Some air travelers must turn on phones
WASHINGTON – Passengers at some overseas airports offering U.S.-bound flights will soon be required to power on their electronic devices in order to board their flights – a measure intended to enhance aviation security at a time when intelligence officials are concerned about hidden explosives, a counterterrorism official said.
American intelligence officials have been concerned about new al-Qaida efforts to produce a bomb that would go undetected through airport security. There is no indication such a bomb has been created or that there’s a specific threat to the U.S., but intelligence has suggested that al-Qaida and like-minded groups are focused on perfecting an explosive that could be hidden in shoes, electronics or cosmetics, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
The Transportation Security Administration says it is adding the requirement that passengers coming to the U.S. from some airports must turn on devices such as cellphones before boarding. It says devices that won’t power up won’t be allowed on planes, and those travelers may have to undergo additional screening. Turning on an electronic device can show a screener it is a working device, and the batteries are used for operating it.
Israeli army launches Gaza offensive
JERUSALEM – The Israeli army says it has launched an offensive operation against the Gaza Strip to quell rocket attacks, and a Palestinian official says Israeli airstrikes have wounded at least nine Palestinians.
A Twitter statement from the Israeli army early Tuesday says Operation Protective Edge is intended to “stop the terror Israel’s citizens face on a daily basis.”
The army says it was carrying out airstrikes early Tuesday in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army did not elaborate.
Associated Press