Washington - The US has warned airlines with direct flights to Russia that explosives hidden in toothpaste tubes could be smuggled onto planes. The Department of Homeland Security's warning comes ahead of the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
It said it was not aware of any specific danger to the US at this time. Russia banned all liquids, pastes and gels from its airports and internal flights last month. The move was part of a significant tightening of security in the country ahead of the Olympic Games, correspondents say. The Russian authorities have not yet commented on the US warning. The CEO of the Olympic Organising Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko, said due to the security measures in place, Sochi was probably the safest place in the world right now. Although the Games do not officially start until Friday, some qualifying events are now being held. (FA)
