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                Terror Alerts Issued for New Year's Celebrations

   by VOA News

   Brussels' mayor has canceled the Belgian capital's annual New Year's
   Eve celebration because of a terror threat as several cities around the
   world ramped up security.

   Speaking to Belgian broadcasters, Mayor Yvan Mayeur said that according
   to a crisis center analysis it would not be possible to screen the tens
   of thousands of people who were expected to turn out for fireworks and
   other festivities.

   Belgian police arrested two people earlier this week suspected of
   plotting a New Year's Eve terror attack on what they call "emblematic"
   targets. Prosecutors say the threat was "serious."

   Four of the Islamic extremists who killed 130 people in multiple
   terrorist attacks in Paris in November were from Belgium.

   ''

   Paris has tightened security, but says it will proceed with its New
   Year's Eve celebration. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told a French
   publication that France needs its symbolic passage into the new year,
   to "send a signal to the world" as it continues to recover from the
   attacks.

   And on Wednesday, Turkish authorities detained two suspected Islamic
   State members believed to be planning suicide attacks on New Year's
   celebrations in the country's capital. Turkish officials said the
   suspects were arrested in the Ankara area.  The alleged plot involved
   suicide bombings in central Ankara where crowds gather to celebrate the
   start of the new year.

   Meanwhile, thousands of police officers, some armed with long guns,
   radiation detectors and bomb-sniffing dogs, will be guarding the
   massive New Year's celebration in New York City's Times Square.

   ''

   Police, the FBI, and Homeland Security officials say there are no
   specific credible threats to New York or any other U.S. parties.

   But they will be vigilant and proactive with celebrations coming just
   weeks after terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.

   Authorities are also monitoring overseas communications for any
   threats.

   More than one million people plan to crowd into Times Square to welcome
   in 2016 Thursday night.

   New York police chief James Waters said he is very confident that "New
   Year's Eve in New York City will be the safest place in the world."
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/terror-alerts-issued-for-new-year-celebrations/3125619.html