MI5 To E-Mail Terrorist Alerts

The United Kingdom's Security Service -- better known as MI5 -- announced Tuesday that it will soon warn citizens of changes in the nation's terrorist threat ranking via e-mail.

Like the United States' Department of Homeland Security, MI5 already posts the current threat status on its Web site. It is currently at "Severe," the second-highest ranking, which stands for "an attack is highly likely."

MI5 was characteristically closed-lipped in a terse release posted to its Web site.

"E-mail alerts of changes to the national Threat Level and updates on the Security Service website will be available in the near future," the statement read. "This will enable subscribers to keep informed of major developments in national security affairs. You will be able to subscribe via a form on the Security Service website. We will publish an update shortly giving the address of the subscription form."

The Department of Homeland Security -- which uses a color-coded rating system that has been widely ridiculed by comedians and opponents -- does not offer opt-in e-mail warnings.