'Plot to blow up planes' foiled [UK TERROR THREAT LEVEL RAISED TO IMMINENT{U.S.raised terror level)

BBC News ^ | Thursday, 10 August 2006, 05:06 GMT 06:06 UK | Unknown

[gary_b_UK]

A major terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight has been disrupted by police, Scotland Yard says.

It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on board aircraft in hand luggage.

During the night, police arrested a number of people in London after a counter-terrorist operation they said had lasted several months.

Police believe the attacks would have been particularly targeted at flights from the UK to the US.

The Department for Transport said security at all UK airports has been increased.

Passengers on all flights will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK.

Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.

[nopardons]

Yes, they do that.

[onyx]

LOL -- well, good!

[daybreakcoming]

Now, who's to say that London's airports were (or are) the only places for targeted flights to the US?

Shhhh...I thought of that also. Like, what if other countries were not as on top of it as GB? And what if this is just a distraction? Guess we'll know soon enough.

[Jrabbit]

lol.....me too....

[kingu]

There were reports of an Islamic CYBERATTACK on Israel for today... I saw it on FR earlier

Cyber attacks on ports aside from the standard ones used for e-mail, http, ftp, ping are extremely unusual. Right now, ports above 5323 appear to be completely unavailable. Still trying to see how localized this issue is - Europe, East Coast US, Australia appear to be unaffected - haven't been able to check for Central US.

[Allegra]

As with our own media, the Arab channels don't get it right either, eh? :o)

Yes, I think it's a "fog of war" thing. I remember all of the misinformation that went around on 9/11 and we see it happen every time there is an explosion here. Usually, it's about the fourth explanation that turns out to be the correct one.

The two channels we are watching (besides Fox) are Al Arabyia and al Iraqiya - both of which tend to be more objective than most of our own news channels.

The Iraqis laugh at al Jazeera. CNN uses it as source. LOL

[STARWISE]

And John Dean was babbling about the "authoritarian" direction of our government on O'Reilly tonight. O'Reilly didn't cut him any slack, because he personally smeared Gingrinch and Bill Bennett in his book, and BOR does not cotton to that at all. John Dean is a true worm.

[yield 2 the right]

No doubt those who are serious about the USA's national security will take all proper measures to ensure the best safety for all that is humanly possible, however those who live in Pre-9/11 mindset.....well you know how they think....

[nopardons]

I'll pray for you too, then.

[conservative in nyc]

I'm getting here late. Is that right? 18 arrested today? British Muslims IN Britain? Various cities or just London?

I think I heard Sky News say 18 were arrested today (I don't know where), but I took the 20 alleged to be involved in the plot and subtracted the 2 still at large to arrive at 18. We should know for sure when the Scotland Yard press conference is held.

It's on soon.

[Miztiki]

I was thinking the same thing.

The only thing I can think of is that the "liquid chemical" is some sort of chemical that would knock out or kill those on the plane, and then the terrorists would take over the plane and turn it around and use them as missiles like they did on 9/11.

[Mo1]

Scotland Yard presser about to start

[Cindy]

Sky News - Press Conference coming soon with Scottland Yard

[BigSkyFreeper]

The Left downplays ANY revealed threat BECAUSE it might be politically advantageous to Bush and Republicans. Therefore they must immediately begin politicizing it, desperately seeking some controversial thing that Bush/Blair DID do or DIDN'T do (it doesn't matter).

Right. It's not Bush's fault the left politicizes every crisis that comes down the pipe, and when credible evidence emerges, they turn it into a Bush/Cheney/Halliburton/Big Pharma/McDonald's/Wal-Mart global takeover conspiracy.

[onyx]

THAT is my worry --- like we can TRUST France's security? Or how about Italy, Saudi Arabia and others in the ME except Israel of course?

[nopardons]

They know, they KNOW and want to be damned martyrs.

[Jrabbit]

Scotland Yard coming up....

Are the flights to the US cancelled? People just interviewed are on their way to Florida....

[GeronL]

Tony Blair on Holiday... the media and left/tories will really pound him

[MEG33]

Chilling..

[onyx]

LOL -- now you two have me laughing...lol.