'Potential explosive devices' sent to Hillary, Obama

The US Secret Service said on Wednesday that it intercepted two packages containing "potential explosive devices" addressed to US former First Lady Hillary Clinton in New York and former President Barack Obama in Washington.

Neither Obama nor Clinton received the packages or were at risk of receiving them, the agency said, adding that they were discovered during "routine mail screening procedures."

The Time Warner building in New York was also evacuated due to a package. CNN, which is located in the Time Warner building, reported that it evacuated its newsroom over a suspicious package.

According to the Secret Service, the package intended for Obama was intercepted in Washington on Wednesday morning while the one for Clinton was addressed to her in Westchester County, New York, on Tuesday.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the package intended for Clinton was found in the vicinity of her residence in Chappaqua, New York.

Earlier this week, a suspicious package targeting billionaire investor and major Democratic donor George Soros was discovered and rendered safe.

The package sent to the home of Hillary and former President Bill Clinton was suspected to be the work of the same person who sent a similar device to Soros, the Washington Post reported citing two law enforcement officials as saying.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders condemned the "attempted violent attacks" against the public figures.

"These terrorising acts are despicable and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

"The US Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards," she said.

--IANS

soni/sed