This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39333424

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
US to ban laptops and tablets on flights from eight countries Electronics banned on some US flights from Middle East
(about 1 hour later)
The US is banning electronic devices from cabin baggage on flights from eight mainly Middle Eastern and North African countries. The US has announced a ban on electronic devices from cabin baggage on flights from eight mainly Middle Eastern and North African countries.
A US government source told the BBC that the measure would affect nine airlines operating out of 10 airports. Officials said extremists were planning to bring down passenger jets with bombs hidden in laptops, tablets cameras, DVD players and electronic games.
US media reported the order was sparked by intelligence gathered overseas. The measure will affect nine airlines operating out of 10 airports.
It will reportedly include all large electronic devices such as laptops, tablets cameras, DVD players and electronic games, but not phones. Large electronic devices will only be allowed on board in checked baggage. Phones are exempt from the new rules.
Medical devices will also be exempt from the ban. US officials said the airlines had been given 96 hours, beginning at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday, to ban devices bigger than a mobile phone or smartphone from cabins. They said the ban had no end date.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declined to comment on the issue but is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday. The airports affected are:
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of Homeland Security, also refused to comment. The nine airlines are:
A formal list of the airlines affected has yet to be released, but an official speaking to the Associated Press (AP) said it would apply to the following 10 airports in eight countries: Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called members of Congress over the weekend to explain the security issues behind the ban, congressional aides said.
Officials said the ban had no end date. AP reported that airlines would not be officially informed of the ban until 03:00 ET (07:00 GMT) on Tuesday. The restrictions had been under consideration for several weeks, US media said.
But Royal Jordanian Airlines tweeted on Monday that it would ban passengers from carrying on most electronics to and from its North American flights.
The tweet was later deleted.
The Jordan-based carrier said that starting on Tuesday, it would only allow phones and medical devices on its flights. All other electronics would be "strictly prohibited".
The airline said that laptops, tablets, DVD players and electronic games must be checked in with baggage.
The new rule will affect Royal Jordanian flights to New York, Chicago, Detroit and Montreal.
A matter of trust - James Cook, BBC North America correspondentA matter of trust - James Cook, BBC North America correspondent
In February 2016 an aircraft operated by the Dubai-based carrier Daallo was damaged by an explosion shortly after take-off from the Somali capital, Mogadishu.In February 2016 an aircraft operated by the Dubai-based carrier Daallo was damaged by an explosion shortly after take-off from the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
Investigators said a passenger who was sucked out of the plane had been carrying a laptop bomb. The pilot managed to land and the alleged bomber was the only fatality. Had the device gone off at cruising altitude the plane would almost certainly have been destroyed. Investigators said a passenger who was sucked out of the plane had been carrying a laptop bomb. The pilot managed to land and the alleged bomber was the only fatality. Had the device gone off at cruising altitude, the plane would almost certainly have been destroyed.
The Islamic militant group al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, claimed that it was responsible and the possibility of further such attacks is apparently what is now concerning American spies. The Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, claimed that it was responsible. The possibility of further such attacks is apparently what is now concerning American spies.
But, as ever with matters of intelligence, officials are reluctant to go into detail about exactly why the ban is being proposed.But, as ever with matters of intelligence, officials are reluctant to go into detail about exactly why the ban is being proposed.
That means travellers being asked to trust the US government when it says that this inconvenience is vital for their own safety and - at present - trust is a commodity which is in very short supply. That means travellers are being asked to trust the US government when it says that this inconvenience is vital for their own safety. At present, trust is a commodity which is in very short supply.
What happened in Somali plane bomb?What happened in Somali plane bomb?
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly reportedly called congressional lawmakers over the weekend to explain the travel security issues that prompted the electronics ban, a congressional aide briefed on the discussion told the AP news agency.
The new ban has been under consideration for several weeks, according to US media.