MV Hondius, Cruise Ship Affected by Hantavirus, to Dock in Canary Islands Sunday
The MV Hondius, a cruise ship experiencing a hantavirus outbreak, is scheduled to dock in Spain’s Canary Islands between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time on Sunday, according to the Spanish health minister who spoke to .
The World Health Organization (WHO) chief has arrived in Spain ahead of the disembarkation process.
I will join senior government officials in a mission to Tenerife to oversee safe disembarkation of the passengers, crew members and health experts from MV Hondius cruise ship.
He is maintaining direct communication with the ship’s captain, Jan Dobrogowski, and WHO colleague Dr Freddy Banza-Mutoka onboard, who reported that currently no additional individuals on the ship are showing hantavirus symptoms.
More information about the MV Hondius is available through official channels.
Hungarian Public Gathers as New Speaker Sworn In
In Budapest, citizens from across Hungary have assembled at Kossuth Square in front of the neo-Gothic Parliament building. Many attendees are seated on the grass or in picnic chairs, consuming traditional foods such as hot dogs and lángos while watching the swearing-in of the speaker of the house on a large screen. The atmosphere is jubilant, with some participants displaying the Hungarian flag and wearing merchandise from the newly governing party, Tisza.
This is the first time I feel like it’s good to be Hungarian,said Erzsébet, who was seated among friends wearing Tisza t-shirts.
I feel like I could cry.
The crowd applauded when it was announced that the European Union flag would be reinstated in Parliament but expressed disapproval through loud boos when Dóra Dúró of the far-right party Mi Hazánk, known for publicly destroying a children’s book featuring LGBTQ+ characters, was elected deputy speaker of the house.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Addresses NATO Relations Amid Iran Conflict
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated his commitment to maintaining the NATO alliance despite existing differences with the United States, which have been highlighted by the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Tensions between the Trump administration and European NATO members have raised concerns about the alliance's future. These tensions, already elevated due to US criticism of European defense spending and immigration policies, have intensified following Germany and other European countries’ refusal to support US and Israeli military actions against Iran initiated in late February.
At a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Saturday, Merz said:
We are really willing to keep this alliance alive for the future.
He also noted that Sweden and Finland have strengthened NATO’s European pillar.
We know that there are some differences. We know that we are seeing challenges, all of us, but our final goal is to bring this conflict to an end and to guarantee that Iran is not able to produce nuclear weapons.
And this goal is a common goal between America and Europe.
Ukraine Welcomes Three-Day Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Conflict
Ukrainians have welcomed a three-day ceasefire, which began on Saturday, as a necessary respite from years of conflict. The Kremlin indicated that a long-term peace agreement remains distant.
Ukraine’s air force reported detecting some drones along the extensive 1,000 km front line in southeastern Ukraine on Saturday morning but did not report any missile air alerts overnight or into the day.
Kateryna Kizev, a resident who fled the frontline city of Kherson and now lives in Cherkasy, central Ukraine, told :
This is very good because, honestly, the sleepless nights have gotten a bit tiresome.
At least for a few days we will be able to sleep in peace and without the attacks.
Images Released from MV Hondius
Some images of passengers and staff aboard the MV Hondius have been released, providing insight into conditions onboard.
Spain’s interior minister stated that passengers will be permitted to take essential belongings during disembarkation, while remaining luggage and the body of a deceased passenger will stay on the ship and be transported to the Netherlands for disinfection.
Repatriation Flights Confirmed for MV Hondius Passengers
The Spanish interior minister informed on Saturday that Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands have confirmed plans to dispatch aircraft to repatriate their nationals aboard the cruise ship affected by the hantavirus outbreak.
The European Union is providing two additional planes for other European citizens, and the United States and United Kingdom have also confirmed flights and contingency plans for non-EU nationals.
The MV Hondius is expected to dock in the Canary Islands early Sunday.
WHO Update on Hantavirus Outbreak Linked to MV Hondius
As of Friday, a total of eight hantavirus cases, including three fatalities, have been reported. Six cases have been confirmed as Andes virus infections, with four patients currently hospitalized.
One previously suspected hantavirus case has been reclassified as a non-case after testing negative for Andes virus.
A man who disembarked in Tristan da Cunha on 14 April remains stable and in isolation; he is considered a probable case pending laboratory confirmation.
Passengers who traveled on the same flight from St Helena to South Africa with one confirmed case have been contacted. Of 75 identified contacts in South Africa, 42 have been traced by national authorities and are under monitoring.
The MV Hondius is scheduled to dock in the Canary Islands early Sunday.
Hungary Prepares for Inauguration of Péter Magyar as Prime Minister
Images from Hungary show preparations ahead of Péter Magyar’s inauguration as the new prime minister.
Victory Day Observances in Russian-Controlled Donetsk Region
While Russia held a scaled-back military parade in Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday, the Donetsk region of Russian-controlled Ukraine also commemorated Victory Day.
Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-installed head of Donetsk, participated in a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany at the Savur-Mohyla memorial.
Europe Day and Ukraine’s Statement on European Integration
Saturday also marks Europe Day, commemorating the Schuman Declaration that laid the foundation for the European Union.
On social media platform X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine, which is seeking EU membership, is celebrating Europe Day with awareness of its integral place within the European community.
We are defending, our independence, our future – and in doing so, we in Ukraine are defending our Europe. A Europe of which Ukraine has been and will remain a part,Zelenskyy wrote.
From the first days of the full-scale war until today, Europe has stood with Ukraine. And this is not charity – it is a choice made by Europeans: to stand on the same side as the brave and the strong – the Ukrainians who are fighting today for peace and true protection against tyranny, not only for themselves, but for the entire continent. And we will inevitably defend our state, our people, and our right to freely choose our future – a future in Europe.
Russia’s Victory Day Parade Scaled-Back Amid Security Concerns
By Pjotr Sauer, Russian Affairs Reporter
Russian President Vladimir Putin presided over a notably shortened Victory Day parade on Red Square on Saturday, lasting approximately 45 minutes, about half the duration of previous years. Heightened security concerns and the ongoing war in Ukraine influenced the event’s scale.
Putin delivered a defiant speech, invoking the sacrifices of World War II to rally support for Russian troops in Ukraine.
Victory has always been and will always be ours,he said, drawing a parallel between the Soviet defeat of Nazi Germany and Russia’s current military actions in Ukraine, a comparison widely regarded as historically inaccurate.
The parade omitted the usual display of missiles and armored vehicles, instead featuring a video presentation highlighting Russia’s drone capabilities and nuclear arsenal.
The audience included a small delegation of foreign leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Laos, and Malaysia. North Korean soldiers, allies who have fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, marched during the event.
Heavy security measures were in place throughout Moscow, including internet shutdowns across the city.
Russian authorities acknowledged these precautions were specifically intended to protect President Putin, reflecting the changed circumstances of a war Russia initially expected to conclude swiftly.
The parade proceeded after it became clear Ukraine would not attempt to disrupt it, following the announcement of a three-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange by Donald Trump on Friday.
Despite no clear victory or end date for the war, public sentiment in Russia is increasingly negative due to internet blackouts, economic contraction, and rising inflation. Putin has shown no indication of altering his stance on Ukraine.
Expectations for Péter Magyar’s Swearing-In as Hungary’s New Leader
Inside Hungary’s neo-Gothic Parliament, the swearing-in ceremony for new leader Péter Magyar is expected to be solemn. Outside, large crowds from across the country are gathering to mark the significant occasion, which represents the formal conclusion of Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure as prime minister.
Russia’s Annual Victory Parade Commences in Red Square
Russia’s annual military parade commemorating the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II has begun in Red Square.
This year’s event, typically a grand display of military strength, is proceeding without tanks or ballistic missiles due to concerns about potential long-range attacks by Ukrainian drones.
Images from the parade have been circulated by news agencies.
Morning Update: Three-Day Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine Begins
Welcome to live coverage of the ongoing conflict.
A three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine commenced today, including a suspension of all kinetic military activity and a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side. The ceasefire was initially announced by Donald Trump via social media.
Russia had previously declared a ceasefire to observe its 9 May Victory Day, which Ukraine rejected after Moscow intensified attacks with bombings of urb...
