US, UK electronics ban on some planes

THE US media revealed that the aircraft cabin ban on large electronic devices was prompted by intelligence suggesting a terror threat to Us-bound flights.

The US and UK announced new carry-on restrictions banning laptops on certain passenger flight routes.

According to US media, the Islamic State group has been working on ways to smuggle explosives on to planes by hiding them in electronic goods. The intelligence was judged by the US to be “substantiated” and “credible”.

Inbound flights on nine airlines operating out of 10 airports in eight countries are subject to the US Department of Homeland Security ban.

Cellphones and medical devices will not be affected.

The UK ban affects 14 airlines, including six British carriers, such as British Airways, Easyjet and Thomas Cook.

The airlines affected by the WESTERN Cape Premier Helen Zille will find out if the DA will charge her for allegedly breaching its constitution today.

Last week Zille caused an outrage in social media and political circles when she tweeted that the legacy of colonialism was not all negative but had some merits.

This prompted DA leader Mmusi Maimane to lodge a complaint against her. US ban are Royal Jordanian, Egyptair, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways.

Zille waits for ruling on complaint

Zille met the DA’S Western Cape caucus, where concerns about her statements were aired.

She also faced the party’s federal legal commission this weekend. The commission is sitting with a complaint lodged by Maimane.

It needs to investigate whether or not the complaint laid against her constitutes misconduct in terms of the party’s constitution.(see page 4)