 London Marathon (Photo by Sam Mellish/Getty Images)
Thousands of people will be making their way into the capital on Sunday for this year’s London Marathon.
Crowds of people will be supporting the runners as they take on the 26.2mile course through the city.
The course will set off from Greenwich Park and Blackheath Park and will take the runners across Tower Bridge and past such sites as the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Canary Wharf, The Shard, Big Ben and the Tower of London, before finishing up on The Mall at St James’s Park.
There will of course be travel disruptions and road closures on Sunday, so read on to find out where you can expect them and from what time.
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London Marathon 2026 route map
The full route of the 2026 London Marathon will take runners on a tour through central London.
The race runs along both the north and south banks of the River Thames at various points throughout its 26.2mile route.
But running such a large event will require road closures at different points throughout the day as runners make their way through the capital.
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Which roads will be closed for London Marathon 2026 and at what times?
There will be closures right across the route of the London Marathon occurring at separate times throughout the day. Here are details of the roads that will be shut and their closure times.
Charlton Way (Red start) – closed 4am-2.30pm
Shooters Hill Road (Blue start) – closed 4am-2.30pm
St John’s Park (Pink start) – closed 7am-2.30pm
Charlton Park Road (Red route) – closed 7am-2.30pm
Shooters Hill Road (Blue route) – closed 7am-2.30pm
Old Dover Road (Pink route) – closed 7am-2.30pm
Little Heath (Red route) – closed 7am-2.30pm
Charlton Park Lane (Blue route) – closed 7am-2.30pm
Artillery Place (Red route) – closed 7am-2.30pm
John Wilson Street (Blue route) – closed 7am-2.30pm
Woolwich Church Street – closed 7am-3pm
Woolwich Road – closed 7am-3pm
Trafalgar Road – closed 7am-4pm
Creek Road – closed 7am-4pm
Evelyn Street – closed 8am-4pm
Surrey QuaysRoad – closed 8am-4pm
Salter Road – closed 8am-4pm
Brunel Road – closed 8am-4pm
Jamaica Road – closed 8am-4pm
Tower Bridge – closed 8am-8.30pm
The Highway (South side) – closed 8am-8.30pm
Narrow Street – closed 8am-8.30pm
Westferry Road – closed 8am-8.30pm
East Ferry Road – closed 8am-8.30pm
Marsh Wall – closed 8am-8.30pm
Bank Street – closed 8am-8.30pm
North Colonnade – closed 8am-8.30pm
Poplar High Street – closed 8am-8.30pm
Commercial Road – closed 8am-8.30pm
The Highway (North side) – closed 8am-8.30pm
Byward Street – closed 7.30am-9pm
Upper/Lower Thames Street – closed 7.30am-9pm
Victoria Embankment – closed 7.30am-10pm
Parliament Square – closed 7.30am-10pm
Birdcage Walk (Eastbound) – closed from 6am Friday, April 24 to 6am Monday, April 27
Birdcage Walk (westbound) – closed from 6am Saturday, April 25 to 6am Monday, April 27
To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’sLondon news hub.
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London Underground on marathon day
Like past years, the London Underground, London Overground and Docklands Light Railway are expected to run extra services throughout marathon day and are recommended as the best way to get around to keep up with the race action.
Due to the nature of the day, expect services to be busy with crowds of spectators along the route.
An Elizabeth line train pulls into a busy platform with commuters (Credits: In Pictures via Getty Images)
Stops near the marathon route are likely to be very busy, especially the Jubilee, Circle and District lines, and the DLR.
On Sunday, the Waterloo & City line will be completely closed, and there are part closures on the Piccadilly line between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge, and Cockfosters and King’s Cross St. Pancras.
Transport for London is encouraging everyone to plan their journeys in advance and check the TfL website or TfL Go app for the latest travel information.
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And remember, marathon runners wearing their bibs can travel on the Tube and London buses for free.
Buses on marathon day
Bus routes along the route of the marathon will either be diverted or will not run the length of their usual journey until the roads are back open.
If travelling by bus on the day, visit tfl.gov.uk/bus/status to see if your bus route is affected.
What time does the London Marathon start?
Official timings haven’t been confirmed but following last year’s Marathon it’s expected that the race will kick off at around 8.50am when the Elite Wheelchairs class sets off.
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Elite Women will follow at around 9.05am, with Elite Men at 9.35am.
The mass event will then open for all other racers to set off between 9.35am and 11.30am.
Start times are allocated based on runners’ predicted finish time, which will have been given to organisers ahead of time.
Runners are given a total of eight hours to finish the marathon – anyone who takes longer than this will be moved to continue running on the pavement, and London Marathon staff will help them reach the finish line.
Paul Ward, 73, was drinking at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court which he had attended to answer a charge of drink driving yesterday, said Georgina Fishwick, prosecuting.
After he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and the case was finished, he drove away from the courthouse.
Police spotted him 25 miles away at the junction of the A684 and A1(M) at 4.45pm the same day and arrested him.
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They gave him a breath test, which he failed and kept him in custody overnight.
York magistrates told him he had shown “contempt” for their colleagues in Harrogate.
“This is so serious it attracts a prison sentence, but we are going to suspend it and there is going to be a significant ban,” they said.
They gave him an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and banned him from driving for four years.
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“We are going to ask a question we wouldn’t normally ask,” they said. “How are you getting home?”
They heard because he was brought to court in custody he would get a travel warrant that would enable him to catch a train.
Defence solicitor Craig Robertson said given his age “it is going to be difficult for him to justify getting his licence back” after he finishes the four-year ban.
Ward, of Stainburn, south-west of Harrogate, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, drink driving and driving without insurance, all committed on Thursday, April 23.
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On Thursday, at Harrogate Magistrates Court, he was fined and given a total court bill of £253. To that York magistrates added £85 prosecution costs and a £154 statutory surcharge.
Many drink drivers are given the chance to reduce their ban by taking a drink drivers’ rehabilitation test.
“Because of the contempt you showed for the decision made by the previous bench we do not believe that is justified,” York magistrates told him.
Ms Fishwick said the breath test gave a reading of 45 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
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Mr Robertson said Ward had not initially intended to drive home from the Harrogate court and had arranged for his daughter to collect his car.
But an emergency had prevented her from doing that so he had made the “foolish” decision to drive.
He hadn’t realised at the time the seriousness of what he was doing.
The former Coronation Street star took to social media to speak about his younger sibling following his dramatic I’m A Celeb stint
Ryan Thomas has been seen speaking out in defence of his brother, Adam, as his time in I’m A Celebrity… South Africa continues to be marred by the drama which has unfolded on-screen.
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There were explosive scenes in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here spin-off this week as the Manchester-born actor almost lost his place in camp due to Jimmy Bullard quitting a trial, which therefore saw him forfeit his time on the ITV show.
Adam’s unexpected outburst towards the former footballer came after viewers were left in uproar over David Haye’s treatment of the Waterloo Road star.
The boxer criticised Adam for opting out of a Bushtucker Trial because he was “not feeling well”, before he went on to claim he was “dehydrated”. Despite fellow campmate Beverley Callard urging him to “have a little bit of sympathy”, boxer David called actor Adam “useless”, adding: “Who gives a s*** if he doesn’t feel well. He’s a grown-ass man.”
Adam, 37, has since been heard speaking to his brothers Scott and Ryan on their At Home With The Thomas Bro’s podcast, and Adam broke down in tears as he told of his “tough time” during the all-star series, while also sharing that he is now in therapy after the experience.
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Former Emmerdale star Adam has since made the final of I’m A Celebrity South Africa, which will air live on ITV on Friday (April 24) night, alongside Craig Charles, Harry Redknapp and Sir Mo Farah, and ahead of it, Ryan has spoken out in support of his younger sibling.
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The former Coronation Street star took to Instagram with a childhood snap of the pair, alongside which he wrote in view of his followers: “It’s hard to put into words what you mean to me bro. You’ve always been more than just a brother… you’ve been my backbone, my reality check, and the person who always champions me & everyone else around you.
“A friend of mine called me this morning and said in 30 years of knowing Adam he’s never seen him react the way he did in the jungle does that not speak volumes!!??? You stay true to your emotions your feelings it’s who you are & I wouldn’t change any of you, you do things with compassion, love & sensitivity.”
He went on: “I hate to say this because I’m your big brother but I look up to you in so many ways sometimes I wish I was more like you. You’re not just my little brother…you’re my best friend & I’d be lost without you. Ps I know you don’t care about winning but just a reminder that us boys have done every reality show there is & I’ve won all of them….what have you won!? Bring that crown home R kid. As Dad would say ‘life’s a game son’.”
Ryan Swain from Malton says his life was turned upside down when a routine dosage increase spiralled into a “life-threatening” ordeal.
The medication, prescribed to manage his motor tics and Tourette’s syndrome, triggered a severe reaction that saw his body effectively seize up.
From extreme rigidity and seizure-like episodes to agonising chronic pain and a complete inability to communicate, the symptoms were devastating.
North Yorkshire presenter’s body ‘shut down’ after taking medication for Tourette’s syndrome
Ryan told Creatorzine: “My body felt like it was shutting down and I had no control over my muscles or my responses.
“It was within a short period after starting the medication, particularly following an increase from 30mg to 60mg, that I began to notice symptoms developing.
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“My condition deteriorated rapidly and became life-threatening in a very short space of time.”
The 36-year-old who is also a skateboarder and motivational speaker had been prescribed Duloxetine but after his dosage was increased, his condition quickly took a frightening turn.
Warning signs first emerged in early April, when he began suffering profuse sweating, zoning out and severe muscle tension.
Concerned, Ryan visited his GP, who suspected early signs of both Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, two potentially dangerous conditions.
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Ryan has been updating people on his recent health scare on social media (Image: Jam Press/@officialryanswain)
As his symptoms rapidly escalated, he was taken to Scarborough General Hospital.
Ryan explained: “I was taken into hospital where I was rushed in resuscitation.
“A cannula was fitted and I was given a drug to counteract it called Procyclindine which worked well and I remained for five days under close monitoring.
“During that time, I underwent a range of tests including ECG heart monitoring and other investigations to assess the impact the reaction had on my body.”
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Throughout his five-day hospital stay, he was closely monitored by multiple specialist teams, including neurologists and mental health professionals.
But the experience exposed how little understood such reactions can be.
Ryan said: “Different teams were learning in real time, assessing symptoms, and working through what was happening as it unfolded.
“While the care I received was dedicated and supportive, it highlighted how complex and evolving the understanding of these reactions still is, even within clinical settings.”
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The aftermath has been life-altering for Ryan who says his muscles “totally seized up”, leaving his mobility severely impacted and even the simplest tasks now feel overwhelming.
He shared: “My moods and emotions are all over the place, my movement became slow and painful, and even basic tasks simply became difficult.
“I also experienced issues with memory, processing, and coordination, which are still part of my ongoing recovery.
“Emotionally, the experience has been overwhelming and at times traumatic.
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“There’s a loss of trust in your own body when something like this happens, especially when it escalates so quickly and without warning.”
‘My body felt like it was shutting down’ (Image: Jam Press/@officialryanswain)
Doctors later explained the ordeal was caused by a severe adverse reaction linked to serotonin levels in his body.
While rare, such reactions can escalate at alarming speed and can become life-threatening in a matter of hours.
Ryan commented, “From what I’ve been told, reactions like this can sometimes be linked to dose increases or how an individual’s body responds to a medication, even when it has been prescribed correctly.
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“While this is a complex condition and still something that is being understood in real time, the care, urgency, and dedication I received were absolutely incredible.
“I do wish I had been more aware of how serious and fast-moving reactions like this can be, and how important it is to recognise early warning signs and seek immediate help.
“I want to raise as much awareness as possible around the potential dangers of prescribed medication when it is not fully understood by the individual taking it, particularly around side effects, reactions, and the risks that can come with mixing medications.”
With its luxurious skyscrapers, historic temples, and intriguing seaside towns, it’s easy to see why Hong Kong was chose
Neil Shaw Assistant Editor
14:09, 24 Apr 2026Updated 14:09, 24 Apr 2026
The Apprentice has wrapped up another series with Lord Sugar picking beauty entrepreneur Karishma Vijay as his latest business partner. While she gets to work on plans for a £250,000 investment, another standout star of the series is also very much open for business.
The dazzling city of Hong Kong starred in the first episode of the landmark 20th series, when those hoping to impress flitted between glimmering high-rises in search of unusual items. The Apprentice has even put Hong Kong at the centre of a new global trend, “set-jetting”, whereby fans of popular TV programmes make a beeline for locations featured in their favourite show. It also marked the first time Lord Sugar had travelled abroad to take part in an episode in the show’s 20-year history.
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With its luxurious skyscrapers, historic temples, and intriguing seaside towns, it’s easy to see why Hong Kong was chosen as an impressive backdrop for this year’s opener. As ever, some candidates fared better there than others – though their travails meant fans got to see new sides of one of the world’s great global hubs.
Amid the hectic rush to obtain all the items requested by Lord Sugar, viewers may have missed some of the spots featured in the episode. So here’s a handy guide to the standouts for any prospective set-jetters.
The Henderson – a boardroom with a view at Cloud 39
For the first time in the show’s history, the famous boardroom left its London base, relocating to The Henderson.
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After their task, candidates faced judgment in Cloud 39, high above the city’s commercial heart. The building, recently named World’s Best Property at the International Property Awards, offers sweeping views across Hong Kong’s best skyline from the 39th floor.
The tower itself, designed by Zaha Hadid, is inspired by the bauhinia flower – the city’s emblem – with flowing, sculptural lines that make it one of the most distinctive additions to the skyline. One floor below the glass-walled boardroom is Peridot, where mixologist François Cavelier serves terroir-inspired cocktails best enjoyed against the glow of the city at night, in a lush green interior with around 20,000 light bulbs. A contemporary menu, including inventive plant-based dishes, can also be enjoyed until late.
West Kowloon Cultural District and Palace Museum
West Kowloon Cultural District, otherwise known as WestK, provides the backdrop for the candidates first mad dash to find Lord Sugar’s assorted items, ranging from erhus to shrimp paste.
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Spanning 40 hectares with 17 venues, WestK is a hub for visual arts, performing arts, and educational experiences, anchored by the spectacular Hong Kong Palace Museum.
The Museum presents over 900 priceless treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing, many never previously shown to the public, alongside world-class rotating exhibitions. The waterfront Art Park offers a long harbour promenade ideal for sunset views. From Central, hop the MTR’s Tung Chung Line to Kowloon Station to get there in under ten minutes.
The Big Buddha, Lantau Island – serenity meets suspense
The Tian Tan Buddha – better known as the Big Buddha – sits on Lantau Island, and for the locals it is a place of meditation and contemplation, set amid the cooler mountain air of Ngong Ping. The area has been a centre of Buddhist life since the early 20th Century, with the nearby Po Lin Monastery attracting visitors in search of peace and tranquillity.
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The Big Buddha, serving as a breathtaking backdrop, became the finish line for this year’s opening task, with both boys and girls teams racing against time to make their deadline.
For those in less of a panic, the best way to arrive is via the Ngong Ping 360, a cable car offering panoramic views.
Stanley – tradition meets the tide
In Stanley, the boys’ team tracked down a dragon boat head while mapping out their negotiating tactics along the town’s main beach.
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Stanley is a laidback coastal spot, well known for its dragon boat racing culture – a tradition that dates back thousands of years. Crews of up to 20 paddlers race long, ornately decorated boats to the beat of a drum, combining sport with centuries-old ritual.
Stanley hosts one of Hong Kong’s most famous dragon boat festivals, with local and international teams competing each year.
To get to Stanley from Hong Kong (Central), visitors can take bus 6, 6X, or 260 from the Exchange Square Bus Terminus (near MTR Central Station/Hong Kong Station).
Aberdeen – a harbour of heritage
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In Hong Kong, Aberdeen is a bustling fishing harbour, where life revolves around the water. Seafood restaurants serve freshly caught produce, while one of Hong Kong’s last floating village lines the waterfront – with residents living aboard traditional junks.
During the task, the girls’ team explored its busy market, a favourite with visitors seeking local specialities such as steamed razor clams.
To get to Aberdeen from Central Hong Kong, taking a bus is the most direct option, with routes 70 from Exchange Square or 7 from the Central Ferry Piers taking approximately 20-30 minutes.
Can you follow in their footsteps?
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Hong Kong’s blend of cutting-edge architecture, cultural landmarks, and timeless waterfront scenes made for an unforgettable episode of The Apprentice. Though the city proved a formidable challenge for many candidates – prompting one of Lord Sugar’s classic boardroom reprimands – travellers can now explore these sites at their own pace. Best of all, you won’t have to answer to Lord Sugar afterwards.
Relive the excitement and start planning your Hong Kong adventure.
The Apprentice is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
The man also worked as a police officer when he sexually abused boys
A former scout leader who abused teenage boys across three decades has been jailed. Derek Feast, 81, denied multiple indecent assaults on four teenage boys when Hertfordshire Police traced and interviewed him in July 2024.
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Feast denied having sexual conduct with three of the boys, and claimed he had been in a consensual sexual relationship with the other victim. One of the assaults took place at a Norfolk newsagents in 1991. Feast worked there aged 46, and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy.
On Wednesday (April 22) at St Albans Crown Court, Feast, now of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted for multiple offences at the same court on February 17. These were: 17 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency on four victims. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The court heard how he targeted three of his victims when he volunteered with the Scouts in Hertfordshire, where he also worked as a police officer during the 1970s and early 1980s. The fourth victim, in Norfolk, was sexually assaulted in July 1991. The boy reported the incident to police and Feast was arrested, but no further action was taken.
Another victim, who was aged 12 or 13 at the time, recalled being sexually assaulted on Scout trips, at Scout meetings and at Feast’s home address in Stevenage. A third victim, who was aged 14, was also sexually assaulted by Feast.
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A final victim was sexually assaulted by Feast when he was 15, while on a trip and the abuse continued for several years. Detective Constable Beverley Thomson said: “Firstly, I would like to commend all four victims for their courage during the investigation and their incredible bravery in the face of a trial.
“Derek Feast denied any wrongdoing, but his evil acts have had lasting effects on his victims, but I do hope that seeing him sentenced will go some way in helping them to move on from his abhorrent crime.
“We know it can be incredibly challenging to come forward to report incidents of sexual assault. We take reports of sexual offences very seriously and we will do everything we can to ensure that victims feel like their voices are heard and that offenders are brought to justice.”
Detective Inspector Ben Smith added: “I would like to thank the team for their tireless work to bring Feast to justice. This case demonstrates that however long ago a crime was committed – even more than 40 years later – we will track you down and get justice for victims.
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“The fact that he was a Scout leader and, shockingly, a police officer at the time, makes his offending even more despicable and I hope any victim feels confident that they can report offences however long ago they were committed, and we will take them seriously and work tirelessly to bring them justice.”
TransPennine Express confirmed that additional stops at Rochdale will be included on select services from York on Saturday (April 25) to account for York’s title-deciding match against Rochdale.
The all-important game kicks off tomorrow at 12.30pm at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena.
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The arena is a nine-minute drive from Rochdale Railway Station or a 40-minute walk.
Trains are set to run without disruption, with many including a change along the way.
But TransPennine Express routes, which will set off from York at 7.17am, 8.19am, 9.20am and 10.20am to Manchester Victoria, stopping off at Rochdale ahead of the match, will run direct.
Speaking about this, a spokesperson for TransPennine Express said: “We’re pleased to be able to add additional stops at Rochdale on selected services from York this Saturday, making it easier for customers to travel to the York City vs Rochdale match.
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“These changes will provide more direct journey options and help reduce the need to change trains while engineering work is taking place over the weekend.”
During the trial, the three men had argued that they were defending themselves from Mr Afzal after he and another man emerged from a car.
When interviewed by police after his arrest, Hussain did not comment but gave a prepared statement.
His statement said that Mr Afzal had launched a violent attack on him, but accepted he had stabbed the 19-year-old several times.
At the opening of the trial, Mr Hamilton said that Mr Afzal and his friends had followed a grey Corsa to the Power League complex to target their car.
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Mr Hamilton said that on arriving at the Power League, Mr Afzal then got out of his car and approached it with a baseball bat in his hand and opened the door.
This then started the incident that ended with Mr Afzal being fatally stabbed with a blade described as a “Call of Duty” style knife.
Mr Ak, of Norman Grove, Longsight, was found not guilty of murder, while Mr Rayhan, of Chauncy Road, Failsworth, was acquitted of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Hussain was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, April 24.
Mr Nasser Afzal, father of Mohammed Afzal, read a victim’s personal statement aloud to the court in which he described the day of August 1, 2025, as “a day that lives in the depths of my memory uninvited and impossible to escape.”
He said: “No parent should ever have to imagine outliving a child.”
The statement went on to say: “He had a whole future ahead of him with big goals, goals that were never just about himself but about lifting everyone he loved.
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“That was who Isa was. Selfless, thoughtful, full of heart.
“That future has now been stolen. Dreams left unfulfilled. Goals that will now never be achieved. A life that will never be lived.”
Mr Afzal said that he buried himself in work “to escape the torment” of remembering his son and that it felt “wrong to smile”.
He went on to say his son had “a pure, generous heart” and “could not tolerate people feeling alone or bullied.”
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Addressing the court, he said: “Nothing can undo what has been done, but I ask the court, from one father’s broken heart, to try to understand the lifelong impact this had had on our family.”
He said his family had been left “with a lifetime of grief” that they “will never recover from”.
A second victim personal statement was read aloud to the court by the prosecution from Mohammed Afzal’s cousin, Sana Baber.
The statement described him as “full of love and life” and said that “life feels unbearably unfair”.
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It went on to say: “I wanted us to achieve our dreams together.”
It concluded: “If love alone could have saved you, I promise Isa, you would have lived forever.”
The court heard Mohammed Afzal was stabbed seven times within four seconds, one of these being in his back.
Sentencing Hussain, The Honourable Mr Justice Lavender said: “They (Mohammed Afzal’s family) have spoken movingly of the profound loss that you have caused.”
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He went on to say: “You stabbed him not once but seven times, with two of the wounds inflicted being capable of killing him.”
He said Hussain disposed of his clothes, the knife, and his phone.
He told the court only a custodial sentence would be justified and sentenced Hussain to seven years in a young offender’s institution, with a 12-month concurrent sentence for possession of a bladed article.
When the sentence was read aloud in court, Mohammed Afzal’s family left the courtroom.
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