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| Belgium widens raids on suspected New Year’s plot amid global security alerts | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| LONDON — Police in Belgium detained six suspects Thursday in another wave of raids targeting a suspected plot to carry out New Year’s Eve attacks, as security agencies around the world imposed extraordinary measures amid heightened fears following attacks in Paris and California. | |
| From Sydney Harbor to the Rose Bowl parade in California, authorities expanded patrols, blocked off several traditional celebration spots and had security teams operating at some of the highest threat levels. | |
| In at least two capitals — Turkey’s Ankara and Belgium’s Brussels — officials said they had disrupted plots to strike at New Year’s celebrations that stretch into Friday. | In at least two capitals — Turkey’s Ankara and Belgium’s Brussels — officials said they had disrupted plots to strike at New Year’s celebrations that stretch into Friday. |
| [Authorities claim plots foiled in Turkey, Belgium] | [Authorities claim plots foiled in Turkey, Belgium] |
| Turkish authorities said their festivities would go ahead as planned, despite detaining two suspected Islamic State militants believed to be planning suicide bombings. But Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur announced that the city had decided to cancel its fireworks celebrations due to a continuing threat. | |
| Hours later, police carried out sweeps across the Belgian capital and a suburb. The operation was an apparent follow-up after two suspects were arrested Tuesday in connection with an alleged plan to carry out bombings during the year-end festivities. At least six additional suspects were taken into custody, police said, also noting that computers and mobile phones were seized. | |
| Officials gave no other immediate details on the latest suspects, but the two arrested earlier in the week were part of a motorbike group known as the Kamikaze Riders, whose members are mostly of North African origin and carry out stunts. | |
| Belgium has been on its highest alert level since the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, whose presumed mastermind, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was Belgian and was raised in the hardscrabble Molenbeek district of Brussels. | |
| [The Belgium links to the Paris rampage] | |
| A fireworks show also was called off in Paris, though there will be a video display at the Arc de Triomphe that Mayor Anne Hidalgo said would send a message: “Paris is standing, proud of its lifestyle and living together.” | A fireworks show also was called off in Paris, though there will be a video display at the Arc de Triomphe that Mayor Anne Hidalgo said would send a message: “Paris is standing, proud of its lifestyle and living together.” |
| Fireworks displays were due to go ahead in other European cities, but with a much heavier security presence than usual. Vienna police had said that several European cities had been warned of a possible New Year’s Eve attack, and that revelers in the Austrian capital would face tighter checks. | Fireworks displays were due to go ahead in other European cities, but with a much heavier security presence than usual. Vienna police had said that several European cities had been warned of a possible New Year’s Eve attack, and that revelers in the Austrian capital would face tighter checks. |
| Thousands of police were due to be deployed in central London, though Mayor Boris Johnson said revelers should not be deterred. “Get out there and soak up the best we have to offer,” he said. | Thousands of police were due to be deployed in central London, though Mayor Boris Johnson said revelers should not be deterred. “Get out there and soak up the best we have to offer,” he said. |
| Authorities in Russia and China announced that high-profile gathering places — including Moscow’s Red Square — would be closed for the evening. In India, local news agencies reported a possible New Year’s Eve threat to the country’s parliament building. | Authorities in Russia and China announced that high-profile gathering places — including Moscow’s Red Square — would be closed for the evening. In India, local news agencies reported a possible New Year’s Eve threat to the country’s parliament building. |
| In cities across the United States, officials said no specific threats that had been uncovered, but there would be a greater police presence. | In cities across the United States, officials said no specific threats that had been uncovered, but there would be a greater police presence. |
| [U.S. military: Airstrike kills militant with ties to Paris attack] | [U.S. military: Airstrike kills militant with ties to Paris attack] |
| The precautions reflected a world rattled by the November attacks in Paris, which left 130 people dead, as well as the December killing of 14 people at an office party in San Bernardino, Calif. The Paris attacks are believed to have been directed by the Islamic State, while the group has claimed it inspired the couple behind the California killings. | The precautions reflected a world rattled by the November attacks in Paris, which left 130 people dead, as well as the December killing of 14 people at an office party in San Bernardino, Calif. The Paris attacks are believed to have been directed by the Islamic State, while the group has claimed it inspired the couple behind the California killings. |
| In New York, security on Thursday was expected to be at its highest levels since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. More than 5,000 officers will be on patrol around the city, including a large contingent of specially trained counterterrorism officers who were activated this year. The contingent, known as the critical response command, will be armed with long rifles such as M4 carbines — a first for the city’s New Year's Eve celebrations. | In New York, security on Thursday was expected to be at its highest levels since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. More than 5,000 officers will be on patrol around the city, including a large contingent of specially trained counterterrorism officers who were activated this year. The contingent, known as the critical response command, will be armed with long rifles such as M4 carbines — a first for the city’s New Year's Eve celebrations. |
| "There will be a tremendous number of officers that you will see, there will be many officers you won't see," said New York Mayor Bill De Blasio at a press conference this week. | "There will be a tremendous number of officers that you will see, there will be many officers you won't see," said New York Mayor Bill De Blasio at a press conference this week. |
| In addition to helicopter surveillance, traffic officers and canine units, officers would be sweeping New York sites with chemical and radiation detectors. | In addition to helicopter surveillance, traffic officers and canine units, officers would be sweeping New York sites with chemical and radiation detectors. |
| In Washington, officials said there would be additional police at popular gathering spots and on the Metro. | In Washington, officials said there would be additional police at popular gathering spots and on the Metro. |
| Hugh Carew, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department, said there were “no, new credible threats to the District of Columbia.” But he noted that D.C. “is often mentioned in propaganda from those that wish to do harm.” | Hugh Carew, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department, said there were “no, new credible threats to the District of Columbia.” But he noted that D.C. “is often mentioned in propaganda from those that wish to do harm.” |
| [Al-Qaeda overshadowed, but not gone] | [Al-Qaeda overshadowed, but not gone] |
| A security emphasis will be placed on the system’s busiest stations and popular nightlife spots, including Dupont Circle, Woodley Park, U Street and Clarendon, said Metro spokesman Dan Stessel. | A security emphasis will be placed on the system’s busiest stations and popular nightlife spots, including Dupont Circle, Woodley Park, U Street and Clarendon, said Metro spokesman Dan Stessel. |
| “All of those stations will have robust police coverage,” Stessel said. | “All of those stations will have robust police coverage,” Stessel said. |
| In Los Angeles, the annual Rose Bowl Parade will have more than two dozen law enforcement agencies providing security for the 700,000 spectators expected to attend. | In Los Angeles, the annual Rose Bowl Parade will have more than two dozen law enforcement agencies providing security for the 700,000 spectators expected to attend. |
| In Moscow, authorities announced that Red Square — the vast, cobblestone plaza in the shadow of the Kremlin walls — would be closed to the public on New Years’ Eve. While terrorism was not stated explicitly as the reason, the closure was announced by Russia’s Federal Security Service, indicating safety concerns. | In Moscow, authorities announced that Red Square — the vast, cobblestone plaza in the shadow of the Kremlin walls — would be closed to the public on New Years’ Eve. While terrorism was not stated explicitly as the reason, the closure was announced by Russia’s Federal Security Service, indicating safety concerns. |
| City officials later announced that a limited number of people would be allowed on to Red Square by invitation only to a closed event that would be broadcast on Russian television. Traditionally, thousands of Muscovites and many of the city's migrant workers, flock to the square for fireworks and champagne. | City officials later announced that a limited number of people would be allowed on to Red Square by invitation only to a closed event that would be broadcast on Russian television. Traditionally, thousands of Muscovites and many of the city's migrant workers, flock to the square for fireworks and champagne. |
| Russia has been the target of terrorist attacks during the holidays in recent years. | Russia has been the target of terrorist attacks during the holidays in recent years. |
| In 2013, suicide bombings in a railway station and bus in the city of Volgograd, about 500 miles southeast of Moscow formerly known as Stalingrad, left 34 dead. An Islamist terrorist group based in Russia’s turbulent North Caucasus region claimed responsibility for the attacks, which took place just days before New Year's Eve. | In 2013, suicide bombings in a railway station and bus in the city of Volgograd, about 500 miles southeast of Moscow formerly known as Stalingrad, left 34 dead. An Islamist terrorist group based in Russia’s turbulent North Caucasus region claimed responsibility for the attacks, which took place just days before New Year's Eve. |
| [Islamic State’s creation: Part terrorist, part gangster] | [Islamic State’s creation: Part terrorist, part gangster] |
| At one of the main Middle East celebrations — Dubai’s fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building — added layers of security were in place, including road closures and access checks for people with bookings at nearby restaurants and clubs, police said. | At one of the main Middle East celebrations — Dubai’s fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building — added layers of security were in place, including road closures and access checks for people with bookings at nearby restaurants and clubs, police said. |
| Indian news agencies reported that the country’s parliament and prime minister, Narendra Modi, could be targeted in New Year’s Eve attacks. Security was strengthened across the capital, New Delhi. The reports specifically cited a threat from the outlawed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. | Indian news agencies reported that the country’s parliament and prime minister, Narendra Modi, could be targeted in New Year’s Eve attacks. Security was strengthened across the capital, New Delhi. The reports specifically cited a threat from the outlawed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. |
| Late Tuesday, Indian security forces evacuated large number of people from the capital’s malls and marketplaces, and conducted drills. | Late Tuesday, Indian security forces evacuated large number of people from the capital’s malls and marketplaces, and conducted drills. |
| Chinese officials, meanwhile, decided not to go ahead with riverfront celebrations in Shanghai — but apparently for reasons of crowd management, not terrorism fears. | Chinese officials, meanwhile, decided not to go ahead with riverfront celebrations in Shanghai — but apparently for reasons of crowd management, not terrorism fears. |
| It’s the second year running that the festivities have been cancelled, and it comes after a stampede killed 36 people and injured 49 as 300,000 revelers gathered for a fireworks and laser display by the Huangpu River on the final day of 2013. | It’s the second year running that the festivities have been cancelled, and it comes after a stampede killed 36 people and injured 49 as 300,000 revelers gathered for a fireworks and laser display by the Huangpu River on the final day of 2013. |
| "There will be no activities on the Bund to greet the 2016 new year. Citizens who go there on their own, please pay attention to maintaining order," city spokesman Xu Wei was quoted as saying by state broadcaster CCTV. | "There will be no activities on the Bund to greet the 2016 new year. Citizens who go there on their own, please pay attention to maintaining order," city spokesman Xu Wei was quoted as saying by state broadcaster CCTV. |
| In Beijing, a New Year's Eve countdown was cancelled at the China Millennium Monument, according to domestic media reports. The site's business development officer told the Legal Evening Daily that it had applied to conduct a bell-tolling ceremony and other outdoor activities, but the city's public security department didn’t approve their application. | In Beijing, a New Year's Eve countdown was cancelled at the China Millennium Monument, according to domestic media reports. The site's business development officer told the Legal Evening Daily that it had applied to conduct a bell-tolling ceremony and other outdoor activities, but the city's public security department didn’t approve their application. |
| Meanwhile, the Place, a popular shopping mall with the biggest LED ceiling screen in Beijing, also announced that the mall will close at its usual business hour Thursday, with no New Year’s Eve celebration organized. | Meanwhile, the Place, a popular shopping mall with the biggest LED ceiling screen in Beijing, also announced that the mall will close at its usual business hour Thursday, with no New Year’s Eve celebration organized. |
| Because of limited space, the New Year’s Eve countdown ceremony in Beijing's Imperial Ancestral Temple will only be open to people with tickets, Legal Evening Daily reported, adding that Beijing citizens and tourists can watch the celebrations on TV or via live streaming on the Internet. | Because of limited space, the New Year’s Eve countdown ceremony in Beijing's Imperial Ancestral Temple will only be open to people with tickets, Legal Evening Daily reported, adding that Beijing citizens and tourists can watch the celebrations on TV or via live streaming on the Internet. |
| Gibbons-Neff reported from Washington. Simon Denyer in Beijing, Rama Lakshmi in New Delhi, Karla Adam in London, Andrew Roth in Moscow and Faiz Siddiqui and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. |