MOSCOW: Moscow’s three international airports yesterday announced a flat ban on all carry-on liquids — including medicines — as part of a mass security clampdown ahead of next month’s Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.
The huge hubs handle the vast majority of Russia’s oversees air traffic and will receive the bulk of foreigners arriving for the February 7-23 Olympics on the shores of the Black Sea.
The unexpected decision —the latest in a string of restrictions leading up to the Games — sparked immediate protests because it covers prescribed medication and baby food. Russia this week launched the largest security operation in Olympic history aimed at warding off the threat of Islamist violence following last month’s twin suicide strikes in the southern city of Volgograd.
The December 29-30 railway station and trolleybus bombings killed 34 and fanned fears of a renewed terror campaign by militants from the nearby North Caucasus, who have threatened attacks before and during the Games. Sheremetyevo airport said on its website that the ban covers “all liquids, including personal hygiene items, cosmetics, medicines, liquids, sprays and gels in any amount”.
It also applies to “items used in arts and crafts such as paints, soil and glue”.
Hungary fines McDonald’s for misleading ads
BUDAPEST: Hungary yesterday fined fast-food giant McDonald’s around ¤50,000 ($68,000) for giving consumers “false information”, saying it failed to mention its chicken products contained skin.
“Between January 1, 2012 and February 12, 2013, the firm gave false information on the meat content of its products and on how they were prepared,” said the Competition Authority in a statement.
The global company’s marketing images showing tender-looking chicken meat products were “particularly misleading”, it said.
McDonald’s told Hungarian newspaper Nepszabadsag that minced skin was commonly used to keep chicken meat from drying, and the term “chicken meat” was wide-ranging.
The firm said the decision could set a “dangerous” precedent, requiring restaurant menus to contain exact details of dishes.
Gunmen kill three in north Nigeria mosque attack
KANO: Gunmen opened fire on worshippers at a mosque near northern Nigeria’s main city of Kano, killing three of them and wounding 12 as they prayed, witnesses and police said yesterday.
Police spokesman Musa Majiya declined to speculate on who was behind Tuesday night’s attack in Kwankwaso village, about 30km from Kano and home of Kano state governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. Criminal gangs also operate in the area.
Agencies
