Brits Foil Major Plot to Bomb US-Bound Planes

From the BBC:

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 aircraft in hand luggage.

Police have arrested about 18 people in the London area after an anti-terrorist operation lasting several months.

MI5, the British internal intelligence agency, classified the threat as "critical", their highest threat level. All carry-on luggage has been temporarily banned at UK airports.

Sky News reports that those arrested are thought to be "...mainly young, British-born Asian men," which usually means "middle eastern" in the British press.

Few American media are covering the story yet. The Washington Post seems to be getting their information from the Beeb, but, for some reason, inserted this rather weird non sequitur into their version of the bomb plot story:

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has come under strong criticism at home and abroad for following the U.S. lead and refusing to call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas.

Evidently, since the President isn't directly involved in the story, WaPo decided to bash Blair as a substitute. Must be a reflex.

Via protein wisdom.