Feds Warn Airlines of New Shoe-Bomb Threat

Air passengers headed to the US from overseas can expect much tighter scrutiny of their shoes—and bodies—in the days and weeks to come. The Department of Homeland Security has learned of a possible new shoe-bomb plot and told airlines flying to the US to pay extra attention to passenger shoes and step up pat-downs and full-body screenings. Officials tell NBC the warning is based on "very recent intelligence," but isn't specific to any time, country, or airline.

One source describes the threat level as moderate. "It's a reminder that we are under constant threat and an advisory to airlines to be on their 'A' game," he says. Another intelligence source tells CNN that the warning, based on intelligence that terror groups are working on new bomb designs, goes beyond shoes to include cosmetics and liquids, but isn't connected to the toothpaste warning issued before the Sochi Olympics. (More Department of Homeland Security stories.)