Australia raises terror threat to high for first time

Prime Minister Tony Abbott told a news conference that the decision to raise Australia’s terror threat to high for the first time meant that an attack is now considered “likely” although there is no specific imminent threat. “What we do have,” said Abbott, “is intelligence that there are people with the intent and capability to mount attacks.” He cited Australians fighting in the Middle East and those who have returned home “militarized and brutalized.”