国际英语新闻：U.S. takes additional measures to strengthen airline security

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. airline industry has taken new measures to strengthen security, which has been a serious concern among the public after recent cargo bomb plot, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said Monday.

"Following the thwarted terrorist plot last week to conceal and ship explosive devices on board aircraft bound for the U.S., the Administration took a number of immediate steps to increase security by tightening existing measures related to cargo bound for the United States," U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said in a statement.

Napolitano was referring to the failed terror plot late last month, in which two suspicious packages were found on cargo planes originated from Yemen and destined for the United States. Those packages were finally confirmed to contain explosive material.

Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a Yemen-based terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for the plot, according to the terrorist monitoring group SITE.

New security measures, which took effect Monday, include continuing the ban on air cargo from Yemen and extending it to include all air cargo from Somalia as well, Napolitano said.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which belongs to the Homeland Security Department, has ordered a ground halt on all cargo coming from Yemen immediately after the disclosure of the bombing plot.

In addition, starting Monday, no high risk cargo will be allowed on passenger aircraft. Toner and ink cartridges over 16 ounces will be prohibited on passenger aircraft in both carry-on bags and checked bags on domestic and international flights in- bound to the United States, according to the statement.

Further, all cargo identified as high risk will go through additional and enhanced screening.

"The threats of terrorism we face are serious and evolving, and these security measures reflect our commitment to using current intelligence to stay ahead of adversaries," said Napolitano.