US Issues Europe Alert

The State Department formally issued a travel alert to Americans living and traveling in Europe today, urging them to be vigilant, particularly in crowded places. The alert is a notch below a formal warning against foreign travel, reports the AP, but the feds are clearly taking seriously reports of a potential terror threat.

"Current information suggests that al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks," it said. "European governments have taken action to guard against a terrorist attack and some have spoken publicly about the heightened threat conditions." The alert focused on "the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure." (More alert level stories.)