U.S. Plans Enhanced Security for Airports With U.S.-Bound Flights --- WASHINGTON--The Department of Homeland Security HOMS -14.74% Timios National Corp. U.S.: OTC $0.81 -0.14 -14.74% July 2, 2014 11:23 am Volume (Delayed 15m) : 3 P/E Ratio N/A Market Cap $1905120.00 Dividend Yield N/A Rev. per Employee N/A 06/05/14 U.S. Undeterred From Closing G... More quote details and news » HOMS in Your Value Your Change Short position said Wednesday that it will implement enhanced security measures in the coming days at some overseas airports with direct flights to the U.S., citing concern over global threats. -- Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement that he issued the directive as part of ongoing efforts in which the agency "continually assesses the global threat environment and re-evaluates the measures we take to promote aviation security." -- He wouldn't specify the measures, the affected airports or the nature of the threat that prompted the steps announced Wednesday. Aviation security measures would include "seen and unseen" actions, he said, adding that the U.S. is sharing information with foreign allies and the aviation industry. The announcement followed an ABC News report that the Obama administration is concerned by indications Syrian militants are attempting to create bombs that could circumvent existing security measures. -- Although the U.S. doesn't directly regulate overseas airports, airlines and foreign airports must meet certain security requirements established by the Transportation Security Administration to retain the right to provide nonstop service to American cities. -- A Homeland Security official said that the three largest U.S. carriers—American Airlines Group Inc., United Continental Holdings Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc.—each fly to at least some of the overseas airports that are part of the security directive and have been briefed on the U.S. plans. American and United declined to comment. Delta didn't immediately respond. -- The directive covers more than a dozen foreign airports in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, said a person familiar with the directive. The enhanced security will be visible, the person said, with more random screenings and swabs of fliers and baggage to detect traces of explosives. -- The person said that the enhanced screening will begin early next week and that the threat isn't specifically tied to Independence Day in the U.S. The person said that the intelligence suggests an increased threat of a terrorist bringing an improvised explosive device onboard an airplane. -- At the State Department, officials said that the U.S. shares concerns it has about security threats at airports with other countries. -- "I would say broadly speaking that the threat of foreign fighters is a concern that we share with many counterparts in the world, whether that's European or others in the Western world, where we've seen an increase in foreign fighters who have traveled to Syria and other countries in the region and returning," spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. - More, WSJ, http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-plans-enhanced-security-for-airports-with-u-s-bound-flights-1404331703