Belgian police detain six people over New Year’s attack plot

Fireworks light up the sky over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the city skyline as part of New Year’s Eve celebrations Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, in San Francisco. Two men were arrested earlier in the week.

At one of the main Middle East celebrations – Dubai’s fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building – a massive fire in a nearby luxury hotel sparked fears that terrorism was to blame.

An investigating judge will decide whether to keep the six in custody or release them, the prosecutor’s office added. It has been alleged that some members of the club are supporters of so-called Islamic State.

A 10th person arrested in connection with the terror attacks in Paris last month was charged on Thursday with terrorist murder and participation in activities of a terrorist group.

In Turkey, police have detained two Islamic State suspects allegedly planning to stage attacks in the centre of Ankara which is expected to be packed on New Year’s Eve. Bazarouj’s family is considered radicalized, and one of his brothers reportedly left for Syria about a year ago to join the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks.

“New Year’s Eve is a major celebration in the diary and the Met has been working with colleagues to ensure celebrations run smoothly and the event is safe and enjoyable for everyone who attends”, said Supt Jo Edwards a Metropolitan police spokeswoman.

Jakarta remains on high alert after anti-terror police foiled detailed plans for an alleged New Year suicide attack in the Indonesian capital.

Because of limited space, the New Year’s Eve countdown ceremony in Beijing’s Imperial Ancestral Temple was 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.

Mayeur said on Wednesday that fireworks and related events in the central square of Place de Brouckere had been canceled because it was not possible to “guarantee that we can check everyone coming to the event” in the current circumstances.

Belgium has been at the heart of investigations into attacks in Paris on November 13 in which 130 people were killed.

Vienna police had said that several European cities had been warned of possible New Year’s Eve attacks and that revelers in the Austrian capital would face tighter checks.

During the attacks, the gunmen maintained contact with two mobile phones, both of which were traced to the same location in the Brussels area.

The prosecutor’s office said no weapons or explosives were found in Wednesday’s search.

Security will also be stepped up in Istanbul, with local media reports saying that some officers will be wearing Father Christmas outfits and other disguises to patrol crowds undetected.

But authorities agreed France’s biggest public gathering since the attacks can go ahead on the Champs Elysees avenue, with bolstered security.