This from The Australian, with thanks to Jean-Luc:
TERROR network al-Qaeda was probably planning to “outdo” its September 11 attack on New York, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.
The warning came after as airlines grounded several flights from Europe to the US amid fears of chemical or biological attack on an aircraft.
Over the weekend, British Airways, Air France and Continental Airlines cancelled trans-Atlantic flights, citing security concerns.
Intelligence experts reportedly said possible threats could include the release of a biological agent on a plane so those aboard would spread the infection without knowing it.
Speaking from Boston where he is involved in security talks, Mr Ruddock told Channel 9 that significant progress had been made in decapitating the al-Qaeda leadership.
But he said that success had not stymied al-Qaeda’s ambitions to attack Western interests, including Australian interests.
“The belief here, in terms of their preparations, they would be seeking to outdo what they did before,” he said.
“I can’t comment any more specifically than that, but there is a real and continuing concern about what they might be able to do, which is all the reason we need to be working stronger than ever at dealing with these issues.”