EINDHOVEN: The last two evacuation planes carrying passengers and crew from the hantavirus-hit ship MV Hondius landed in the Netherlands Tuesday, according to an AFP journalist. Traveling in the two planes were 28 evacuees from the ship, according to the Dutch foreign ministry, including passengers, crew, and medical staff. The first plane to land was transporting six former guests of the Hondius, four from Australia, one from New Zealand, and one British person who lives in Australia. These six are expected to stay in a quarantine facility close to the airport before being repatriated to Australia. Wearing white medical overalls and facemasks, they disembarked from the air ambulance, clutching white bags of their belongings, and walked into the terminal. The other plane was carrying 19 crew members, one British doctor, and two epidemiologists (one from the World Health Organization and one from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control). These crew members disembarked without medical gear but still wearing masks, also carrying large white sacks of their belongings. The Hondius is already steaming its way from Tenerife to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where it will dock for disinfection. Still onboard are 25 crew and two medical staff, operator Oceanwide Expeditions said on Monday. The vessel is also carrying the body of a German passenger who died during the voyage.

This photograph shows a person in a white hazmat suit disembarking a Bombardier Challenger 605 medical aircraft allegedly carrying some of the passengers believed to be infected with hantavirus from the cruise ship MV Hondius, before being escorted to an 

Europe

The first plane to land was transporting six former guests of the Hondius, four from Australia, one from New Zealand, and one British person who lives in Australia.

Last evacuation flights from hantavirus ship land in Netherlands

LONDON: Miatta Fahnbulleh became on Tuesday the first UK junior minister to resign and call for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to plan for his departure. She told Starmer in her resignation letter to &quot;do the right thing for the country and the party and set a timetable for an orderly transition&quot;.

Miatta Fahnbulleh - (Miatta's Twitter account)

United Kingdom

Miatta Fahnbulleh resigns as a junior minister and urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to set a timetable for an orderly leadership transition.

First UK junior minister resigns calling for Starmer to quit

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: At least seven people, including two police officers, were martyred and several others wounded in a roadside explosion in a crowded market in Pakistan&#39;s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, according to security sources. The blast took place in Sarai Naurang Bazaar in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/eight-militants-killed-in-pakistans-northwest-security-sources" target="_blank" style="font-size: 18px; color: rgb(0, 115, 230);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lakki Marwat district</a>, a restive area near Pakistan&rsquo;s border with Afghanistan. According to initial reports, the device was planted on a motorcycle parked in the market area and detonated during business hours. Rescue officials said the injured were taken to a nearby hospital, though the exact number of wounded was not immediately confirmed. Security forces sealed off the area after the explosion and launched a search operation. According to security sources, following the success of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-says-796-afghan-taliban-terrorists-killed-as-operation-enters-sixth-week" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ghazab lil-Haq</a>&nbsp;(a cross-border military operation by the Pakistan armed forces to eliminate terrorism), Fitna al-Khwarij have reacted with anger. They have begun targeting civilian and other soft targets under external direction from India. After these incidents, strong anger and resentment have been reported among the people of Lakki Marwat toward the group. Pakistan PM orders probe&nbsp; Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the roadside explosion, according to a statement from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.&nbsp; According to the PMO, PM Sharif said authorities were working to eliminate terrorism and would not allow such attacks to hinder &ldquo;peace and development.&rdquo; He directed officials to complete an inquiry into the explosion in Sarai Naurang Bazaar, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.&nbsp; The prime minister said security forces and civilians had made significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He also prayed for the victims and called for the recovery of those injured.

Security personnel inspect the blast site after a suicide attack in the Sarai Naurang area of Pakistan’s Lakki Marwat district on May 12, 2026. (AFP)

Security

Security forces cordon off the area and launch a search operation following the explosion, officials say.

Seven martyred in roadside bombing in Pakistan's KP province

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called for reforms to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/un-security-council-demands-iran-halt-attacks-on-gulf-states" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">UN Security Council</a>&nbsp;and urged stronger multilateral cooperation during a briefing with a visiting US Army War College delegation, according to a statement released Tuesday by Pakistan&rsquo;s Mission to the UN. According to the statement posted on X, a 40-member delegation from the United States Army War College, led by Colonel Stephan Walters and including five female officers, visited Pakistan&rsquo;s mission to the United Nations for a country briefing. UN reform push Asim Iftikhar told participants the United Nations remained the central platform for addressing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/world-must-to-unite-hold-us-accountable-for-normalizing-the-proliferation-of-nukes-iran-fm" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">international peace</a>&nbsp;and security, development, human rights, climate change and emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence and information technology. He said global challenges were too interconnected for any country to address alone and called for stronger multilateral cooperation through the UN framework. The ambassador also discussed ongoing UN reform efforts, including changes to the Security Council and revitalization of the General Assembly. He said Pakistan supports &ldquo;democratic, transparent, and accountable&rdquo; reform of the Security Council while opposing the creation of new permanent seats. Pakistan&rsquo;s UNSC role Asim Iftikhar pointed to Pakistan&rsquo;s role as a current member of the UN Security Council in peacekeeping,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-sri-lanka-conclude-twoweek-joint-counterterrorism-drills" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">counterterrorism</a>, regional stability and promoting peaceful settlement of disputes. He also referred to the recent adoption of a Security Council resolution during Pakistan&rsquo;s council presidency that committed to peaceful dispute resolution under Chapter VI of the UN Charter. US-Iran tensions The discussions also focused on tensions involving the United States and Iran, the evolving security situation in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-israel-war-on-iran-day-74" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Middle East</a>, demographic change, artificial intelligence and Islamophobia. The Pakistani ambassador warned that instability linked to US-Iran tensions had affected global energy markets, oil and gas supplies, fertilizer availability, food security, inflation, maritime trade and global economic growth. Regional diplomacy Asim Iftikhar said disruption in the Strait of Hormuz carried serious implications for global energy flows and trade routes. He stated that the United Nations had examined several scenarios linked to a prolonged crisis and said Pakistan had also experienced economic effects from the regional instability. He described Pakistan&rsquo;s relationship with the United States as broad-based, covering security, defense, counterterrorism, economic cooperation and trade. He also said Pakistan had engaged with the United States, Iran, Gulf countries, Egypt, China and Turkiye to support de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. AI and Islamophobia On artificial intelligence, Ahmad said growing use of AI in policy-making and institutional decision-making would raise human rights concerns and become a larger issue within the United Nations system. Addressing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/international-day-to-combat-islamophobia-data-shows-antimuslim-hate-rising-in-india-other-countries" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Islamophobia</a>, the Pakistani envoy said freedom of religion and belief remained a fundamental human right. He noted Pakistan&rsquo;s support for efforts at the United Nations to establish a special envoy to combat Islamophobia. The delegation included 33 American participants, two from Pakistan and one each from T&uuml;rkiye, Sri Lanka, Moldova, Guatemala and Ecuador.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad speaks during a May 11 briefing with a visiting US Army War College delegation at Pakistan’s UN mission in New York. (Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN)

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan says it supports UN reform, multilateral diplomacy and dialogue on global security issues, including Middle East tensions, artificial intelligence and Islamophobia.

Pakistan envoy calls for UN reform during US military delegation visit

<h3 style="line-height: 2;">ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday paid tributes to nurses around the world, particularly in Pakistan, for their selfless services to humanity on the occasion of International Nurses Day.</h3> In his message marking the day, the prime minister said nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system and remain on the frontline of human service even under difficult circumstances. He said International Nurses Day, designated globally by the International Council of Nurses, also highlights the importance of international cooperation in the medical field. This year, the day is being observed under the theme, &ldquo;Nurses: Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.&rdquo; PM Sharif said the theme reflects the importance of professional expertise and quality medical training for nurses.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 794px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2054089163629310176&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2b673c4787e645d26906f1b6864495ba3c2f915e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He said nurses equipped with modern training can save precious lives through timely medical assistance, adding that their invaluable services are a source of pride. The prime minister said the care and compassion shown by nurses towards patients reflects the true spirit of humanity and public service. He added that the effective provision of basic healthcare facilities in any country is not possible without the dedicated services of nurses. PM Sharif further stated that the strength of the healthcare sector largely depends on a balanced ratio of doctors and nurses. He said the government is committed to improving this ratio across the country and is working with provincial governments and relevant authorities to formulate an effective strategy in this regard.

Health

Highlights their role in healthcare and reaffirms the government’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s medical workforce and nursing sector.

Pakitan PM pays tribute to nurses on International Nurses Day

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday termed a report by a US television channel, claiming that Islamabad &quot;quietly allowed&quot; Iranian military aircraft to park on its airfields while playing the role of a mediator in the Middle East conflict, as &quot;misleading and sensationalised.&quot; In a statement on Tuesday, Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office said, &quot;Pakistan categorically rejects the CBS News report regarding the presence of Iranian aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase as misleading and sensationalised. Such speculative narratives appear aimed at undermining ongoing efforts for regional stability and peace.&quot; The statement further said, &quot;Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, several aircraft from Iran and the US arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams and administrative staff associated with the talks process.&quot; &quot;Among the military hardware was an Iranian Air Force RC-130, a reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft,&quot; the report added. Citing US officials, American TV channel CBS News had alleged that days after US President Trump announced the ceasefire with Iran in early April, Tehran sent multiple aircraft to the Nur Khan Air Base. The foreign office statement further said that some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in &quot;anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement.&quot; &ldquo;Although formal negotiations have not yet resumed, senior-level diplomatic exchanges have continued. In this context, visits by the Iranian foreign minister to Islamabad were facilitated through the existing logistical and administrative arrangements,&quot; it said. &ldquo;The Iranian aircraft currently parked in Pakistan arrived during the ceasefire period and bears no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement. Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context,&quot; the foreign office asserted. The statement added, &quot;Pakistan has consistently acted as an impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation. In line with this role, Pakistan has extended routine logistical and administrative support where required, while maintaining full transparency and regular communication with all relevant parties.&quot; &quot;Pakistan remains committed to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and advancing regional and global peace, stability, and security,&quot; it said.

Pakistan rejects a US media report about Iranian military aircraft at Nur Khan Airbase, calling it misleading, and said the aircraft supported diplomatic and logistical arrangements linked to ceasefire talks.

Pakistan rejects report on Iranian military aircraft as ‘misleading’

ISLAMABAD: Former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najib Jung discussed how Muslims feel amid lynchings, &ldquo;love jihad&rdquo; accusations, business boycotts, hostile election speeches and demands that they &ldquo;go to Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp; Jung, who is also currently the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, raised serious questions about whether India&rsquo;s constitutional promise of equality is being weakened in everyday life for its largest religious minority in an interview with The Wire. Jung&rsquo;s remarks, also reported by Muslim Mirror, point to a community living with growing fear, political exclusion and social suspicion.&nbsp; He suggested that the idea of fraternity, one of the core values of the Indian Constitution, has been damaged by years of communal polarisation.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2053805270103621676&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=66c1f36f719867937d08f2c020c13cc57b88d03a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>For many Muslims, the danger is not only physical violence but also the feeling that they must constantly prove their loyalty to the country. Jung highlights how hate speech, vigilante attacks, religious profiling and economic boycotts have created a climate of insecurity. Such pressures can make Muslims feel pushed to the margins of public life, even when they remain full citizens under the law, he added. Jung&rsquo;s warning is significant because he is not a party politician but a former senior administrator and academic. His comments add to wider concerns that India&rsquo;s democracy is being tested by majoritarian politics and unequal treatment of minorities.

India

Former Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung warned that Indian Muslims face growing insecurity, discrimination and second-class treatment amid communal politics, hate speech, violence and weakening constitutional fraternity.

‘Indian Muslims in very grave situation’, says former Delhi administrator

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday paid tributes to the civilian, Liaqat, who embraced martyrdom while preventing a possible terrorist attack near the Jand and Khushal Garh Bridge area between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, the incident occurred on Monday near Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Liaqat courageously confronted a suspected terrorist and asked for identification. The prime minister said that when Liaqat questioned the suspect, the terrorist detonated himself, resulting in Liaqat&rsquo;s martyrdom. PM Sharif said the civilians&#39; timely bravery prevented a major tragedy and saved countless lives. &ldquo;The unforgettable sacrifice of martyr Liaqat will always be remembered,&rdquo; the Prime Minister said. He added that Liaqat demonstrated extraordinary courage, patriotism, and a sense of duty by risking his own life for the safety of others. The prime minister described such brave citizens as the true symbol of the nation&rsquo;s resolve against terrorism. &ldquo;Sheheed Liaqat&rsquo;s sacrifice is a guiding light for every citizen of the country,&rdquo; he said. The prime minister further stated that the nation would never forget Liaqat&#39;s sacrifice, adding that courageous citizens like him are a valuable asset to Pakistan. PM Sharif said the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism. &ldquo;The brave people of Pakistan have always foiled the malicious designs of enemies, and terrorism will also be defeated through national unity and solidarity,&rdquo; he said. The prime minister also prayed for the elevation of the martyr&rsquo;s ranks and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Pays tribute to civilian Liaqat, who embraced martyrdom after stopping a suspected terrorist near Kohat, preventing a possible large-scale tragedy and saving many lives.

Pakistan PM hails citizen who sacrificed life to stop suicide bomber

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations has warned that hunger and food insecurity are worsening across Afghanistan, with women and children bearing the brunt of the country&rsquo;s deepening humanitarian crisis. The UN World Food Program (WFP) said in its report that Afghanistan continues to face overlapping challenges, including economic collapse, high unemployment and climate-related shocks that have destroyed livelihoods and left millions struggling to afford basic necessities. Rising regional tensions have also contributed to higher food prices, adding pressure on already vulnerable households. &ldquo;The little food we can afford we give to our children, but that is not enough,&rdquo; said Raqiba Ahmadi, a resident of Faizabad in northeastern Badakhshan province. She said her youngest daughter is recovering from malnutrition while her husband remains unemployed. Vulnerable sections of the population are in severe danger of malnutrition in the country due to a shortage of resources and a sudden surge in prices of staple foods. The WFP said persistent funding shortages have significantly reduced supplies of specialized nutritional food used to treat malnourished women and children. The agency warned that without additional financial support, millions of Afghans will remain at risk of severe hunger and acute malnutrition. The organization said it needed urgent funding to support millions amid a surging hunger crisis in Afghanistan.

Malnutrition in Afghanistan - (File Photo: UNICEF)

Afghanistan

The UN warns that worsening hunger in Afghanistan is pushing millions, especially women and children, toward severe food insecurity and acute malnutrition.

Afghanistan hunger crisis worsens; women, children hardest hit, says UN

PARIS: Mosquitoes may appear small and harmless, but scientists say they remain the deadliest animals on Earth, responsible for spreading diseases that kill hundreds of thousands of people every year. According to the research platform Our World in Data, mosquitoes cause around 760,000 deaths annually by transmitting illnesses such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus. Experts say mosquitoes account for nearly 17 percent of all infectious diseases worldwide, making them far more lethal than snakes, spiders or large predators. Scientists are also warning that climate change is worsening the threat, as rising global temperatures allow mosquitoes to survive in new regions and for longer periods during the year. Not all are dangerous However, researchers say not all mosquito species are dangerous to humans. Out of nearly 3,500 mosquito species worldwide, only around 100 bite humans, while just five species are responsible for nearly 95 percent of mosquito-borne infections. Hilary Ranson, a vector biologist at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said eliminating a few dangerous mosquito species could be acceptable considering the massive human and economic losses caused by these insects. Researchers say the disease-carrying mosquitoes have evolved to live very closely with humans by feeding on human blood and breeding near homes and settlements. Because of this, some scientists believe removing these species may not seriously damage ecosystems, as other, less dangerous mosquito species could replace them in nature. Still, experts caution that more research is needed before taking large-scale action. Dan Peach, an entomologist at the University of Georgia, said mosquitoes also serve as food for fish, insects, and other animals, while some species help pollinate plants. How to stop them?Scientists are currently testing several advanced technologies to control mosquito populations and reduce disease transmission. One of the most discussed methods is gene-drive technology, which genetically modifies mosquitoes so that harmful traits are passed to future generations. In laboratory experiments, scientists made female malaria-carrying Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes infertile, causing mosquito populations to collapse within a few generations. A project called Target Malaria, supported by the Gates Foundation, has tested the technology in several African countries. However, the programme faced setbacks after Burkina Faso suspended testing following criticism from civil society groups and online disinformation campaigns. Another promising method involves infecting mosquitoes with a bacterium called Wolbachia, which can either reduce mosquito populations or weaken their ability to transmit diseases, such as dengue fever. Researchers say the approach has already produced encouraging results. In the Brazilian city of Niteroi, the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes reportedly reduced dengue cases by 89 percent. According to the World Mosquito Program, more than 16 million people in 15 countries have benefited from the technology without any major negative consequences. Meanwhile, another research initiative called Transmission Zero aims at genetically modifying mosquitoes so that they can no longer transmit malaria. Despite technological progress, experts stress that there is no single &ldquo;magic solution&rdquo; to defeat mosquito-borne diseases. Scientists stressed the need for improving healthcare access, disease diagnosis, vaccination, housing, and sanitation in vulnerable countries.

Wildlife

Mosquitoes kill around 760,000 people annually through deadly diseases like malaria and dengue, while scientists worldwide explore genetic and biological methods to reduce infections without damaging ecosystems.

What if we killed all mosquitoes?

KYIV: Kyiv came under drone attack on Tuesday after the expiration of a three-day truce with Russia, according to Ukrainian authorities. &quot;Enemy UAVs are currently over Kyiv. Please stay safe until the alert is cleared,&quot; the head of the capital&#39;s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, posted on Telegram. The alert siren was the first confirmed in the capital since Friday, before the ceasefire came into force. Kyiv&#39;s regional military administration told residents to remain in shelters and said its air defenses could be operating in the area. A three-day truce was announced on Friday by US President Donald Trump, just hours before Russia&#39;s World War II victory celebrations, with Trump saying he hoped the ceasefire would mark &quot;the beginning of the end&quot; of the conflict. The two countries had traded accusations of attacks on civilians that violated the truce, which Trump had said would be in place May 9-11.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videolink in Moscow on May 8, 2026. (Photo by Mikhail METZEL / POOL / AFP)

"Enemy UAVs are currently over Kyiv. Please stay safe until the alert is cleared," the head of the capital's military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, posted on Telegram.

Last evacuation flights from hantavirus ship land in Netherlands

Related Articles

Hantavirus: What we know about confirmed cases by nationality

US, French nationals from hantavirus ship test positive

Latest News

First UK junior minister resigns calling for Starmer to quit

Seven martyred in roadside bombing in Pakistan's KP province

Pakistan envoy calls for UN reform during US military delegation visit

Pakitan PM pays tribute to nurses on International Nurses Day

Pakistan rejects report on Iranian military aircraft as ‘misleading’