1.   Changes to the threat levels are to be made public immediately.

2.   Ridge said that threat levels would be set on the basis of information suggesting new terrorist attacks.

3.   Under the new plan, Attorney General John Ashcroft will have the power to determine the threat level after consulting with Ridge and members of the Homeland Security Council.

4.   A transmitter used to broadcast anti-Saddam propaganda could increase the threat level from Baghdad.

5.   At the highest threat level, known as Level One, a large number of fighters would patrol continuously over many major cities across the country.

6.   He also said the federal government will suggest standards for how states and local communities should respond to each threat level.

7.   In contrast, the Pentagon was at a normal threat level Tuesday, indicating no terrorist attack was expected.