Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

Green Hulk-themed Xbox consoleImage source, BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Image caption,

The Hulk-branded gaming device is in a vivid green

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A story about a rare Xbox console that sold for almost £8,000 at auction was among our most read stories this week in Oxfordshire.

A variety of local issues were featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Oxford) and South Today.

We have picked five of them to keep you up to date.

Zero emissions zone pilot set to net councils £1.8m

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The zero emission zone (ZEZ) pilot was launched in Oxford in 2022

Two councils expect to make £1.8m from Oxford's Zero Emissions Zone (ZEZ) by the time a pilot scheme ends in 2026.

Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council have operated the ZEZ since February 2022.

The project involves charging non-electric vehicles' drivers with the aim of improving air quality.

Palin awarded honorary Oxford degree amid Gaza protest

Image source, OXFORD UNIVERSITY IMAGES / JOHN CAIRNS
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Sir Michael Palin attended Oxford in his younger days

Comedy legend Sir Michael Palin has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Oxford in a ceremony that was affected by a nearby pro-Palestinian protest.

Known for a career spanning almost 60 years, Sir Michael was one of six people rewarded at the university's Encaenia ceremony.

But an Oxford Action for Palestine encampment around the Radcliffe Camera meant it took a different route to previous years.

Police cordon off Oxford city centre street

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The police cordon covered about two thirds of Cornmarket Street

One of Oxford's main city centre shopping streets was cordoned off by police after the discovery of an "unresponsive" man who later died.

South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Police officers attended the scene in Cornmarket Street in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The cordon covered about two thirds of the street, stretching about 130m (427ft) from the junction at Queen Street, for about six hours.

Missing charity flight toy giraffe returned to owner

Image source, VICKIE HALL
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Vickie Hall said the toy had a high sentimental value for her

A cuddly toy giraffe that was one of 500 to take part in a special charity flight has been returned to its owner after going missing for six weeks.

Jofre the giraffe took off from RAF Brize Norton at the end of April as part of the Giraffes on Tour fundraising campaign for Great Ormond Street.

Vickie Hall had made a donation for Jofre to go on the flight but its return was delayed after being seemingly lost in the post, prompting an apology from the Royal Mail.

Rare Xbox donated to charity shop raises thousands

Image source, BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
Image caption,

The console was created to promote the 2003 Hulk superhero film

A rare Xbox console that was donated to a charity shop has sold for almost £8,000 at auction.

The British Heart Foundation said the green gaming device, created to promote the 2003 Hulk superhero film, was one of only 50 ever made.

It had been "generously donated" to one of its shops in Oxford, the charity said.