US warns about possible al-Qaida attacks in New York, Texas, Virginia on Monday

Increased threat for the day before the US general election.

By REUTERS
Updated: NOVEMBER 4, 2016 23:04
Texas police SWAT team members [File] (photo credit: REUTERS)
Texas police SWAT team members [File]
(photo credit: REUTERS)
US intelligence officials have warned local authorities in New York, Texas and Virginia about possible attacks by al-Qaida on Monday, a day before the US presidential election, CBS News reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.
No specific locations were mentioned, but US intelligence officials alerted joint terrorism task forces about the possible threat, CBS reported.
"The FBI, working with our federal, state and local counterparts, shares and assesses intelligence on a daily basis and will continue to work closely with law enforcement and intelligence community partners to identify and disrupt any potential threat to public safety," a senior FBI official told CBS.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and officials at the US Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The potential for violent clashes is darkening an already rancorous presidential race between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, on top of the threat of computer hacking and fears that Russia or other state actors could spread political misinformation online or tamper with voting.
And while federal and state authorities are beefing up cyber defenses against potential electronic attacks on voting systems ahead of Election Day, others are taking additional steps to guard against possible civil unrest or violence.
Local authorities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Wisconsin and Florida told Reuters they were not boosting election-related law enforcement personnel or resources above 2012 levels.