   UK "airline terror plot foiled"
BBC: "'Airlines terror plot' disrupted" | CNN: "UK foils aircraft terror plot"Quote:A terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said.It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on to as many as 10 aircraft in hand luggage.Police arrested about 18 people in the London area and West Midlands after an anti-terrorist operation.High security is causing delays at all UK airports, Heathrow is closed to incoming flights, and MI5 has raised the threat level to critical.According to MI5's website, critical threat level - the highest - means "an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK".Home Secretary John Reid confirmed that there had apparently been a plot "to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions causing a considerable loss of life".According to BBC sources the "principal characters" suspected of being involved in the plot were British-born.Reports, as always at times so close to events like this, are pretty sketchy. But so far radio reports seem to be indicating that its believed that the liquid explosives were to have been smuggled aboard in hand luggage.Current disruptions include Heathrow airport being closed until at least 3pm local time, according to the BAA, and passengers in other UK airports are being forbidden to take hand luggage, aside from small personal items and essential documents in an issued transparent plastic bag.News reports say the US Department of Homeland Security have raised their terror alert (how long since we heard of those?) to red, though the website is still at orange.So pretty much 13 months after London was hit by the July 7th bombings, we have another alleged attempt to kill civilians on planes. I wonder how this is going to effect airport security in the long run?   
  This is the first I heard of this. It's all over the TV right now - looks like a really serious threat. I'm meant to be flying a few days too..   ;  When I see the word "Terror" and the phrase "Terror Alert was raised" I just don't buy it. That word is used with the intention of causing an impression on masses, this is: Manipulation.   ;  This looks serious - not some idiots caught on tape day dreaming out loud but a plan ready to set loose.   ;  Glad it was stopped in time to prevent any deaths.   ;Quote:Original post by owlWhen I see the word "Terror" and the phrase "Terror Alert was raised" I just don't buy it. That word is used with the intention of causing an impression on masses, this is: Manipulation.I think that's a little overblown. It was an attempted terrorist attack, and this is the media we're talking about.   ;Quote:Original post by aidan_walshNews reports say the US Department of Homeland Security have raised their terror alert (how long since we heard of those?) to red, though the website is still at orange.dammit, and I yank that specific HTML from the page to insert a DHS threat level in one of our apps at work.;  The Department on their press release says they only have it at Orange.That means the news people are wrong. Continue to pull from that page.   ;Quote:Original post by owlWhen I see the word "Terror" and the phrase "Terror Alert was raised" I just don't buy it. That word is used with the intention of causing an impression on masses, this is: Manipulation.I sort of agree - the term 'terrorism' has been so abused in the last few years that it's hard to take it seriously any more.However, that doesn't mean it isn't sometimes serious.   ;Quote:Original post by MaegaThe Department on their press release says they only have it at Orange.That means the news people are wrong. Continue to pull from that page.unfortunately, the DHS site is displaying *yellow*.   