U.S. warning airlines about possible threat
WASHINGTON – The Homeland Security Department is warning airlines flying to Russia that terrorists may try to smuggle explosives on board hidden in toothpaste tubes.
The threat was passed onto airlines that have direct flights to Russia, including some that originate in the United States, according to a law enforcement official speaking Wednesday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details of the warning.
The official said the airlines were warned that explosive devices could be assembled in flight or upon arrival at the Olympics.
The department said in a statement that the U.S. “isn’t aware of a specific threat to the homeland at this time.”
Panama Canal work stops after talks end
PANAMA CITY – Work on the ambitious Panama Canal expansion project was halted Wednesday after talks broke down on how to settle a dispute over $1.6 billion in cost overruns.
Panama Canal Authority Administrator Jorge Quijano told a news conference the stoppage will give authorities time to analyze how to proceed on the project to widen the canal.
“I don’t even want to suggest that the next steps will be easy or risk-free,” a visibly angered Quijano told reporters in Panama. “What I do want to make clear is that we will not yield to blackmail.”
The Panama Canal Authority and the Spanish-led construction consortium leading the expansion blame each other for the overruns. They were negotiating how to pay for the unplanned extra costs when talks broke down.
Associated Press
