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US security steps back from banning laptops on flights from Europe for now

The ban could still be implemented for Europe if the threat level worsens.

US AVIATION SECURITY officials have stepped back from imposing a ban on carry-on computers on flights coming from Europe, which had been proposed to guard against possible bomb-laden electronics from the Islamic State group.

But the Department of Homeland Security said a ban, already in place for US-bound flights from the Middle East, could still be implemented for Europe if the threat level worsens.

In a phone discussion with European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc Tuesday, DHS Secretary John Kelly “made it clear” a ban on passengers carrying tablet and computer-sized electronics on board flights to the United States “is still on the table,” DHS said in a statement.

Secretary Kelly affirmed he will implement any and all measures necessary to secure commercial aircraft flying to the United States – including prohibiting large electronic devices from the passenger cabin – if the intelligence and threat level warrant it.

On 21 March Washington announced a ban on carry-on laptops and other electronics larger than cellphone on direct flights to the United States from 10 airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa.

The move came after intelligence officials learned of efforts by the Islamic State group to fashion a bomb into consumer electronics.

From any of those airports, US-bound passengers were forced to keep their electronics in checked baggage.

One day later Britain announced a similar ban for flights originating from six countries, and by early May DHS was threatening to impose a similar restriction for flights from Europe to the United States.

That would have a huge effect on the coming high travel season, with more than 3,250 flights a week scheduled to leave EU airports for the US this summer.

© – AFP 2017

Read: Laptop ban on Europe-US flights? It could be happening>

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    Mute Cheryl Mellett
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    Jun 3rd 2017, 7:26 PM

    So very sad. People locally were complaining earlier about heavy traffic backed up thinking it was just bank holiday chaos. So very sad that someone lost their life just yards ahead of them. Rest in peace.

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    Mute abcyz
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    Jun 3rd 2017, 10:34 PM

    It’s a free flowing motorway coming after a 100kph zone to 120 kph. Hard to think how it could happen as good weather and road conditions. Car must have completely left the road and went into the fields and trees around there?

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    Mute Cheryl Mellett
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    Jun 3rd 2017, 11:18 PM

    @abcyz: The bend on that exit is pretty sharp. It would be very easy lose control if going fast or had to break suddenly. No matter what the cause it’s very sad.

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    Mute Ashling Visser Bishop
    Favourite Ashling Visser Bishop
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    Jun 3rd 2017, 8:17 PM

    I drove up this road

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