Health officials are closely monitoring a passenger who reportedly developed signs of hantavirus after sharing a flight with a suspected MV Hondius cruise case

A man who never set foot on the hantavirus‐hit cruise ship MV Hondius is believed to have contracted the deadly infection after sharing a flight with an infected passenger.

Health officials are understood to be closely monitoring the unnamed French traveller, who is being treated as a high‐risk contact after developing symptoms consistent with the rodent‐borne virus. He had unknowingly boarded the same flight as a Dutch woman who had disembarked the vessel with gastric complaints, before her infection was confirmed.

Airlink, the South African airline operating the route from Saint Helena to Johannesburg, said 82 passengers and six crew were on board. The World Health Organisation is now working to trace all those who shared the flight with the infected traveller, reports the Mirror.

To date, three individuals – a 70 year old Dutch man, his 69 year old wife, and a German woman – have died following the outbreak connected to the cruise vessel.

Former British police officer Martin Anstee, 56, along with two other cruise passengers, have reached the Netherlands for specialist medical care, while another patient is receiving treatment in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Swiss Health ministry stated that the University Hospital Zurich was “prepared to deal with such cases” and emphasised there is “currently no risk to the Swiss public”.

Health authorities in Argentina – from where the MV Hondius departed a month ago – are now investigating whether the outbreak originated within the country. The nation’s health ministry revealed yesterday that it will conduct rodent trapping and testing in Ushuaia, the port from which the vessel set sail.

The World Health Organisation consistently places Argentina at the top of Latin American nations for incidence rates of the uncommon, rodent-transmitted illness.

On Tuesday, the Argentine Health Ministry disclosed 101 hantavirus cases since June 2025, approximately twice the number documented during the corresponding period in the preceding year.

In South America, a strain known as the Andes virus can trigger a serious and frequently fatal respiratory condition called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. According to Argentina’s Health Ministry, the illness proved fatal in almost a third of cases over the past year, a significant increase from an average rate of 15 in the five years prior.

Hugo Pizzi, a leading Argentine infectious disease expert, commented: “Argentina has become more tropical because of climate change, and that has brought disruptions, like dengue and yellow fever, but also new tropical plants that produce seeds for mice to proliferate. There is no doubt that as time goes by, the hantavirus is spreading more and more.”

Hantavirus typically transmits through breathing in contaminated rodent faeces. While human-to-human transmission can occur, the World Health Organisation states this is uncommon, with their leading epidemic specialist confirming the threat to the general public remains minimal.

The Andes strain – identified amongst positive test samples aboard the MV Hondius – represents the sole hantavirus variant known to pass between humans. The virus has an incubation period ranging from one to eight weeks.

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“We’ll continue to support them and their families whilst they self isolate, probably at home, but obviously depends very much on the individual circumstances, depending on where they live and who they live with, as to what the most appropriate mechanism is for them to self-isolate for the next 45 days.”

Mark Eurovision’s 70th anniversary with our must-read edition from contest expert Paul Cole. Featuring the 70 songs, artists and iconic performances that shaped the world’s biggest music spectacle

Get your hands on the Legends of Eurovision edition here and celebrate 70 years of unforgettable song contest magic.

EUROVISION is turning 70—and we’re starting the party the best way we know how, with a dedicated special edition. In Legends of Eurovision, our song contest expert Paul Cole counts down 70 songs that helped shape the event, each with its own story, each artist earning their place in Eurovision history.

From UK favourites Bucks Fizz, Brotherhood of Man, Cliff Richard, Lulu, Sandie Shaw and Katrina and the Waves, to Eurovision royalty including Celine Dion, Johnny Logan, Dana, Lordi, Alexander Rybak, Conchita Wurst and, of course, Abba—this is the ultimate celebration of the contest’s greatest moments.

And there are few more qualified than Paul to curate a standalone like this. He’s lunched with ABBA in Manchester, partied with Bucks Fizz in Birmingham, and interviewed Eurovision names including Katrina & The Waves, Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, Michael Ball, Johnny Logan, Sonia, Blue, Gina G, Engelbert Humperdinck and more. He’s even shared a studio with Terry Wogan.

Paul’s Eurovision story runs even deeper: in 1976, he sat on the judging panel that sent Brotherhood of Man to the contest with Save All Your Kisses for Me—a “catchy little tune” that went on to become Eurovision history.

Alongside the song countdown, we also spotlight the most iconic performances that make Eurovision, Eurovision. Consider it a definitive douze pointer.

Pick up the Legends of Eurovision special edition now and relive seven decades of unforgettable musical moments from across Europe. Postage and packaging applies. Available to purchase from all participating retailers and supermarkets.

Two people died in the collision in Lancashire – a man in his 20s and 18-year-old Victoria Niebylska, who has been named locally as a passenger

A young woman who tragically lost her life in hospital following a road collision in Haslingden has been identified locally as Victoria Niebylska, as an outpouring of tributes continues in her honour.

The 18 year old was one of two teenage passengers in a VW Golf that left the road on Helmshore Road, colliding with the side of a house and a retaining wall at approximately 11.49pm on Monday (May 4). Emergency services were scrambled to the scene at the junction with Dean Road after the vehicle departed the southbound carriageway.

The driver, a man in his 20s, was pronounced dead in hospital on Tuesday morning. In a further devastating turn of events, officers subsequently confirmed a second fatality, disclosing that the 18-year-old passenger had passed away in hospital on Tuesday night (May 5), reports Lancs Live.

A wave of heartfelt tributes has been shared across social media by Victoria’s friends, who remembered her as a “beautiful soul” and “full of promise, full of dreams, and with everything still ahead of her”. An online fundraising page has been established in her memory, while numerous tributes have been laid at the site of the crash.

Brittany Horsfield wrote: “Rest in absolute paradise my girl. My heart is shattered. Forever made me laugh always there and I mean always, keep going over your crazy voice notes. Feel weird that our last message will never get opened. There wasn’t another soul like you. It don’t seem real. Love you forever and always Victoria.”

Delta Vienna wrote: “The world feels dimmer now, like someone quietly turned down the light when she left. She wasn’t just my best friend-she was my anchor, the steady place I could always return to when everything else felt uncertain. She was the reason my days felt brighter, the reason I found laughter even when things were heavy.

“Now there’s this silence where her voice used to be, this emptiness where her warmth once lived. I keep reaching for her in the little moments, the ones we would’ve shared, only to remember she’s gone-and it breaks my heart all over again.

“My precious girl, my heart it’s broken, knowing I’m not gonna be able to just message you, hear you voice see you is breaking me apart, I hope you rest peacefully my angel I love you millions baby girl.”

Georgia Gardener said: “RIP to a beautiful soul. Such a crazy girl with an amazing personality and you will be so missed as a person. You really was such a lovely girl with the best intentions and anyone who knew you will know this! Even though we bickered all the time we always made up in the end, will forever cherise the memories we made as teenagers, fly high beautiful girl.”

Shimarni Williams penned: “She was just… her. So beautiful, but not in a way she ever cared about, she was more about making people laugh, saying whatever came into her head, and just being completely free in herself. She was the sweetest person, always there when you needed her, and somehow still cracking jokes even when things were hard. And she was so brave, honestly braver than most people I’ve ever known, even if she didn’t always see it herself.

“Being around her just felt easy, like you could be yourself without thinking twice. I miss her more than I can even put into words, but I know I’ll carry her with me in everything I do forever and ever my girl.”

Chelsea Ryan said: “Victoria Niebylska fly high beautiful I’m glad I had the pleasure of knowing you and making some amazing memories with you are feral house parties at 15.

“Oh you will be missed more than you will ever know love you forever and a day until we meet again angel my condolences to all family and friends that knew vic. Forever 18.”

Lily Rawsthorn said: “Rest in peace beautiful girl Victoria Niebylska u didn’t deserve this, don’t be dancing to hard up there. Sending love to ur family. U brought light in any room you walked in such a good character, you will be missed by many.”

A GoFundMe page established by Zuzanna Kostuch has collected approximately £600 thus far towards a £5,500 goal.

It said: “On the 5th of May 2026, the world lost a bright and beautiful soul far too soon. Victoria had only just turned 18 in July 2025, standing on the threshold of her adult life – full of promise, full of dreams, and with everything still ahead of her. Funeral arrangements are being handled separately, and this fund has been set up purely to honour her memory in a lasting way.

“We would love to place a memorial bench at the cemetery – a permanent, peaceful place where family and friends can sit, remember, and feel close to her. Every contribution, no matter how small, will go directly toward creating a beautiful tribute that reflects the wonderful person she was. We are thankful for each and every contribution!”

Lancashire Police have confirmed that specialist family liaison officers are providing support to her family during what they have described as a “sad and distressing time”. The second teenage girl remains in hospital with serious injuries.

The section of road between Haslingden and Helmshore was shut for more than eight hours while investigative work was carried out. Enquiries into the collision continue, with officers still appealing for witnesses or relevant footage.

Anyone with dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage from the vicinity is urged to contact police by dialling 101, quoting log 1623 of May 4, or by emailing SCIU@lancashire.police.uk

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Every golfer needs a top-class caddie by their side to keep them calm in the biggest moments of a major, but one star will have to do without them for the PGA Championship

A golf star will have to compete in the PGA Championship without his caddie. Mikael Lindberg, 33, will be involved in next week’s major for the first time in his career, but visa issues have dealt him an early blow.

The Swede has learned that he will have to compete in the competition, which carries a first prize of just over £2.5million, without his caddie. Lindberg’s right-hand man, Armstrong Mdludi, will not have enough time to apply for and obtain a visa to enter the United States.

As a result, he will not be alongside Lindberg when the competition gets up and running at Aronimink Golf Club next week. Lindberg admitted he is disappointed the South African will not be alongside him.

READ MORE: PGA Tour stars let Rory McIlroy know what they think after skipping THREE eventsREAD MORE: Golf news: Bryson DeChambeau reveals his priorities as star pulls out of PGA Championship

Speaking about the unfortunate situation, Lindberg said: “I would have loved to have him with me, but now that it wasn’t possible, I feel it’s nice to have someone who knows my game and has been there before.”

However, Lindberg will have someone else to carry his bags and discuss the course. The Swede will be able to call upon the expertise and experience of his friend Jacob Glennemo.

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Glennemo, 38, was a former golfer himself who once reached 382nd in the world. He also has experience caddying for the likes of Swedish golf star Simon Forsström in the past.

After revealing Glennemo will be in his corner, Lindberg added: “He was a caddie for Simon Forsström and was at the US Open a few years ago. He still has some experience; I think he will be good.”

Lindberg will be sad Mdludi is not alongside him, but when it comes to his game, he will be as confident as ever heading into the major. He picked up a crucial victory at the DP World Tour when he won the 2026 Turkish Airlines Open, which secured his place at the PGA Championship.

Looking back on his huge triumph, Lindberg said: “This is a dream come true, I’ve been dreaming about this for so many years. My feelings on this last hole, I almost felt dizzy and I almost felt I wanted to throw up.”

He added: “I was in the lead after the first round and I just felt like… I don’t know how to describe this, but it’s been mentally very tough pretty much the whole week. So it’s very nice to pull it off.

“The weather on the front nine was actually a lot better than I expected, so I felt like I took advantage of that a little bit. It’s been a very tough last few holes but the last one was definitely tough.”

Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood was pulled over by police after speeding at nearly 100mph while rushing his sick cat to the vet, a court has heard.

The TV chef, 60, has been accused of tailgating cars at high speeds on the M25 to ‘bully’ them out of the fast lane during his emergency journey.

A Surrey Police officer said that Hollywood’s Land Rover Defender was officially clocked at 96mph, but he is believed to have reached speeds of more than 105mph when he got on to the M26.

After being pulled over, Hollywood reportedly blamed his behaviour on the need to get his unwell cat to the vet for treatment.

At Worthing Magistrates’ Court last week, the 60-year-old pleaded guilty to speeding and was sentenced to five penalty points on his licence, a £293 fine, £120 in costs and a £117 victim surcharge.

After an intervention from his lawyers at Hickman and Rose, a second charge of driving without due care and attention was dropped by police.

‘Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast,’ wrote Peter Csemiczky, a partner at the leading law firm.

‘He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet. He understands this is no excuse and apologises for his actions. He understands and accepts that he will be punished.’

Court papers show that the incident happened at around 3.20pm on January 9 when Hollywood’s car was spotted speeding along the M25.

Pc Alexander McAlpine, from Surrey Police, trailed Hollywood in an unmarked police car and said he saw his vehicle ‘repeatedly “bully” other vehicles out of its way, through use of unsafe tailgating’.

He said: ‘Whenever there was a vehicle ahead, the driver would close up to a follow distance of less than five metres which was wholly inappropriate for the conditions and speed.

‘Once a vehicle moved out of the way having been tailgated until they did so, the driver would then heavily accelerate and travel well in excess of the limit until they reached the next vehicle ahead on the road, at which point they would repeat the process.’

PC McAlpine also said that Hollywood reached speeds of around 100mph on the M25 despite being in heavy traffic and the road being damp. Then, after he joined the less-busy M26 he was ‘able to achieve higher speeds more consistently’.

He added: ‘They continued their behaviour of closing up to any vehicles ahead in their lane of travel, and then following them at an aggressively short distance, on one occasion roughly a mere two metres whilst travelling at approximately 80mph, until they moved out of the way.’

The officer said he matched Hollywood’s speed, clocking him at a ‘peak’ of around 105mph, with a ‘general road speed remained above 90mph for an extended period of time’.

After catching the incident on his dash camera, the officer then pulled over the chef to challenge him for speeding and ‘aggressively tailgating other road users’.

The officer concluded in his statement: ‘The driver stated that the reason for their urgency and driving behaviour was transporting an unwell cat.’

Hollywood, who has been a judge on Bake Off since it first aired in 2010, is also a keen motoring enthusiast who has competed in professional races for Aston Martin.

In 2022, he confessed on TV that he had been admonished by fellow Bake Off judge Mary Berry for driving too fast.

He called speeding his ‘most unappealing habit’, adding: ‘I probably drive a little bit too quick. It scares a few people. I took Mary in a car once and she was hitting me with her handbag.’

Court papers show Hollywood had no penalty points on his licence when he was pulled over by the police officer in January.

He pleaded guilty in writing to the speeding charge and was convicted and sentenced in a private hearing of the Single Justice Procedure without having to attend court.

Hollywood entered a not guilty plea to the charge of driving without due care and attention, and the allegation was withdrawn by the police force.

Hollywood was sentenced on April 27, in the same week that 374 other motorists around the country were convicted by courts for breaking 70mph speed limits, leading to penalty points and fines of up to £1,000.

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