The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

Apr. 16 -- A company based out of Denver was regularly paying al Qaeda-linked group Abu Sayyaf and other terror groups in the Philippines in exchange for protection of its gold-mining operations, an ABCNEWS exclusive report revealed on Thursday. Allan Laird, a former mining executive with the Denver-based company, comes forward to tell the story of how the company for whom he formerly worked, Echo Bay, was regularly paying Abu Sayyaf and other terror groups in the Philippines in exchange for protection of its gold-mining operations.

And at a White House press conference today, Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush displayed a strong sense of unity on matters of re-building Iraq. The authority of the coalition backed by the United States will expire on the June 30 deadline previously set, Bush said, adding that "coalition forces will remain in Iraq to help the new government succeed."

THE WAR ON TERROR

INVESTIGATIONS

Philippines

Blood Money

Former exec: American company paid terrorist group to protect overseas interests. (ABCNEWS)

Saudi Arabia

Americans Told to Leave Saudi Arabia

The United States ordered nonessential diplomats out of Saudi Arabia on Thursday and warned all Americans they should leave, citing fresh signals that attacks had been planned. (Reuters)

2 Terrorists Reported Arrested

The Ministry of Interior would not confirm a report published on the Elaph website Wednesday night that Saudi security forces arrested two wanted terror suspects in Onaiza, Qasim. (Arab News)

6 Militants Arrested, Three Security Personnel Killed

Security forces yesterday arrested six wanted militants after a five-hour shootout in Riyadh which left three members of the security forces dead. (Al Riyadh — Saudi Arabia)

U.S.

CIA Warned of Attack 6 Years Before 9-11

Six years before the Sept. 11 attacks, the CIA warned in a classified report that Islamic extremists likely would strike on U.S. soil at landmarks in Washington or New York, or through the airline industry, according to intelligence officials. (AP)

Administration Considers a Post for National Intelligence Director The White House may pre-empt the Sept. 11 panel's final report by creating a new post of director of national intelligence. (NY Times)

9/11 Panel Looks at MilitaryThe commission has put the CIA and FBI under a harsh light. Sources say it is also gathering facts on a Pentagon failure to confront al Qaeda. (LA Times)