Paris, France: Official New Year’s fireworks were cancelled in favour of more subdued celebrations, with private rockets and fireworks generally banned and the areas around the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees boulevard barricaded. Some 150 additional police officers will be deployed to secure the event, a police spokesman said, and no one will be allowed to bring in bags and backpacks.
Advertisement
Top North Korean aide dies in car crash
A top North Korean aide died in a vehicle crash, according to state-run media, but little other information was given. Kim Yong Sun was a close aide to then-leader Kim Jong Il, the late father of Kim Jong Un.
In Bangkok, thousands of police were present as revelers rang in 2016 at the site of a deadly bombing that occurred in October.
Trevone Boykin Apologizes After Arrest for Allegedly Assaulting a Police Officer
Boykin’s absence should mean more work for senior running back Aaron Green, who gained 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. According to police, the incident began when someone recognized him at a San Antonio bar and began heckling him.
Up to 5,000 police officers were in the area, with explosive ordnance disposal experts sweeping the area ahead of time.
Star Wars Creator George Lucas Not a Fan of The Force Awakens
Star Wars creator George Lucas has hit out at The Force Awakens and criticised how Disney has developed the film franchise. I decided, Fine , but basically… they weren’t that keen to have me involved, anyway.
Fireworks explode around the London Eye during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2016.
“The people of Paris and France need this symbolic passage into the New Year”, said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.
Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur said it was “better not to take risks” in announcing the cancelation of the city’s New Year’s activities.
Official New Year’s celebrations in Belgium were also canceled.
Today, more than 8,500 performers representing 20 countries will take part in the annual New Year’s Day parade through London, again amid a large security operation.
In downtown Dubai, despite a blaze at a 63-storey skyscraper, the display at the nearby Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, started as planned.
In Moscow, the arrival of the New Year was greeted by silence – as the firework display was five minutes late.
Turkish police have detained two Islamic State suspects allegedly planning to stage attacks in the centre of the capital Ankara which is expected to be packed on New Year’s Eve.
Authorities in Madrid said they were fielding 15 percent more police and emergency staff than a year ago for year-end events, including the “Saint Silvester” evening fun run through the Spanish capital.
The number of police on duty in Italy has been increased by 30 percent compared to past year although the Interior Ministry stressed: “There has been no specific alert”.
The ISS works on GMT, meaning New Year is celebrated at the same time as Britain.
At midnight, more than one million are expected to gather along the famed harbour to watch a glittery display featuring a multicolored firework “waterfall” cascading off the Harbour Bridge and pyrotechnic effects in the shapes of butterflies, octopuses and flowers.
However, a similar display in Brussels was cancelled due to safety concerns and in Munich two railway stations were closed due to a “serious imminent threat”. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire Fireworks light the sky above the Cathedral Square in Vilnius, Lithuania shortly after midnight during the New Year celebrations, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman lamented the prospect that fear might keep people from celebrating New Year’s Eve.
“Of course we’re scared”, she said.
In Germany, which has received many of the refugees seeking asylum in Europe this year, numerous shelters banned firecrackers and other pyrotechnics to avoid causing trauma to people fleeing war zones in the Middle East, Asia and beyond.
Advertisement
In the New Year’s Eve plot, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Lutchman confirmed the bar-restaurant as the target after driving past it Monday with one of the informants.
