Spanish authorities prepare for arrival of hantavirus-stricken cruise ship

‘Unprecedented operation’ under way to receive MV Hondius off Tenerife to assess and repatriate those onboard

The Spanish authorities are finalising preparations for the arrival of the MV Hondius this weekend, saying an “unprecedented operation” is under way to receive, assess and repatriate the 149 passengers and crew members onboard the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship.

The Dutch-flagged vessel, which was sailing from Argentina to Cape Verde, is due to arrive off Tenerife in the Canary Islands at around midday on Sunday.

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Who is coming to Putin’s Victory Day parade — and who is not? – Euronews.com

  1. Who is coming to Putin’s Victory Day parade — and who is not?  Euronews.com
  2. China Quietly Downgrades Presence at Russia’s May 9 Parade in Moscow  UNITED24 Media
  3. The President of Uzbekistan arrives in Russia  UZA.uz
  4. Kremlin announces international delegations arriving in Moscow for Victory Day celebrations  AKIpress News Agency
  5. President Tokayev to pay working visit to Moscow  Qazinform
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Bulgaria’s parliament confirms Russia-aligned Radev as prime minister – politico.eu

  1. Bulgaria’s parliament confirms Russia-aligned Radev as prime minister  politico.eu
  2. EU critic Rumen Radev named new Bulgarian prime minister  Euronews.com
  3. Bulgaria’s parliament votes new government into office  AP News
  4. Bulgaria exposed its corruption. Prosecuting it is Radev’s first test.  politico.eu
  5. Radev sets out plans for new Bulgarian government after election win  Reuters
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EU prepares for ‘potential’ talks with Vladimir Putin, says official – Financial Times

  1. EU prepares for ‘potential’ talks with Vladimir Putin, says official  Financial Times
  2. Putin is ready to talk with EU but won't make the first move, Kremlin says  Reuters
  3. FT: EU leaders preparing for possible negotiations with Russia on ending war Ukraine  Українська правда
  4. Could Europe take over Ukraine peace talks from Trump? Here's what officials say  The Kyiv Independent
  5. Putin Ready for Talks With Europe but Won’t Make the First Move, Kremlin Says  Kyiv Post
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First Thing: US-Iran ceasefire at risk after exchange of fire in strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump insists ceasefire remains intact after the most serious test yet. Plus, David Attenborough’s 100 most spectacular moments

Good morning.

The US and Iran traded fire late on Thursday in the greatest test so far to their month-long ceasefire. Tehran accused Washington of breaching the truce by targeting two ships in the strait of Hormuz and attacking civilian areas, while the US said it had struck in retaliation.

Where were negotiations up to before the strikes? There were reports the two sides could be nearing an agreement to halt the war, with a one-page memorandum shared between Washington and Tehran, via Pakistan. Here is a rundown of the ins and outs over the past week.

What happened to Trump’s “Project Freedom”? The US plan to guide tankers through the strait of Hormuz was ditched just days after it was launched, apparently because Saudi Arabia refused to let the US use its bases and airspace to carry out the operation.

Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.

How has the redistricting affected the sway of Black voters? Each now contains a third of the city’s Black voters, which means all nine of Tennessee’s congressional districts now lean Republican.

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After 20 rounds of sanctions, the EU sees cracks in Russia’s economy – Euronews.com

  1. After 20 rounds of sanctions, the EU sees cracks in Russia's economy  Euronews.com
  2. Russian Economy Shrinks in the First Quarter  The Moscow Times
  3. Russia’s economy slows as war costs mount, budget deficit widens, and rate cuts near their limit  Meduza
  4. High oil prices won't rescue Russian growth, think tank says  Reuters
  5. Russia’s central bank forecasts Q2 GDP growth at 0.9%  Investing.com
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Future of UK lies in the EU after Brexit ‘failure’, say European Greens

Exclusive: Co-chair Vula Tsetsi says it is time to trigger debate, as statement is agreed at annual leadership meeting in Brussels

The European Green party has urged the UK to consider rejoining the EU and draw a line under the “political and economic failure” of Brexit.

A text declaring that “the United Kingdom’s future lies in the European Union” was adopted by a large majority of European green parties at the movement’s annual leadership meeting on Friday, the day before Europe Day.

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Portuguese man’s body found inside crocodile in South Africa – Euronews.com

  1. Portuguese man's body found inside crocodile in South Africa  Euronews.com
  2. 15-foot crocodile found with suspected remains of missing hotel owner after airlift  National News Desk
  3. Officer retrieves crocodile believed to have eaten missing man  LiveNOW from FOX
  4. 15-foot crocodile airlifted after suspected remains of missing hotel owner found inside  Yahoo
  5. Police Captain Retrieves Crocodile Containing Human Remains from River in 'Highly Dangerous' Rope Operation  People.com
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Airline emissions in Europe top pre-Covid levels despite pledge to decarbonise

Promises to cut emissions and use more fuel-efficient planes fail to stop rise, with Ryanair’s carbon footprint 50% up on 2019

Emissions from flying in Europe have now passed pre-pandemic levels, with Ryanair’s carbon footprint 50% higher than in 2019, research has shown.

Total aviation emissions continue to increase despite industry pledges to decarbonise and the introduction of more fuel-efficient planes, driven by the massive expansion of low-cost carriers.

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Hantavirus latest updates: 6 states are monitoring cruise ship passengers for potential infections – Yahoo

  1. Hantavirus latest updates: 6 states are monitoring cruise ship passengers for potential infections  Yahoo
  2. What the numbers tell us about hantavirus  CNN
  3. Aboard the hantavirus-hit cruise ship, some passengers fear what awaits back home  AP News
  4. Before Hantavirus Outbreak, the MV Hondius Attracted ‘a Different Type of Traveler’  The New York Times
  5. CDC classifies hantavirus outbreak as 'Level 3' emergency response  ABC7 Los Angeles
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North Korea’s New Nuclear-Capable Warship Poses Fresh Threat to South Korea, U.S. – WSJ

  1. North Korea’s New Nuclear-Capable Warship Poses Fresh Threat to South Korea, U.S.  WSJ
  2. North Korea says it will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul  NPR
  3. North Korea's Kim Jong Un and daughter eat with crew on new warship Choe Hyon  Sky News
  4. North Korea leader Kim inspects artillery that can hit South Korean capital  Reuters
  5. Local impacts of gas prices  AOL.com
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Three hikers dead after Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano erupts

Two Singaporeans and a local person were in no-go zone when they were killed, say officials

Three hikers – two Singaporeans and an Indonesian – have died in an eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano, where they found themselves in a no-go zone, officials said.

The eruption, on Halmahera island, sent an ash cloud about 6 miles (10km) into the air, with no towns or villages near enough to face any immediate threat.

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New Orleans child molester questioned on unsolved killings takes the fifth 700 times

Stanley Burkhardt, convicted abuser and ex-investigator of sex crimes against children, gives deposition in civil case

Convicted child molester Stanley Burkhardt – a former investigator of sex crimes against children who has been in and out of prison for decades – invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination more than 700 times while being questioned under oath recently, including when asked whether he committed a series of unsolved murders of youths in his orbit.

Burkhardt’s decision to remain silent came when faced with questions about the killings during a deposition in a civil lawsuit by an alleged sexual abuse victim of his – a case aimed at him and the New Orleans police department (NOPD) which used to employ him.

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Russians Weary of War and Repression Start to Blame the Kremlin – Bloomberg.com

  1. Russians Weary of War and Repression Start to Blame the Kremlin  Bloomberg.com
  2. Vladimir Putin is losing his grip on Russia  The Economist
  3. For Putin, Problems (and Paranoia) Keep Mounting  The New Yorker
  4. For Putin, Victory Day has been a time for Russia to project strength. This year, it will look weaker  CBC
  5. In Russia, the Public Mood Is Souring  Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
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Artists’ Strike Closes Pavilions at Venice Biennale, Adding to Upheaval – nytimes.com

  1. Artists’ Strike Closes Pavilions at Venice Biennale, Adding to Upheaval  nytimes.com
  2. Pussy Riot protest at Venice Biennale forces Russian pavilion to briefly close  The Guardian
  3. 'Enjoy the show. Ignore the war': Venice Biennale faces backlash after including Russia  BBC
  4. An Unprecedented 24-Hour Strike Could Upend the Venice Biennale  Artnet News
  5. Anti-Kremlin Pussy Riot demonstrate in Venice against Russia's Biennale return  Reuters
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China confirms attack on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz earlier this week – Reuters

  1. China confirms attack on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz earlier this week  Reuters
  2. China Raises Alarm After Iran Attacks Tanker  WSJ
  3. One CMA CGM vessel hit in Strait of Hormuz, another exits Gulf  Reuters
  4. Chinese oil tanker hit in reportedly first attack since Hormuz crisis  Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  5. Attack on French Cargo Ship Highlights Continued Risks in Strait of Hormuz  The New York Times
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