From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

A new restriction on travel to the United States.

Hello again, I'm Aranalny, and this is To the Point.

Nine foreign airlines flying from the Middle East and North Africa direct to the

U.S. are on notice. It's cell phones only. No laptops, tablets, or other devices for passengers

on their planes. Homeland Security calls it protection against a long-time threat, but it won't

go into effect for days. So how urgent is it? Travelers needing electronic devices will likely switch to alternate

routes on U.S.-based airlines, even though their service isn't as good. Is the ban really about

terror or trade? Today's talking point has the House probe into Russian hacking and the Trump

campaign lost credibility.

First, here's the news.

Check out KCRW's all-news channel News 24, programming from KCRW, NPRW, NPR, BBC, and more 24 hours a day.

Go to KCRW.com slash News24 or listen on KCRW's app.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, I'm only back with To The Point. President Trump's Department of Homeland Security has banned all electronic devices larger than cell phones from some foreign airlines flying direct to the U.S.

It's causing confusion as well as inconvenience.

Is the motive really just increased security?

Today's talking point, the House Intelligence Committee held out hope for bipartisanship

in its probe of Russian influence in last year's election and links to the Trump campaign.

Now the Republican chairman has created new uncertainty.

First, this news update. When President Obama had only a year left to serve, Republicans refused to

consider his Supreme Court nominee because President Obama only had a year left to serve.

...