U.S. banks and New York Times receive envelopes containing 'suspicious white powder' in wave of hate mailings


A number of bank branches and the New York Times headquarters have received envelopes containing a suspicious white powder in a wave of threatening mailings across the US.

More than 45 threatening letters have been received since Monday at financial institutions in at least 11 states,

"Most of the letters contain a powder substance with a threatening communication," an FBI spokesman confirmed.

New York City

New York City police officers stand outside the New York Times headquarters building after a 'white granular substance' was sent to the offices

No harmful substances have yet been identified but more tests are being conducted in laboratories.

Envelopes laced with anthrax were sent to media outlets and U.S. lawmakers, killing five people, in the wake of the September 11th attacks in 2001.

The FBI have confirmed that "there's certainly a common thread' between the letters.

Police were called to the New York Times this morning after an employee on the 13th floor opened an envelope addressed to the paper.

"A white granular substance was in the envelope. The New York City police were called and are now on site investigating," she said in a statement, adding that part of the lobby was closed and no one had been sent to hospital.

"People are able to get in and out of the building. The substance will be tested," she said.

In Phoenix, no workers at the banks were treated for any symptoms.

Authorities said seven branches received letters, and bank officials said not all the letters were opened, after employees were alerted to their appearance.

Letters have also been received at branches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, D.C., the FBI said.