Three people, including two crew members, have been medically evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship following a suspected hantavirus outbreak that is believed to have killed at least three passengers. The evacuation allows the vessel, carrying nearly 150 people, to continue its three-day journey to the Canary Islands after Spanish authorities granted permission to dock.
What Is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus is a rare disease typically spread through contact with infected rodents, their urine, droppings, or saliva. It can cause severe respiratory illness and has a high mortality rate.
Ship’s Plan and Local Opposition
The MV Hondius is sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands, where the Spanish health ministry will collaborate with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization to examine and treat crew and passengers before repatriation. However, on Wednesday, the Canary Islands government opposed the plan and requested a meeting with the Spanish prime minister.
Trump Pauses ‘Project Freedom’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that while the Iran conflict is not resolved, the initial major US military operation against Iran has concluded. Shortly after, President Donald Trump announced a pause on “Project Freedom,” the US plan to guide vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz, just one day after its launch. Trump said the pause would be “a short period” to allow for US efforts to finalize a settlement with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the US had secured a path through the waterway, with hundreds of commercial ships lining up to pass. However, only two merchant ships are known to have passed, leaving hundreds more—carrying up to 23,000 crew members—bottled up in the Gulf. Rubio emphasized that for peace, Iran must agree to Trump’s demands on its nuclear program and open the strait.
Indiana Primaries: Trump-Backed Republicans Win
A majority of Indiana Republican legislators who opposed Trump’s efforts to redraw congressional districts lost their primaries on Tuesday to candidates backed by the former president. In Ohio, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and Republican Senator Jon Husted won their party’s nominations, setting up a high-profile Senate race for November’s midterm elections.
Other Key News
- Seven contenders in California’s gubernatorial race debated as voters began casting ballots in the nonpartisan primary.
- The US military struck a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing three people; rights groups call it “extrajudicial killings,” while Washington says it targeted “narco-terrorists.”
- A former US Navy intelligence analyst jailed for spying for Israel is running for the Knesset on a platform of ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
- New Mexico proposes a $3.7 billion fine against Meta and an overhaul of child safety protocols after a landmark case found the company liable for child safety failures.
- Two million airline seats have been cut from schedules due to soaring jet fuel prices driven by Trump’s attack on Iran.
Stat of the Day: US Public Transit Needs $4.6 Trillion
A recent study reveals that to bring US public transit to “world class” status, an estimated $4.6 trillion and 7,500 miles of new dedicated infrastructure over 20 years are required, highlighting how far car-dominated America has fallen behind global cities.
Wellness Wednesday: Medical Pedicure Saved My Feet
After a harsh winter, Jinnie Lee discovered medical pedicures (medi-pedis) that combine aesthetics with podiatry care, treating split heels and calluses effectively.
Don’t Miss: Surviving the Information Crisis
Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner writes about independent journalism’s role as civic infrastructure, fighting isolation and sustaining democracy in an age of fake news.
Moulin Rouge! Turns 25
Baz Luhrmann’s film celebrates its 25th anniversary. Cast and crew share memories, with Jacek Koman (the Unconscious Argentinean) calling it “like drama school.”
Climate Check: Eco-Feminism in a World on Fire
Natasha Walter’s new book, Feminism for a World on Fire, argues that women will suffer most from climate change impacts like floods, fires, and resource scarcity.
Last Thing: Mexico City Nightclub Charges Americans $300 Cover
Japan nightclub in Roma Norte charges US citizens a $300 cover charge, while others pay $20 or less. Owner Federico Crespo says it’s a response to gentrification and deteriorating US-Mexico relations under Trump, calling it “a response to a year of insults directed at us as a country.”
