In brief: Norovirus sickens 200 on cruise ship

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Health authorities in New Zealand said today that about 200 passengers on a cruise ship have been sickened by an outbreak of norovirus.

The passengers were among more than 1,500 aboard the Dawn Princess, which was due to leave for Australia today as it completes a 13-day voyage. The ship is operated by Princess Cruises, a division of Miami-based Carnival Corp.

Dr. Alistair Humphrey, the medical officer of health for Canterbury, said health officials conducted tests which confirmed the illness is norovirus. He said the outbreak now appears to be waning.

Princess Cruises said in a statement that affected passengers were isolated in their cabins until they were considered no longer contagious and that crew members had disinfected surfaces like railings, door handles and elevator buttons.

Skier, 35, dies in Alaska avalanche

ANCHORAGE – Alaska State Troopers say a man died after being caught in an avalanche while skiing.

The agency said the victim of the avalanche that was reported Saturday evening is tentatively identified as 35-year-old Eric Peterson, of Delta Junction.

Troopers said 63-year-old Michael Hopper was skiing with Peterson when they were caught in the avalanche in the Rainbow Mountains near the Richardson Highway.

Hopper told authorities it took him 2 to 3 hours to dig himself out and once he was free, he found Peterson’s glove. He then dug into the snow and found Peterson dead.

According to troopers, Hopper flagged down a passing motorist on the highway and contacted troopers.

Rolling Stone amends apology

WASHINGTON – Rolling Stone has clarified its apology over a story that had reported a female student was gang-raped at a University of Virginia fraternity, telling readers the mistakes were the magazine’s fault, not the alleged victim’s.

That’s a shift from the original note to readers, issued Friday, when it said of Jackie, the woman who claimed to have been gang-raped at a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, “Our trust in her was misplaced.” The updated note removes that line, which struck some critics as blaming the victim.