Belgium Arrests 10th Person in Connection to Paris Attacks

The Brussels decision comes just days after two people were arrested in Belgium over a suspected plot to carry out “symbolic attacks” in Brussels during the New Year’s celebrations, but it was not immediately clear whether Wednesday’s decision was linked to that plot.

Police in Turkey have detained two suspected IS extremists over a suicide bombing plot during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country’s capital of Ankara, state media reported on Wednesday. Two further Paris attackers had been living in the Belgian capital.

Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur said Wednesday that fireworks and related events in the central square of Place de Brouckere had been cancelled because it was not possible to “guarantee that we can check everyone coming to the event”. A judge was expected to decide later Thursday whether they could be held longer.

Belgium has arrested six terror suspects. During the raids in which the six were arrested, police seized mobile phones, computer equipment and airsoft gun material.

Belgium has been on alert level three, which means a possible and probable serious threat, since the November 13 Paris attacks.

Paris will miss its firework display on the Champs-Elysee.

Fireworks displays went ahead in other European cities, but with a much heavier security presence than usual.

Syria’s state news agency says that two “terrorist explosions” have gone off in the predominantly Kurdish northeastern city of Qamishli, killing 16 people and wounding 35.

Security forces in many capitals around the world were on raised alert after a year of violent attacks, the biggest of which killed 130 in Paris in November and was claimed by ISIL.

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 Year’s Eve.

The world greeted 2016 with Champagne and cheers, but tightened security put a damper on the party in Europe and a spectacular fire at a hotel in Dubai scared gathering revellers.

Numerous police will be armed with rifles while helicopters and boats will be surveying the city as celebrations get underway.

“It’s no secret that Moscow is one of the choice targets for terrorists”, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said ahead of the celebrations.

Fireworks light up the sky over Sydney’s Opera House during New Year celebrations in Sydney. AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAKASONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP/Getty Images A woman prays in front of lanterns to celebrate the new year at Chogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.

While the traditional image of New Year’s Eve may be fireworks lighting up the sky, it was all rather quiet in Belfast city as we rang in the new year.