Washington, Rabi'II 16, 1434, Feb 26, 2013, SPA - If the across-the-board spending cuts, also known as the sequester, go into effect Friday, the United States will be at a higher risk to terrorism, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said Monday. "Put simply, the automatic budget reduction mandated by sequestration would be disruptive and destructive to our nation's security and economy," Napolitano told reporters at a White House press briefing. "It would negatively affect the mission readiness and capabilities of the men and women on our front lines and would undermine the significant progress we've made over the past 10 years to build the nation's preparedness and resiliency." --SPA 11:18 LOCAL TIME 08:18 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1082098