Airline electronic ban bans anything larger than a cellphone

New security restrictions from the Trump administration require nine airlines based in regions of the Middle East and North Africa to prevent people from bringing any device bigger than a smartphone on board. The U.S. ban will affect more than 50 flights a day from 10 airports in the mainly Muslim countries, including major places such as Dubai and Istanbul. The U.K. ban affects six countries, including two not on the U.S. list, Tunisia and Lebanon. The U.S. officials said intelligence “indicate terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation” by “smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.” The 10 international airports covered by the U.S. ban are in Cairo, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Istanbul, Turkey, Doha, and many more.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/21/world/electronic-travel-ban-impact-trnd/index.html

All on board survive South Sudan plane crash

A commercial plane on Monday made a crash landing in poor weather at an airport in South Sudan, causing several injuries among the 43 on board the flight. “It is miraculous, completely,” said Ateny Wek Ateny, the South Sudanese presidential spokesperson. “There are only minor injuries. There was no single death.” The incident took place at the airport in Wau, in the nation’s northwest. Ateny continued to say the pilot overshot runway and dropped onto an unpaved ground. The plane’s right wing hit a car and a fire started on the right side of the plane. The opened the door near the tail, which was not on fire. Initially authorities were not able to find all the passengers because they had fled the scene of the accident. Wal Achieng, an official at South Supreme Airlines in Wau, said the plane carried 40 adults and 3 children. Twenty-five were taken to hospitals. Three remain hospitalized minor injuries.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/20/africa/south-sudan-crash/index.html

Chuck Barris dies

Chuck Barris, best known as host of the television series “The Gong Show” and creator of “The Dating Game” and “The Newlywed Game,” died on Tuesday at 87 years old. As host of “The Gong Show,” Barris introduced amateur performers to three celebrity judges, who had to put a stop to terrible performances by banging on a gong. While his shows were wildly popular, they were not so popular with critics, crowned as the King of Schlock, Baron of Bad Taste and Ayatollah of Trasherola. He later wrote in his book “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” that he worked as a CIA assassin while working in TV which was later denied by the agency. He is survived by his wife of 16 years.

For more information:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/22/us/chuck-barris-tv-game-show-host-dies-obit/index.html?adkey=bn

Failed North Korean missile explodes

A North Korean missile fired Wednesday exploded “within seconds of launch,” according to US Pacific Command. US officials confirmed North Korea had attempted to launch a missile near Kalma, on the country’s east coast, but early reports claim it failed. “South Korea and the US are aware of the missile launch and to their knowledge North Korea’s missile was not successfully launched,” South Korea’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement. Neither the US nor South Korea have released information on what type of missile was fired, or why it had failed. The US Pacific Command said it was working with partners to assess it further. The attempted launch comes four days after the North Korea announced it had tested a new rocket engine, describing it as a “great leap forward” in their missile program. US defense officials told CNN the engine could possibly be used for long-range intercontinental ballistic missile.

For more information:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/21/asia/north-korea-missile-test/index.html

Attack on London

Three people were killed and many more injured after an attacker drove a car through crowds in central London before attempting to storm the Houses of Parliament in what police believe was an act if Islamist-inspired terrorism. Police stated they knew the identity of the assailant, who fatally stabbed unarmed police officer Keith Palmer, a 15 year veteran, on the ground of Parliament after plowing a car through the crowded sidewalks nearby. Armed officers shot the attacker dead. It was the first mass-casualty terrorist attack in Britain since 2005 when 52 people and four attackers were killed in the July 7 bomb attacks on the London public transportation system. The London assault, which came on the one-year anniversary of the ISIS bomb attacks in Brussels, brought carnage to Westminster, the core of political life in Britain.

For more information:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/22/europe/uk-parliament-firearms-incident/index.html