Your World Tonight - Iran tensions, hantavirus deaths, sauna raves, and more

Episode Date: May 4, 2026

The U.S. and Iran are once again trading shots. Neither side has declared an end to the ceasefire, but there has been new fighting in some parts of the Gulf Region. The trigger appears to be U.S. attempts to escort ships out of the Strait of Hormuz.And: About 150 people, including four Canadians, have been stuck on a cruise ship amid a suspected hantavirus outbreak. Three people are dead, and others became sick on board the ship, which is being held off the coast of West Africa. Only two cases have been officially confirmed. Hantavirus is a respiratory illness, and spreads when particles from rodent droppings become airborne. It does not transfer easily between humans.Also: No alcohol, but lots of music, and lots of steam. Sauna raves are gaining momentum in some Canadian cities.Plus: Hundreds of thousands of Albertans sign a petition calling for a referendum on separation, Ottawa unveils measures to help some industries hit hard by U.S. tariffs, flood mapping failures, and more.

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We were in Vietnam, 19 years. But you had the wrong person up here? You'll be in World War III. Donald Trump defends his war effort. As American forces attack Iranian vessels and Tehran hits commercial ships, putting in jeopardy the latest American effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

This is your world tonight. I'm Stephanie Scandaris. It's Monday, May. 4th coming up on 6 p.m. Eastern, also on the podcast. There's a lot of uncertainty, and that's the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity, and to get home. Stuck at anchor, desperate to get home. Four Canadians are among cruise passengers caught in a suspected hantavirus outbreak

after three passenger deaths. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is under stress. The two sides traded verbal shots and military fire all over control of the Strait of Hormuz. This fighting flare-up has left many in the region and beyond, worried about what could be next. Katie Simpson has more from Washington. The Strait of Hormuz, tensions have turned into violence. The U.S. and Iran exchanging fire the first active fighting in the Gulf region since the ceasefire began four weeks ago. We can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon.

or you're going to have problems like nobody would believe, and it's going very well. U.S. President Donald Trump says American forces destroyed half a dozen small Iranian warboats and shot down Iranian missiles and drones. Iranian attacks that appear to be in response to American efforts to escort stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. A mission the U.S. says is pushing ahead despite clear warnings of retaliation. A broadcaster on Iranian State TV reads a message from a top military commander, saying Iran maintains control of the shipping route and that transit must be coordinated with Iran's armed forces.

Iran is also accused of launching new strikes targeting Oman and the UAE. One oil facility outside of Dubai was struck catching fire, and at least two vessels off the coast have been damaged. Trump is demanding Iran back off. In a phone interview with a Fox News reporter, he reportedly, said he'd blow the country off the map if it goes after American military forces. What we do not want to see is a return to outright kinetic activity in the area. At the United Nations, a spokesman for the Secretary General called for calm,

urging both sides to allow shipping traffic to return to normal. The Strait of Hormuz needs to be reopened. Freedom of navigation needs to be reestablished. How these latest developments will impact peace talks, unclear at this moment. The U.S. and Iran had exchanged high-level messages over the weekend through intermediaries in Pakistan. At this stage, our priority is to end the war, says a spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry. The other side must commit to a reasonable approach and abandon its excessive demands. The U.S. maintains the only way it will agree to a peace deal is if Iran gives up its nuclear

ambitions. At various points in the war, Trump has claimed Iran has. already agreed to do so, but his words never materialized into anything tangible. It appears both sides remain far from an agreement. Katie Simpson, CBC News, Washington. In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a cruise ship is facing a different kind of crisis. A suspected outbreak of Hanta virus, a respiratory illness. Three passengers have died. At least three other people are ill.

Global Affairs Canada says there are no reports of the four Canadians on board being directly affected. But as Christine Birak tells us, many passengers are feeling the stress. I am currently on board the MV Hondias, and what's happening right now is very real for all of us here. American travel blogger Jake Ross Marin posted a plea on social media. He was one of roughly 150 people, including four Canadians, aboard the luxury adventure cruise ship. For weeks, they were island hopping in remote areas of the Atlantic, spotting rare birds and picturesque landscapes when news began to spread. A Dutch couple had died, along with a German man, and three others were ill in what's suspected to be a rare outbreak of junta virus.

We're not just a story. We're not just headlines. We're people. People with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home. The boat was refused permission to dock in Cape Verde off Western Africa. Even as the World Health Organization said the risk to the general public was low and there was no need to panic. A British man was taken off the ship and airlifted to hospital in South Africa in critical condition. They certainly need to figure out where the virus came from. David Saffronets is chief of special pathogens at the Public Health Agency of Canada. He says infections are usually tied to infected rodents and contact with their urine or feces. But it's not clear yet where the virus came from. Whether it boarded in Argentina with some of the passengers or if there's a common food source

or something like that on the ship that's making these individuals sick. Hunter virus transmission from person to person is extremely rare. But South African officials are looking into it with good reason. Nazir Ishmael is head of South Africa's National Institute of Communicable Diseases. There is a less common variant that occurs in South America that is associated with human-to-human transmission. And based on the Argentine and the travel history of these individuals, we will still do the confirmation to see whether it is a South American variant.

Canada sees only four to five hunter virus cases a year, generally around this time of year. If you are doing some spring cleaning, cleaning out your lake cabin here in Canada, we actually do have mice that can transmit hantavirus. Angela Rasmussen is a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan. She suggests if you're cleaning,

spray water on the area before you start and cover your nose and mouth. This is a good reminder to wear a respirator while you are sweeping out any old mouse droppings because you don't want to breathe in those inhaled aerosols. For passengers on M.V. Hondias, the Netherlands-based operator says it's looking at screening and allowing them off the ship in the Canary Islands. A dismal end to a dream vacation. Christine Beirak, CBC News, Toronto. Coming right up, the signatures are in on a petition asking for a referendum on separation. But Albertans and all Canadians need to wait to see if it goes to a

vote. First, the province and the courts will have their say. And the federal government announces new help in industries reeling under Donald Trump's tariffs. The opposition and some West Coast politicians raise concerns. Later, we'll have this story. I'm Aina Sadiou in Calgary, where a wellness trend is heating up. Sona raves are becoming the ultimate night out, swapping loud clubs for heat, relaxation, and an early bedtime. They're done by 9.30. I'm tucked into bed by 10. And it's the perfect elder millennial experience. Wysanas are suddenly the hottest place to socialize. I'll have the story later on your world tonight.

An Alberta petition is now in the hands of provincial officials. The organizer says hundreds of thousands of people have signed, and they want their plea to leave Canada put to a referendum vote. Erin Collins has more on what's next and the separation anxiety the issue is causing. The home stretch for the drive to get a referendum on Alberta independence. Stay free Alberta organizers and a convoy of supporters delivering their petition to get just that to elections Alberta officials in Edmonton today. Roads were clear. It was beautiful. We met at the store this morning.

Organizer Mitch Sylvester says 301,620. the Burtons signed on for sovereignty. Fewer than the 404,000 certified signatures a pro-Canada petition got last year, but more than enough for the Premier to trigger a referendum, according to Sylvester. We look forward to your government receiving this clear expression of the democratic will of Albertans and advancing the next steps to include this important question on the referendum ballot on October 19, 2026. But there are some potential speed bumps that could slow things down.

Nations have challenged the constitutionality of the petition in court, stalling its certification. And questions arose last week about a pro-sovereignty group misusing a voters list to help drum up support for independence. A development political scientist Jared Wesley says should be investigated. In Albertans, if you're a registered voter in this province, you have every interest in knowing where that information went, who used it, why, and when. across Alberta's support for independence seems to have stalled in recent months, dipping from 28 to 27 percent, according to a recent poll commissioned by the CBC. Still, the idea is top of mind for many. I don't think we need the referendum. I don't think it should go ahead.

It's a foolish idea in the first place. I would love to see us have more representation in government, because we do in a lot of way support and fuel our country. You know, it's a rough patch in a marriage is how I look at. If that's how we feel about it, you just talk through a little bit more. Most Albertans may oppose independence, but a majority of the governing United Conservative Party's members like the idea. And political scientist Lori Thorlickson says that makes it tough for Premier Daniel Smith to strongly oppose it.

That risks angering that base and angering the separatists and angering that portion of her base. So it's difficult for her to win politically on this. and so she just has to try to maintain that balance on it. Smith has said that if the petition delivered today meets the bar, Alberta independence will be put to a vote in the fall. But what that will mean for her political future and that of the province down the road is still unclear. Erin Collins, CBC News, Calgary.

The federal government has unveiled new measures to help some industries hit hard by U.S. tariffs. $1.5 billion in low-interest loans. Opposition parties say the announcement is a sign Ottawa can't get a deal done with Washington, while BC's premier feels another ailing industry in his province was left out. Catherine Cullen reports.

We all know that we're going through a moment of profound economic change. Industry Minister Melanie Jolie unveiled new supports for some sectors hit by that change, namely copper, steel and aluminum, all targets of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. We're in a trade war, we're on the front lines, and the goal is to protect workers and actually keep companies afloat. The plan has two parts, a $1 billion program to provide loans through the Business Development Bank of Canada

and what Jolie describes as favorable terms. There's also a new half-billion-dollar fund to help small and medium-sized businesses diversify their markets and become more competitive. Frankly, we really welcome and need these. types of supports. Catherine Cobden heads the Canadian Steel Producers Association. She says shipping volumes to the U.S. have dropped by 60 percent, and that means declining production and layoffs. So it is unsustainable. When the conditions are right, we are going to need the Canadian government

to figure out how to resolve these tariffs with the United States. They need to come together and find a path to resolution. If not, Cobden says Canada will have to get tough when it comes to counter tariffs on U.S. steel. Other sectors are still waiting for more help. BC Premier David E.B. says he looked at the federal government's list, and once again, softwood lumber is missing. The industry needs as much support as industries that are located closer to Ottawa. Now, I know we're a little further away, but the jobs here are just as important to Canadians

as the jobs in other tariff-affected sectors. The Liberals say those conversations are ongoing, noting softwoods. is affected by a different type of tariff. They say more support is coming soon. Today is just another Band-Aid solution. Conservatives argue it's all a troubling sign that one year after the last federal election, the liberals can't deliver a tariff deal with Trump.

Raquel Dancho is the conservative industry critic. Thousands of job losses later, nothing. And today is a clear admission. It's not coming anytime soon. So we were reading this announcement today very concerned that there is no deal coming at all. The Liberals were asked by reporters whether these latest measures are a sign that tariffs might last forever. Minister Jolie said she didn't know that those decisions are taken in the U.S., but insisted in the meantime measures like this show her government is acting.

Catherine Cullen, CBC News, Ottawa. The Prime Minister will announce his pick for Canada's next Governor General tomorrow. CBC News has learned Carney has chosen a woman who is fully bilingual in English and French. Current Governor-General, Mary Simon, is nearing the end of her five years in the role. She made history as the country's first indigenous Governor-General. A report from Auditor General Karen Hogan says Ottawa has not kept track of the money it spent on an initiative to reset its relationship with First Nations. The program began 10 years ago and was meant to advance First Nations right to self-determination and provide long-term predictable funding. Hogan says Indigenous Services Canada did not confirm grant recipients were still eligible for funding,

and only 39% of the communities were able to account for where the money was spent. More than $6.5 billion in grants has been distributed, but the department did not know whether the grants were achieving intended outcomes, including reducing socioeconomic gaps between First Nations and other Canadians. The Department also did not meet its key commitment to support the development of First Nations financial management capacity to avoid financial default. In a statement, Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gullmasty said the Department is taking steps to address the challenges identified in the report. The Auditor General, along with the Environment Commissioner, also had a few things to say about Canada's flood plans or lack thereof, Even though flooding is the most common and costly disaster in this country,

flood zone mapping is far behind schedule and currently does not take into account climate change. International climate correspondent Susan Ormiston reports. 2026 has already swept in damaging torrents of water. If the water keeps coming up into the house, then we'll definitely have to be evacuated. It's mentally and physically draining. Floods more frequent, more extreme. but Canada still doesn't have accurate and accessible mapping of flood hazard areas. Mapping, I mean, is basically a critical first step to mitigate this immense flood risk, right?

Zach Carrier is a policy analyst at the Climate Change Institute. You can't deal with a problem if you don't understand what exactly it is and where it will occur. Today, a wide-ranging critique from the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development. Reporting on three federal departments, natural resources, environment and climate change and public safety. They've failed, says Jerry DeMarco, to produce adequate federal flood mapping on time. Many maps remain incomplete, and much of the existing mapping information is not practical or usable. The department is also not on track to make all maps currently in production publicly available by the target year of 2028.

Money allocated hasn't been spent yet, he said, and the impacts of future climate change aren't incorporated in all the plans. It's a clear signal that Canada's flood risk system isn't working for Canadians. Jason Thistlethwaite, an associate professor of environment at the University of Waterloo, says a federal portal, a so-called flood finder, announced last month, has no data in it. We're spending hundreds of millions recovering from floods, but we're not giving people the basic information they need to protect themselves in the first place. But attempts to upgrade mapping by some provinces like Nova Scotia, P.E.I.

in Quebec have met strong resistance. I think people are more scared of the flood maps than the flood. Homeowners like Pierre-Luc Chaucon in Ile-Bissar, Quebec, worry the maps will drive their insurance up and their home values down. He says the province isn't consulting with homeowners. When you provide a flood map, you need to provide tools to protect people. And there was promises to install infrastructure and stuff to protect a resident. And the map will not help us.

the solution will help us. But first comes accurate, up-to-date data, says the government watchdog. Susan Ormiston, CBC News, Toronto. A major salvage operation is about to start off Western Newfoundland. It's for a cargo ship stuck there for over a year. Battered by months of wind and waves, the huge boat has become a blight and a risk to the environment. But the plan to remove the vessel is getting some pushback.

Peter Cowan explains why. The engine room has a large rock protruding up through it, Peter. It's about 14 feet in house. Bruce English with the Canadian Coast Guard says after more than a year grounded on Newfoundland's west coast, the Baltic 3 is in rough shape. There's tears to the deck and hull. But after facing a barrage of winter storms, the 200-meter container ship hasn't released any significant amounts of oil into Cedar Cove.

That's been amazing considering where the vessel went, the damage sits to the bottom, and the amount of time that has been there. It's gone through some wicked sea states. Last summer they removed most of the fuel and containers. This year, the plan is to cut the ship up into pieces and drag it onto the shore. They'll start with the front section, which has some residual oil. The ship's owner, Mediterranean Shipping Company,

has hired Resolve Marine to do this work. Todd Schauer with the salvage company says the short summer season and rough seas means it's safer to do the work on land. We wanted to bring those contaminants ashore, so that we could deal with them quickly with the shore-based crews. And I think that that approach, we'll get that contaminants out of the water quickly. Doing it on land means widening a small road to the site

and clearing part of Cedar Cove to have a place to work. Before the ship ran aground, it was popular with hikers and tourists. Eddie Joyce represents the area in the provincial legislature. He's concerned that the quarry they'll build to make gravel for the road will leave a permanent environmental scar. I think there should be public hearings, public meetings on this. just to come out and say, we're going to start dynamiting, Cedar Cove, which so many people go to visit, they walk, they hike, they go on the beach.

Not everyone shares his concerns. Jenny Brake is the chief of the Halapoo First Nation. She was consulted on the plan. She says out of all the options, this one has the least impact on the site. None of us want to have blasting done in our backyards. But by taking materials from the site, you're ensuring that you have native materials there and you're not bringing in something foreign to the land.

that further ensures that we can put things back properly the way we found them. It's not going to be quick. Shower says their work will extend into summer 2027. We're going to be progressing as fast as we can, as safe in regard to it as being as safe as we can. We don't want to prioritize rushing over safety and protection of the environment. It's also going to be expensive. The cost wasn't released, but the ship's owner is paying the bill. Peter Cowan, CBC News, St. John's.

You're listening to Your world tonight from CBC News. And if you want to make sure you never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts. Just find the follow button and lock us in. After a long winter and a cold spring in many parts of the country, this next story might warm you up. Think of a sauna and a dance floor. Now put the two together and let Aina Sedu tell you about one hot trend in wellness. The music is blasting with a live DJ. There's dancing and drinks,

only there's no alcohol. People are wearing bathing suits and it's 90 degrees Celsius. This is a sauna rave, where people cycle between intense heat, a cold plunge, and a lounge space transformed into a dance floor. I rave all the time, so I mean, just adding the sauna aspect to me was like, okay, yeah.

It reminds me of when I was in my 20s, except I'm totally sober. and enjoying myself and I won't be hung over. Here at Primal in Calgary, these events are offering a different kind of night out. So I think the Wellness Meets Club really works for a lot of people. McKinella Brecht says the shift reflects a broader trend, as some Canadians drink less and look for new ways to connect. Usually they're earlier in the evening, so they're not till one or two in the morning.

Usually we try and do like at 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. for anyone that wants to go to bed at 10, like me. Hot and cold therapy has been around for centuries. Supporters say it can help ease sore muscles and boost energy. Traditionally, saunas are quiet. But pairing the ritual with music and community is what's drawing new crowds. As an outsider, it's like, okay, parties and sonnas like, what's going on here? In Toronto, other ship co-founder Harry Taylor says business is growing and they've even expanded to New York. Taylor says they also host comedy nights and singles parties.

Spice Girl Mel C was even brought in as a celebrity DJ in New York when othership partnered with Daybreaker, known around the world for its daytime parties. Taylor says people have found an alternative to socialize through these parties. There's something about the hot and cold that just makes us feel like, who, okay, I can be me. I can just let loose and have fun, be myself in front of others, and connect authentically with others.

Alan Jalishsa is an ambassador with sauna from Finland. He's based in Waterloo but travels the world educating people on the authentic Finnish sauna experience. This is an extension of the craving for social sauna and predominantly among young people where they're looking for a healthy alternative to the pubs that they would normally go to. And he's hoping more people can share this bit of Finnish culture as this trend goes global. Ina Sedu, CBC News, Calgary. Finally, who knew there were so many Bradley Buckles in the world? More than 20 years ago, Newfoundland's Bradley Buckle got an inscribed gold ring

as a proud pharmacy graduate. But it soon went missing. I believe I misplaced it while I was in St. John's and just accepted that the ring was gone. This gentleman lives in Ontario, and back about 15 years or more ago, he went to a Goodwill store and bought a pair of pants. Buckle and his wife had briefly lived in Ontario.

It was Dan Howard who found Buckle's ring in the pocket. Over the years, Howard contacted people named Brad Buckle across North America with no luck. Finally, he saw a photo of Buckle receiving an award from the Newfoundland Pharmacy Association. He emailed them. My response back to the association was, I'm not going to be responding to. this email, thank you for protecting my privacy kind of thing. With all the scams nowadays, I just,

to me, it's sound very, just seemed a little suspicious. But Howard was determined. He learned that Buckle ran a pharmacy in St. John's, and he called. Buckle saluted that persistence and agreed to answer some questions about the appearance of the ring.

Finally, the right, Brad Buckle. It was great to get the ring back, but I think the real story here is this person's character. It just shows that There's some genuine people out there who really tried to do the right thing. I didn't believe it until I had up my hands. And I'll be sending him a big thank you. And thanks to you for being with us on this Monday, May 4th.

This is your world tonight. I'm Stephanie Skendaris. Good night. For more CBC podcasts, go to cbc.ca.com.