FURTHER TERROR UPDATE – AT 7:44 P.M. ET:  The terror warnings flying around are now getting the attention they deserve from the major TV news outlets.  Following the State Department's warning to Americans to be vigilant when traveling in Europe, the British government has weighed in.  From Sky News:

Britons travelling to France and Germany have been told they may face a high threat from terror attacks, following a US warning for its citizens to be vigilant while in Europe.

Americans living in or visiting Europe have been told to take more security precautions.
This advice is one step below the formal warning recommending no travel at all.

Following the US move, Britain upgraded its travel advice for Europe.

The Foreign Office said there was a "high threat" of attacks in countries including France and Germany, rather than the "general threat" previously identified.

It follows intelligence indicating al Qaeda terrorists are planning to launch simultaneous Mumbai-style attacks in the UK, France and Germany.

"Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests," the US State Department said in its alert.

COMMENT:  The warnings seem to escalate day by day.  We're told by news outlets that most of the information leading to these warnings comes from a German citizen of Muslim origin being held in Afghanistan.  However, I doubt very much that the extent of these warnings is based on this one man.  He may well have led authorities to other sources.  I'm getting the sense that electronic surveillance may be involved here.  That is, of course, speculation, but the information is clearly regarded as highly credible.

October 3, 2010