our transport correspondent caroline davies has more.e davies has more. the dark and the difficul' of through the dark and the difficulty of the last few months they've waited for this. as soon as we got off the aeroplane we got so excited, even the little ones were shouting "london, london!" we even the little ones were shouting �*london, london!"— even the little ones were shouting "london, london!"— "london, london!" we have 'ust literally walked in i "london, london!" we have 'ust literally walked in a i "london, london!" we have 'ust literally walked in a few �* "london, london!" we havejustl literally walked in a few moments a-o literally walked in a few moments ago but _ literally walked in a few moments ago but when we get home and see everybody— ago but when we get home and see everybody it will sink in. that's four granny... _ everybody it will sink in. that's four granny... as _ everybody it will sink in. that's four granny... as soon - everybody it will sink in. that's four granny... as soon as - everybody it will sink in. th

our transport correspondent caroline davis hasore.olyn: through the dark and the difficulty of the last few months, they have waited for this. >> as soon as we got off the airplane we got so excited. >> we only walked in a few minutes ago. when we get home and see everybody, it will sink in. caroline: as soon a the quartine rules change last week, naomi booked flights flight from california to see her parents. taking a message from the children -- >> we love you. >> we really miss you. caroline: on one of the first flights to land in the u.k. since the rules changed, while her parents wait nervously. >> i cldn't sleep. i think i saw every hour. [laughter] i think i d get sleep in between, but it was just, yeah, i'm too excited. oh, my goodness! caroline: they've not seen each other since december 2019. >> i really didn't think it was possible to come home until i actually set foot off the plane. oh, my god. i left my husband and two kids at home. it pains me to have left them behind, but grateful they gave me the opportunity. >> it's

caroline davies, bbc news. now on bbc news: the travel show. this is the mighty mississippi.nomic backbone of early america, running north to south for more than 2000 miles, carrying the people and cargo that helped to turn this country from a fledgling upstart into a powerhouse. for much of the 19th century, steamboats like this ruled the river. but in 1879, construction began on a transcontinental train line, that would link the newfound prosperity with the isolated far west. connecting the gulf of mexico with the pacific ocean. on this journey i'll be following the railroad that pushed the american dream along the mexican border all the way to california. every trip is unique. it's a moving city. and i will be meeting some of the people who help define this unique, diverse and fascinating part of the country. horn blares. new orleans, my first port of call. right now in the middle of one of its annual street parties, the french quarter festival. jazz music plays. the area gets its name from when the french founded the city in 1718, as a strategic port on the mississippi an

with the latest, here's our transport correspondent caroline davies. a near empty swimming pool, few tents pitched and no—one propping up the bar. this would normally be the busiest time of year at this campsite in western france, but at the moment, they're half—empty. hopefully there'll be a flurry of last—minute campers. we're hoping so, especially in september with the older couples who normally come who don't have families. i think it's too late for families to come because they will have booked elsewhere in the uk. across the channel, these british holiday—makers are staying home. with the kids and too late in summer, we've already had to change my holiday. i work for the nhs, so i've had to change my holiday that way. i couldn't quarantine when i get back, so, yeah, this is it for us this year. it's too risky to commit to an overseas holiday right now in my opinion. it's too much of an issue, effort to get tested. ijust feel a bit safer- in my own country, quite frankly, at the moment. even though they make those changes, they can make the change

here's our transport correspondent, caroline davies. near empty swimming pool, few tents pitched and no—one propping up the bar. this would normally be the busiest time of year at this campsite in western france, but at the moment, they're half—empty. hopefully there'll be a flurry of last—minute campers. we're hoping so, especially in september with the older couples who normally come who don't have families. i think it's too late for families to come because they will have booked elsewhere in the uk. across the channel, these british holiday—makers are staying home. with the kids and too late in summer, we've already had to change my holiday. i work for the nhs, so i've had to change my holiday that way. i couldn't quarantine when i get back, so, yeah, this is it for us this year. it's too risky to commit to an overseas holiday right now in my opinion. it's too much of an issue, effort to get tested. ijust feel a bit safer- in my own country, quite frankly, at the moment. even though they make those changes, they can make the changes

here's our transport correspondent caroline davies.y cancun sunrise robin and his wife viv will see this trip. their pre—holiday excitement soured quickly when they landed in mexico last night and heard that itjoins the red list on sunday morning. my wife's been really upset the last few hours and the holiday itself was about £6,000 so we were really treating ourselves for just a week's holiday. another couple of thousand for the additional flights that we've got, plus we're still paying for all of the tests when we get back, as well. so, yeah, it's been a fair bit of money for effectively a day out. he's among 5,000—6,000 british tourists currently in mexico. more flights have been added to get them home. so there's 11 of us, it's a family holiday. 0ur parents have taken us away. we have had, you know, quite a bad year and we just wanted to spend some quality family time together, which has now been destroyed in one fell swoop by a government that's nothing less than shambolic. the prime minister has asked people to be patient as trav

our transport correspondent caroline davis has the latest.he dark and the difficulty of the last few months, they've waited for this. as soon as we got off the aeroplane we got so excited. even the little ones were shouting, "london, london." we've onlyjust literally walked in a few minutes ago but when we get home and see everybody, yeah, it will sink in. as soon as the quarantine rules changed last week, naomi booked herflights from california to see her parents. taking a message from her children... we love you. mwah. we love you. i really miss you guys. ..on one of the first flights to land in the uk since the rules changed, while her parents wait nervously. i couldn't sleep, - i think i saw every hour. i think i did get sleep - in between but it wasjust... yeah, i'm too excited. they've not seen each other since december 2019. i really didn't think it was possible to come home until i actually set foot off the plane. oh, my god. i've left my husband and two kids at home and it pains me to have left them behind, but grateful that they gav

our transport correspondent caroline davies has more.got off the aeroplane we got so excited. even the little ones were shouting, "london, london." we've onlyjust literally walked in a few minutes ago but when we get home and see everybody, yeah, it will sink in. as soon as the quarantine rules changed last week, naomi booked herflights from california to see her parents. taking a message from her children... we love you. mwah. we love you. i really miss you guys. ..on one of the first flights to land in the uk since the rules changed, while her parents wait nervously. i couldn't sleep, i think i saw every hour. i think i did get sleep in between but it was just... yeah, i'm too excited. they've not seen each other since december 2019. i really didn't think it was possible to come home until i actually set foot off the plane. oh, my god. i've left my husband and two kids at home and it pains me to have left them behind, but grateful that they gave me the opportunity to come. it's all very emotional. i love you, dad, i love you. love you,

caroline davies, bbc news.for a single day. the previous record for people arriving in a single day was just under 600. environmental activists extinction rebellion have blocked roads in central london at the start of what they say will be a fortnight of demonstrations. the group wants to force the government to stop all new investments in fossil fuels that are driving climate change. police say a significant operation will be in place to manage the ongoing protests. when the covid crisis hit last year, there was concern at how prisons would cope, with calls from politicians for some inmates to be released early. the government resisted that and ordered a full lockdown of the prison estate in england and wales instead. now the ministry ofjustice is looking back at the decision and it's made some surprising discoveries. our home editor mark easton has been into isis prison in east london. it was predicted that prisons would be the perfect environment for covid to spread, making jails even more dangerous places.

caroline davies, bbc news.irus figures show there were 31,914 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means on average there were 32,981 new cases per day, in the last week. the most recent figures show there were almost 6,500 people in hospital with the virus on thursday. a0 deaths were recorded in the past 2a hours, with an average of 100 deaths a day in the past week. 0n vaccinations, 87.7% of adults in the uk have now had theirfirst jab and 76.9% have had two. the government says it's met its target of offering all 16 and 17—year—olds in england a single dose of the covid jab. more than a million young people became eligible earlier this month and the latest figures suggest around 360,000 have taken up the offer. a new nhs video has been launched highlighting the effects of long covid in a bid to drive up vaccination rates amongst teenagers. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. hiya, are you ready for vaccination? yeah. every jab counts. these 16 and 17—year—olds were getting their va

our transport correspondent caroline davies is here now.coming in from the united states on the eu. what was the atmosphere lie?— the atmosphere lie? plenty of smiles, quite _ the atmosphere lie? plenty of smiles, quite a _ the atmosphere lie? plenty of smiles, quite a few— the atmosphere lie? plenty of smiles, quite a few tears, - the atmosphere lie? plenty of. smiles, quite a few tears, relief that people had arrived and got into the country. for many people, the fact that quarantine has been removed if you have beenjabbed in the us or europe is a fantastic thing. but there are plenty of people that have been double jabbed in other countries around the rest of the world that are feeling a bit left out at the moment as well. is left out at the moment as well. is still a lot of confusion about the so—called traffic light travel system. we are due for an announcement later on this week? yes, we are getting an announcement about the traffic light system. we have green, amber and about the traffic light system. we have green, amberand red. but

with more details, here's our transport correspondent caroline davies.ly sunrise robin and his wife viv will see this trip. their preholiday excitement out quickly. when they landed in mexico last night and heard that itjoins the red on sunday morning. my night and heard that it joins the red on sunday morning. my wife has been really upset _ red on sunday morning. my wife has been really upset the _ red on sunday morning. my wife has been really upset the last _ red on sunday morning. my wife has been really upset the last few - red on sunday morning. my wife has been really upset the last few hours| been really upset the last few hours and the holiday itself was about £6,000 so we were really treating ourselves orjust £6,000 so we were really treating ourselves or just a £6,000 so we were really treating ourselves orjust a week's holiday. and so the £1000 for the additional flights that we have got, and paying for all of the tests which we get back as well. it has been a fair bit of money for effectively a day out. he is among 5000—6000 british tourist

caroline davies, bbc news. are required to self—isolate. the health secretary sajid javid says the changes "ensure we are striking the right balance" between reducing disruption — and protecting those at risk. business leaders have complained about the large numbers of staff who've had to self—isolate after being pinged by the app — the so—called pingdemic. i'm joined now by michael kill, ceo of the night time industries association. how has the so pingdemic been for the night—time economy? == so—called the night—time economy? » so—called pingdemic. the night-time economy? -- so-called pingdemie we — the night-time economy? -- so-called pingdemic. we were _ the night-time economy? -- so-called pingdemic. we were able _ the night-time economy? -- so-called pingdemic. we were able to _ the night-time economy? -- so-called pingdemic. we were able to open i the night-time economy? -- so-called pingdemic. we were able to open up . pingdemic. we were able to open up on free day -- _ pingdemic. we were able to open up

caroline davies, bbc news. more on that story in about 25 minutes in the business. let's get some of the day's other news. the biden administration is considering making it mandatory for all foreign visitors to the united states to be vaccinated against covid—i9. the country closed its borders to most international travellers during the pandemic. a wildfire that has raged for more than a week has now reached a thermal power station on turkey's aegean coast. the coal—fired facility was already evacuated and flammable and explosive materials were removed in advance of the flames. a sprinter from belarus who defied her country's attempt to send her home from the olympics, has arrived in poland. krystina timanovskaya has been granted a humanitarian visa. her husband willjoin her from ukraine, where the president has stepped up security for belarusian exiles. police in texas say a truck carrying suspected illegal migrants has crashed, killing at least ten people. local media reported that the crash took place when t

caroline davies, bbc news. village in south western france. what is the situation like there? i am in one of the most popular villages in south—west france, 12,000 british people usually come here summer, now the tourism office has told me there are about 200 and they probably live not far from here anyway. the situation is that i do not think many people will come on holiday here because you may remember last year, many people came over and then they had two days to come back or they would face a quarantine of two weeks so many are hesitant to come over. apart from those who have second homes here, there are many teach people with second homes here, there is no accommodation to be found. the dutch and the belgians had no problems coming here, the two things, the french, eight out of ten are staying at home and taking three weeks holiday in august. they have booked everything as well. even if you do, and you have no accommodation you would have a problem finding somewhere to stay. let's speak to the uk's shadow

caroline davies, bbc news.in a village in south western france. this is going to be music to the ears of many holiday—makers who need to get back to uk france. yes indeed. maybe _ to get back to uk france. yes indeed. maybe for— to get back to uk france. 133 indeed. maybe for those getting back but i will expect a huge wave of two coming here. this cobbled street behind me is usually a pipe beautiful marketplace with amazing local produce and food and has lots of bits here but i don't think many brits will be coming, one because this is coming now after the first week of august and most people plan their holidays in may and june and quite frankly there is no accommodation from brits unless they have second homes are yet many do have second homes are yet many do have second homes here but those who don't won't find anywhere to stay in places like this all along the coast because 80% of french people are actually staying on holiday in france this year and the others have gone to the dutch and the belgians who hav

caroline davies, bbc news.ds in the uk will be offered a covid vaccine in the coming weeks. england, wales, scotland and northern ireland have all moved quickly to approve the recommendation by vaccine experts. around 1.5 million teenagers could receive the pfizer vaccine — and, crucially, they will not need parental consent to take part. it leaves the prospect of the over—12s being included at a later stage. our health editor hugh pym has the latest. lucy, who is 16, says she and her mother are celebrating. she has had covid twice, and she was disappointed she couldn't get vaccinated. but that will now change. when i heard the news i was, like, really excited, it has made me really happy. punching the air, we were in the car, she wasjust like, "yes!" the move follows advice to ministers from experts on thejoint committee on vaccine and immunisation. vaccination of children and young people can bring benefits to other people such as adults and including parents and grandparents, but at the forefront is the heal

caroline davies, bbc news.arity on where we can and can't go this summer with the independent�*s travel editor, simon calder. welcome again. let's start with the countries where things have eased up. a lot of focus here on france because there is such a lot of traffic between france and britain. is it the clarity now that it's going to help people? film. is it the clarity now that it's going to help people? 0h, certainly in terms of france, _ going to help people? 0h, certainly in terms of france, and _ going to help people? 0h, certainly in terms of france, and there - going to help people? 0h, certainly in terms of france, and there is - in terms of france, and there is actually quite a lot of anger that for 20 days effectively, france will have been off—limits for a lot of people. that causes many people who are quarantining right now having come back from france, mandatory quarantine remains in place until 4am on sunday, and unfortunately the law means that even if or when francis put on the ordinary amber l

with the latest, here's our transport correspondent caroline davies.swimming pool, a few tents pitched and no one propping up the bar. this would normally be the busiest time of the year at this campsite in western france, but at the moment, they are half empty. so happy about it. we couldn't understand why we were on the amber list anyway. we have had so many cancellations as a result of it and we are over the moon now. it cancellations as a result of it and we are over the moon now. it was a bit nonsensical — we are over the moon now. it was a bit nonsensical to _ we are over the moon now. it was a bit nonsensical to us _ we are over the moon now. it was a bit nonsensical to us because - bit nonsensical to us because infection_ bit nonsensical to us because infection rates were lower here in france _ infection rates were lower here in france. , , ., france. ferry companies are hoping this will give _ france. ferry companies are hoping this will give a _ france. ferry companies are hoping this will give a much-needed - france. ferry companies are hopi

our transport correspondent caroline davies is here. why is this happening?gn country to the uk. you have either one or two tests. the government lists these providers on the website with the cheapest at the top down to the most expensive and it has come under criticism for not keeping a close enough i as to what is going on. some say a particular price on the website and when you go to them they are more expensive or not available at all. some people have said they have paid for tears and not receive results or have received them very late. even as test providers have complained there are cowboys operating in this market. the government has said now that 80 providers will be given a two strike warning. that is for misleading prices, their prices will have to be updated, and they could be removed from the list entirely if they are found to be doing this again. 57 companies have been removed because they no longer exist because they don't provide these tests. the government says it will conduct regular spot checks. this has been welcome, but there has been cri

caroline davies, bbc news. raisi, has been sworn into office following his election victory injune. mr raisi is an ultra—conservative and is close to iran's supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei. as a long—time member of the political establishment in tehran, he's been touted as a possible successor to the ayatollah. the new president is also the former head of iran'sjudiciary and has been heavily criticised over his human rights record. many iranians and human rights activists have pointed to his alleged role in the mass executions of political prisoners in the 1980s. amnesty international have accused the new president of crimes against humanity, and, as they tweeted earlier, they... i'm joined now by our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. just looking at the new president's thinking, his possible motivations, what might induce him to engage with washington, with the west, the outside world?— washington, with the west, the outside world? well, he says he is interested in _ outside world? well, he says he i

caroline davies, bbc news.infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means on average there were 32,981 new cases per day, in the last week. the most recent figures show there were almost 6,500 people in hospital with the virus on thursday. a0 deaths were recorded in the past 2a hours, with an average of 100 deaths a day in the past week. 0n vaccinations, 87.7% of adults in the uk have now had theirfirstjab, and 76.9% have had two. the government says it's met its target of offering all 16 and 17—year—olds in england a single dose of the covid jab. more than a million young people became eligible earlier this month and the latest figures suggest around 360,000 have taken up the offer. a new nhs video has been launched highlighting the effects of long covid in a bid to drive up vaccination rates amongst teenagers. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. hiya, are you ready for vaccination? yeah. every jab counts. these 16 and 17—year—olds were getting their vaccine today at tipton in the west midlan

caroline davies, bbc news. to introduce a so—called "amber watch list" of countries which could move at short notice into the government's red list. i'm joined now by tim hawkins, chief strategy officer of manchester airports group, which manages several airports in the uk. let's talk first of all of what happened today. what was union daylight? it happened today. what was union da liuht? ., , happened today. what was union daliuht? ., . happened today. what was union daliaht? ., . . ., daylight? it was fantastic. we have seen some great _ daylight? it was fantastic. we have seen some great meetings - daylight? it was fantastic. we have seen some great meetings at - daylight? it was fantastic. we have seen some great meetings at our. seen some great meetings at our airports for people who haven't seen each other for quite some while and the policy of allowing fully vaccinated people into the uk without having to self—isolate is a big step forward for those people. it was a huge undertaking for them to isolate i

caroline davies, bbc news.y walker own a campsite in western france. thank you forjoining us. firstly, your reaction to this announcement that came late last night. we your reaction to this announcement that came late last night.— your reaction to this announcement that came late last night. we are so ha - . we that came late last night. we are so happy- we did _ that came late last night. we are so happy- we did not _ that came late last night. we are so happy. we did not understand - that came late last night. we are so happy. we did not understand why i that came late last night. we are so l happy. we did not understand why we were on the amber list anyway. we had so many cancellations as a result of it and we are over the moon now. result of it and we are over the moon "ow-— result of it and we are over the moon now. the amber plus was nonsensical _ moon now. the amber plus was nonsensical to _ moon now. the amber plus was nonsensical to us _ moon now. the amber plus was nonsensical to us because - moon now

exist or don't provide all the tests required by holiday—makers. 0ur transport correspondent caroline davieseapest at the top down to the most expensive. it has come under criticism for not keeping a close enough eye as to what is going on. some say a particular price on the website, when you go to them they are more expensive or not available at all. some people have said they have paid for tests and not received results or have received them very late. even some test providers have complained there are cowboys operating in this market. the government has said now that 82 providers will be given what they call a two strike warning. that is for misleading prices, so their prices will have to be updated, and they could be removed from the list entirely if they are found to be doing this again. 57 companies have been removed because they no longer exist or because they don't provide these tests. the government says it will also conduct regular spot checks. this has been generally welcomed, but there has been criticism it has taken so long, particularly by the consumer group, which? they also p

with the latest, here's our transport correspondent caroline davies. moon now. amber plus was a bit nonsensical to _ moon now. amber plus was a bit nonsensical to us _ moon now. amber plus was a bit nonsensical to us because - moon now. amber plus was a bit i nonsensical to us because infection rates _ nonsensical to us because infection rates were — nonsensical to us because infection rates were lower here in france. ferry companies are hoping this will give a much—needed boost to passenger numbers. in terms of demand we know it is out there because we know how many people are looking for prices. we expect that to pick up sharply, people will be able to book and travel. across the channel, these british holiday—makers are staying home. not this year due to the pandemic. we feel holidaying in the uk is better and safer for us. we have come here for a week and we probably would have gone to spain with the family and kids, but it is risky with flight restrictions. we have already had to change our holiday, i work for the nhs, i couldn't quarantine when i