The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

Jan. 7 -- Today's reports includes several articles on the ongoing investigation of threats from the air — following the cancellation of an Air France flight on Christmas Eve due to a credible terror threat, French officials on Tuesday told ABCNEWS that they are on the lookout for a man who they fear was planning to use a small bomb on that flight. The suspect had a ticket for Air France's Flight 68 from Paris to Los Angeles on Dec. 24, but the flight was canceled and the passenger never showed up at the airport, U.S. and French officials told ABCNEWS. The individual, who is on a U.S. terror watch list, may have trained in al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's camps in Afghanistan.

Plus, more on the global security clampdown at airports and airways — the Department of Homeland Security yesterday picked three companies to develop anti-missile technology to protect commercial aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles. And an article assesses global reactions to new security measures at international airports.

THE WAR ON TERROR

THREAT FROM THE AIR

United StatesFlight ThreatIs one person behind all the recent flight cancellations and delays? An Air France passenger who failed to show up for a Christmas Eve flight to the U.S. is the focus of an international manhunt. He is suspected of plotting to bomb that flight. (ABCNEWS)

Plane Lands Safely Following Terror ScareFighter jets escorted a flight from France part of the way into the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport Tuesday afternoon. (WLWT ChannelCincinnati.com)

Nations Balk at Sky Marshals U.S. officials said Tuesday that they are discussing alternatives that other nations might have to putting armed marshals on foreign airliners, after some countries indicated they would rather cancel U.S.-bound flights than introduce a weapon on board. (Washington Post)

Three Firms to Study Defending Airliners Against Missiles The Department of Homeland Security, which has identified shoulder-fired missiles as threats to commercial aircraft, yesterday chose three companies to develop anti-missile technology. (Washington Post)

World Opinion Is Fragmented on Tighter Security for VisitorsThe new security measures imposed on travel to the U.S. have sparked strong and starkly different reactions around the world. (NY Times)

France'Wired' Passenger in Paris Was in Motorcycle Garb When Richard Reid was found with a fuse in his shoe two years ago on a flight from Paris, the discovery foiled a terrorist plot. But on Tuesday, the suspicious wiring on another flight from Paris turned out to be a false alarm. (NY Times)

France Confirms It's Seeking Man Behind Aviation WorriesFrench Justice Minister Dominique Perben confirmed Wednesday that French authorities were searching for a man behind security fears that have caused cancellations and delays for some flights to the United States. (Reuters)