Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Bomb Threat Closes World Bank

Phone call threatens bomb at noon today

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 17, 2008 10:39 PM CST

(Newser) – The Washington headquarters of the World Bank will be closed for business Friday as it investigates a bomb threat, Reuters reports. "The bank is working with law enforcement officials to determine the validity of the threat," said a statement from the bank. Few other details were released. The international lending institution is located about a block away from the White House.

A caller warned that a bomb would explode at noon, Bloomberg reports. Bank officials told its 8,000 DC employees to stay home as "a precautionary measure." Its sister institution, the IMF, will be open, but workers have been given the option of staying home. Security was stepped up at both institutions in 2004 after US intelligence warned of possible threats.

The World Bank, headquartered about a block away from the White House, provides loans to poor countries to fight poverty. The bank will be closed today while security staff investigate a bomb threat.
The World Bank, headquartered about a block away from the White House, provides loans to poor countries to fight poverty. The bank will be closed today while security staff investigate a bomb threat.   (Getty Images)
World Bank headquarters in Washington. A bomb threat is being investigated, and the bank's thousands of employees have been told to stay home.
World Bank headquarters in Washington. A bomb threat is being investigated, and the bank's thousands of employees have been told to stay home.   (Getty Images)
World Bank headquarters. Security was stepped up at the bank in 2004 after intelligence warned of threats to attack the bank, its sister institution the IMF, and the New York Stock Exchange.
World Bank headquarters. Security was stepped up at the bank in 2004 after intelligence warned of threats to attack the bank, its sister institution the IMF, and the New York Stock Exchange.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

IMF Hit by Cyberattack in 'Major Breach'

G-7 Leaders Offer No Fix for Credit Crisis

Snubbing the West, Bolivia Waxes Red

Venezuela to Leave IMF, World Bank

Cops: Remote Shutdowns Would Curb Phone Thefts


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne