New requirements for face scans and fingerprints from 6 October threaten delays at the border

In a land just 20 miles from Britain, people can catch an international train just by buying a ticket and turning up. For Eurostar travellers from London it has never been that simple. But from 6 October, when the EU’s new border regime kicks in, a fresh headache of requirements will apply.

There may be some comfort in Eurostar’s promise that it “won’t be a shitshow”. It has spent a year discussing the precise requirements of the EU entry-exit system (EES), and invested €10m in revamping St Pancras International.

RAC and AA prediction means more than half of cars could be on roads over late May long weekend

Drivers have been warned to expect one of the busiest bank holiday weekends on UK roads in years, with more than 20m leisure journeys forecast over the next four days.

Despite more unsettled weather, days out and staycations are expected to push up the numbers of vehicles on the roads over the break to the highest level for late May since before the Covid pandemic.

While fatalities are rare, severe turbulence is up 55% since 1979 – with the climate crisis thought to be making the problem worse

The death of a British passenger and injuries to others on a Singapore Airlines passenger flight from London has underlined the potential dangers of turbulence. But what causes turbulence, how much risk does it pose – and is the climate crisis making it worse?

Figures show US is worst offender for unpaid fees and fines, followed by Japan’s embassy, which owes £10.1m

The US embassy in Britain owes about £15m in unpaid congestion charge fees, according to Transport for London, which is considering legal recourse through international courts.

The unpaid fees and fines have amassed over more than a decade, making the US the worst offender among foreign diplomats, with embassies in London collectively owing £143.5m by the end of 2023.

Milford Haven, Southampton and Immingham top the list for emissions of gases and particulates

Ships calling at the UK’s most-polluted ports produce more nitrogen oxides than all the cars registered in the same cities or regions, analysis has shown.

A report from Transport & Environment (T&E) said that ships were continuing to discharge huge quantities of air pollutants at ports, with Milford Haven, Southampton and Immingham topping the list for emissions of harmful sulphur oxides and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Tribunal in London will hear claims Richard Branson’s airline used Covid redundancies to target older staff

Hundreds of long-serving Virgin Atlantic cabin crew are suing the airline for unfair dismissal, claiming that the airline used Covid redundancies to target older staff.

An employment tribunal in London will start examining more than 200 cases next month, at which former crew will argue that Sir Richard Branson’s airline unfairly made them redundant while retaining cheaper new hires.

Company says it can offer ‘much-needed choice’ in bid to create direct competition for Avanti West Coast

Richard Branson’s Virgin Group hopes to make a comeback on Britain’s railways – with plans for up to four new services on the West Coast main line it used to run.

Virgin has submitted proposals to operate separate train services between London Euston and Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow Central respectively, on an open access basis.