Passengers flying to U.S. to face more screening

The United States is stepping up security by heightening screening on passengers flying into the country.

The US Transportation Security Administration says in-bound passengers from 14 nations such as Nigeria and Yemen will receive enhanced screening procedures.

US transportation security authorities say the enhanced screening techniques include full-body pat-downs, carry-on bag searches, full-body scanning and explosive detection technology.

Anyone traveling from or through nations regarded as state sponsors of terrorism - as well as what they referred to as "other countries of interest" - will be required to go through such procedures.

The State Department lists Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism.

Some of the "other countries" whose passengers will face enhanced screening include nations such as Nigeria, Yemen and Pakistan.

Passengers are searched by security employees before boarding a plane bound for Washington, at Roissy airport, north of Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009. (AP Photo / Remy de la Mauviniere)