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Get insurance for your trip

Whatever the reason of your trip, Air France and Allianz Travel have joined forces to provide the best insurance and assistance solutions tailored to your needs for travels with peace of mind.

To consult all the of application of the coverages, please refer to the Insurance Product Information Document  and General Terms & Conditions of each package.

✔ Trip cancellation and modification Reimbursement of the cost of cancelling or modifying your flight ticket up to €6,500/person ✔ Missed flight Reimbursement of a new ticket in case of an unforeseen event

Must be subscribed during booking or the same day.

Insurance Product Information Document Terms and Conditions

✔ Trip cancellation and modification Reimbursement of the cost of cancelling or modifying your flight ticket up to €6,500/person ✔ Missed flight Reimbursement of a new ticket in case of an unforeseen event ✔ Delayed flight Payment of a fixed payout of €50 in case of delay at depature > 2hrs without any formalities or proof ✔ Luggage damage Reimbursement of 1st necessity goods up to €200 in case of delay > 12hrs & compensation up to €1,200 in case of damage, theft or loss ✔ Repatriation assistance Organization and payment of repatriation for you and your family ✔ Early or delayed return Reimbursement of transportation costs to continue your trip or return home ✔ Emergency medical expenses abroad Reimbursement of medical expenses and hospital advances up to €200,000 ✔ Extended stay Reimbursement of accomodation expenses up to €100/day ✔ Teleconsultation Medical consultation by telephone or video with a French-speaking doctor 24/7

✔ Delayed flight Payment of a fixed payout of €50 in case of delay at depature > 2hrs without any formalities or proof ✔ Luggage damage Reimbursement of 1st necessity goods up to €200 in case of delay > 12hrs & compensation up to €1,200 in case of damage, theft or loss ✔ Repatriation assistance Organization and payment of repatriation for you and your family ✔ Early or delayed return Reimbursement of transportation costs to continue your trip or return home ✔ Emergency medical expenses abroad Reimbursement of medical expenses and hospital advances up to €200,000 ✔ Extended stay Reimbursement of accomodation expenses up to €100/day ✔ Teleconsultation Medical consultation by telephone or video with a French-speaking doctor 24/7

Must be subscribed before the 1st flight, available for flexible tickets.

Your questions, our answers

This travel insurance policy is for you if: - you are an individual or a professional booking one or more plane tickets on the Air France website any destination offered by Air France (except destinations excluded by the insurance contract) - you wish to protect yourself against certain unforeseen events beyond your control, occurring before or during your trip - you are a French resident - your trip does not exceed a maximum duration of 3 consecutive months This insurance policy is not for you if: - your trip exceeds 3 months in duration - you plan to take part in certain extreme sporting activities or competitions during your trip - you want to cover several trips during the year - your trip has already begun - your trip takes place in a country excluded by the insurance contract - you are already covered by another insurance policy offering the same benefits

Travel insurance won't reimburse you if you decide to cancel or change your trip because you change your mind, or the local weather doesn't suit you. However, you can be reimbursed if your flight is cancelled or modified for an unforeseen reason beyond your control, listed in your contract - a couple of examples: - you catch the flu and are unable to travel, - a member of your family dies, - you fall down the stairs and have to stay at home, - someone who was due to travel with you is ill and can no longer leave, - your employer changes your vacation dates, - you separate from your spouse with whom you were due to travel, - you have a contraindication to the vacation required to reach your destination, - your visa application is refused by the local authorities, - any other unforeseen reason beyond yourcontrol, for which you can provide proof (e.g. your pet is in hospital and you need to look after him/her, you have an unexpected medical appointment that cannot be rescheduled...) To consult all reasons for cancellation or modification covered, please refer to the General Terms & Conditions of your contract.

No. Travel insurance will not reimburse you in the event of flight cancellation by the carrier, even in the event of a strike. Only the cancellation of a plane ticket by you, and for a covered reason, will entitle you to a refund from the insurance. To obtain reimbursement for a cancelled ticket, please contact Air France customer service directly.

The insurance product suggested to you includes coverages that correspond to the type of plane ticket you have purchased. The coverages may therefore differ depending on the type of plane ticket you choose. Example 1: If you have purchased a Flex ticket, this can be cancelled and modified free of charge by Air France. In this case you will not be proposed insurance including cancellation cover Example 2: If you have purchased a Standard or Standard Plus ticket, the plane ticket is non-cancellable but may be modified at extra cost. In this case, we propose you insurance including cancellation cover. If you have to cancel or modify your trip for a reason covered by your contract, Allianz Travel insurance reimburses the amount of your ticket that you have to cancel or the modification fees charged. In the event of a ticket change, any fare difference with the new ticket is not covered by the insurance. Example 3: If you have purchased a Light ticket, the plane ticket is non-refundable and non-modifiable by Air France. In this case, we propose you an insurance policy that includes a cancellation cover. If you have to cancel or modify your trip for a reason covered by your contract, Allianz Travel insurance reimburses the amount of your ticket that you have to cancel or modify.

Medical and hospital expenses abroad coverage provides reimbursement of Unforeseen, out-of-pocket emergency medical expenses you may incur during your stay abroad : - a consultation in a doctor's surgery for minor health problems such as gastro-enteritis, angina or allergies, - medical examinations and/or medication prescribed by a local doctor, such as blood tests or X-rays... - emergency dental expenses in the event of toothache, for example, - Advance payment of hospitalization costs in the event of an accident or more serious health problem (accommodation, surgery, examinations, etc.). In all cases, do not incur any expenses without the prior agreement of the Allianz Travel medical assistance service, available 24 hours a day on 00 33 (0)1 42 99 64 16 (toll-free). Please let us know: your contract number, who needs assistance and where they are, who is looking after the sick person, when and how they can be reached...

To make your claim, you can : - download the allyz by Allianz application, create your account and then go to the "Insurance" section - or connect directly to:  www.allianz-protection.com using your policy number (beginning with AMDFR...) then go to the "Declare/complete your claim" section. If you do not have Internet access, you can contact us on +33 (0)1 42 99 03 95 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (metropolitan France time zone - not overt ).

Covers are provided by AWP P&C - Limited company with share capital of 18,510,562.10 euros, 519 490 080 RCS Bobigny, head office: 7 rue Dora Maar - 93400 Saint-Ouen - Private company regulated by the French Insurance Code, and implemented by AWP FRANCE SAS - Simplified joint-stock company with capital of 7,584,076.86 euros, 490 381 753 RCS Bobigny, registered office: 7 rue Dora Maar 93400 Saint-Ouen - Insurance brokerage company - Registration ORIAS 07 026 669 (www.oria.fr), operating under the trade name "Allianz Travel".

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French strike forces Ryanair to cancel more than 300 flights across Europe

Ryanair urges European Commission to protect overflights and keep EU skies open

Ryanair has demanded that the EU reform its skies after the airline was forced to cancel more than 300 flights across Europe scheduled for Thursday because of a strike by French air traffic controllers.

The cancellations come in spite of the withdrawal of strike action by one of the biggest unions, the SNCTA, which came too late to avoid disruption after France’s civil aviation authority asked airlines to cut flights.

Ryanair said 50,000 of its passengers would be affected because of France’s failure to protect overflights – where planes fly over the country without landing there – during industrial action.

It said most of the disrupted passengers would be simply flying over French airspace en route to the likes of Greece or Spain.

The airline called on the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen , to take action to protect overflights by law during air traffic control strikes, to allow Europe’s other controllers to manage flights over France during the strikes, and limit the power of unions to call strikes immediately.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said: “French air traffic controllers are free to go on strike, that’s their right, but we should be cancelling French flights, not flights leaving Ireland, going to Italy, or flights from Germany to Spain or Scandinavia to Portugal.

“The European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen has failed for five years to take any action to protect overflights and the single market for air travel. We’re again calling on her to take action to protect overflights which will eliminate over 90% of these flight cancellations.”

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Despite the French strike this week, O’Leary said he believed air travellers would see significantly less disruption over summer 2024 than during the past two years, when labour shortages and strikes limited capacity.

• Airline industry
• Michael O'Leary
• European Commission
• Ursula von der Leyen
• European Union

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French Air Controller Strike

Affected Airports - City , State Association:

• Paris  Charles De Gaulle, France  (CDG)

For complete details View

American Airlines has implemented a special exception policy to our travel partners that is now available for our mutual customers due to French Air Controller Strike Our Travel Notice exception policies on American are also available when ticketed to/from/through on our Joint Business partners: This applies to both prime and codeshare flights as shown below:

Inventory Requirements

Lowest Inventory, Same Cabin

If original inventory is not available rebook lowest inventory available in the same ticketed cabin. As a reminder, customers that do not hold a Basic Economy fare should never be booked into B inventory.

Basic Economy -

• Must be booked in B inventory only. If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected. Advance Purchase and Ticket Change restrictions are waived.

Instant Upsell -

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for rebooking guidelines and Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com . IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

• OTHS AGENCY RETAINS CONTROL OF TKT FOR REISSUES
• OTHS INSTANT UPSELL ANCILLARY EMD ISSUED 001xxxxxxxxxx

Refer to Exceptions to Fare Rules .

Note: If customers are unable to rebook or reissue their ticket within the given timeline, they can cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket; all rules and restrictions apply. Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

Endorsement Box Requirements

• Refer to individual Travel Notice for Event Name
• Ticket Reissue required. This is the only required verbiage and supersedes all other information.

Instant Upsell (IU) tickets must use waiver code: TNADV/IU when rebooking in the Instant Upsell Inventory IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com .

Changes to Origin/Destination - Not Allowed

• Waive Change Fee
• Ticket reissue for original ticketed fare
• 300 Mile Radius is always allowed, unless otherwise stated in the notice
• Changes to origin/destination are not permitted for the travel notice
• Any changes made to origin/destination all fare rules apply

300-Mile Radius Only - Allowed

• Within same country
• For booking inventory, view Inventory Requirements

Basic Economy Short-haul fares

book in B inventory only.If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected.

Changes to Connection City

Changes to Co-Terminal

Changes to Co-terminal and MAC airports on AA Prime and AA*/Codeshare flights are allowed

• Co-terminal & MAC Airports are considered the same routing.  

Reissue Policy Information

American Airlines will waive change fees and travel agents may rebook and reissue tickets provided the below guidelines are met and applied:

• Ticket issued on the following ticket stock: AA 001, AY 105, BA 125, El053, IB 075, JL 131, QF 081
• Applies to AA*/ one world flights
• Travel has not commenced on the affected flight segment and the ticket has not been reissued by American Airlines
• The first departure flight is more than 2 hours away
• Affected coupons are in OK status
• Travel reissuance only in accordance to dates identified in the applicable Travel Notice Exception Advisory
• More than one change allowed without an additional collection, including penalty or change fee within the Travel Notice dates
• Original issuing agency responsible for ticket reissue
• Ticket Revalidation not permitted
• The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory)
• Refer to Extend Travel Rebooking after the Travel Event
• Basic Economy must be rebooked in the appropriate Basic Economy inventory
• Please ensure the above procedures are accurately followed to prevent debit memo issuance

Rebooking - Exception to Fare Rules

Exception to Fare Rules: All fare rules apply with the exception of the following:

• Advance Purchase requirement waived
• Minimum/Maximum Stay requirement waived
• Change Fee waived
• When changes to the outbound travel occur, the unaffected return date may be changed to protect the original length of the trip. The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory).

SalesLink Request

• Rebook flights in compliance with Travel Notice Exception Policy
• Log-in to SalesLink at www.saleslink.aa.com
• Request Type: select 'Service'
• Input AA PNR
• Waiver Type: select 'Travel Notice'
• Travel Notice: select applicable Travel Notice event name
• Select 'Next' - and complete request
• Verify: SalesLink approval remarks in PNR
• New Ticket Endorsement Box: Enter event name only
• Ticket Reissue required

Endorsement Box requirement: 23APR24A or the exchange will be subject to a debit memo

Extend Travel Rebooking Guidelines

If customers are unable to rebook within the New Travel Dates, may reschedule their reservation to/from the same city or alternate cities and reissue their ticket with the below guidelines:

• Cancel their itinerary and apply the value of the original ticket towards the purchase of a new ticket for travel commencing within 1 year from the date of original issuance
• Change fee only is waived as long as the original ticket is reissued within ticket validity and the impact dates are in accordance with those identified in the Travel Notice
• Basic Economy fares may only be used towards the purchase of other Basic Economy fares.
• Residual MCO's are not allowed when using the TNADVE waiver code for reissue.
• Extend Travel Rebooking does not apply to tickets in conjunction with Instant Upsell (IU)

Refund Policy Information

When the flight is cancelled or the length of delay is 91+ minutes , travel agents may refund ticket(s) through normal GDS/ARC/BSP processing. Refer to our Schedule Irregularity policy for delays 90 minutes or less.

• Refund To Original Form Of Payment - All penalties/fees waived
• Non-Refundable Fare
• Refundable Fare with cancellation Fee
• Basic Economy Fare
• Bulk/Opaque Fare

Note: If the ticket has been exchanged by American as an INVOL submit the refund request directly with American. Refer to American Airlines Refunds .

When the flight is not cancelled or the length of delay is 90 minutes or less , a refund does not apply:

• If customer elects to cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket outside the Travel Notice dates; may use Extend Travel Rebooking or may hold ticket for future travel; all rules and restrictions apply.
• Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

En route/Diversion

• Connecting customers' en route to one of the above-listed destinations or whose flights are diverted will have the option to return to their original departure city and rebook travel to alternate future dates.
• Customers should work directly with the airport to obtain a boarding pass for return travel to their original departure city. If the customer wishes to rebook travel to alternate future dates, please contact American Airlines Reservations for assistance. Alternatively, they may receive a refund if re-accommodation options are unacceptable.
• If a ticket has already been reissued by American Airlines or the ticket is partially used, travel agents must submit the refund request online at https://prefunds.aa.com/refunds/

American Airlines will continue to monitor this Travel Notice Exception Advisory and adjust this policy if needed. Changes will be posted on AA.com and www.saleslink.aa.com reference. Please check these sources frequently for the most up to date information.

• www.saleslink.aa.com Reference: Select Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines
• Visit www.saleslink.aa.com and navigate to AA News and Offers to view current travel notices.
• Contact your Sales Support Center 800-621-8489 or American Airlines Reservations 800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or for Reservations outside the U.S. and Canada, please see our Worldwide Reservations Numbers American Airlines encourages all customers to check flight and gate status prior to leaving for the airport. For complete travel information, visit AA.com .
• Group reservations must be changed by AA Group & Meeting Travel
• Information contained on this web site is subject to change at any time without notice. American Airlines shall not be liable for any consequences resulting from your reliance on the information.

Moscow is the biggest city in Russia as well as the Capital, and has over ten million people living here. Moscow sits right on the banks of the Moskva River. The weather here is kind of warm and a bit humid in the summers, but in the long winters it can get bitter cold because of its northern location.

This huge city has an incredibly rich cultural history, a multitude of attractions, historical buildings and interesting landmarks. The renowned onion domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral are the most recognized, however, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Seven Sisters are also magnificent. Here’s some of the most important attractions: Red Square, There are four wonderful Botanical Gardens, the Central Park of Culture and Rest, the Neskuchniy Garden, the Izmaylovsky Park, the Sokolnik Park, the Elk Park, and many, many more wonderful places to rest and relax.

We’ve been orchestrating Russia dream vacations for discriminating travelers for more than 20 years. It helps us help you, if you begin with our  vacation planner  we’ll make sure you have a lot of fun in Moscow, do everything for you; air, car, hotels and transfers; get you the best airfare rates, enjoy privileged access plus luxury amenities and special touches. You’ll travel confidently, save time and prevent costly mistakes.

Other must see attractions are: The Triumphal arch on Kutuzov Avenue, The Shukhov Tower, the Patriarshiye Ponds, Novodevichy Convent is one of the World Heritage Sites, the Tsaritsyno Park and palace, Ascension church in Kolomenskoye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ostankino Palace, “Friendship of Nations” fountain in All-Russia Exhibition Center, Moscow International House of Music, The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow State Historical Museum, The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Tretyakov Gallery, The Red Army theatre, the Central Moscow Hippodrome and that’s just a few exciting things to see.

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Experienced travelers only bring one suitecase and one carryon. More than that and you’ll pay more and stress more. Compression bags work nicely. Make sure your carry-on fits in the overheads

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How to Thrive as You Age

A cheap drug may slow down aging. a study will determine if it works.

Allison Aubrey

A drug taken by millions of people to control diabetes may do more than lower blood sugar.

Research suggests metformin has anti-inflammatory effects that could help protect against common age-related diseases including heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.

Scientists who study the biology of aging have designed a clinical study, known as The TAME Trial, to test whether metformin can help prevent these diseases and promote a longer healthspan in healthy, older adults.

Michael Cantor, an attorney, and his wife Shari Cantor , the mayor of West Hartford, Connecticut both take metformin. "I tell all my friends about it," Michael Cantor says. "We all want to live a little longer, high-quality life if we can," he says.

Michael Cantor started on metformin about a decade ago when his weight and blood sugar were creeping up. Shari Cantor began taking metformin during the pandemic after she read that it may help protect against serious infections.

Shari and Michael Cantor both take metformin. They are both in their mid-60s and say they feel healthy and full of energy. Theresa Oberst/Michael Cantor hide caption

Shari and Michael Cantor both take metformin. They are both in their mid-60s and say they feel healthy and full of energy.

The Cantors are in their mid-60s and both say they feel healthy and have lots of energy. Both noticed improvements in their digestive systems – feeling more "regular" after they started on the drug,

Metformin costs less than a dollar a day, and depending on insurance, many people pay no out-of-pocket costs for the drug.

"I don't know if metformin increases lifespan in people, but the evidence that exists suggests that it very well might," says Steven Austad , a senior scientific advisor at the American Federation for Aging Research who studies the biology of aging.

An old drug with surprising benefits

Metformin was first used to treat diabetes in the 1950s in France. The drug is a derivative of guanidine , a compound found in Goat's Rue, an herbal medicine long used in Europe.

The FDA approved metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. in the 1990s. Since then, researchers have documented several surprises, including a reduced risk of cancer. "That was a bit of a shock," Austad says. A meta-analysis that included data from dozens of studies, found people who took metformin had a lower risk of several types of cancers , including gastrointestinal, urologic and blood cancers.

Austad also points to a British study that found a lower risk of dementia and mild cognitive decline among people with type 2 diabetes taking metformin. In addition, there's research pointing to improved cardiovascular outcomes in people who take metformin including a reduced risk of cardiovascular death .

As promising as this sounds, Austad says most of the evidence is observational, pointing only to an association between metformin and the reduced risk. The evidence stops short of proving cause and effect. Also, it's unknown if the benefits documented in people with diabetes will also reduce the risk of age-related diseases in healthy, older adults.

"That's what we need to figure out," says Steve Kritchevsky , a professor of gerontology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, who is a lead investigator for the Tame Trial.

The goal is to better understand the mechanisms and pathways by which metformin works in the body. For instance, researchers are looking at how the drug may help improve energy in the cells by stimulating autophagy, which is the process of clearing out or recycling damaged bits inside cells.

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Researchers also want to know more about how metformin can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may slow biological aging.

"When there's an excess of oxidative stress, it will damage the cell. And that accumulation of damage is essentially what aging is," Kritchevsky explains.

When the forces that are damaging cells are running faster than the forces that are repairing or replacing cells, that's aging, Kritchevsky says. And it's possible that drugs like metformin could slow this process down.

By targeting the biology of aging, the hope is to prevent or delay multiple diseases, says Dr. Nir Barzilai of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who leads the effort to get the trial started.

The ultimate in preventative medicine

Back in 2015, Austad and a bunch of aging researchers began pushing for a clinical trial.

"A bunch of us went to the FDA to ask them to approve a trial for metformin,' Austad recalls, and the agency was receptive. "If you could help prevent multiple problems at the same time, like we think metformin may do, then that's almost the ultimate in preventative medicine," Austad says.

The aim is to enroll 3,000 people between the ages of 65 and 79 for a six-year trial. But Dr. Barzilai says it's been slow going to get it funded. "The main obstacle with funding this study is that metformin is a generic drug, so no pharmaceutical company is standing to make money," he says.

Barzilai has turned to philanthropists and foundations, and has some pledges. The National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, set aside about $5 million for the research, but that's not enough to pay for the study which is estimated to cost between $45 and $70 million.

The frustration over the lack of funding is that if the trial points to protective effects, millions of people could benefit. "It's something that everybody will be able to afford," Barzilai says.

Currently the FDA doesn't recognize aging as a disease to treat, but the researchers hope this would usher in a paradigm shift — from treating each age-related medical condition separately, to treating these conditions together, by targeting aging itself.

For now, metformin is only approved to treat type 2 diabetes in the U.S., but doctors can prescribe it off-label for conditions other than its approved use .

Michael and Shari Cantor's doctors were comfortable prescribing it to them, given the drug's long history of safety and the possible benefits in delaying age-related disease.

"I walk a lot, I hike, and at 65 I have a lot of energy," Michael Cantor says. I feel like the metformin helps," he says. He and Shari say they have not experienced any negative side effects.

Research shows a small percentage of people who take metformin experience GI distress that makes the drug intolerable. And, some people develop a b12 vitamin deficiency. One study found people over the age of 65 who take metformin may have a harder time building new muscle.

Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strength

"There's some evidence that people who exercise who are on metformin have less gain in muscle mass, says Dr. Eric Verdin , President of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. That could be a concern for people who are under-muscled .

But Verdin says it may be possible to repurpose metformin in other ways "There are a number of companies that are exploring metformin in combination with other drugs," he says. He points to research underway to combine metformin with a drug called galantamine for the treatment of sarcopenia , which is the medical term for age-related muscle loss. Sarcopenia affects millions of older people, especially women .

The science of testing drugs to target aging is rapidly advancing, and metformin isn't the only medicine that may treat the underlying biology.

"Nobody thinks this is the be all and end all of drugs that target aging," Austad says. He says data from the clinical trial could stimulate investment by the big pharmaceutical companies in this area. "They may come up with much better drugs," he says.

Michael Cantor knows there's no guarantee with metformin. "Maybe it doesn't do what we think it does in terms of longevity, but it's certainly not going to do me any harm," he says.

Cantor's father had his first heart attack at 51. He says he wants to do all he can to prevent disease and live a healthy life, and he thinks Metformin is one tool that may help.

For now, Dr. Barzilai says the metformin clinical trial can get underway when the money comes in.

7 habits to live a healthier life, inspired by the world's longest-lived communities

This story was edited by Jane Greenhalgh

Ukraine-Russia war latest: North Korea says US move in Ukraine is causing 'concern'

There is concern within the international community about the US supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, North Korea has said. Listen to a Daily podcast on whether the UK should send troops to Ukraine as you scroll.

Monday 29 April 2024 12:59, UK

• Big picture : What you need to know as a new week begins
• Telegram 'blocks bots that oppose Russian invasion of Ukraine'
• North Korea expresses 'concern' over US sending long-range missiles to Ukraine
• Explained : Why is Chasiv Yar the next target for Russia?
• Your questions answered: Will Ukraine launch another spring offensive?
• Listen to the Sky News Daily above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Andy Hayes

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked "partners" as he said Ukraine is "making every effort" to use drones more effectively.

In addition to posting some pictures on X, the Ukrainian president said he wanted to thank people who train drone operators, as well as "our warriors for their efficiency".

He added: "I thank everyone involved in the production and those who ensure better protection of the Ukrainian skies through their work."

Ukrainian servicemen have been saying goodbye to their visiting partners at the railway station in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine.

The men were on a short break from frontline duty.

Russia's defence ministry says its forces have taken control of the village of Semenivka in the eastern Donetsk region.

Yesterday, the ministry announced the capture of another village, Novobakhmutivka.

Ocheretyne, also near by, has been a focal point of fighting in recent days.

Ukraine's top general, speaking yesterday, said fighting had intensified in the east of the country, with troops falling back in three areas. 

Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russian troops had achieved "certain tactical successes" in the villages of Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka.

Ukraine has confirmed that chatbots used by its security agencies on Telegram have been restored after being temporarily blocked.

We reported earlier (6.56am post) that Kyiv's security service described their blocking as "unreasonable".

Now, Ukraine's Centre for Strategic Communication has said three affected bots, used by Ukraine's SBU security service, the GUR and digital ministry for the war effort, had been restored.

A Telegram spokesperson said they were "temporarily disabled due to a false positive but have since been reinstated".

The number of civilians killed or injured in Ukraine in March was 604, according to the UN, which has a human rights monitoring team in the country.

The figure is 20% higher than February's.

The UK defence ministry, highlighting the numbers in its daily intelligence update, said 57 children were reported killed in March, "double the previous month". 

Their deaths have been "attributed directly to Russian use of aerial munitions", the MoD said.

Civilian deaths in general are attributed to "missile and aerial-munitions strikes throughout Ukraine and increased bombardment at the frontlines".

The UN's report highlights an increase in coordinated strikes on critical Ukrainian infrastructure, with 20 sites "destroyed or damaged".

In total, there have been 31,366 civilian casualties in Ukraine since 24 February 2022, the MoD said (including areas Russia is controlling).

Of those, 10,810 were killed and 20,556 were wounded.

We reported earlier in our big picture post (6.27am post) that Oleksandr Pivnenko, who commands Ukraine's National Guard, is not ruling out a Russian attempt to target Kharkiv - Ukraine's second-largest city.

Kharkiv has been the focus of recent air attacks.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) thinktank assesses that the Russian military "lacks the forces necessary to seize the city".

But the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, has said the threat of an invasion is causing Ukraine to allocate additional resources to defend the city - weakening forces elsewhere.

The ISW said: "Syrskyi noted that Ukrainian forces have recently improved their positions near Synkivka (east of Kharkiv)."

The Russians' "combat effectiveness" can be questioned because of their "inability to seize Synkivka despite repeated mass infantry and mechanized assaults", the ISW said.

It went on: "ISW continues to assess that a potential future Russian offensive to seize Kharkiv City would be an extremely ambitious undertaking that would pose significant challenges to Russian forces, particularly since Russian forces will be facing better-equipped Ukrainian forces following the arrival of US military assistance."

Telegram has reportedly restored some blocked Ukrainian bots.

They include those of the security service and ministry of digital transformation, the Kyiv Post said on X.

As we reported earlier (6.56am post) the security service said Telegram had "unreasonably" blocked bots that "opposed Russia's military aggression against Ukraine".

Three men who are entrepreneurs in their day jobs have been assembling drones in a home kitchen in Kyiv.

Denys, Yaw and Eugene send the tiny aircraft on to the Ukrainian armed forces.

There is concern within the international community about the US supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, North Korea has said.

As we report in our big picture post (6.27am post) Kyiv has used long-range ballistic missiles from the US against Russia twice this month, according to NBC News.

"The US has secretly supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine, sparking off uneasiness and concern of the international community," North Korea's defence ministry said.

 "The US can never defeat the heroic Russian army and people with any latest weaponry or military support," it added, according to state news agency KCNA.

Professor Michael Clarke, Sky News's military analyst, has said North Korea is supplying weapons to Russia - facilitated by China.

Official bots that oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been blocked by the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine's military spy agency has claimed.

Ukraine's own bot was included, GUR added.

"Today, the management of the Telegram platform unreasonably blocked a number of official bots that opposed Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, including the main intelligence bot," GUR said in a statement posted on Telegram.

"Despite the blocking of our bot, your personal data is safe." 

A bot is a piece of software that can run on its own, mimicking conversations or collecting content.

Telegram, which is based in Dubai, was founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after he refused to comply with government demands to shut down opposition groups on another social media platform.

Since the Ukraine war began in February 2022, both Ukraine and Russia have used the app to share updates.

Almost all major media outlets, government departments and public figures in both countries have channels on Telegram. 

Telegram's press service did not immediately reply to a request for comment, Reuters said.

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Air France Customer Commitment

Air France intends to ensure that your air travel experience will encompass, to the best of our abilities, the most comprehensive customer service possible. We have outlined our responsibilities and how we will fulfill them in key points below, known as our Customer Commitment. Note: The Air France Customer Commitment, that is separate and distinct from the Conditions of Transport, applies to international flights that originate in the USA, and includes:

1. Offering the lowest fare available

We will offer our lowest fares on www.airfrance.us . Our telephone booking system and airport ticket counters in the US will offer the lowest published fare for which you are eligible, and upon request, will identify money-saving alternative itineraries if your travel schedule is flexible.

2. Notifying consumers of known delays, cancellations, and diversions

We will provide full and timely information within 30 minutes on the status of known delays, cancellations, and diversions by:

• Providing real-time flight status information via a toll-free telephone number 800-237-2747, and on www.airfrance.us at "Flight & Timetable Information".
• Providing, through our gate agents and flight crews, consistent and timely updates on the status and known causes of delayed, cancelled, or diverted flights.
• Contacting you about cancellations when the event is known if you provide us with contact information in your booking or through " Air France in Touch " under " Flight and Destination Information ".

3. Delivering baggage on time

It is our intention to deliver your baggage on time. However, in the event that this does not occur, we will strive to return your misplaced baggage within 24 hours. Notify an Air France employee at the airport if you cannot locate your baggage. To check on the progress of your bag search, call 800-873-2247 or go to " Contact Us" at www.airfrance.us .  We will attempt to contact owners of unclaimed baggage when a name and address or telephone number is available. We use scanning technology to identify the location of all unclaimed baggage which assists us in quickly reuniting you with your property. Bags unclaimed after five days are sent to our Central Baggage Tracing office in Paris, Charles de Gaulle airport, where continued efforts are made to locate bag owners. Unless otherwise stated, for travel governed by the Montreal Convention, liability for damages for delayed, lost or damaged baggage is limited to a maximum of 1,131 Special Drawing Rights per person.

4. Customer First Program & Providing prompt ticket refunds

We will issue refunds for eligible international tickets within seven business days for credit card purchases and 20 business days for purchases made by cash or check, following receipt of a complete refund file, including any fees for optional services if you were unable to use the services due to an oversale situation or flight cancellation. To request a refund on eligible tickets online, visit the "Manage your Bookings " section at www.airfrance.us . Requests for refunds of tickets purchased from a travel agent should be referred back to the agency for processing. Refunds for electronic tickets purchased from Air France may be requested by following the instructions located within the dedicated refunds page (accessible by clicking on "Ticket Refunds" within the "Contact Us" in the footer on the bottom left side of the page). Ticket Refund Within 24 Hours of Purchase You can request your refund within 24 hours of purchase by writing to the following email address: [email protected] Include the following important information: Subject: Customer First Program Name Flight and Date Booking Number

5. Properly accommodating passengers with disabilities and other special needs, including during tarmac delays

Passengers with Disabilities and Other Special Needs Accommodating the special needs of passengers with disabilities is a top priority for Air France. We offer a variety of special services to such passengers, including:  - Transportation to, from, and between gates, either by wheelchair or, in several locations, electric cart.  - Boarding assistance.  - Assistance with visual, auditory, cognitive, or mobility impairments while in the airport and on the plane.  - Consideration of your needs during extended tarmac delays.  - Accommodation for certain medical requirements, such as use of an approved Portable Oxygen Concentrator by calling 800-760-6868. Additional information may be found at www.airfrance.us under " Preparing Your Trip ", then clicking on " Passenger Assistance ". To ensure the high quality of these services and protection of customer rights, we designate Complaint Resolution Officials (CROs) in all covered airports who are responsible for ensuring services are properly implemented for our customers with disabilities. Unaccompanied Children  We provide detailed information to parents with children ages 5 through 14 who will be traveling alone at www.airfrance.us , then clicking on " Preparing Your Trip " and then " Passenger Assistance ". Or by calling 800-237-2747.  Our policies ensure the safety and well being of children traveling alone including:  - Taking care of your child during his or her flight and not releasing a minor traveling alone to anyone other than the person you have designated.  - Providing unaccompanied passenger service for children ages 5 through 14. We also offer a service, for a fee, to children ages 15 through 17 traveling alone.

6. Meeting customers' essential needs during lengthy tarmac delays

We will provide full and timely information regarding the status of a flight if there is an extreme delay after you have boarded or after the plane has landed, and, if safety and security conditions allow, we will provide for your essential needs such as food, potable water, operable lavatory facilities, and access to medical treatment. For further information, see Air France's Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays under Legal notices available at www.airfrance.us .

7. Handling involuntarily denied boarding passengers with fairness and consistency in the case of oversales.

Air France will handle “bumped” passengers with fairness and consistency in the case of oversales. When a flight is expected to be oversold, our airport representatives will seek volunteers who are willing to give up their seats in exchange for either some form of financial compensation or a transportation credit voucher. Vouchers are valid for one (1) year from date of issuance.  If there are not enough volunteers, Air France may deny boarding involuntarily to passengers holding a confirmed booking in accordance with Air France’s established boarding priorities. Air France will rebook a passenger on to the next available Air France or SkyTeam Partner flight, if any, to the ticketed destination if the passenger is involuntarily denied boarding. If an Air France or SkyTeam Partner flight is not available, we will strive to provide comparable accommodations on another airline with which we have a ticketing agreement.  Meals, hotel accommodations and other amenities will be offered when appropriate. Information regarding our policies and procedures for handling situations when ticketed customers cannot be accommodated on a flight will be made available at the airport. Compensation for Involuntary Denied Boarding If you are denied boarding involuntarily, you are entitled to a payment of ‘‘denied boarding compensation’’ from the airline unless: (1) you have not fully complied with the airline’s ticketing, check-in and reconfirmation requirements, or you are not acceptable for transportation under the airline’s usual rules and practices; or (2) you are denied boarding because the flight is canceled; or (3) you are denied boarding because a smaller capacity aircraft was substituted for safety or operational reasons; or (4) on a flight operated with an aircraft having 60 or fewer seats, you are denied boarding due to safety-related weight/balance restrictions that limit payload; or (5) you are offered accommodations in a section of the aircraft other than specified in your ticket, at no extra charge (a passenger seated in a section for which a lower fare is charged must be given an appropriate refund); or (6) the airline is able to place you on another flight or flights that are planned to reach your next stopover or final destination within one hour of the planned arrival time of your original flight. Amount of Denied Boarding Compensation International Transportation: Passengers traveling from the United States to a foreign point who are denied boarding involuntarily from an oversold flight originating at a U.S. airport are entitled to: (1) No compensation if the carrier offers alternate transportation that is planned to arrive at the passenger’s destination or first stopover not later than one hour after the planned arrival time of the passenger’s original flight; (2) 200% of the fare to the passenger’s destination or first stopover, with a maximum of $675, if the carrier offers alternate transportation that is planned to arrive at the passenger’s destination or first stopover more than one hour but less than four hours after the planned arrival time of the passenger’s original flight; and (3) 400% of the fare to the passenger’s destination or first stopover, with a maximum of $1,350, if the carrier does not offer alternate transportation that is planned to arrive at the airport of the passenger’s destination or first stopover less than four hours after the planned arrival time of the passenger’s original flight. 0 to 1 hour arrival delay - No compensation. 1 to 4 hour arrival delay - 200% of one-way fare (but no more than $650). Over 4 hours arrival delay - 400% of one-way fare (but no more than $1,300). “Alternate Transportation” is air transportation with a confirmed booking at no additional charge (by any scheduled airline licensed by DOT), or other transportation accepted and used by the passenger in the case of denied boarding.

8. Disclosing travel itinerary and other policies that affect your travel

We will provide you with your travel itinerary and timely and complete information about policies and procedures that affect your travel, including:

• Providing frequent flyer details. We will make all important rules, restrictions, and redemption information available on www.airfrance.us , in our "Membership Guide & Program Rules", and in the information kits provided to new Flying Blue members.
• Providing aircraft configuration, including seat size and pitch. We will provide aircraft configuration and seat width and pitch ranges at " Aircraft Types and Layout ", and through our booking and airport agents.
• Providing information concerning the important terms and conditions applicable to your travel. Our entire Conditions of Transport is available for your review on www.airfrance.us .
• Providing information concerning changing aircraft on a flight that has a single flight number. We will inform you of this change before you book your booking on the telephone or online, and in writing with your ticket receipt.
• Advising of the operating carrier for code-share flights.
• Providing information about cancellation policies.

9. Ensuring good customer service from code-share partners

We stand behind the services of our codeshare partners and we will strive to ensure that you receive excellent customer service whenever you travel on an Air France ticket, including on flights operated by our code-share partners. We will publish a direct link from www.airfrance.us to our partner airlines' websites to provide current information on their policies and procedures.

10. Ensuring responsiveness to customer complaints

We will acknowledge receipt of written customer complaints within 30 days of their receipt, and will send a substantive response within 60 days of receiving the complaint. For information about filing a complaint, go to  “Conta ct Us” .

11. Identifying the services Air France provides to mitigate passenger inconveniences resulting from cancellations and misconnects.

In order to mitigate inconveniences to you resulting from cancellations and misconnects, we will:

• Attempt to contact you, via contact information provided in your booking or stored in the “Air France in Touch” section under “Flight and Destination Information” on www.airfrance.us , about cancellations when the event is known.
• Provide meal allowances and hotel accommodations at Air France contracted facilities, based on availability, if you are inconvenienced overnight while away from your home or destination due to a delay, misconnect, or cancellation within Air France's control.

12. Contacting Customer Care

Our mailing address for Customer Care is the following: Air France Customer Relations P.O. Box 20980 Department 980 Atlanta, GA 30320-2980 Contact customer services online

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FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Rules to Deliver Automatic Refunds and Protect Consumers from Surprise Junk Fees in Air Travel

Newly finalized rules will mandate automatic, cash refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights and save consumers over half a billion dollars every year in airline fees

WASHINGTON – Building on a historic record of expanding consumer protections and standing up for airline passengers, the Biden-Harris Administration announced final rules that require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed and protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees. These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed, and save consumers over half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees. 

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Today’s announcements will require airlines to both provide passengers better information about costs before ticket purchase, and promptly provide cash refunds to passengers when they are owed — not only saving passengers time and money, but also preventing headaches.”

The rules are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to lower costs for consumers and take on corporate rip-offs. President Biden signed an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in 2021 that encouraged DOT to take steps to promote fairer, more transparent, and competitive markets. 

Requiring Automatic Cash Airline Refunds The first rule requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed because their flights are cancelled or significantly changed, their checked bags are significantly delayed, or the ancillary services, like Wi-Fi, they purchased are not provided. 

Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how to make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. Passengers would also receive a travel credit or voucher by default from many airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process. 

DOT’s rule makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. The final rule requires refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must promptly issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.   
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees.

Protecting Against Surprise Airline Junk Fees Secondly, DOT is requiring airlines and ticket agents to tell consumers upfront what fees they charge for checked bags, a carry-on bag, for changing a reservation, or cancelling a reservation. This ensures that consumers can avoid surprise fees when they purchase tickets from airlines or ticket agents, including both brick-and-mortar travel agencies or online travel agencies.

The rule will help consumers avoid unneeded or unexpected charges that can increase quickly and add significant cost to what may, at first, look like a cheap ticket. Extra fees, like checked baggage and change fees, have been a growing source of revenue for airlines, while also becoming more complex and confusing for passengers over time. In total, thanks to the final rule, consumers are expected to save over half a billion dollars every year that they are currently overpaying in airline fees.

DOT’s rule ensures that consumers have the information they need to better understand the true costs of air travel. Under the final rule, airlines are required to:

• Disclose baggage, change, and cancellation fees upfront: Each fee must be disclosed the first time that fare and schedule information is provided on the airline’s online platform -- and cannot be displayed through a hyperlink.  
• Explain fee policies before ticket purchase: For each type of baggage, airlines and ticket agents must spell out the weight and dimension limitations that they impose. They must also describe any prohibitions or restrictions on changing or cancelling a flight, along with policies related to differences in fare when switching to a more or less expensive flight.    
• Share fee information with third parties: An airline must provide useable, current, and accurate information regarding its baggage, change, and cancellation fees and policies to any company that is required to disclose them to consumers and receives fare, schedule, and availability information from that airline.   
• Inform consumers that seats are guaranteed: When offering an advance seat assignment for a fee, airlines and ticket agents must let consumers know that purchasing a seat is not necessary to travel, so consumers can avoid paying unwanted seat selection fees.   
• P rovide both standard and passenger-specific fee information:  Consumers can choose to view passenger-specific fee information based on their participation in the airline’s rewards program, their military status, or the credit card that they use — or they can decide to stay anonymous and get the standard fee information.  
• End discount bait-and-switch tactics: The final rule puts an end to the bait-and-switch tactics some airlines use to disguise the true cost of discounted flights. It prohibits airlines from advertising a promotional discount off a low base fare that does not include all mandatory carrier-imposed fees.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration Both of these actions were suggested for consideration by the DOT in the Executive Order on Promoting Competition and build on historic steps the Biden-Harris Administration has already taken to expand consumer protections, promote competition, and protect air travelers. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• DOT launched the flightrights.gov dashboard, and now all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect consumers from surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would: 

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, as the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

Travelers can learn more about their protections when they fly at FlightRights.gov . Consumers may file an airline complaint with the Department here .