It is a possibility that passengers and crew will be taken into a ‘period of quarantine’

Brits stuck on a cruise ship linked to a suspected hantavirus outbreak will have to wait on board for a number of days.

It comes after three passengers of the MV Hondius died following the suspected outbreak, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Three others are ill, the WHO said in a statement to The Associated Press. A British passenger and a British crew member are among those taken ill in the suspected outbreak on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship.

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On Tuesday afternoon (May 5), Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a statement on social media, claiming that plans are being made for the “safe onward travel” of Brits on the ship.

The vessel is currently off the coast of Cape Verde, where it is hoped the medical evacuation of a British crew member, along with a Dutch colleague and a passenger, will take place.

In an update on Tuesday, tour operator Oceanwide Expeditions said there is still not an “exact timeline” for when the medical evacuation to the Netherlands will happen.

But the ship will move on once the evacuation has taken place, with at least three days sailing to the Canary Islands, the company said. One expert said that once the ship docks it is likely the remaining passengers and crew will be assessed and then “be taken into a period of quarantine”.

It comes as health authorities investigate the source of the virus, with some suggesting there could be a “mixture” of transmission, including close contact between passengers.

Experts said it is likely that initial infections were acquired off the ship with suspected human-to-human transmission among those with “really” close contact such as people who have shared a cabin.

Sir Keir said: “My thoughts are with those affected by the hantavirus outbreak onboard the MV Hondius. We are working closely with international partners to support British nationals on board and we’re putting plans in place for their safe onward travel.

“The risk to the wider public remains very low – protecting the British people is our number one priority.”

Some 19 British nationals were listed as passengers on the ship, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, with four British crew members.

Passengers are confined to their cabins while “disinfection and other public health measures are carried out”, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

The crew members are said to need “urgent medical care” after having acute respiratory symptoms, according to Oceanwide Expeditions.

Meanwhile the British passenger struck down by hantavirus is “understood to be improving” but remains in intensive care in Johannesburg after being medically evacuated on April 27.

A total of seven suspected cases have been identified – including three deaths. Two of these cases have been confirmed as hantavirus.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, from the WHO, said: “As of today, seven individuals of the 147 passengers and crew have been reported ill, sadly, three have died.

“One patient is in intensive care in South Africa, although we understand that this patient is improving while two patients are still on board the ship and are being prepared for medical evacuation to the Netherlands for treatment.”

Medical teams from Cape Verde are providing support to the ship and have taken personal protective equipment (PPE) on board while health authorities investigate the source of the outbreak.

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Dr Van Kerkhove: “The initial patient and his wife joined the boat in Argentina. And with the timing of the incubation period of hantavirus, which can be anywhere from one to six weeks, our assumption is that they were infected off the ship, perhaps doing some activities there.

“This was an expedition boat, and many of the people on board were doing bird watching, they were doing a lot of things with wildlife. So our assumption is they were infected off the boat and then joined the cruise. However, we do believe that there may be some human-to-human transmission that’s happening among the really close contacts – the husband and wife, people who have shared cabins, etc.

“So again, our assumption is that has happened, and that’s why we are operating and working with the ship to make sure that anyone who is symptomatic, anyone caring for patients, is wearing full personal protective equipment. The medical personnel who have boarded the boat have brought additional PPE as well.

“But hantaviruses don’t typically transmit that way – it’s really a rodent infection.”

A Dutch passenger died on board the ship on April 11. On April 27, the wife of the passenger died, and authorities confirmed a variant of hantavirus. On May 2, a German passenger on board died, though the cause has not yet been confirmed.

Hantavirus infections, which are usually spread by infected rodents’ urine or faeces, can lead to severe respiratory illness and can sometimes be fatal. While it is rare, hantavirus infections can spread between people, according to the WHO. There is no specific treatment or cure, but patients have a better chance of survival if they receive medical attention early.

Mark Fielder, professor in medical microbiology at Kingston University London, said: “With the current understanding of the ongoing infection and the likelihood that stringent infection control measures are being implemented on board the vessel, it is likely that further ongoing transmission will be limited.

“The isolation of infected patients, regular handwashing, monitoring of close contacts, and the application of infection control measures will all be critical to limiting and halting onward spread of the disease.

“Once the ship docks it is likely that arrangements will be made for the remaining passengers and crew to be medically assessed and then be taken into a period of quarantine and monitoring to ensure the control of any infection and provide early medical intervention where needed.”

President Donald Trump spent part of his day teaching his fist-pumping “Macho Man” dance to a group of teens on the White House lawn.

On Tuesday, the White House held an event announcing the return of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. The award is part of the currently-defunct Presidential Fitness Test, which was an annual test of school-aged children’s athletic abilities.

The program, which began in the 1950s, was ended during the Obama administration. Last year, Trump announced he wanted to revive the program.

Athletes and students were at the White House for the announcement. After the announcement, Trump was recorded showing a group of teens how to do the shimmy dance he tends to do during rallies when the YMCA song “Macho Man” is played.

Unfortunately for Trump, when he also tried to show of his own athletic skills through his favorite sport — golf — he flubbed a trio of putts.

A putting green was set up on the South Lawn of the White House, and Trump and professional golfers Bryson DeChambeau and Gary Player tried to sink some balls.

According to Daily Caller White House correspondent Reagan Reese, Trump, Player, and DeChambeau weren’t on their a-game.

“The president and his friends did some putting. He missed all three attempts. Gary Player went after the president. He also missed. Bryson went next. He missed too,” she wrote.

Before his ill-fated putting attempt, Trump signed a proclamation restoring the Presidential Fitness Test, and declared that the “next few years will be a golden age of athletics” in the U.S. He also used the opportunity to rail against transgender student athletes participating in school sports.

While surrounded by students, Trump also complained about the “rigged” 2020 election and graphically described the Iranian military killing protesters.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy was on hand and told the crowd that his father, Robert Kennedy, hiked 50 miles to Camp David to prove his athletic abilities.

He also said that restoring the Presidential Fitness Test would help ensure more American youth are physically fit enough to join the U.S. military, should they wish to do so.

Trump’s new order will direct the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition to create school-based programs that encourage and reward physical fitness and to develop new criteria for the Presidential Fitness Award.

The president’s council includes DeChambeau, NFL kicker Harrison Butker, Dr Stephen Soloway, former NFL player Cody Campbell, golfer Annika Sörenstam, former WWE wrestler Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor.

It manages to feel both small and tucked away, yet has enough pubs, walks and photo spots to fill a weekend.

A bay village on the cliff

Runswick Bay is a compact former fishing village on North Yorkshire’s heritage coast, just north of Whitby and a short drive from Staithes – and it has been described as ‘ridiculous beautiful’ The Express as it “boasts a mile of secluded bay and gorgeous beach”

The cottages spill down the hillside towards the water, their tiled roofs and narrow lanes giving the place a slightly tumbled, storybook feel.

At low tide there is a broad arc of sand that pulls in families, swimmers and paddleboarders, with rock pools and low cliffs framing the bay.

From working harbour to holiday spot

The village grew up around fishing, with boats once drawn up on the beach and gear stored in small buildings close to the shore.

As that industry tailed off, many of the cottages were turned into holiday lets and second homes, but you can still see traces of the working past in the ginnels, old net stores and slipways leading down to the sand.

Above it all, the Cleveland Way runs along the clifftop, giving easy access to big coastal views and longer walks.

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Pubs, food and places to warm up

For somewhere this small, it has a decent choice of places to warm up or refuel.

The Royal Hotel sits above the bay with a beer garden looking out to sea, serving pub classics, local fish dishes and a children’s menu.

At the top of the bank, the Runswick Bay Hotel offers meals and breakfasts in season, handy if you’ve parked at the top or are waiting for a bus.

A short drive away in Hinderwell, The Badger Hounds and The Ellerby Country Inn both trade on home‑cooked food, Sunday lunches and local produce, making them easy add‑ons if you want to turn a simple beach stop into a full day out.

Other things to do

Beyond the beach itself, there are a few easy extras if you want to stretch the day out. At low tide you can wander along the sands to hunt for fossils and sea glass, or pick your way around the rocks towards Kettleness, keeping an eye on tide times and the cliffs above.

Inland, short drives link Runswick Bay to the likes of Staithes and Sandsend for more harbour walks and cafés, while Whitby is close enough for a combined trip taking in the abbey, 199 steps and fish and chips on the harbour.

For walkers, the Cleveland Way gives straightforward circular options from the village, with cliff‑top paths, skylarks and big views back over the curve of the bay.

Where’s your favourite ‘hidden gem’ in the region? Let us know in the comments.

Basecamp Indian Kitchen is a “hidden gem” in the long list of curry houses in the Welsh capital

It’s one of the city’s top Indian restaurants with experienced chefs from top restaurants including Purple Poppadom and Dishoom and currently, you can get Basecamp Indian Kitchen’s menu for a slashed price.

The Park Place venue, which opened in late 2024, is currently part of a TravelZoo, the travel voucher website, deal where you can get 40% off a dinner for two, making the bill total £69 rather than £120.

Travelzoo members can dine on a tasting menu, their special spring experience menu, for two for £69 which makes it £34.50 per person. It’s a five-course taster menu showcasing the restaurant’s culinary tributes to the Himalayas and India’s coastlines, with traditional cooking menus.

Dishes include Darjeeling spiced herb encrusted lamb chops, coastal coconut chili prawns, mixed naans and a selection of starters and desserts.

Headed up by Ram Sapkota, who worked as a general manager at the Cardiff Mint & Mustard for 11 years, he said at the time of opening: “My journey began in the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas, where I grew up surrounded by fresh ingredients and exotic spices. My early passion for food was nurtured in a small Nepalese café I ran at 15, which set the foundation for my dream of sharing Himalayan flavours.”

Our reviewer visted the restaurant and her verdict was that if you dine out at Basecamp, “you won’t regret it!.” At the time she said: “Base Camp Indian Kitchen is a hidden gem amongst a long list of Indian restaurants in the Welsh capital, I couldn’t fault anything during our visit there and I really hope this place is here to stay.

“Next time you want to go for a curry or you are visiting Cardiff for the weekend, go to Base Camp – you won’t regret it.”

If you want more accounts of why Basecamp is a place for top Indian food-lovers, the restaurant scores 4.9 out of five on Tripadvisor, with some visitors describing their experience as “consistantly amazing” and another saying: “The food was plentiful and most importantly amazingly tasty.”

Get the TravelZoo deal, here. This deal is valid 12–10:30pm Monday–Thursday; 12–10pm Sunday until 31 July, 2026.

For more south Wales deals you can also explore Wowcher.For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here

Smoke has been pictured rising over an area of London with fears a major blaze may be underway in the capital.

Pictures and video shared online show a column of dark smoke rising into the evening sky above a church steeple.

More than 50 firefighters are believed to have arrived at the scene of the blaze with efforts underway to contain the spread of the flames.

The captain of a ship stranded in the Strait of Hormuz has told the BBC what it is like to be caught up in the power struggle between the US and Iran for the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Captain Raman Kapoor says he and his crew contend with “mental not material pressure” as their stranded vessel is assailed by “hundreds” of missiles and the sound of explosions.

It comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared to make a diplomatic visit to the Vatican in a bid to mend relations with the Holy See

Donald Trump has reignited his feud with Pope Leo XIV with “unacceptable” remarks about nuclear weapons.

It comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared to make a diplomatic visit to the Vatican in a bid to mend relations with the Holy See.

Trump again accused Leo in an interview Tuesday of being “OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Leo has said no such thing and Catholic Church teaching says the mere possession of nuclear weapons is “immoral.”

And he claimed the Pope’s rhetoric was “endangering a lot of Catholics, and a lot of people”.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Pope Leo hit back at the claims, saying the Catholic Church “for years has spoken out against all nuclear weapons, so there is no doubt there.”

Leo doubled down on his insistence that his call for peace and dialogue in the U.S-Israeli war in Iran is Biblically inspired.

“I’ve spoken from the first moment of being elected, and we’re near the anniversary: I said ‘Peace be with you,’” Leo said as he left his country house in Castel Gandolfo.

“The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel, to preach peace. If someone wants to criticize me for announcing the Gospel, let him do it with the truth,” Leo said. “And so I hope simply to be listened to about the value of the Word of God.”

Italy defended the Pope and his call for peace and dialogue in the Iran war.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a social media post Thursday that Trump’s attacks “are neither acceptable nor helpful to the cause of peace.”

In an interview with conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, Trump claimed the pontiff is helping Iran and making the world less safe with his comments about the importance of not treating immigrants with disrespect.

“The Pope would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in the interview on Monday. “And I don’t think that’s very good. I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people. I guess if it’s up to the Pope, he thinks it’s just fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

The Pope has not said Iran should obtain nuclear weapons. He’s called for more peace talks, and criticised war with Iran generally and Trump’s specific threats of mass civilian strikes. The pope also has emphasised that he’s reflecting biblical and church teachings, not speaking as a political rival to Trump.

Regardless, Trump’s latest comments may make Rubio’s task more difficult when he sees the pontiff on Thursday. Rubio has often been called on to tone down or explain Trump’s harsh rhetoric as it relates to Europe, NATO and the Middle East, but the president’s dispute with the pope has domestic political implications in the U.S. with midterm congressional elections approaching.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added: “I reaffirm my support for every action and word of Pope Leo; his words are a testament to dialogue, the value of human life, and freedom. This is a vision shared by our government, which is committed through diplomacy to ensuring stability and peace in all areas where conflicts exist.”

Rubio is due to meet with Leo on Thursday and is due to see Tajani and Premier Giorgia Meloni on Friday.

The State Department said on Monday that Rubio, a practicing Catholic who after this trip will have visited Italy or the Vatican at least three times in the past year, would travel to Rome and Vatican City on Thursday and Friday.

Trump lashed out at Leo on social media last month, saying the pope was soft on crime and terrorism for comments about the administration’s immigration policies and deportations as well as the Iran war. Leo then said God doesn’t listen to the prayers of those who wage war.

Later, Trump posted a social media image likening himself to Jesus Christ, which he then deleted after backlash. He has refused to apologize to Leo and has sought to explain away the social media post by saying he thought the image was of him as a doctor.

The tension has spilled over into Italian politics, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a long-time Trump ally whom Rubio is also expected to meet this week, taking exception to Trump’s comments about the pope.

Trump in return criticised her as his ire against NATO allies expands over what he sees as a lack of support for the Iran war — most recently with the Pentagon planning to pull thousands of troops out of Germany in the coming months.

Wild Horses,”Standing Our Ground-Complete Recordings 1978-1981” (HNE/Cherry Red)- This all encompassing 6 CD set brings together every recording that this relatively short lived rock “supergroup” made during its brief existence, drawing on an assortment of studio albums, demos, singles and live recordings which were captured for posterity at London’s legendary Marquee Club and Tokyo’s Nakano Sun Plaza in 1980. Wild Horses were formed in 1978 when gritty Glaswegians Brian Robertson and Jimmy Bain parted company with Thin Lizzy and Rainbow respectively after contributing to a couple of highly regarded live albums, and their tuneful approach to the hard rock genre often echoed the creative output of Robertson’s previous employers. Their Trevor Rabin produced debut set was a particularly impressive piece of work which found the band striving manfully to establish themselves as a solid commercial proposition via fine tracks such as “Street Girl,” “Criminal Tendencies” and their Phil Lynott collaboration,”Flyaway.”

Joe Martin,”Alone in Valentine” (North Star Records)- The second studio album from Lancashire born singer-songwriter Joe Martin mines a rich vein of instantly memorable Americana, drawing on the invaluable musical contributions of Cal Campbell and Cornelius Webb ,the gifted sons of the late great Glen Campbell and legendary tunesmith Jim Webb of “Wichita Linesman” fame. The refreshingly pure contents were recorded at the Campbell residence in the country music capital of Nashville, Tennessee, with some of the city’s finest session talents playing their parts in underpinning Martin’s creative exploits as the album was essentially laid down live in the space of just seven short days. Authenticity is the name of the game as Martin draws on such admirable influences as Bob Dylan, The Eagles and the criminally underrated Townes Van Zandt in assembling an affecting package which showcases melodic gems such as “Hand Me Down Heart” and “Brown Paper Bag.”

Night Ranger,”Neverland” (Floating World / Voiceprint)- This San Franciscan hard rock quintet rose to public prominence in the early eighties, notching up a string of U.S. hit singles with easy on the ear power ballads such as “When You Close Your Eyes” and “Sister Christian.” This run of chart success wasn’t destined to last too long however, and the then current incarnation of the band finally gave up the ghost in 1989. Night Ranger were tempted to return to the fray with their original five man line up in 1996 and “Neverland” first saw the light of day a year or so later. The eclectic contents are workmanlike rather than inspired, although the muscular contributions of guitarists Jeff Watson and Brad Gillis are certainly well worth investigating.

In April 2008, Brendan Harris, 15, was sentenced to life at Preston Crown Court alongside his co-defendant Ryan Herbert, 16.

Herbert was released on licence in 2022, 15 years after the attack on the Haslingden woman in Bacup.

Harris, now aged 33, was given a minimum term of 17 years and 106 days before his release could be considered, a point he reached in August 2025.

Harris, Herbert and four other teenage boys “savagely and mercilessly attacked” Sophie’s partner Robert Maltby in Stubbylee Park, during the early hours of August 11, 2007.

Gap-year student Sophie rushed to help her boyfriend as he lay unconscious and shouted at his attackers to leave him alone.

Herbert and Harris then turned on her, subjecting her to a “sustained and vicious attack” which involved her head being kicked and stamped on until she too lost consciousness.

Miss Lancaster never regained consciousness and died in hospital 14 days later.

They were attacked because they looked and dressed differently, and Herbert later told people there were “two moshers nearly dead” in the park, according to court hearings.

The sentencing judge determined the attacks were motivated by hostility towards the victims’ appearance as ‘goths’ or ‘moshers’, constituting a hate crime.

The judge described Harris and the group he was with as being akin to a ‘pack of wild animals’.

Now, the parole board has granted Harris release on licence, with conditions including complying with the requirement to reside at a designated address and to be “of good behaviour”.

Additionally, he must submit to an enhanced form of supervision, including drug testing, a specified curfew, a signing-in time, and alcohol monitoring.

Harris told the Parole Board panel that he had been drinking, and he accepted that he threw the first punch at the male victim. He also accepted that he had been regularly violent.

READ MORE: One of killers of Sophie Lancaster to be freed from jail

READ MORE: Sophie Lancaster’s killer could be released from prison before end of the year

The parole board’s risk assessment said: “Having considered the index offences, relevant patterns of previous behaviour and the other evidence before it, the panel listed as risk factors those influences which made it more likely that Mr Harris would reoffend.

“At the time of his offending, these risk factors had included his way of life and choice of friends. Mr Harris had misused alcohol and drugs, and he had struggled to manage extreme emotions.

“The panel noted that he acted without thinking about the consequences and demonstrated poor problem-solving skills.

“Evidence was presented at the hearing regarding Mr Harris’ progress and custodial conduct during this sentence. The panel noted that Mr Harris had spent some time on his sentence in a secure Mental Health Hospital and had attacked and injured a nurse.

“He was sentenced as a result of this for an offence on GBH in 2013. He returned to the prison estate in 2014 and went on to complete an accredited programme to address his use of violence.

“At the time of the panel’s review, Mr Harris was engaging with a specialist regime designed to help people recognise and deal with a wide range of problems.

“The panel was told that Mr Harris’ behaviour in the prison had been good. The panel was told that Mr Harris had been motivated to do well and address his risk factors. All the witnesses at the oral hearing supported Mr Harris’ release.”

Sophie’s mother, Sylvia, launched a foundation in her memory to stand against violence and prejudice, to which Judge Anthony Russell QC, who presided over the case, donated £5,000 in his will. Sylvia died in 2022, at the age of 69.

A spokesperson for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation said: “The late Dr Sylvia Lancaster OBE responded to enquiries regarding the perpetrators of Sophie Lancaster’s murder in a personal capacity, and not in her role as chief executive of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. The foundation itself has no comment to make on the perpetrators.

“At this time, we choose instead to remember all victims of hate crime – those, like Sophie, whose lives were taken, and those whose lives have been irrevocably changed by hatred and violence. For many survivors and families, the impact is lifelong.

“We honour Sophie’s memory by reaffirming our mission to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere, and by continuing our work to challenge hate in all its forms.”

The writer and actor has confirmed that there won’t be a third series of his BBC comedy series.

A BBC star has spoken about concluding his sitcom, acknowledging “it’s healthy to close chapters”.

Mawaan Rizwan introduced his comedy series Juice to audiences in 2023, chronicling his character Jamma as he manages family relationships and his romance with boyfriend Guy (portrayed by Russell Tovey).

The quirky comedy programme, adapted from Mawaan’s 2018 Edinburgh Fringe performance, lasted two seasons, with the second broadcast only last year.

He’s now revealed there won’t be a third series, as he discussed the programme’s future.

Speaking to Radio Times, Mawaan explained: “Five years of my life doing two series, it’s such a privilege being at the epicentre and having creative control of a project like that, but it’s a lot of pressure and a really intense process,” reports the Mirror.

Using a reference from Of Mice and Men, he continued: “You can love the rabbit too much and squeeze it to death.”

He stated: “It will always be my first love and there isn’t anyone involved with that show that I don’t adore, but I think it’s healthy to close chapters.”

In Juice, Mawaan played a young gay man who works at a marketing company and is constantly vying for attention amongst his family, with his real-life mum and brother starring alongside him.

Jamma’s mum Farida is a former movie star who now manages a community century, and often, alongside his younger brother Isaac, outshines him.

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Meanwhile, his dynamic personality contrasts with his older, calmer boyfriend, who is a therapist and seeking more of a stable relationship.

Juice was hailed a “true comedy classic” when it first aired, with one fan writing: “Finally, we have a new British sitcom worth talking about. Juice on BBC3 provided contemporary romantic humour, laugh-out-loud visual gags and hilarious one-liners from the off.”

Another said: “Best sitcom in ages and don’t remember laughing out loud so much since The IT crowd.”

Someone else called it “a worthy and entertaining watch”, while another person said: “A lot of laughs, a lot of heart. Artistic, bold and joyful. Go watch!”

Mawaan previously spoke about how the series, though fictional, had come from “personal” aspects of him.

He told Metro: “I think all art is personal. I write with feeling, I write with stuff that I’ve been through. Even on Sex Education, there was a lot of me in that show. There were experiences that I’ve been through that I’d give to these characters.

“It’s tricky with the show like this because you can’t hide behind it less because you’re in it, so at times it was a bit vulnerable and I think my mum actually surprisingly, helped me be more vulnerable.”

Speaking about Juice, he added: “We had a lot of fun making it because it’s a bit of a visual feast. My character… when his emotions peak, the world around him starts changing literally.

“I wanted to make a character where the physical world around him is like a physical manifestation of his emotions and it meant that we built sets and we did the whole shoot as like a giant playground and we had so much fun, and I really hope that comes across.”

Juice is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.