**Summary:** The cruise ship MV Hondius is traveling to the Canary Islands for safe disembarkation following a hantavirus outbreak that has resulted in three deaths and at least eight total cases among passengers and crew.

**Key points:**
- The outbreak is linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can occasionally spread between humans.
- Spanish health authorities have authorized the vessel to dock in Tenerife, despite opposition from the regional president of the Canary Islands.
- Three individuals have been medically evacuated from the ship, with two receiving treatment in the Netherlands.
- Health officials are conducting contact tracing for passengers who disembarked earlier in the voyage.

**Why it matters:** The incident highlights the public health challenges of managing infectious disease outbreaks on international maritime vessels and the complexities of cross-border medical coordination.

jordanzad.com - فيروس هانتا: السفينة التي تشهد تفشياً تتجه إلى جزر الكناري

abc7.com - Hantavirus cruise ship heads for Spain's Canary Islands as officials race to trace victims' contacts

elcomercio.pe - “No se lo tomaron lo suficientemente en serio”, dice conocido videobloguero Ruhi Cenet, pasajero del barco con hantavirus

diariodeavila.es - Hospitalizada en Ámsterdam una azafata por posible hantavirus

dominicanoshoy.com - OMS busca el paciente cero por hantavirus : investiga si el matrimonio que murió fue el origen del brote en el crucero

Cruise Ship MV Hondius Heads to Canary Islands Amid Hantavirus Outbreak

**Summary:** Democratic Republic of the Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has stated he would accept a third term if requested by the people, while linking the 2028 election timeline to the security situation in the country's eastern region.

**Key points:**
- Félix Tshisekedi made the remarks during a conference in Kinshasa attended by government officials and his communication team.
- The opposition and the New Congolese Civil Society have expressed concern that these comments and potential constitutional revisions could heighten political tensions.
- The president's administration is currently facing scrutiny over a legislative proposal regarding a referendum that could facilitate a constitutional change.
- Civil society leaders are urging a peaceful, democratic debate to prevent further social and political instability.

**Why it matters:** The potential for a third term and constitutional reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has sparked significant political debate and fears of increased instability in a nation already struggling with regional conflict.

jeuneafrique.com - Félix Tshisekedi : « Si le peuple veut que j’aie un troisième mandat, j’accepterai »

radiookapi.net - La société civile redoute que les déclarations de Tshisekedi sur un possible troisième mandat aggravent les tensions politiques

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi Open to Third Term Amid Security Concerns

**Summary:** The Agence de Gestion des Routes (AGEROUTE-GUINÉE SA) has issued a national call for tenders for the construction, bituminization, and rehabilitation of road infrastructure across five distinct lots in Guinea.

**Key points:**
- The project includes road improvements in Conakry and Labé, as well as maintenance and bridge construction in the Lola prefecture.
- Bids must be submitted by June 5, 2026, with a 15% preference margin applied to offers from national companies.
- The total duration for the completion of the works is set at six months from the notification of the service order.
- Interested candidates must pay a non-refundable fee of 3,000,000 Guinean Francs to obtain the tender documents.

**Why it matters:** This tender represents a significant effort to improve national transport infrastructure and connectivity across multiple Guinean regions.

guineenews.org - L’AGEROUTE lance un avis d’appel d’offres national pour les travaux de construction et de bitumage des routes en cinq lots

guineematin.com - AVIS D’APPEL D’OFFRE NATIONAL : TRAVAUX DE CONSTRUCTION ET BITUMAGE DE ROUTES EN 5 LOTS

AGEROUTE-Guinée Launches National Tender for Road Construction and Rehabilitation

**Summary:** The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group and Azerbaijan are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding for a 2027–2031 partnership strategy to align with the nation's economic development goals.

**Key points:**
- IsDB Group Chairman Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser stated the agreement is expected to be signed in June.
- The partnership aims to support Azerbaijan's economic diversification in sectors including industry, agriculture, and renewable energy.
- Dr. Al Jasser noted that Azerbaijan has the potential to transition from a borrower to a donor country in the near future.
- The collaboration will incorporate Islamic finance instruments, such as Sukuk, to broaden the country's access to capital markets.

**Why it matters:** This strategic partnership signals Azerbaijan's evolving economic maturity and its integration into global Islamic finance markets to support long-term development.

day.az - IsDB və Azərbaycan 2027–2031-ci illər üzrə Tərəfdaşlıq Strategiyası haqqında Memorandum imzalaya bilər

trend.az - Islamic finance to open deeper markets for Azerbaijan - IsDB Group’s Al Jasser (Exclusive)

trend.az - IsDB: Azerbaijan has potential to become donor country in not-too-distant future (Exclusive)

Azerbaijan and IsDB Plan 2027–2031 Partnership Strategy

**Summary:** A federal judge in New York has released a purported suicide note attributed to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which had been under judicial seal for nearly seven years.

**Key points:**
- The document was discovered in July 2019 by Nicholas Tartaglione, a former cellmate of Jeffrey Epstein, inside a book.
- The note contains phrases such as "It is a treat to be able to choose ones time to say goodbye" and claims that investigators found nothing during their months-long probe.
- The release follows a petition by The New York Times to unseal the document from the court records of Nicholas Tartaglione.
- The authenticity of the handwritten note has not been verified by U.S. authorities.

**Why it matters:** The release of this document provides new, albeit unverified, insight into the final days of a high-profile criminal whose death in federal custody remains a subject of public scrutiny and conspiracy theories.

nationalpost.com - U.S. court releases Jeffrey Epstein's purported suicide note

perfil.com - Revelan una presunta carta de suicidio de Jeffrey Epstein que estuvo oculta siete años

elcomercio.pe - Un juez de Nueva York publica la supuesta nota de suicidio de Jeffrey Epstein

U.S. Court Releases Purported Suicide Note of Jeffrey Epstein

**Summary:** Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the K-pop group BTS will visit the National Palace on May 6, 2026, following diplomatic outreach to South Korea. The event coincides with the group's upcoming 'Arirang Tour' in Mexico City.

**Key points:**
- President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to open a balcony at the National Palace for fans to greet the group members.
- The visit follows a formal request by President Sheinbaum to the South Korean president for additional concert dates in Mexico.
- Fans have reported unauthorized resellers acquiring large quantities of official merchandise at the Estadio GNP Seguros, leading to confrontations.
- The group is scheduled to perform at the Estadio GNP Seguros on May 7, 9, and 10, 2026.

**Why it matters:** The visit highlights the significant cultural influence of K-pop in Mexico and reflects active diplomatic engagement between the Mexican and South Korean governments.

BTS visitará Palacio Nacional este 6 de mayo : confirma Sheinbaum

¿ BTS visitará Palacio Nacional ? Esto dicen sobre la reunión con Sheinbaum

‘Amedrentó a alguien de la fila’: ARMY denuncia amenazas y reventa en puestos de mercancía oficial de BTS

BTS to Visit Mexico's National Palace Amidst 'Arirang Tour' and Merchandise Controversy

**Summary:** An Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut has targeted a high-ranking commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force. While Israeli officials indicate the operation was successful, Hezbollah has confirmed the death of the commander.

**Key points:**
- The strike targeted an apartment in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut using three missiles launched from an Israeli naval vessel.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the operation, which was reportedly coordinated with the United States.
- Hezbollah confirmed the death of Malek Ballout, identified as the commander of Radwan Force operations.
- This event marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group.

**Why it matters:** The targeted killing of a senior commander in Hezbollah's elite unit represents a major escalation in regional security tensions and could trigger a significant retaliatory response.

jordanzad.com - إسرائيل تستهدف قائد قوة الرضوان بغارة على بيروت

hespress.com - حزب الله ينعى قائد عمليات قوة الرضوان

Israel Targets Radwan Force Commander in Beirut Strike

**Summary:** The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a formal warning to foreign diplomatic missions in Kyiv to evacuate, citing the inevitability of a Russian response to potential Ukrainian attacks on Moscow during the May 9 Victory Day parade.

**Key points:**
- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia will strike decision-making centers in Kyiv if Ukraine attacks Moscow.
- The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 46 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over several Russian regions within a 13-hour period.
- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine will provide a mirror response if Russia continues its military strikes.
- Russia accused European Union countries of attempting to ignore or downplay the threats made by the Ukrainian leadership.

**Why it matters:** The exchange of threats and military activity regarding the Victory Day holiday marks a significant escalation in the conflict, raising concerns about potential strikes on capital cities and the safety of diplomatic personnel.

lenta.ru - Украина выпустила десятки беспилотников по России

lenta.ru - МИД обратился к ЕС из-за угроз Зеленского на 9 мая

lenta.ru - МИД России раскрыл ответ на удар Украины по параду Победы

lenta.ru - МИД России посоветовал иностранным дипломатам покинуть Киев

rss.unian.net - Если Россия будет продолжать наносить удары по Украине, то последует зеркальный ответ,

Russia Warns of Retaliation Following Ukraine's Threats to Moscow