Foreign airports warned of new security threat

WASHINGTON – Intelligence officials are concerned about a new al-Qaida effort to create a bomb that would go undetected through airport security, according to a counterterrorism official, prompting the U.S. to call for tighter security measures Wednesday at some foreign airports.

The counterterrorism official, who would not be named because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, declined to describe the kind of information that triggered this warning.

But officials in the past have raised concerns about non-metallic explosives being surgically implanted inside a traveler’s body, designed to be undetectable in pat-downs or metal detectors.

American intelligence has picked up indications that bomb makers from al-Qaida’s Yemen affiliate have traveled to Syria to link up with the al-Qaida affiliate there.

Judge orders suspect in Libya attacks held

WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Wednesday directed a Libyan militant charged in the 2012 Benghazi attacks to remain in U.S. custody after his own lawyer conceded that he had no reasonable chance of being released.

A lawyer for Ahmed Abu Khattala acknowledged that it was appropriate for her client to remain behind bars at the moment, given the nature of the charge he faces and his lack of ties to the United States.

But she said she had so far seen no evidence of any role by Khattala in the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans.

Missouri governor vetoes abortion bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed legislation Wednesday that would have required a 72-hour wait for women seeking abortions, asserting that legislators showed a “callous disregard for women” by granting no exception for rape and incest victims.

Republican legislators quickly vowed to override the Democratic governor’s decision, and they may have the numbers to do so. The GOP-led Legislature approved the plan earlier this year only one vote shy of the supermajority needed to undo a veto.

Associated Press