Washington, D.C.

IMF protesters pledge to shut down capital

Protesters are pledging to shut down the nation’s capital Friday with demonstrations that will “disrupt traffic and convey a symbolic message” against capitalism and war.

The protests are a prelude to more demonstrations planned for the weekend meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The FBI issued a warning this week that computer hackers may conduct “cyber protests” during the financial meetings.

“A small group that intends to disrupt the meetings with a physical attack may use cyber means to enhance the effects of the physical attack or to complicate the response by emergency services,” the agency said in a statement.

Houston

Enron’s ’tilted-E’ sign goes for $44,000

Enron Corp.’s trademark “tilted-E” sign sold for $44,000 on Wednesday as the bankrupt former energy giant began auctioning off surplus items.

Jimmy Luu, sent by his boss at a Microcache Computer store in Houston to buy the sign, said he was given orders regarding the 5-foot sign that once stood outside a downtown satellite office.

“He said, ‘Just do anything to get it,”‘ Luu said after the gavel came down on the big E in a crowded Houston hotel ballroom.

The sign was the highlight among thousands of items up for bid Wednesday and today, mostly routine office supplies.