News 06/05/26

Two British nationals are self isolating at home after possible exposure to hantavirus on board the MV Hondius cruise ship, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

Both left the vessel before the outbreak was confirmed and are currently symptom free. They travelled back to the UK via Johannesburg after disembarking at St Helena in late April. Health officials are tracing contacts from their journey home, although the risk to the public is said to be very low.

Donald Trump’s decision to pause Project Freedom, the US operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, came as he claimed progress towards a final agreement with Iran.

Oil markets reacted positively before expectations were later tempered. Iran says it is reviewing a new US proposal, while American officials have suggested a one page deal to end the war may be close. A mediator source in Pakistan said talks are nearing completion.

Former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis has described how her relationship with Elon Musk developed alongside her work with him, leading to her having four of his children.

Giving evidence in a US court in Oakland, she said Musk offered sperm donation in 2020, which she accepted as she wanted to become a mother. Her testimony formed part of a case linked to OpenAI’s corporate structure and Musk’s legal challenge.

Holidaymakers are being told not to change travel plans despite concerns over jet fuel supplies.

Authorities say there is no shortage in the UK and contingency measures are in place. Airlines have cancelled around thirteen thousand flights globally in May due to higher fuel prices linked to Middle East tensions, but that represents just one per cent of flights and UK routes remain largely unaffected.

Israel says its military has carried out a strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut targeting a commander from Hezbollah’s Radwan force.

Security sources told Reuters the attack marked the first strike in the area since a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect on the sixteenth of April.

Argentine officials investigating a hantavirus outbreak believe it may have originated from a birdwatching trip to a landfill site.

They told the Associated Press a Dutch couple could have been exposed to infected rodents while visiting the site in Ushuaia, in Argentina. The theory is they then carried the virus on board the ship.

Up to one hundred and fifty High Street stores formerly part of WHSmith could close under a restructuring plan.

The shops were bought by Modella Capital and rebranded as TGJones. Hundreds of jobs are at risk. The company says the move is essential for its turnaround plan and blamed challenging retail conditions, adding the decision had not been taken lightly.

Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom could cost up to one billion dollars, despite earlier claims it would be privately funded.

Republicans in the Senate have included the figure in legislation covering security upgrades linked to the project. The development follows a charge against a man accused of attempting to assassinate the president at a dinner last week. The ballroom had previously been presented as a four hundred million dollar gift funded by private individuals.

The White House is said to be close to an agreement with Iran on a one page memorandum of understanding to end the war.

US outlet Axios reports the deal could include Iran agreeing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the US lifting sanctions, and both sides easing restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials are expecting a response from Tehran on key points within the next forty eight hours.

Iran’s football chief has called for assurances that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will not be insulted by the United States during the World Cup.

Mehdi Taj said he and other delegates returned home after what he described as disrespectful treatment by border officials in Canada. However, Canada’s immigration minister told parliament his visa had been cancelled mid flight because of his links to the IRGC.

Iran appears to be taking steps towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.

A social media account linked to its Revolutionary Guard Navy says safe and stable passage will be ensured, with threats neutralised and new protocols in place. While details are unclear, the reference to neutralised threats may relate to the United States decision to pause Project Freedom, its operation to protect shipping through the waterway.

Spain’s health minister says everyone on board a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak is currently asymptomatic.

Monica Garcia said the vessel will continue to the Canary Islands once ready. Plans are in place to repatriate passengers, except for anyone showing symptoms. Spanish nationals will be assessed and taken to a military hospital in Madrid, where they will be examined and kept in isolation.

A former SNP council leader has been jailed for eighteen months after preying on young men and boys.

Jordan Linden, aged thirty, was convicted of ten offences including sexual assaults, stalking and sexual communication. He was sentenced at Falkirk Sheriff Court after a trial in March. Proceedings had been delayed due to his defence lawyer being unavailable. Linden was jeered by members of the public as he arrived at court.

Oil prices have fallen and stock markets have risen amid reports the United States and Iran are close to a deal to end the war.

Brent crude dropped to ninety seven dollars a barrel before recovering, having earlier been above one hundred and eight. The FTSE one hundred, Germany’s Dax and France’s Cac forty all rose, while Asian markets also closed higher following reports of progress towards an agreement.

A court has heard a woman was fatally stabbed by her partner before he caused a gas explosion at their home.

Clifton George is accused of killing Annabel Rook in Stoke Newington after their relationship deteriorated. He admits manslaughter but denies murder.

The regional government of Spain’s Canary Islands has opposed allowing the MV Hondius cruise ship to dock, despite earlier indications that passengers may be permitted ashore.

Spanish authorities said they have a moral and legal obligation to accept those on board after Cape Verde refused the vessel. However, regional leader Fernando Clavijo has asked for an urgent meeting with the Spanish prime minister, saying there is not enough technical information to guarantee safety or reassure the public, and adding he cannot allow the ship to enter the Canary Islands.

The Metropolitan Police has announced an extra one hundred officers to tackle antisemitism in London following several arrests over the weekend.

Since late March there have been arson attacks at Jewish sites and a stabbing in Golders Green being treated as terrorism. Officers also arrested a thirty five year old man after rocks were thrown at a Jewish community ambulance carrying a patient in Edgware.

Apple has agreed to pay two hundred and fifty million dollars, around one hundred and eighty four million pounds, to settle a lawsuit over claims it misled customers about artificial intelligence features on iPhones.

The deal, filed in a California federal court, resolves a large class action. Apple denies wrongdoing. Payments between twenty five and ninety five dollars will go to US buyers of iPhone fifteen and sixteen models purchased between June twenty twenty four and March twenty twenty five.

Donald Trump announced Project Freedom, the US operation to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, will be paused for a short period.

He said it was to see whether agreement with Iran can be finalised, following requests from Pakistan and other countries. Earlier, a cargo ship was struck in the strait, with UKMTO reporting it was hit by an unknown projectile.