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MotoGP postpones Qatar Grand Prix due to Middle East conflict | Motorsports News

The Qatar GP, scheduled for April 10-12, has been rescheduled for November 8 amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.

The Qatar Grand ⁠Prix ⁠that was scheduled to be held next month has ⁠been postponed due to the ongoing conflict ⁠in the Middle East, the sport’s governing body announced.

“MotoGP confirms that the Qatar Grand Prix, originally ⁠scheduled for April, has been ⁠postponed to November ⁠8 due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East,” ‌MotoGP said on Sunday.

The Lusail International Circuit was set ‌to host the fourth round of the 2026 championship from April 10-12 but it has now been rescheduled for ⁠November 8, organisers said ⁠in a statement.

“Following extensive ⁠scenario planning and calendar analysis, the ⁠revised date has been chosen to ensure minimal disruption to the wider MotoGP schedule.”

The Portuguese Grand Prix will now take place on November ⁠22 and the season finale in Valencia will move to November 29, ⁠organisers added.

Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi leads the ⁠championship after the first round in Thailand. The next two races will be held in Brazil (March 20-22) and the United States (March 27-29).

Earlier on Sunday, Formula One and its governing body, FIA, said the Grands Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not happen in April due to safety concerns related to the Iran war.

Both countries have been hit during Iran’s retaliatory attacks after the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran.

The announcement was made in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April,” F1 said. “While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April.”

F1 was due to race in Bahrain on April 12 and in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah on April 19.

“While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of F1.

“The FIA will always place the safety and well being of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind,” FIA’s president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said.

The FIA did not explicitly rule out rescheduling the races and, along with F1, did not use the words “cancel” or “postpone” in announcing that the series would not be in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia next month.

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UK tourists in Tenerife having ‘disappointing’ holiday due to 1 issue

British tourists who’ve jetted off to Tenerife to make the most of the island’s reputation as the “island of eternal spring” have been experiencing a “disappointing” holiday because of one issue

For those looking to escape the drizzle and freezing conditions of dreary Britain weather in favour of sand, sun, and some well-deserved rest, Tenerife is usually a safe bet. However, many visitors heading to the Spanish island – the largest of the popular Canary Islands and a firm favourite among Brits – this month have been left “disappointed”.

Tenerife is famed for its many beaches, holiday resorts, bars, restaurants, and stunning landscapes made up of volcanic mountains, vast national parks, and much more. It’s a perfect location for hiking, relaxing and observing the stars.

It’s appealing thanks to its reputation as the “island of eternal spring“, which comes from its temperate and stable climate all year round, where temperatures typically hover between 20 and 28 degrees.

Yet many Brits who’d been anticipating some sunshine and warmth are instead dealing with an unexpected chill. On the popular TikTok account Tenerife First Excursions, one man shared a first-hand account.

Speaking directly to the camera, he said: “If you’re wanting to know what the weather is like at the moment in Tenerife then I’m gonna disappoint you.”

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He turned the camera to reveal thick grey clouds above, although there were patches of blue sky and bright sunshine breaking through in certain areas. He went on: “It has been like this for the last four or five days now, with a little bit of sunshine for an hour or so in between.”

He continued: “It’s been a disappointing week but then again, a lot of people are here for Cheltenham [Festival] so everyone’s in the bars, day drinking, having a good time. The sunshine is back on the weekend, though. I said to someone the other day, they absolutely love it. I said, ‘I absolutely love it when the sun’s back and I’d leave it with that.'”

In the comments section, fellow social media users were keen to share their views. One said: “Can’t believe how lucky I was. I was there for two weeks in Feb and it was scorching every day. Brilliant sunshine every day.”

Another wrote: “We come Sunday praying it gets warmer.” A third said: “I’m here on Tuesday! Hoping it improves!”

A fourth posted: “Here now and I did not bring enough warm clothes.” Someone else said: “It was c*** when I was there a couple of weeks ago. Roll on June.”

Another commented: “Dontttt I was there in Jan and it was perfect so I booked to come back again next week. I hope it gets better.”

One TikTok user revealed: “Mum and dad arrived yesterday and they are cold!! Been sat in hoodies in [the] apartment.”

Another said: “Been like that for 10 days now.” Someone else shared: “We left on Tuesday been there a week was absolutely gutted, no hot days till we were leaving, just my luck.”

However, one person added: “Absolutely love [Tenerife] whatever the weather.”

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Brits are now avoiding booking holidays to GREECE due to Iran conflict despite still being safe to travel

GREECE is the latest holiday destination seeing a drop in holiday bookings amid the Iran crisis.

In a statement released this week, On The Beach confirmed a number of popular holiday destinations including Greece had seen a drop in demand as a result of growing tensions in the Middle East.

On The Beach has reported that travellers are not booking holidays to GreeceCredit: Alamy

The announcement came as the online package holiday provider made a statement that it was suspending its profit forecast.

The group said: “Whilst the group has limited exposure to destinations in the Middle East, it has experienced a significant slowdown in demand following the onset of conflict in the region, particularly to destinations such as Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt.

“The timing of when the conflict will end and the shape of recovery in demand to these destinations are unknown.”

Despite this, the Government currently has no warning against travel to Greece.

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And there are other companies, such as TUI, that have seen increased interest in Greece (along with Portugal and Spain)as “customers opt for familiar destinations”, reports The Times.

Taking to Reddit, travellers currently in Greece have shared what it is like.

One person commented: “I’m in Athens currently and it’s very crowded, also it feels perfectly safe.”

Another person said: “I live in Peloponnese, southern tip on the coast of Greece.

“We’ve been hearing a ton of military planes flying around us the last few days.

“They are definitely preparing for the worst but we are not scared at all.”

Earlier this month, the RAF Akrotiri base on Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone.

As a result, there was a temporary closure of Paphos Airport, with flights being cancelled.

Despite this, Cyprus remains on the safe to travel list with the Foreign Office warning: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.”

Current guidance includes monitoring local and international media and signing up for local information alerts and resources.

Current Government advice lists Greece as safe to travel toCredit: Alamy

However, similar to Greece, Cyprus has also seen a drop in tourism.

Local businesses have expressed how people are “thinking twice” about visiting, with a number of hoteliers saying that bookings are down across March and April.

Cyprus’ foreign minister Constantinos Kombos told the BBC: “I don’t think that anyone should be in two minds, given the fact that the situation, as I have been describing right now as we speak, has been perfectly normal.

“All activity is normal. Air traffic is going back to 100 per cent what it was before the incident.

“So I don’t think this is something that should be affecting people’s decisions.

“And the security factor in terms of people feeling that everything is being done that is humanly possible to protect both citizens, residents, and visitors to Cyprus.”

A number of European cruises have also been cancelled as a result of the crisis, including two Greek sailings.

Plus, now might be the best time to book your holiday to Spain – here’s why.

It follows Brits cancelling their holidays to Cyprus as a result of the conflict in the Middle EastCredit: Alamy

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Major airline cancels more than 1,000 flights until summer due to soaring fuel prices

A SURGE in fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict has resulted in a major airline axing five per cent of its flights.

Air New Zealand announced that it will be cutting back on flights over the next two months.

Air New Zealand will be cutting back on its number of flights until MayCredit: Alamy
The crisis in the Middle East has resulted in the rising price of fuelCredit: Alamy

Chief Executive of Air New Zealand Nikhil Ravishankar said the airline would see roughly a five per cent reduction in its services.

And that this would continue until the beginning of May 2026.

This reduction equates to around 1,100 flights which in turn will affect 44,000 passengers out of its 1.9million.

Talking to 1News Nikhil Ravishankar explained: “We’re focused on consolidating flights that are off-peak flying hours, for example, or where there is an alternative that we can re-accommodate customers.”

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He later added that the, “interventions we’re putting in place are not only reasonable, but are what all airlines around the world are doing”.

Air New Zealand said that most of the passengers affected would be moved onto other flights.

The airline has not provided a list of affected flights, but some officials in New Zealand have revealed domestic routes have been altered.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said that Air New Zealand intends to reduce its routes from Marlborough to Wellington, with Auckland and Christchurch flights also affected

The airline detailed that fewer long-haul flights would be cut.

MR Ravishankar said: “People want to get to Europe still, and ​over the US airspace we can get them into Europe, and that’s what we’re focused on doing.”

The announcement comes shortly after Air New Zealand increased its prices in response to the rising cost of fuel.

Domestic flights were going up by $10 (£4.37) one way, short haul by $20 (£8.74), and long haul $90 (£39.35).

Due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict, the cost of jet fuel has risen significantly.

Before the conflict, prices were around $90 (£67) per barrel and have since increased to as much as $200 (£149) per barrel.

As a result, it’s not just Air New Zealand that has increased its ticket prices – other airlines like Qantas and Scandinavia’s SAS have done the same.

However, some airlines like RyanaireasyJetBritish Airways and Virgin Atlantic, are less affected because they have secured some of their fuel at fixed prices for a set amount of time.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said the rise in jet fuel “won’t affect our costs and it won’t affect ​our low fares”.

It’s not just flights that are affected. Places like the Balearic and Canary Islands are warning of a rise in the cost of food and drink.

And here’s why you should book a holiday now, as Iran crisis makes it more expensive.

Air New Zealand is cutting back on its routes due to the rise in jet fuelCredit: Alamy

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