'Explosive devices' sent to Hillary Clinton and Obama
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Suspected explosive devices were sent to former US President Barack Obama and ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the US Secret Service has said.
It comes two days after a bomb was found at the home of liberal philanthropist and financier George Soros in the suburbs of New York City.
The devices were discovered by technicians who screen mail sent to the former US officials.
The Time Warner building in New York was also evacuated due to a package.
CNN, which is located in the Time Warner building, evacuated its newsroom over the incident, CNN president Jeff Zucker confirmed in a statement.
When asked about the pattern of these attempted attacks during a news conference, New York Police Commisioner O'Neill said law enforcement is proactively contacting people to ensure other mail rooms "follow proper protocol".
The FBI in New York said they were aware of the suspected packages, and that their Joint Terrorism Task force is aiding in the investigation.
Who has been sent these packages?
The packages were addressed to former President Obama, ex-Secretary Clinton and former CIA Director John Brennan.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed during the news conference that a package containing an explosive device had also been sent to his Manhattan office, adding that it was "being handled".
The packages to Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton were intended to arrive at their residences.
FBI Special Agent Bryan Paaarman told reporters the device for Mr Brennan, which appeared to be live, had been sent to CNN's mailroom.
One of the packages sent today had listed Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz as the sender.
Mr Brennan was scheduled to appear on CNN on Wednesday, US media report. Mr Brennan, is a frequent contributor to the network and has become a vocal critic of Mr Trump since leaving office.
According to a statement from the US Secret Service, the package addressed to Mrs Clinton was recovered late on 23 October.
"Early this morning, October 24, 2018, a second package addressed to the residence of Former President Barack Obama was intercepted by Secret Service personnel in Washington, DC," the statement adds.
"Both packages were intercepted prior to being delivered to their intended location. The protectees did not receive the packages nor were they at risk of receiving them."
These attempted attacks come two days after a confirmed pipe bomb was discovered in a mailbox at the home of Mr Soros, who has been criticised by right-wing groups for supporting liberal causes.
What was in the packages?
The devices are suspected to be pipe bombs.
Law enforcement officials tell US media that the device discovered at CNN on Wednesday appears to be similar to the one found at Mr Soros' home on Monday.
Police commissioner Mr O'Neill also said law enforcement found an "envelope containing white powder" in the packaging of the device sent to CNN.
The powder is being investigated, but authorities found "no additional threats" after sweeping the area.
A US official told the Associated Press that a "functional explosive device" was found during a screening of mail sent to the home of Mr and Mrs Clinton in Chappaqua, New York.
Speaking at a campaign event in Florida, Mrs Clinton thanked the Secret Service and said she and her family "are fine".
"It is a troubling time," she said. "It is a time of deep divisions and we have to do everything we can to bring our country together. We also have to elect candidates who will try to do the same."
A spokeswoman for Mr Obama declined to comment on the incident, and referred reporters to the Secret Service statement
What's the reaction?
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders condemned the "attempted violent attacks" against the public figures.
In a follow-up tweet, she added that the White House condemnation "certainly includes threats made to CNN as well as current or former public servants".
At a news conference, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio decried the attempted attacks as "an act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country".
"To all public officials, to all partisan affiliations - don't encourage violence, don't encourage hatred, don't encourage attacks on media you can disagree but you have to show respect."
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