Canada limits carry-on baggage on flights into U.S

Canada is immediately limiting carry-on items for flights to the United States in the aftermath of a failed terror attack on a Northwest Airlines flight.

“Effective immediately, U.S.-bound passengers are not allowed to bring carry-on bags into the cabin of the aircraft, with some exceptions,” said a statement from Transport Canada.

According to the agency, carry-ons will be limited to medication or medical devices, small purses, cameras, coats, infant-care items, laptop computers, containers carrying life-sustaining or special-needs items, musical instruments, or diplomatic or consular bags. Crutches, canes and walkers also are permitted.

“These measures are expected to be in place at least for several days,” Transport Canada said.

Canada made the change after a botched terrorism attack on a U.S.-bound plane.

AbdulMutallab, 23, is charged with attempting to set off an explosive device aboard a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day. He attempted to ignite an explosive device sewn into his underwear, authorities say.

AbdulMutallab, a Nigerian who had a multiple-entry visa to the United States, had been added to a watch list of 550,000 potential terrorist threats. But “the info on him was not deemed specific enough to pull his visa or put him on a no-fly list,” a U.S. official said.

AbdulMutallab first boarded a KLM flight from Lagos, Nigeria, to Amsterdam. Both Nigerian authorities and KLM, a Northwest partner, say he received secondary security screening. But a U.S. official said Friday that AbdulMutallab was not checked for traces of explosives using a more extensive test.

President Obama said Monday he has “ordered a thorough review, not only of how information related to the subject was handled, but of the overall watch-list system and how it can be strengthened.”