An Ashcroft aide acknowledged the terrorist alert issued Friday was one of several factors in the decision to cancel the trip.

CNN: Sources: al Qaeda linked to bank threat

On October 11, the FBI issued an alert warning of possible terrorist attacks on American soil or against U.S. international interests.

CNN: Americans urged to carry on despite terror alert

The US Marine Corps in Okinawa went on maximum alert following the suspected terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Kyodo news agency said quoting a US military official.

BBC: Security alerts spread from US

With Europe under an unprecedented terror alert, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert, warning of potential terrorist attacks.

FORBES: 10 Secret Service Survival Tips for Travelers

This allowed us to create sample scenarios to showcase ingenuity and innovation, including how the mobile app can alert individuals on its location and areas to avoid for a fire, flood or terrorist attack, all by aggregating emergency frequency broadcast and GPS technology.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

Remember, the two major terrorist attempts (the shoe bomber and the underpants bomber) were thwarted by alert passengers and not by security screeners.

FORBES: For Some Fliers TSA Security Lines Just Got Much Shorter