国际英语新闻：Suspicious van causes bomb scare in New York's Times Square

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- An unattended, suspicious van near New York's Times Square on Wednesday forced police to evacuate a few nearby buildings and block traffic in the area before it was confirmed the vehicle was just carrying clothing and a table.

    Times Square, which is the venue of a grand New Year celebration on Thursday, has been reopened to traffic after a bomb squad found no explosive devices in the van.

Emergency services personnel inspect a van that has been declared a "suspicious vehicle" near Times Square in New York December 30, 2009

    The van located on the west side of Broadway between 41st and 42nd Streets had no license plates, a bogus placard suggesting it belongs to a non-existent New York/New Jersey agency, and tinted windows.

Members of the media and pedestrians inspect a van that has been declared a "suspicious vehicle" near Times Square in New York December 30, 2009

The suspicious vehicle also forced local transportation authorities to alter subway service lines.

    Police officers on patrol noticed the van around mid-morning Wednesday. They are now attempting to locate the van's owner.