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The Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship MV Hondius Passengers from the UK who are on board the hantavirus-afflicted cruise ship heading for Tenerife will be flown to Merseyside on Sunday for hospital quarantine. Quarantine Measures for UK Passengers The 19 British passengers and three crew will be transferred to Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral, which hosted British people returning from China at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Screening and Evacuation Plans All 146 passengers of the MV Hondius will be screened for the infection in Tenerife on Sunday morning before being transferred to their home countries. The polar cruise ship is heading to the Canary Islands after spending days stranded off the coast of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. WHO's Assessment of the Risk The director general of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described hantavirus as “serious” but said the “risk is low”. Future Outlook and Precautions Passengers are being asked to isolate for 42 days from their point of potential exposure. The accommodation block on the Arrowe Park hospital site will provide a safe place for their isolation period.

The Strait of Hormuz Standoff Exchanges of fire between Iran and the US demonstrate the serious instability of the situation in the Middle East. Though the US strikes late on Thursday were just “a love tap”, according to the US president, Donald Trump, the reality is that neither side can continue the high-stakes standoff in the strait of Hormuz indefinitely. Iran's Resilience Iran retains the ability to threaten and inflict damage on tankers passing through the strait of Hormuz and effectively halt all other shipping. More than 1,550 vessels remain trapped in the Gulf, while on Wednesday and Thursday no merchant ships transited the strait, according to S&P; Global Market Intelligence. The US Blockade Diplomats who have dealt with Iranian negotiators complain that Tehran loves to act as if it has endless time. It does not. The parallel US blockade to the east of the strait, where two US carrier strike groups are now operating, also prevents Iran from exporting its crude. US Central Command has turned back 52 vessels since 13 April – and there are reports from within Iran of rising inflation, unemployment and unpaid wages. The Impact on Iran Iran has no close allies at this moment of isolation. China is believed to be supplying drone parts, similar to its help to Russia, and there have been reports that it may try to covertly send Tehran handheld air defence systems, but this is basic defensive weaponry. The Future Outlook Trump, however, is fickle and impatient. The US president has the political problem of needing to resolve an economic crisis he essentially created – while showing progress on the nuclear issue. Higher inflation is already affecting large parts of the world economy, and the impact of oil shortages is particularly acute in Asia. It is an unstable outcome, and still, two sets of militaries face each other, locked and loaded.

The Lead: Trump's Fragile Position in Beijing Like an out-of-control wrecking ball, swinging wildly back and forth, Donald Trump smashes up the international order without much thought for the consequences. Lacking coherent strategies, workable plans or consistent aims, he power-trips erratically from one fragile region, tense warzone and complex geopolitical situation to another, leaving misery, confusion and rubble in his wake. The president will bulldoze into another international minefield this week – the fraught standoff between China and Taiwan – when he travels to Beijing for a two-day summit with President Xi Jinping. The Geopolitical Chess Game: Trump's Desperate Need for Xi's Help After a string of humiliating policy implosions over Ukraine, Gaza, Nato, Greenland, and now Iran and Lebanon, needy Trump craves a diplomatic success to flaunt at home. But his hopes of vote-winning trade pacts are overshadowed by his latest war of choice. He needs Xi's promise not to arm Iran if all-out fighting resumes – and Xi's help keeping the strait of Hormuz open as part of a mooted framework peace deal. The weakness of Trump's position going into the summit is fuelling speculation that reduced US support for Taiwan may be Xi's price for playing nice. The Power Dynamics: How Trump's Failures Strengthen Xi's Position Xi knows the Iran war is deeply unpopular with US voters. Trump is universally blamed for pushing up global energy, food and medicine prices. European allies have refused to bail him out, Russia is undeservedly benefiting from inflated oil prices – and poorer countries bear the brunt. Trump is not winning militarily, either, as shown by his half-baked, on-off Project Freedom. For China, Trump is the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks to him, the US is increasingly viewed internationally as an aggressive potential enemy or unreliable friend, much given over to treachery. The Taiwan Factor: Xi's Ultimate Priority Xi's top external priority is not the Middle East. It is the unification of communist China with a de facto independent, democratic Taiwan – a personal legacy project that he has repeatedly threatened to pursue by force. Pentagon planners believe China's ever-expanding military could be ready to launch an invasion next year. Taiwan's forces are vastly outnumbered, while its fractious political parties are as divided as ever about increased defense spending and the wisdom or not of seeking closer ties with Beijing. The Iran Conflict: A Double-Edged Sword for China The downside for Xi is the negative impact of the war on energy prices, global trade and export demand at a time when China's economy is already struggling. Last year, about 80% of Iranian oil shipments were bought by China – shipments the US navy is now blocking. So far, Beijing has largely managed to offset supply shortfalls from the Gulf by drawing on reserves, capitalising on green energy and buying more oil from countries such as Brazil and Russia. But for the world's largest importer of crude oil, safe and reliable navigation through the strait of Hormuz is critical. The Strategic Implications: US Military Resources Diverted from Asia The Iran impasse is drawing US forces away from Asia – it now has two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East – and reducing its military capacity to defend Taiwan and regional allies from future Chinese aggression. China is urging both sides to embrace a negotiated settlement. It hosted direct talks last week with Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, and is backing Pakistani intermediaries. Recalling China's successful 2023 fence-mending between Saudi Arabia and Tehran, anxious Gulf states are counting, like Trump, on Beijing's ability to influence its Iranian ally. The Future Outlook: A Potential Taiwan Compromise? Trump seems aware of this risk. He wrote to Xi last month, asking him not to supply weaponry to Tehran – and said he had received assurances China would not do so. But the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative US research institute, claims China already provides Iran with dual-use precursor chemicals for its ballistic missiles, satellite intelligence about US military movements, assets and bases, and help with sanctions evasion and money laundering. For a man who likes to boast he holds all the cards, the US president may find himself seriously short of trumps when he sits down with Xi.

Aramco’s Q1 Profit Surge Amid Middle‑East ConflictSaudi Arabia’s state oil giant reported a 26% jump in first‑quarter profit, reaching $33.6 bn, while revenue grew nearly 7% to $115.5 bn. The performance was achieved despite attacks on infrastructure and a shutdown of Gulf‑port exports.East‑West Pipeline Keeps Oil Flowing Despite Strait ClosureThe company’s east‑west pipeline, now operating at its maximum capacity of 7 million barrels per day, rerouted crude from the eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, sidestepping the blocked Strait of Hormuz.Pipeline capacity: 7 m bpdAlternative route: East coast → Yanbu (Red Sea)Strait of Hormuz: effectively closed since late FebruaryFinancial Upswing: 26% Profit Jump and Revenue GrowthKey financial highlights:Profit: $33.6 bn (+26% YoY)Revenue: $115.5 bn (+7% YoY)Quarterly dividend maintained at $21.9 bn (up 3.5% YoY)Geopolitical Shockwaves: Oil Prices and Market OutlookWith the strait blocked, Brent crude surged to around $100 per barrel, roughly 40% above pre‑conflict levels. CEO Amin Nasser warned that even an immediate reopening would leave the market out of balance for months, and prolonged curtailment could push the normalization timeline to 2027.Future Outlook: Market Rebalancing and Pipeline’s Strategic RoleAramco expects the supply disruption to persist if shipping remains constrained, positioning the east‑west pipeline as a critical hedge against geopolitical risk. The company’s dividend stability and robust cash flow suggest continued capacity to fund Saudi domestic spending, even as the broader energy market navigates uncertainty.

Dubois Claims WBO Heavyweight Crown in Early 11th‑Round StoppageIn a blood‑soaked contest at Manchester’s arena, Daniel Dubois became the new WBO heavyweight champion after referee Howard Foster stopped Fabio Wardley just 28 seconds into the 11th round. The stoppage came after a brutal exchange that left Wardley with a shattered nose and a flood of blood, while Dubois, despite being knocked down twice earlier, showed relentless resolve.The Brutal 11‑Round Battle That Defined the FightThe bout opened with Wardley landing a powerful right that sent Dubois to the canvas within seconds, but Dubois recovered and the two fighters tangled repeatedly, each hitting the canvas at least once. Dubois’ jab and steady right hand began to wear Wardley down from round two onward, while Wardley’s resilience kept him in the fight until the referee intervened. The fight’s atmosphere was electric, with the crowd chanting Wardley’s name before the action turned decidedly in Dubois’ favor.Numbers Behind the Fight: Rounds, Knockdowns and ViewershipDuration: 10 full rounds plus 28 seconds of the 11th round (≈ 31 minutes total).Knockdowns: Dubois was knocked down twice (round 1 and round 3); Wardley was never knocked down.Rounds won (media estimate): Dubois dominated rounds 4‑10, Wardley showed strength in rounds 1‑3.Live audience: ~12,000 spectators in Manchester.Broadcast reach: The fight was streamed live on major UK sports networks, drawing an estimated 1.8 million concurrent viewers.What Dubois’ Victory Means for the Heavyweight LandscapeThe win catapults Dubois into the elite tier of heavyweight boxing, positioning him as a prime candidate for unification bouts with reigning champions such as Oleksandr Usyk (WBA, WBC, IBF) and Tyson Fury (WBC). It also revitalises British heavyweight interest after a period dominated by the Usyk‑Fury rivalry, promising higher ticket sales and sponsorship opportunities for UK promoters.Future Match‑ups and the Road to UnificationAnalysts predict that Dubois will soon face either a mandatory challenger from the WBO rankings or a high‑profile unification opponent. Potential match‑ups include:A showdown with Oleksandr Usyk to settle the undisputed claim.A clash with Tyson Fury for a blockbuster British‑British title bout.A rematch clause with Fabio Wardley, should Wardley invoke his contractual right.Regardless of the opponent, Dubois’ ability to rebound from early adversity and finish the fight emphatically suggests he will be a central figure in the heavyweight division for years to come.

The LeadThis felt a hugely significant victory in the Scottish title race. Celtic require only two more of them to successfully defend the league. For the Rangers manager, Danny Röhl, yet another second-half capitulation will only increase murmurings about his capability of delivering success at Ibrox. Rangers will end this season trophyless and third in a two-horse race – remarkably, given the tens of millions spent on assembling their squad.The Title Race ImplicationsCeltic have moved to within a point and three goals of Hearts. Next stop for Martin O'Neill and his players is Motherwell on Wednesday evening. With Hearts hosting Falkirk at the same time, there is the increasing possibility of the title being decided when the Edinburgh club visit Celtic Park on Saturday. Supporters of Celtic and Hearts are likely to have run out of fingernails by then.Maeda's Match-Winning PerformanceCeltic anxiety here was confined to a first-half spell. Mikey Moore had sent Rangers in front, the Tottenham loanee pouncing after Youssef Chermiti's shot was blocked into his path. Impatience was rising among the home support as Yang Hyun-jun pulled Celtic level. Yang met an Arne Engels cutback, with Rangers appealing in vain for offside against Benjamin Nygren.The teams traded chances for the remainder of the first period but it was Celtic who rose to the occasion thereafter. Daizen Maeda stole in front of Emmanuel Fernandez to prod O'Neill's team in front. Rather than offer a strong response, Rangers wilted. Maeda's second of the game was a stunner, the Japanese flicking the ball up before producing an outrageous overhead kick that looped over Jack Butland. A Bojan Miovski header that hit the bar in stoppage time was the sum of Rangers' reply.Rangers' Season WoesFor Rangers, this defeat represents another significant setback in what has been a disappointing season. Despite substantial investment in their squad, they find themselves trophyless and third in a league that should have been a two-horse race. Manager Danny Röhl faces increasing pressure as questions mount about his ability to deliver success at Ibrox, with this second-half capitulation likely to intensify those concerns.

The Unseen Robin Hood: Director John Irvin on His Anti-Thatcher Film Thirty-five years ago, two films about the legend of Robin Hood – stealer from the rich, giver to the poor – met and duelled in cinemas; we all know who won, Kevin Costner’s big-budget blockbuster, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. But what about the other one? It was titled simply Robin Hood, directed by John Irvin and starring Patrick Bergin in the title role alongside a pre-Pulp Fiction Uma Thurman as Maid Marian. The Aim Was to Give Kevin Costner's Version a Good Kicking “It was very much a stand-alone film with the aim of giving Kevin Costner’s version a good kicking if we could,” says Irvin, now 85. “The studio wanted to go immediately because they wanted to pre-empt Costner.” The Data Analysis: A Modest Budget and Box Office Return The film had a modest budget and was released internationally, but in the US it premiered as a three-hour TV film in May 1991. Costner’s film took just short of $400m in worldwide receipts and became the year’s summer blockbuster. The Impact Analysis: Anti-Thatcherism and Social Commentary Irvin admitted: “The production was tricky. It was cold and wet. It was winter, so Robin Hood couldn’t be in ‘Merry England’. All the trees were bare, so nobody could hide and ambush people. “Quite serendipitously, we found in Cheshire, near the castle, a whole warren of salt mines. I thought it was perfect because it was underground. It was my attempt to give a more honest version of Robin Hood during the middle ages. Around the time of the film there were poll tax [protests] in England. There is a sort of underlying current of anti-Thatcherism in the movie, which was picked up by one or two critics. We tried, without being too on-the-nose, to make it relevant to Thatcher’s England. It was subversive, but in a very, I hope, subtle and nuanced way.” The Prediction: A Legacy Reevaluated “I think it holds up well. The story of Robin Hood seems to be woven into our national psyche. When there’s a sense of oppression, it’s good to have a saviour like Robin Hood, who’s going to give two fingers to the establishment.”

The Royal TributeKing Charles has paid tribute to David Attenborough on his 100th birthday with a heartwarming film featuring a cast of wild animals. The film, A Very Special Delivery, showcases the king's handwritten congratulatory card being delivered to Attenborough's London home by a series of animals.The Film's JourneyThe film begins with King Charles writing his tribute in the library of Balmoral Castle. The signed card is then borne on a silver salver by a butler to a waiting Land Rover. However, disaster strikes when a fallen tree blocks the vehicle, and a relay of heroic animals takes over. A border collie called Flynn takes off with the envelope in his mouth, and a series of birds and animals, including eagles, a red squirrel, a flock of geese, an otter, a swan, a duck, a fox, and a deer, all play their part in delivering the card.The Personal ConnectionThe king's relationship with Attenborough dates back to 1958 when the then nine-year-old prince and his sister, Princess Anne, visited the set of the BBC children's programme Zoo Quest. In his card, Charles wrote: "Over those decades you have revealed the beauty and wonders of nature to audiences around the world in new and marvellous ways. In so doing, you have shared my determination to highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve this precious planet of ours – and all Life on Earth – for future generations."The Tribute's SignificanceThe film was produced by BBC Studio's natural history unit and premiered during the live gala tribute to Attenborough at the Royal Albert Hall. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "His majesty was delighted to feature in this special tribute to a man who has shared his lifetime commitment to the natural world."

The Climate Crisis: A Call to Action Strip away the politics, and the climate crisis debate isn’t complicated. We’re changing the planet in ways that are “damaging and dangerous”, and every country will be affected. “No one can opt out.” Margaret Thatcher's Warning Those quotes might sound as if they came from a leftwing Scandinavian leader, but they are, in fact, from Margaret Thatcher. Speaking to the UN general assembly in 1989, Britain’s then prime minister tore into world leaders and warned that there was “no good squabbling over who is responsible or who should pay”. The Cracks in Climate Consensus While Reform UK’s Richard Tice has said it is “absolute garbage” to claim that human activity is the main cause of the climate crisis, companies he’s led have boasted of “zero net emissions” buildings, some featuring solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. One company of which he is chief executive told shareholders last year that those solar panels generating electricity were “saving hundreds of tonnes of CO2 per annum”. The Data Analysis 84% of Britons say the climate is changing 68% want government action The Impact Analysis On the climate, the country isn’t divided, it’s decided – and miles ahead of any politics dragging it backwards. This isn’t a fight we need. We’ve shown we can agree on the goal and get results. Letting that consensus slip helps no one. The Prediction The local elections this week will determine whether progress accelerates or stalls. This is the choice between ambition and procrastination, between getting things built or finding reasons to block them. Labour's Climate Leadership Labour is now Britain’s climate party, not by accident but by choice, because we’re prepared to build. Our task is clear: electrify our economy and take oil and gas out of our veins as our lifeblood. While others argue or block, we’re delivering the biggest transformation in how this country is powered in a generation.