WASHINGTON (AP) - The Homeland Security Department on Sunday reduced the threat level for U.S.-bound flights from Britain from red, for ``severe,'' to orange, for ``high.'' All other flights operating in or destined for the United States remain at orange.``The security measures already taken have allowed us to address an imminent threat of attack for flights between the United Kingdom and the United States,'' Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement. ``Let me be clear: This does not mean the threat is over. The investigation continues to follow all leads.
``In particular, we are remaining vigilant for any signs of planning within the U.S. or directed at Americans,'' Chertoff said.
Earlier Sunday, air travelers were handed new rules, given permission to carry small amounts of liquid nonprescription medicine onto a plane and instructed to remove their shoes during security checks. The shoes have to be placed on an X-ray belt for screening before passengers can put them back on. The eased restrictions on medicine and the mandatory shoe removal were among several measures the Transportation Security Administration ordered Sunday in response to the thwarted terror plot in Britain involving U.S.-bound airplanes.