Incidents Spur Britain To Raise Its Terror Threat To "Severe"

Two men, one an Egyptian and one a Saudi Arabian who's names appeared on a "No Fly' list, were prevented from boarding U.S. bound flights last Saturday and Sunday, respectively. One attempted to board an American Airlines flight, while the other was attempting to fly on United.

News of the incidents have prompted Britain's Home Secretary Alan Johnson (above)  to raise that country's threat level to 'Highly Likely', the second highest level of concern. The threat level means there is the increased possibility that al-Queda is planning an attack.

The Mirror UK reports anti-terror officials say there have been an "unusually high" number of people on no-fly lists who have attempted to board planes flying to the U.S. Security in Britain has been tightened, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in Britain this week for high-level meetings focusing on Yemen and Afghanistan.

Heathrow Airport

The Mirror also reports that Immigration Minister Phil Woolas will expand police powers to allow detailed checks of the bank accounts of foreign students entering the country. There is a concern that many are bogus, and accounts will be checked to determine if they have enough money to cover their academic courses.

FMI: www.homeoffice.gov.uk