Transportation

Uber has been stripped of its London licence in a surprise move that has triggered an outcry from drivers at the ride-hailing company and Conservative politicians. The firm’s application for a new licence in London was rejected on the basis that the company is not a “fit and proper” private car hire operator. Uber said it planned to challenge the ruling by London’s transport authority in the courts immediately. This means Uber cars will not disappear from the streets immediately and will continue to operate for its 3.5 million users in the capital until the firm has exhausted the appeals process – which could take months. The current licence expires on 30 September but Uber has 21 days to appeal and can continue to operate until that process expires.

Passengers at all US airports will soon face new measures for screening electronic devices bigger than a cellphone. Security officers will ask travelers in regular lanes to take all larger devices out of their bag and put them in a bin by themselves, similar to the screening of most travelers' laptops. Officials say it gives X-ray screeners a clearer picture of the devices. The change won't apply to pre-check lanes. The Transportation Security Administration said the new procedure will go nationwide in the coming weeks and months. TSA has been testing it at 10 airports for more than a year. The Department of Homeland Security has been changing rules for electronics on international flights because of the threat that terrorists could hide bombs inside laptop or tablet computers.