New intelligence that the al-Qaida terrorist network plans to attack financial or international institutions in New York City has prompted police to urge extra security precautions at various city buildings.

　　The warning, announced on Saturday night, didn't say how the attacks might be carried out or when they would occur.

　　But ABC News, citing anonymous sources, reported on Saturday night that al-Qaida planned to send terrorists across the Mexican border into the United States, and that suicide attacks were being planned in the city, possibly using trucks.

　　The network said attacks may be planned between now and Election Day.

　　A woman with a South African passport was arrested near the US-Mexico border last week when she tried to board a flight to New York with about US$7,000 in cash. Officials said they were investigating whether Farida Goolam Mohamed Ahmed, 48, had ties to al-Qaida or other terrorist groups.

　　Homeland security Secretary Tom Ridge was expected to visit the city yesterday, but his agenda was not disclosed.

　　According to court documents, Ahmed, 48, provided a South African passport that was missing four pages. ABC reported that she was of Pakistani origin.

　　According to flight itineraries, Ahmed traveled from Johannesburg through Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to London and on to Mexico City. Authorities said she later told them she was smuggled into the United States from Mexico by crossing the Rio Grande.

　　Kyle welch, Ahmed's court-appointed attorney, said his client is not charged with any terrorist activity and does not have a criminal record. She was denied bond on Tuesday.

　　Rep. Solomon Ortiz, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, said "very credible" people told him Ahmed has traveled within the United States more than 250 times.

　　The associated Press reported last week that authorities believed crime syndicates operating within the South African government were believed to be selling illegal passports for as little as US$77 apiece.

　　(The Associated Press)