Federal authorities are seeking 10-20 suspicious packages that originated from Yemen and are connected to this morning’s security situation. CBS News reports:

A Joint Terrorism Task Force source tells CBS News that investigators are looking for between 10-20 packages shipped out of the UPS office in Sanna, Yemen during the same time frame. According to the source, there were components inside the ink cartridge.

Authorities are looking for a small device in the packaging similar to the Detroit underwear bomber device.

CNN is now reporting that the devices were intended for Chicago synagogues.

Update: Here’s a report on that last bit:

A suspicious package containing a toner cartridge with wires and powder was found during routine screening of cargo in the United Kingdom, prompting authorities to scour vehicles in the United States on Friday. Planes in Philadelphia and Newark, N.J., were being swept, as was a truck in New York City.

CNN reported the toner cartridge was on a Yemen-to-Chicago cargo flight. CNN analyst Frances Fragos Townsend, former Homeland Security adviser in the Bush administration, said American intelligence had been informed within the last 24 hours about devices on flights from the Middle East intended for synagogues in Chicago.

So authorities were alerted to the forthcoming incidents by allies. It sounds like that prompted the searches, which turned up the suspicious packages.

Update X2 1:05pm ET: FedEx says a package has been seize by the FBI from its facility in Dubai.

Update X3 1:12pm ET: The White House now says that President Obama was briefed on the “potential terrorist threat” at 10:30pm last night. Two packages were originally examined by authorities, one in London and one in Dubai. Both packages originated in Yemen.

Update X4 1:13PM ET: From RodrigoBNO on Twitter:

CNN International: A number of suspicious packages found in England and Europe. Packages sent by person in Yemen linked to terrorism.

Update X5 1:38pm ET: Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula is behind the plot, CNN reports.