Bild reports that a German woman aboard a ship infected with hantavirus will be tested by s German hospital.

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• South Africa reports two cases of hantavirus that spreads from person to person linked to a ship

  South Africa identified the Andes strain hantavirus which is a virus that spreads from person to person, in two people who?came?off of a cruise ship affected by an outbreak. The Spanish government granted permission to the MV Hondius to dock at the Canary Islands on Wednesday. According to the presentation, tests performed by South Africa's NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases) showed that an Andes strain caused infection in a Dutchwoman who died in Johannesburg and a British Man who is still hospitalized. Both became ill while on board the ship. It said that "this is the only strain known to cause transmission from human to human, but such transmission is extremely rare, and, as stated earlier, it only occurs due to very close contact." The most common way to transmit hantavirus is through contact with infected rodents, their urine, saliva or droppings. Reporting by Sfundo parakozov, Writing by Nellie peyton, Editing by Tim Cocks & Andrew Heavens

• What is the hantavirus which killed three passengers on a cruise ship?

  Authorities and media reported on Sunday that three people died and another three were ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a Dutch-based cruise ship. This is some information about the virus. Spread by?RODENTS According to the World Health Organization, Hantavirus can be spread by rodents and in rare cases between humans. Infections are most common when rodent saliva, urine, and droppings become airborne. The name of the virus comes from Hantan River, a region in South Korea where it was first identified back in the 1970s. It can be fatal Hantaviruses are a group of viruses which cause two diseases, the first affecting the lungs while the second attacks the kidneys. The first is the one that gets most attention, as it has a mortality rate of about 40%. Hantavirus respiratory syndrome is most common in North and South America. The Canadian government reports that there are approximately 200 cases of hantavirus-pulmonary illness each year. According to autopsy results, Betsy Arakawa died in New Mexico from hantavirus lung syndrome 2025. She was the wife of actor Gene Hackman. SYMPTOMS According to the CDC, hantavirus is usually accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fatigue or fever one to eight weeks after exposure. After four to ten days, you may experience a cough, shortness of breath, and fluid in your lungs. The CDC says that it is difficult to diagnose flu symptoms within 72 hours, and so they can be easily mistaken as a virus. TREATMENT Since there is no specific treatment for hantavirus, the focus of care is on supportive measures such as rest and fluids. Some patients may require breathing support, such as a ventilator. PREVENTION Experts state that exposure to hantavirus is minimized when rodents are removed from areas with people. Vacuuming or sweeping up dried droppings can cause the virus to be aerosolized.

• Canary Islands regional leader rejects cruises docked there after hantavirus outbreak

  On Wednesday, the regional government of Spain's Canary Islands, led by Fernando Clavijo said that it was opposed to allowing an ill-fated luxury cruise ship, which has been infected with the deadly hantavirus, to dock on the island. Clavijo told radio station COPE that "this decision is not based on technical criteria and there is insufficient information to reassure or guarantee the safety of the public." He said that he requested an urgent discussion with Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister. Clavijo is a member of the conservative People's Party, the main opposition to Sanchez's Socialists. TVE, the Spanish state broadcaster, reported earlier on Wednesday that the cruise ship would 'dock' at the Canary Island of Tenerife. It cited sources in the country’s?health department. The ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting and editing by Charlie Devereux; David Latona)

• What is the hantavirus which killed three passengers on a cruise ship?

  A hantavirus outbreak on a luxury cruise ship has killed three people and confirmed four more cases. What is the hantavirus and how does its spread affect global?health? What is it? Hantaviruses can cause illness and infection in humans. The World Health Organization estimates that there are between 10,000 and 100,000 cases of human infection worldwide each year. How is the virus spread? Hantavirus is spread primarily by rodents. People can be infected through contact with mice or rats, their urine or droppings or even saliva. It can also spread through contaminated surfaces. The Andes strain, which is mainly found in Argentina and Chile (and other parts of South America), is the only variant known to spread via close, prolonged human-to-human contacts. The WHO has said that this strain may be responsible for the infections aboard the cruise ships, but this hasn't been?confirmed. What are the symptoms of infection? Hantaviruses are found in many parts of the globe and cause different symptoms. Some cause no symptoms at all. According to WHO, symptoms usually begin between one and eight weeks after exposure. They may include fever, muscle pains, and gastrointestinal problems. Hantaviruses are known to cause haemorrhagic syndrome with renal syndrome in?European and Asian countries. This disease primarily affects blood vessels and kidneys. In America, hantavirus can cause cardiopulmonary syndrome. This condition progresses rapidly and causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs, along with other heart problems. The WHO reports that the death rate from hantavirus is up to 50%. This compares to the 1-15% of infections in Asia and Europe. Can HANTAVIRUS infection be treated? As there is no specific treatment, the current approach focuses on supportive measures, such as rest and fluids. Some patients may require breathing support, such as a respirator. The prevention of rodents is based on measures such as keeping surfaces and areas clean. Contact tracing during outbreaks can improve outcomes, and prevent further spread, by allowing others who may have been exposed to the virus to receive hospital care earlier. What are the risks to the general public? WHO states that the outbreak on cruise ships is unusual. It's being investigated by experts from several countries and the WHO, but there's a low risk for the public. WHO's Americas branch warned in December that hantavirus infections are on the rise, especially in Bolivia and Paraguay. Brazil and Argentina, which have the most cases, are also seeing an increase in lethality. Argentina reported 21 deaths in the last year. This is a 32% mortality rate among 66 people who contracted hantavirus respiratory syndrome. The average death rate over the previous four years was 15%.

• What we know of the passengers on cruise ships affected by Hantavirus

  According to the World Health Organization, seven passengers aboard a cruise ship sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, including three people who died, have either been 'confirmed' or'suspected' of having hantavirus. Based on the information provided by WHO and national authorities, here are some facts about passengers: A 70-year old man from the Netherlands was the first to die aboard the ship. On April 6, he developed mild diarrhoea, a headache and fever. He died on April 11, after suffering respiratory distress. On April 24, his body was removed from the vessel in Saint Helena. The wife, aged 69, of the first victim was killed. She was ill on the ship and disembarked in Saint Helena. She was supposed to fly to the Netherlands from Johannesburg, South Africa on April 25, but she collapsed in the airport and died on April 26. Thirdly, a British passenger fell ill after the ship left Saint Helena. He was treated at Ascension Island and then medically evacuated from there to South Africa on the 27th of April. He is still hospitalised in Johannesburg and is in isolation at an intensive care unit. Fourth case: a German woman died on the ship, May 2, five days after she developed symptoms. Three other suspected cases are still on the ship, which is docked near the coast of Cape Verde. They have been reporting a fever or gastrointestinal symptoms. WHO reports that medical teams are in Cape Verde evaluating patients and collecting samples for testing. (Reporting and editing by Nellie Pettit; Alison Williams).

• WHO confirms three deaths and one case of Hantavirus on an Atlantic cruise ship

  The World Health Organization announced on Sunday that three people?died? and one case of the hantavirus was confirmed among passengers aboard a cruise ship?sailing on the 'Atlantic Ocean. In a posting on?X, the company said that six people were affected by the incident. Three of them have died, and one is currently in intensive care. WHO has not named the vessel, or its operator. However, a source who is familiar with the situation says it's the MV Hondius travelling from Argentina towards Cape Verde. The WHO stated that it would facilitate coordination between member states and the ship operators to ensure the medical evacuation of two symptomatic passengers as well as the full assessment of public health risks and support for the other passengers aboard. The Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of two Dutch passengers, but did not provide any further details. Sky News reported a British visitor was being treated at a South African hospital?after a suspected hantavirus infection, citing South Africa’s Department of?Health. The report also quoted the British Foreign Office, which said it was closely tracking reports of "a potential hantavirus infection on the Hondius" and was in contact with local authorities and the cruise line. The British Foreign Office and South Africa's Department of Health have not responded to requests for comments. Reporting by Chandni in Bengaluru, Additional reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Mihika Sharma and Edmund Klamann.

• Lufthansa Q1 loss narrows, keeps 2026 outlook despite $2 billion fuel hit

  Lufthansa reported ?better-than-expected first-quarter results on Wednesday and maintained ?its outlook for the year as strategic hedging helped the ?airline sidestep the ?impact of a war-driven ?rise ?in jet fuel prices, while labour disruptions were kept largely under control. The group said that the spiking prices of jet fuel would add an extra 1.7 billion euro ($1.99 billion), to its fuel bill. However, it added that they were in a position to minimize this negative impact. The Middle East crisis is causing a surge in demand for Lufthansa hubs as travelers reroute to them. Carsten Spohr, Chief Executive of Lufthansa, said in a statement that "we are resilient in our capacity to absorb these effects." European airlines will be shielded from the initial impact of a jet fuel price shock caused by the U.S./Israeli war against Iran in the first three months of this year. However, many, including Air France-KLM have revised their forecasts for the rest of the year, as jet fuel is expected to remain high. Lufthansa has reported an adjusted operating loss in the period January-March of 612 millions euros ($717) compared to a loss projected by a poll of analysts compiled by the company of 659 million euros. This is a?improvement over the?adjusted loss of 722 millions euros for the same period in last year. It maintained that despite the increased uncertainty, it expected a higher operating profit in 2026 than its 2025 figure of 1.96 billion euro. The Group said it would offset the additional financial burden in the next quarters by increasing revenue from ticket sales and implementing a better network plan, as well as taking further cost-savings measures. Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, Editing by Kirstiknolle and Muralikumar Aantharaman

• AirAsia and Airbus to announce 150-jet A220 order on Wednesday, according to sources

  Airbus will announce a new order for 150 A220 jets on Wednesday. This is a major boost for the planemaker's small jetliner, which has lost recent orders to Brazil-based Embraer. Quebec holds a minor stake in the A220 Program, which is produced in Mirabel to the north of Montreal and on a separate assembly in Mobile, Alabama. Mirabel is where A220 planes are manufactured for non-U.S. clients. Sources said that Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister will attend the announcement. The matter is confidential. Airbus Canada and Carney's spokesperson declined to comment about the order or the event, which may change or be postponed. AirAsia, based in Malaysia, could not be reached immediately outside of normal business hours. La Presse, a French-language publication, reported on the news of AirAsia's major A220 purchase on Tuesday. Bloomberg also broke the story on Monday. In February, Bloomberg reported that AirAsia was expecting a large order for the 110 to 130-seat A220. The report cited sources who claimed that 150 firm orders could be included in this deal. AIRBUS INTENDS TO BREAK EVEN WITH A220 This is good news for A220. Its rival, Embraer E2, won a Finnair campaign in March and outsold Airbus A220 by three to one last year. Airbus wants to increase A220 production in order to break even on the program that it took from Canadian planemaker Bombardier for free. Airbus, the world's biggest planemaker, has announced that it will only assemble 12 A220 aircraft per month in 2026. This is down from its previous goal of 14. The company blames supply issues and the fact that airlines are still waiting for upgraded engines. Canada's aerospace industry has suffered less damage than other sectors such as the auto industry, from a trade conflict with its largest partner, the United States. Washington exempts imports of aerospace from tariffs. AirAsia led the boom of low-cost carriers across?the region over the last two decades, as incomes rose. AirAsia is one of European planemaker's largest customers, with over 350 larger A320-family aircraft already ordered. Tony Fernandes, AirAsia's co-founder, had told the airline that it was prepared to expand its fleet to include smaller aircraft to serve new destinations. The airlines have cut back flights due to turbulence caused by high jet fuel costs as a result of the U.S./Israeli war against Iran.

• Fraport reports a core profit increase for the first quarter despite Iran War

  Fraport, the operator of Germany's biggest airport, said on Tuesday that a?increase in traffic to other areas, notably Asia offset fewer flights into the Middle East area in the first quarter. Fraport shares, which operate airports not only in Frankfurt but also in Brazil, Slovenia, and Bulgaria, have fallen 17% since the start of World War II as airlines reduce capacity and increase fares because kerosene prices are higher. The operator of?Frankfurt Airport pointed out robust passenger growth in all markets during the first quarter. However, the impact was dampened by the conflicts, weather-related cancelations and strikes at Lufthansa. The traffic at the?Frankfurt Airport increased by 2.3% to 12.7 million passengers in this period, contributing to a group increase of 5.2% up to 28.6?million. In a statement,?Fraport's CEO Stefan Schulte stated that despite the outbreak of the Iran War, the company saw growth in all its markets. Fraport's core profits rose 10.4% in January-March to 196 millions euros ($229 mln) compared with the analysts' consensus figure of 192.83 mln euros based on LSEG's data. ($1 = 0.8565 euros)

• Venezuela asks for grid repairs but does not guarantee payment

  Two sources said that when potential financiers and providers of Venezuela's electrical industry met with government officials in Caracas, they were primarily concerned about?how to pay them for repairing the country's deteriorating grid. Sources said that the executives were hesitant as the nation tried to jumpstart the $100 billion reconstruction plan, which was pushed by Washington. Since she succeeded the deposed president?Nicolas Maduro? in January, Delcy Rod has made it a priority to ensure stable electricity. However, the cash-strapped nation has not been able to pay suppliers on time to help industries like oil and gas recover. A representative of an equipment supplier that works with the government and the state energy company PDVSA said, "I came back from Venezuela very skeptical," after attending one of the Caracas meeting. The power plants need to be repaired. They haven't been done in 10 years. "But they have no idea how we will be paid." Venezuela has less than 40% of its generation capacity available. This leads to frequent power outages, which limit the country's manufacturing capability. Under the late president Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's thermal power plants were expanded through 2013. However, these projects left unpaid billions of dollars to contractors. Some of them are now being asked to return. There is still a lack of clarity about which projects are to be prioritized, and the supplies required to fix and reinforce the country's thermal and hydroelectric plant. The sources say that this uncertainty, along with the uncertainties surrounding payments and authorizations from Washington and Caracas will delay investment. Venezuela's Ministry of Communication, Corpoelec and the state-run PDVSA oil company did not respond to requests for comments. No Payment Solutions in Sight After the April meetings, Rodriguez's Government approached companies including Siemens Energy, GE Vernova, and Mitsubishi Power to repair the grid. Siemens?Energy confirmed that they met with government officials. A spokesperson for GE Vernova stated that the company was "motivated to meet the current moment" in support of the Venezuelan people. Mitsubishi Power declined to comment on a request. According to independent data, only 2,500 megawatts, or 13%, of Venezuela's 36,000 megawatts of installed generation capacity are available. This is primarily due to the poor condition of the fuel-powered plants. Rodriguez did not go into detail about her plans but said that the initial focus is on fixing 'two large thermal power plants which have underperformed for years. She said, "Solutions will not come overnight," last week at a rally held in Valencia, which is one of the many cities that have experienced frequent power outages. Some multinationals are hesitant to return to Venezuela because of the experience they had during the Chavez years. After Venezuela provided them with promissory note instead of cash, several companies that were not paid filed arbitration cases or took legal action overseas. Many of those were sold at huge discounts. In the years that followed, no further work was done in part because of U.S. Sanctions which are now being loosened. Sources say that Rodriguez's government rejected a recent proposal by a group foreign companies seeking to be reimbursed for initial repairs and parts. They cited legal obstacles. One executive of a potential financier said that some proposed receiving direct payments from U.S. Treasury accounts that collect the proceeds from oil sales in the country. Venezuela has debts to multilateral institutions, banks and other financial institutions, which is another obstacle in the way of financing. Blackouts and Rationing to be Lengthened Venezuela's most important industry, the oil and gas industry, has been hampered by power problems. PDVSA has been unable to restart gasoline production units at the Paraguana Refining Center (one of the largest in the world, with 955,000 barrels per day installed capacity) due to several blackouts that have occurred this year. This has caused fuel to be delayed, resulting in long lines of waiting drivers. One of the sources stated that PDVSA was assessing its repair and equipment needs. He added that the company he represents would "not repeat past mistakes" in regards to its position regarding extending credit to Venezuela. A three-year stabilization program will require at least $15 billion to repair the 'grid. According to Miguel Lara, a power expert, without it, only minor repairs can be made. He said, "It is a complex problem. It's like a puzzle." "I don’t know what power supply will support economic reactivation that they are talking about." Lara stated that the demand last year was 14,700MW. This left a deficit at least 1,500MW. In the first quarter of this year, there were 35 major?outages on the grid. This compares to a historical average of 3-5 events per annum. He added that the theft and misuse of spares parts also contribute to infrastructure problems. In March, Bernerd Da?Santos (executive vice president of AES in the United States) warned that Venezuelan transmission lines must be strengthened urgently. He said that if the government adjusted tariffs in order to reduce subsidies, and provided legal certainty for contracts, then investment would be possible. A company document revealed that some energy producers including Spain's Repsol have already made open?requests for sourcing their own power plants, and other supplies. Repsol didn't respond to a comment request. Residents are left without power for increasingly long periods, up to 10 hours per day. A group of young men play basketball in the western city Maracaibo. It is Venezuela's second most important after Caracas. The only light on the court comes from a motorcycle headlight. Fernando Urdaneta, a 20-year old student, said: "We used play here everyday. But rationing has increased." "At the very least, we won't stop working out, get bored, and leave our house which becomes an oven."

• Taiwan President arrives in Eswatini, after blaming China on cancellation of previous trip

  Taiwan President 'Lai Ching Te' arrived in Eswatini Saturday, two 'weeks after being forced to postpone his trip to a diplomatically allied country because Indian Ocean countries had blocked the flight. Taiwan's Government blamed Beijing for this. Eswatini, in southern Africa, is one of only 12 small countries, mostly from Latin America, Caribbean, and Pacific, which have diplomatic relations to Taiwan. The government of Taiwan, a 'democratically-ruled island that China considers part of its territory, is committed to maintaining ties with the small states. Taiwan said that the Seychelles Mauritius and Madagascar unilaterally revoked Lai's flight permit to cross their airspace because of Chinese pressure. It was the first occasion a Taiwanese president cancelled a foreign trip due to denial of access to airspace, indicating what appeared to a new Chinese policy?to curtail the island's engagement with the international community. In posts?on both his Facebook and X account, Lai stated that he arrived in Eswatini Saturday for a trip which was not announced by either of the two governments. "Taiwan won't be deterred from its goals by outside pressures." "Our resolve & commitment is underpinned by the understanding of Taiwan's continued engagement with the world – no matter the obstacles faced," he wrote on X in English. His posts and a statement from his office about the trip did not mention how he got there. However, he posted a photo of himself getting off what appeared to be an Eswatini Government jet?which brought Deputy Premier Thulisile dladla this week to Taipei. China's Foreign Ministry claimed that Lai had "secretly boarded a foreign aircraft and snuck out of Taiwan while lavishly spending public funds". It said that no matter how Lai's Democratic Progressive Party officials colluded with external forces, or in what form they "bought the loyalty of others," it was a futile attempt?that could not change the fact Taiwan is a part of China. Lai's cancelled flights last month prompted criticism from the United States and concern among the European Union. Britain, France and Germany were also concerned. Lai rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, saying that Taiwan has the right to engage in international relations and that only its people can determine their future. Ben Blanchard reported from Taipei, Engen Tham contributed additional reporting in Shanghai and Keith Weir edited the piece.

• Trump announces a 25% tariff on EU automobiles

  U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will increase tariffs to 25% on?cars?and trucks imported from the European Union, claiming the bloc has not adhered to its trade agreement with Washington. In a post on social media, he said: "Based on the European Union not adhering to our Trade Deal fully agreed upon, I will increase Tariffs for Cars and Trucks entering the United States next week." It is understood and agreed by all that there will be no tariff if the Cars and Trucks are produced in U.S.A. Plants." Trump told reporters in the White House that a higher tariff on European cars would force them to move production more quickly to the U.S. "We have an agreement with the European Union on trade. The European Union was not following the agreement. "I raised the tariffs for cars and trucks by 25%. That's millions of dollars going into the United States and forces them to move the factory production much quicker." SLOW IMPLEMENTATION Last year, the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on automotive imports from around the world under a "national security trade law". However, in August, they reached an agreement with EU to reduce these duties to 15% net, including previous duties. In exchange, EU agreed to remove duties on U.S. Industrial Goods, including Autos, and accept U.S. Safety and Emission Standards on Vehicles. The EU has passed legislation to reduce tariffs in March, but the process will not be complete before June as EU governments and European Parliament negotiate final texts. Bernd Lange is the chairperson of the European Parliament’s international trade committee. He said that President Trump's behaviour was unacceptable. This latest move shows just how unreliable U.S. is. In the case of Greenland, we have seen the U.S. make arbitrary decisions. This is not the way to treat partners. Lange stated that we must now respond with clarity and firmness based on our position. A Trump administration official was asked to explain Trump’s move. He said: "The EU still hasn't complied with autos agreement after eight months." Ford Motor shares fell by 2%, while Stellantis shares dropped by 1.7%. General Motors shares dropped 1.1%. Ryan Majerus is a former senior U.S. Commerce Department Official who now works as a partner at King & Spalding. He said that the president's decision may also be'related' to Trump's frustration over the fact that some European countries 'balked' at supporting the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. Majerus stated that "this is not going sit well with the EU and I am not sure the Administration cares because they are so antagonistic towards the EU." Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; editing by Michelle Nichols & Paul Simao