See more BNEWS on Google
The United States is beginning to ease some of the airport security rules introduced after the September 11, 2001 attacks, in a move that could influence wider discussions about procedures used at international airports.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that, at selected airports, people without an airline ticket will be allowed to pass through security and accompany relatives or friends to areas near departure gates.
The measure will initially apply to people enrolled in TSA PreCheck, a programme for travellers who have already undergone background screening and are eligible for faster security procedures.
Those wishing to enter departure areas without travelling will need to apply for permission in advance, between one and three days before their planned visit. The programme is expected to be available initially at 13 US airports.
The change restores a practice that was common before the September 11 attacks, when relatives and friends could accompany passengers to boarding gates.
Another measure under consideration could allow some passengers to carry full bottles of water through airport security.
Restrictions on liquids were tightened after a foiled terrorist plot in the United Kingdom in 2006, in which suspects planned to conceal liquid explosives in drink containers.
According to aviation security experts, the possible easing of these rules has been made possible by improvements in screening technology.
New computed tomography systems can analyse the contents of luggage in greater detail and improve the detection of potentially dangerous materials, including liquid explosives.
The changes follow another recent move by US authorities to end, in some circumstances, the requirement for passengers to remove their shoes during security screening, a rule that had been in place for around two decades.
Experts stress that the changes do not necessarily represent a reduction in security standards, as procedures are being adjusted to reflect the capabilities of newer screening equipment and pre-screening systems for travellers.
For now, the new policies apply only in the United States. Airport security rules vary from country to country, and any changes elsewhere would depend on national aviation and security authorities.
However, because of the influence of the United States on international aviation, major changes at US airports could encourage wider debate about security practices adopted globally after the September 11 attacks.
If the new procedures prove effective without compromising security, other countries may consider similar measures, particularly as they replace older screening equipment with more advanced technology.
The changes represent one of the most significant reviews of US airport security practices in decades and show how technology is beginning to reshape rules that have defined air travel since the early 2000s.
**At least 64 people have been killed and more than 80 injured following a collision between two high-speed trains in Spain's Toledo province on Wednesday, October 28. The accident, involving 544 passengers, caused several carriages to derail and prompted the suspension of rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.
**Mozambique's instant payment system, Metix, is gaining traction among banking customers. In just seven months, the average number of daily transactions has quadrupled, rising from 3,000 to approximately 12,000, according to figures released by the Bank of Mozambique.**
**Ethiopian Airlines officially launched scheduled flights between Nacala, in Mozambique's northern Nampula Province, and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Tuesday, October 27. The new route will operate three times a week, connecting passengers to a global network of more than 130 destinations.**
**The Real Madrid star has reportedly lost several sponsorship deals with Chinese companies following the circulation of a video in which he appears to make a joke about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The French forward has apologised, but the controversy continues to spark reactions across China.**
Choose BNEWS as a preferred source and see more of our reporting when you search on Google.
**Mozambique's Minister of Planning and Development, Salim Valá, says the country must accelerate economic diversification while awaiting higher revenues from major natural gas projects in the Rovuma Basin.**
The Mozambican Government has decided to extend until March 2029 the validity of a $2.25 billion sovereign guarantee granted to creditors of the Mozambique LNG project, led by French energy giant TotalEnergies in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin, Cabo Delgado province. The decision follows a revision of the financial timetable for the project, valued at approximately $20 billion.
Mozambique’s Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and Ministry of Finance are discussing mechanisms to settle outstanding payments owed to teachers, including overtime compensation, additional teaching shifts, salaries and career progression entitlements. The two institutions are also seeking financial resources to ensure the printing and distribution of school textbooks for the 2027 academic year.
Mozambique and Russia have expressed their intention to strengthen economic and commercial cooperation, with the aim of identifying new investment opportunities and expanding bilateral relations. The commitment was highlighted on Monday, 26 October, during a meeting between Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, in Moscow.
