FBI: Bombs were sent to Obama, Clintons, CNN

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK— Police have intercepted suspected bombs mailed to former US President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and other high-profile Democrats, as well as to CNN, in what New York officials on Wednesday branded an act of terrorism.

The packages were similar in appearance and "contain potentially destructive devices", the FBI said. Other officials said the devices looked similar to one that was found and detonated by police on Monday at the home of George Soros, a prominent Democratic Party donor.

The packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior and had the return address of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a US representative and former chair of the Democratic Party, the FBI said.

The US Secret Service intercepted packages addressed to Obama at his Washington home and to Clinton at her home in New York state.

The CNN bureau in New York also received a package, leading police to evacuate the Time Warner building in a busy part of New York City near Central Park.

"So far the devices have been what appeared to be pipe bombs," John Miller, the New York police deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism, told a news conference.

Eric Holder, who was US attorney general under Obama, and Democratic Representative Maxine Waters were also targeted.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

REUTERS