This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26078438
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US bans carry-on liquids on direct flights to Russia | US bans carry-on liquids on direct flights to Russia |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The US government has banned all liquids from carry-on bags on nonstop flights to Russia, on the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics. | The US government has banned all liquids from carry-on bags on nonstop flights to Russia, on the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics. |
| The restrictions come a day after US officials warned that explosives could be smuggled on flights to Russia in toothpaste tubes. | The restrictions come a day after US officials warned that explosives could be smuggled on flights to Russia in toothpaste tubes. |
| Terrorists could attempt to assemble explosive devices in flight or upon arrival, the officials warned. | Terrorists could attempt to assemble explosive devices in flight or upon arrival, the officials warned. |
| Security has been elevated in the lead-up to the Games, which start on Friday. | Security has been elevated in the lead-up to the Games, which start on Friday. |
| The US airline restrictions unveiled on Thursday temporarily ban carry-on liquids, gels or aerosols aboard direct flights to Russia. | The US airline restrictions unveiled on Thursday temporarily ban carry-on liquids, gels or aerosols aboard direct flights to Russia. |
| 'Enormous stake' | 'Enormous stake' |
| Russia has already banned all liquids, pastes and gels from its airports and internal flights last month. | Russia has already banned all liquids, pastes and gels from its airports and internal flights last month. |
| On Thursday, US President Barack Obama said Russia had an "enormous stake" in foiling terrorism at the Games. | On Thursday, US President Barack Obama said Russia had an "enormous stake" in foiling terrorism at the Games. |
| He told NBC television network the US government was doing everything it could to ensure athletes' safety. | |
| The US has already placed two warships in the Black Sea, ready to offer help in case of a security emergency during the Games. | |
| Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak has said the level of security at Sochi "is similar to that of any other safe city in the world". | Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak has said the level of security at Sochi "is similar to that of any other safe city in the world". |
| Fears surrounding the Winter Olympics in Russia were heightened following two suicide attacks in Volgograd in December, as well as numerous threats from Islamist militants in the Caucasus region. | Fears surrounding the Winter Olympics in Russia were heightened following two suicide attacks in Volgograd in December, as well as numerous threats from Islamist militants in the Caucasus region. |
| Security has not been the only controversy surrounding the build-up to the Games, however. | Security has not been the only controversy surrounding the build-up to the Games, however. |
| Russia's controversial laws on homosexuality, passed last year, have provoked international criticism. | Russia's controversial laws on homosexuality, passed last year, have provoked international criticism. |
| UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon referred to the issue in a keynote speech he gave at a session of the International Olympic Committee in Sochi on Thursday. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon referred to the issue in a keynote speech he gave at a session of the International Olympic Committee in Sochi on Thursday. |
| "Sport has an amazing power to spontaneously unite people," he said. "We must raise our voices against attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. | "Sport has an amazing power to spontaneously unite people," he said. "We must raise our voices against attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. |
| "We must oppose the arrests, imprisonments and discriminatory restrictions they face." | "We must oppose the arrests, imprisonments and discriminatory restrictions they face." |
| Mr Ban also renewed his call for all warring parties around the world to observe an "Olympic Truce" and lay down their weapons during the Games. | Mr Ban also renewed his call for all warring parties around the world to observe an "Olympic Truce" and lay down their weapons during the Games. |
| The Russian foreign ministry made a similar appeal, saying its call was "primarily addressed to the sides of the blood-letting in Syria". | The Russian foreign ministry made a similar appeal, saying its call was "primarily addressed to the sides of the blood-letting in Syria". |