Crime & Safety
Travel updates from British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways & more
US President Donald Trump has warned that the Iran war could still escalate.
Oil prices spiked after the US president said he was considering a military operation to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial part of the country’s export infrastructure.
As a result of rising oil prices, several airlines have confirmed that the cost of travel will increase.
Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed
These are the latest updates from some of the major airlines that operate in the area.
Qatar Airways travel update
Qatar Airways told passengers: “Qatar Airways has published its latest revised schedule, reflecting the gradual increase in flights to and from Doha.
The latest update, valid until April 15, provides additional frequencies to more than 90 destinations across Qatar Airways’ global network.
“All flights to and from Doha continue to operate through dedicated flight corridors. These routes are established in close coordination with the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.
“Passengers who currently hold a confirmed booking on a flight to one of the destinations listed in the new schedule will be contacted with new flight information.
“Please be sure to check the Qatar Airways website or app and ensure your contact details are correct and updated.”
You can view the 90 destinations here.
Qantas travel update
Qantas has told passengers who will be affected by changes to flights that they will be contacted as soon as possible.
In a statement on March 26, the airline said: “We’re closely monitoring the evolving situation and any potential impact to our flights. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority.
“Flights from Perth to London are currently operating via Singapore for a fuel stop due to adjustments required on flight paths. The return service will continue to operate direct from London to Perth.
“We’re also making adjustments to our international schedule to operate more flights between Australia and Europe. The updated schedule will come into effect progressively for flights from mid-April and run until mid-July.
“As a result of the changes, flights to Paris will originate in Sydney and operate via Singapore instead of Perth. The return service will continue to operate direct from Paris to Perth until May.”
Emirates travel update
Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a “reduced flight schedule”.
The airline said: “We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly.
“We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience.
“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised.”
Customers due to travel within the next seven days are being contacted directly by Emirates.
British Airways travel update
In their latest update from March 16, British Airways told its passengers it has extended the temporary reduction in its flying schedule due to “continuing uncertainty”.
A statement from the airline said: “Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, and to provide more clarity to our customers, we’ve extended the temporary reduction in our flying schedule in the region.
“We’re keeping the situation under constant review and are directly in touch with affected customers to offer them a range of options.
“Since the situation in the Middle East began, we’ve helped thousands of customers return home and operated eight relief flights from Muscat in Oman.
“We are also operating additional flights to and from Singapore (x4) and Bangkok (x3) and continue to review options to bring back more customers who have been disrupted.”
Two-thirds of staff at Karger Publishers in the Swiss city of Basel have been dismissed just four months after the Oxford-based publisher took it over.
Swiss newspaper Basler Zeitung reported the individual notice periods range from one to six months.
It comes after OUP held a similar consultation for staff here in Oxford in November to made up to 113 job cuts, although the business declined to say how many it sacked.
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Basler Zeitung reports: “The company management justifies the job cuts with a necessary strategic realignment.
“The company wants to abandon certain business areas due to a lack of profitability.
“According to information provided by this editorial team, employees in particular have been dismissed from the areas of customer service, sales, IT and marketing.
“The finance department was largely spared from the redundancies.”
A source told the publication: “I had an online meeting with my supervisor. Each employee was given just 15 minutes to have their dismissal explained. It was a massacre.
“He told me he would now go through a script step by step. I think they were advised very intensively by lawyers in advance.”
More than 9,000 book titles and over 100 peer-reviewed journals have been published by Karger Publishing, making it one of Switzerland’s largest publishers of medical publications.
Oxford University Press said: “There were some organizational changes recently proposed at Karger Publishers which have been subject to consultation over the past few weeks.
“The consultation has now closed and a number of colleagues will leave the organization over the coming weeks and months. I’m unable to share the specific number of colleagues affected.”
Cogges Manor Farm is a heritage centre, part of which dates back to the 13th century, and last Saturday, March 28 it began its Easter programme.
The fun runs until Sunday, April 12, promising attractions and activities for all ages.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson prepares for death after recent health concerns
Farmyard favourites such as chicks in the hatchery and newborn lambs will be present for visitors to meet, while little ones can have fun in a supersized sandpit and on a bunch of brand-new mini-tractors.
The farm also introduces Freya, a life-sized milkable cow model.
Alice in Wonderland fans will be treated to themed surprises as the downstairs of the Manor House turns into scenes from the beloved story, featuring a Mad Hatter tea party and the Queen of Hearts’ parlour.
The only event that is yet to begin is the ‘egg hunt in the straw’ which kicks off this Wednesday, April 1.
A spokesperson for the venue said: “Alice in Wonderland looks great in the downstairs of the Manor House and the new supersize sandpit and new fleet of mini ride on tractors are proving to be very popular.
READ MORE: Protesters raise ‘war crimes’ sign near US-run Cotswolds RAF base
“We’ve also got new trails to follow in the house and across the farm and our hatchery is up and running.”
Already a famous site, Cogges is well-known for being a filming location for hit ITV drama Downton Abbey. In the show, ‘Yew Tree Farm’ is where Lady Edith’s illegitimate daughter is raised.
The farm is open from 9.30am to 5pm.
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May presented the Amazon Prime Video show since 2016 after leaving the BBC’s motoring programme Top Gear.
They helmed Top Gear from 2002 and produced a regular feature special every Christmas.
In the final instalment, they travel to Zimbabwe to explore challenging landscapes in cars the three men have always wanted – a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag.
But did you think that was the end? Well, there may be a Top Gear special out there you haven’t seen yet.
The secret Top Gear special
In 2008, Top Ground Gear Force was aired as part of Sport Relief.
Clarkson, May and Hammond took over sportsman Steve Redgrave’s garden to dispense advice on creating a zero-maintenance lawn, installing an impressive water feature and getting rid of unwanted plants.
One user said under the video ‘Top Gear Ground Force – Full Episode’: “I’m absolutely insistent that this is up there as one of the all time great bits of British TV. Start to finish wheezing with laughter even years later.”
Another commented: “I love how Jeremy starts to introduce himself and Redgrave just waves him off with utter annoyance saying “I know who you are…””
Recommended reading:
Jeremy Clarkson takes aim at popular fan account on Twitter
Jeremy Clarkson has slammed a Clarkson’s Farm fan account for sharing an AI video depicting him fighting and ‘beating up’ Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The video was shared by the fan account ClarksonsFarm1.
This account has nothing to do with Jeremy Clarkson or the Amazon Prime series.
Clarkson then responded and slammed the account that shared it, calling them a ‘menace’.
He posted: “That site is a menace. And they’ve blocked me.”
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