The hygiene of cruise lines may be under scrutiny after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a polar expedition vessel – but passengers should be reassured that cases are rare.

At least three people have died aboard Oceanwide Expeditions’ MV Hondius, which began a remote voyage from Argentina to Cape Verde on 1 April, carrying 147 passengers.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said a total of seven hantavirus cases – two confirmed and five suspected – had been identified on the cruise ship so far.

Three individuals will be medically evacuated in Cape Verde, but most passengers are required to remain on board until the ship reaches the Canary Islands: a voyage that is expected to take three days.

Oceanwide Expeditions said there is no “definitive disembarkation point” for the remaining guests but sailing on to Las Palmas or Tenerife is being considered, where further medical screening and handling could take place.

A statement from industry group, the Expedition Cruise Network, said ships undergo strict biosecurity measures.

It said: “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, and families affected.

“As a member of the Expedition Cruise Network, Oceanwide Expeditions has our full support as they manage this situation.”

Can you catch hantavirus on a cruise ship?

Despite the high-profile coverage, cases of hantavirus are rare. In fact, there are no other known cases of hantavirus being present on a cruise.

Hantavirus is mainly spread by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings, particularly when the material is disturbed and becomes airborne, posing a risk of inhalation.

The WHO says that while uncommon, hantaviruses may spread between people.

It is still unclear whether the outbreak began on board or via an excursion. Passengers have visited remote locations including Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena and Ascension Island during the cruise.

Dr Maria van Kerkhove, director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention at WHO,told BBC Breakfast: “We have a working hypothesis that there’s probably a mixture of different types of transmission.

“This is also a boat that went to many different islands. They were looking at wildlife, they were looking at birds, and on some of these islands, there’s rodents as well.

“So there could be a mixture of exposure to rodents in different places, but because some of the cases are close contacts, sharing cabins together, our assumption is that there’s a bit of a mix.”

Aside from this case, there is no public data on hantavirus outbreaks on other cruise ships.

A spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said: “We are aware of reports regarding cases of hantavirus associated with a recent voyage on a non-member cruise line.

“Our thoughts are with those affected. CLIA-member cruise lines are required to adhere to comprehensive health, safety and medical policies designed to detect, prevent and mitigate illness. Available public health data indicates that rates of illness on cruise ships are lower than in comparable land-based settings.”

How common is norovirus on cruise ships?

While there are no known cases of hantavirus on other cruise lines, stomach bugs and norovirus are more common concerns.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and stomach pain.

In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 23 norovirus cases on cruise ships in 2025.

These figures only cover ships that visit an American port, so the actual numbers are likely much higher.

But with 30 million yearly passengers worldwide, the risk of becoming unwell is minimal.

In fact, data from the CDC suggests passengers are more likely to fall ill on land. Occurrences of gastrointestinal issues are one in 5,500 at sea, which accounts for around one per cent of all cases.

Will you get ill on a cruise?

With thousands of people congregating in a confined space, it is no surprise that people can get ill on a cruise.

This perception was compounded during the pandemic, when coronavirus cases escalated among hundreds of passengers on Diamond Princess and the ship ended up quarantined in Japan for two weeks.

There have also been negative media portrayals in programmes such as HBO’s The Last Cruise documentary.

Despite the media coverage, CDC data suggests the most common settings for gastrointestinal illnesses are actually healthcare facilities followed by restaurants or catered events, schools and day care centres.

Nicky Kelvin, editor at large of travel tips website The Points Guy, said: “Passengers are not highly likely to become sick from hygiene-related causes on a cruise due to high standards of cleanliness, as well as rigorous inspections which have been implemented since 1970.

“Concerns about norovirus on cruises are a result of ships being required to report all cases of norovirus to authorities, compared with schools or nursing homes where norovirus is rampant but do not require reports.”

How clean are cruise ships?

Cruise lines follow the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organisation and the CDC’s Vessel Sanitisation Program (VSP). Among the requirements is the need for passengers to complete health questionnaires before boarding.

The regulations require cruise ships to provide health declarations detailing illnesses of individuals on board to port authorities prior to docking.

Every cruise ship receives multiple inspections each year – announced and unannounced – to support implementation of strict environmental and safety regulations.

Under the VSP, ships must get 86 out of 100 points to pass, covering cleanliness of areas such as cabins, galleys and dining rooms, swimming pools and kids’ clubs.

To comply with this, cruise ships are routinely cleaned, with crew regularly sanitising surfaces such as tables, handrails, door handles and taps. Cruise passengers are reminded to wash their hands when entering the buffet and restaurants, while hand sanitisers are readily available in public locations.

Members of industry trade body the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) also follow guidelines specifying that ships must have at least one qualified medical professional permanently available for medical bay visits or cabin “house calls”.

CLIA managing director Andy Harmer said: “The cruise industry’s first priority is the health and safety of passengers, crew and the communities that we visit.

“Thanks to robust and rigorous protocols that cruise lines have put in place, cruise is one of the safest forms of travel. From cleaning practices that are often unparalleled in other settings to passenger screenings, cruise lines take extensive measures to keep their guests healthy.”

What happens when there is an outbreak on a cruise?

If a passenger contracts norovirus or other contagious illnesses, they are usually quarantined in their cabin to prevent further spread of the illness.

Jenni Fielding, who runs the Cruise Mummy blog, added that the situation can change quickly if there is an outbreak.

She said: “I’ve experienced this on about 10 per cent of my cruises. When it happens, things like salt and pepper shakers disappear, replaced by individual sachets.

“You won’t be allowed to serve your own drinks in the buffet; crew members will do it for you. You’ll also see crew with buckets of disinfectant, scrubbing every surface between guests. If you do get sick, you’ll be ordered to stay in your cabin until you’ve been symptom-free for 24 hours – and don’t worry, room service is free.”

To prevent illness, she advises avoiding touching handrails unless absolutely necessary and pressing elevator buttons with your knuckles.

She said: “Little things like this help reduce the risk of catching anything.

“Since the pandemic, new cruise ships have been designed with extra hygiene measures in mind. Every restaurant now has handwashing sinks at the entrance, and some even have automatic hand-washing machines. Many cruise lines are also moving away from self-service buffets, with crew members plating up food instead.

“When Covid first hit, the idea of people being stuck on ships made for dramatic headlines. But that doesn’t mean you’re more likely to catch illnesses on a cruise ship. I’ve never stayed in a hotel or eaten in a restaurant where someone ensures every single person has clean hands before entering. On a cruise ship, that’s just standard practice.”

Read more: How to avoid getting seasick on a cruise

Subway closed 729 stores across the U.S. in 2025, marking its 10th straight year of decline, according to a report.

The sandwich chain peaked in 2015 with over 27,000 stores — a number that dropped to 18,733 as of the end of last year, according to QSR.

Despite the closures, more of which are expected in 2026, Subway remains the largest chain in the U.S. in terms of store count. The chain hopes to draw back customers with a new value platform, featuring 15 menu items that each cost less than $5.

The closures are part of a “rightsizing” strategy, a business buzzword that means reducing a workforce to the optimal size, according to the report.

“In the U.S., Subway is focused on ensuring restaurants are in the right locations with the real estate, visibility and operations that set franchisees up to succeed long-term,” a Subway spokesperson told QSR. “That work is paying off. Operational improvements are showing up across the system, with restaurant evaluation scores and Google review scores both climbing to their highest levels in two years.”

Subway expects to open 100 U.S. franchised locations in 2026, according to Franchise Disclosure Documents. All of the chain’s locations are franchises.

The documents do not say how many locations are expected to close this year, though the brand has consistently closed several hundred locations each year over the past decade, according to the report.

The Independent has contacted Subway for comment.

The brand recently rolled out a value menu with 15 items priced under $5, shifting away from limited-time deals as it takes on value-focused rivals like McDonald’s and KFC.

While Subway works to lure back American customers, the chain has been thriving overseas. Subway opened more than 1,000 locations worldwide in 2025 and has agreements in place for more than 12,000 more units.

Last year, the number of Subway locations across the U.S. dropped below 20,000 for the first time in 20 years.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon’s cause of death has been revealed following his sad death at the age of 54

Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon’s cause of death has been revealed.

The sad news of Nicholas’ death was announced by his family in a statement shared on social media earlier this year. Nicholas was best known for playing Xander Harris on the hit show between 1997 and 2003, where he starred as Buffy’s best friend.

His family announced last month that he had died of natural causes. It had been confirmed he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect after suffering a heart attack back in 2023.

He also suffered from cauda equina syndrome, which causes severe back pain, and had undergone surgery in the hope of treating the cauda equina. TMZ reports that Brendon died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

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A report from the Putnam County Coroner said that the actor had a 90 per cent blockage on his right coronary artery, with acute pneumonia and a previous heart attack as contributing factors in his sad death.

A friend had been living with Brendon in the days before his death to help him with his health. The friend told the coroner that Brendon had chest pains but didn’t want to visit the hospital, and was “apprehensive” about doing so.

CCTV from his home showed Brendon was struggling with a cough and had a “raspy” voice in the lead up to his death.

In a statement at the time, Brendon’s family said: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes. Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art.

“Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

“While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”

Nicholas was married twice, first to Tressa DiFiglia from 2001 until 2007 and then to Moonda Tee from 2014 until 2015. Nicholas and Moonda were married for five months before their split. The actor proposed a week before they married in Las Vegas in October 2014.

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Marcus Rashford may not be competing at Manchester United right now, but the Reds academy graduate made it clear his former side isn’t far away from his thoughts

Marcus Rashford has tweeted “congratulations” to Manchester United after his former club secured their place in next season’s Champions League. Michael Carrick’s side overcame Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday to ensure the Reds will be in Europe’s elite competition next season.

United have not kicked a ball in the Champions League since Erik ten Hag’s second season and they also haven’t featured within it’s new controversial restructure. However, United’s triumph over the Merseysiders ensured they will finish in the top five.

Meanwhile, Rashford is closing in on his first league title as a player at Barcelona. Nevertheless, he made it clear his childhood club are still within his thoughts.

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After a member of United’s social media team uploaded a social media video commemorating the club’s return to the Champions League next season, Rashford retweeted it and wrote “Congratulations” alongside a red love heart emoji.

It demonstrated how the England international is still keeping tabs on his former club and team-mates. When it comes to his future at United, there is a lot of uncertainty.

It’s understood Rashford’s desire is to remain at the Camp Nou, but several reports have also claimed Barcelona are reluctant to fork out for the £26 million clause required to sign him permanently. United will not accept a lower fee for Rashford, while Sky Germany have also claimed the Catalans would like to loan him for another season.

Rashford has enjoyed a strong season in Catalunya. In all competitions, he has contributed 13 goals and 14 assists in 46 appearances; an impressive return since many of his appearances have come from the bench.

In April, Flick outlined his satisfaction with Rashford’s performances, saying: “I’m very happy with Marcus. He has shown his quality and he scored an important goal. I can’t say anything about his future, we have to focus on the matches until the end of the season.”

However, in the same month, Carrick appeared to prop the door open for Rashford, if he ever decided to return to the club. The ex-United midfielder said: “There’s decisions to be made on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation.

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“But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. It will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”

At Barcelona, Rashford and his team-mates are one win away from wrapping up the La Liga title. With four matches left to play, they are 11 points in front of fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, United are one victory away from ensuring they will finish in third place at the end of the season. This would represent their highest league finish since Erik ten Hag’s debut campaign in the 2021-22 campaign.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

England’s final World Cup squad must be submitted by Saturday, 30 May.

However, the Three Lions have no friendlies lined up before then, so Gibbs-White has the remainder of the season at club level to prove his worth to Tuchel.

Forest have Premier League games against Newcastle, Manchester United and Bournemouth remaining, and at least one more fixture in the Europa League as they take on Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday.

If Gibbs-White can play a key role in Forest winning a European trophy, then that will surely boost his international hopes.

However, he was taken off 20 minutes after coming on against Chelsea following a clash of heads with Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez that left him with a nasty wound which required stitches.

He now faces a race against time to be fit for the semi-final second leg against Villa – with Forest leading 1-0 on aggregate.

“I don’t know if it is a bit late for him to get a call-up now but in my eyes he deserves it,” Perch added.

“All he can do is perform for his club – and that is what he is doing – and Tuchel can’t ignore him for too much longer.”

Ahead of its own midnight ceasefire on Wednesday (Tuesday 22:00 GMT), Ukraine also launched a series of aerial attacks on Russia, hitting an industrial area in Kirishi in the Leningrad region and a factory that produces military components in Cheboksary, in the Chuvash Republic.

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The installation of a new 5G electronic communications base station on the rooftop of the Scarborough Telephone Exchange building has been given the go-ahead by North Yorkshire Council.

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A 3.75m extension will be added to the existing rooftop mast to accommodate nine replacement antennas and other radio equipment.

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Cellnex UK, which applied for permission to upgrade the equipment, operates part of the site for Virgin Media O2.

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The building currently accommodates an existing five-metre rooftop stub mast. The proposed works involve an extension to this structure to hold the new and upgraded equipment, resulting in an increase in overall height.

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“Unlike earlier generations of mobile connectivity, 5G has more significant technical and operational requirements, and this has implications on the amount, height, position and design of the new base station apparatus on the rooftop of the building,” according to submitted plans.

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Scarborough Current Mast And Proposed 5g Mast. Cellnex.

Cellnex described the telephone exchange as a utilitarian, three-storey building with a flat roof, which currently accommodates a telecommunications base station including the established stub mast and associated telecommunications apparatus.

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It said: “In visual terms, the change will be perceived in the context of the existing rooftop installation, where the design of the headframe remains as existing.

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“The upgrade does not give rise to any unacceptable additional visual impact.”

The company added that the number of antennas and dishes and their size had been kept “to the minimum necessary” to provide 4G and 5G coverage and to link the site back into the operator’s network.

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The application was approved by North Yorkshire Council on Friday, May 1, subject to conditions.

“Water is kept up on a ledge where some children cannot reach”

A Rochdale pre-school has denied its children don’t all have access to drinking water, following a damning Ofsted report.

Little Stars Pre-school has been told they need to make urgent improvements in all categories by the education watchdog. Bosses at the pre-school said they have implemented an improvement plan to address the issues raised by Ofsted.

During a visit to the Fieldhouse Industrial Estate facility at the end of January, the inspector noted how a lack of positive culture around safeguarding left ‘children at significant risk of harm’.

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The recently published report read: “Children do not have their own water cups and instead pour water into universal cups which others then use. Water is kept up on a ledge where some children cannot reach. Therefore, those children who do not speak are unable to request a drink. Leaders do not make certain that staff follow good hygiene procedures.

“For instance, staff do not consistently intervene to wipe children’s extremely runny noses. On the occasions that staff do intervene, they do not wash their own or children’s hands afterwards.

“This does not help to teach children about their own health and wellbeing and puts them at risk of illness.”

Management at Little Stars denied this claim, saying all children have access to drinking water. The pre-school also pointed out they had been closed to children for the first few weeks of January due to disruption caused by burst pipes and flooding.

They had only just reopened when the inspection took place and feel the inspection report doesn’t accurately reflect the running of the nursery.

The report went on to criticise the pre-school’s curriculum; leadership; and support for those with special educational needs and disabilities. Not all staff can recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and don’t know the procedures to follow if they do have concerns about a child, according to the report. Concerns over welfare were also raised by inspector Kayte Farrell.

In response, a spokesperson for Little Stars said: “We are extremely disappointed with the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection, and we have formally challenged aspects of the report. Following this, I also held a conversation with an inspector in March to raise concerns that the findings do not fully reflect the day-to-day reality of our setting.

“Little Stars Pre-School is a nurturing environment where children make strong progress and where we have consistently received positive feedback from families. We are proud of the relationships we have built with our children and parents, this remains at the heart of our practice.

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“In relation to the point raised about access to drinking water, children do have access to water in both rooms. It is provided on trays at an appropriate height within reach, staff actively encourage and support all children, including quieter or non-verbal children, to drink regularly.

“Nevertheless, we have reviewed this further strengthened our approach to ensure accessibility is consistently clear and visible at all times. We take all feedback seriously and have already implemented a detailed improvement plan, including enhanced staff support, strengthened monitoring, and a renewed focus on consistency across practice.

“We are also working closely with the local authority and other external support networks to ensure sustained and measurable improvement.

“Our priority remains the safety, wellbeing and development of every child in our care, as well as continuing to support local working families through our nursery, after-school and holiday provision.

“We remain fully committed to ongoing improvement and would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the progress made.”

Ofsted have issued the pre-school a Welfare Requirements Notice – requiring the provider to take specific actions in order to improve.

The parish council said the village has already made a ‘substantial contribution’ but council officers noted that there was a ‘shortfall’ of available pitches in the district

Plans to enlarge a Traveller site near Wimblington have been approved despite fears they could ‘dominate’ nearby settled communities. The application sought to double the number of permitted caravans at an existing site off Horsemoor Road.

Three static and three touring caravans were previously allowed but with the latest proposal accepted this is now six of each. A stable block can also be turned into a day room, though Fenland District Council officers said “at least part” was already being used in this way before the application was decided.

Wimblington Parish Council objected to the proposal, as they said the village has already made “a substantial contribution” in terms of Traveller sites. The council noted three established sites along Hook Road and Horsemoor Road.

It also said transporting large static caravans has “severely damaged the narrow rural lanes” and left “deep ruts that damage vehicles”. They said expanding the site “would cause significant and unacceptable impacts on the local environment, infrastructure and community”.

The council officer’s report said that, if approved, the plans would mean Traveller development would exceed the number of conventional homes in the area. Though at odds with planning policy that such sites “should not dominate nearby settled communities”, officers said the benefits outweighed the harm.

They said a “shortfall of available pitches”, the “personal circumstances of the applicant”, and “additional benefits provided in the form of social inclusion, housing provision and reduced inequality” makes the plans acceptable.

They were put before Fenland District Council’s planning committee last Wednesday (April 29) for a final decision. A confidential document was also considered by the committee who chose not to debate it.

Cllr Ian Benney said the application is “policy compliant” and that “travellers all need somewhere to live”. He said: “Travellers live their life and we should be supporting it – I see nothing wrong with this application and I will be supporting it”.

The committee unanimously approved the plans.