THE US federal agency in charge of aviation security is considering major changes in how it screens airline passengers, including proposals that an official said would lift the ban on carrying razorblades and small knives as well as limit patdown searches.

A passenger jet flying from New York to Morocco was ordered to return to the US after receiving a bomb threat, authorities said.

THE Bush administration pledged yesterday to move more aggressively against potential threats in the wake of an incident in which federal authorities said a young man boasted about successfully compromising airline security.

Amy Westfeldt, New York

Police in the US have stepped up security at airports, subways and hotels after the country was put on heightened terrorist alert and law enforcement officials indicated New York was a possible target.