2016 has seen repeated bloodshed, most recently a deadly truck
attack at a Berlin Christmas market and a similar incident on Bastille
Day in France that killed 86.
Global terror attacks have cast a pall over 2016 but Australia was
on Saturday set to defy the threats and ring in the New Year with
bumper crowds gathering to watch a firework extravaganza on Sydney's
glittering harbour.
2016 has seen repeated bloodshed, most recently a deadly truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market, a similar incident on Bastille Day in France that killed 86, and atrocities in Turkey and the Middle East.
Some
1.5 million people are packing Australia's biggest city to watch the
midnight fireworks, a larger-than-usual crowd due to the weekend timing
and warm weather, as the New South Wales state premier urged "business
as usual".
"My
encouragement to everyone is to enjoy New Year's Eve... in the
knowledge that police are doing everything they can to keep us safe,"
Premier Mike Baird said.
A
family fireworks display illuminates the sky above the iconic Sydney
Opera House on December 31, 2016, ahead of the official New Year's
fireworks show(AFP)
Some
2,000 extra officers have been deployed after a man was arrested for
allegedly making online threats against the celebrations.
There were a number of other reported threats this holiday period, in Asia-Pacific and elsewhere.
In Melbourne, police foiled a "significant" Islamic State-inspired Christmas Day terror plot.
Indonesia
said it foiled plans by an IS-linked group for a Christmas-time suicide
bombing, and 52 died in the Philippines in bomb attacks blamed on
Islamist militants.
Israel on Friday
issued a warning of imminent "terrorist attacks" to tourists and western
targets in India, telling its citizens to avoid public places.
Meanwhile
in Japan, shoppers filled markets to buy tuna and crabs -- seen as
expensive items of indulgence and special feasts -- for New Year's Day
family gatherings.
Safety measures
Fireworks arrive on a barge to the Sydney Harbour ahead of New Year's Eve extravaganza(AFP/File)
Security
concerns have hit many New Year events with truck blockades a new
tactic to try to prevent vehicles ploughing into crowds. Sydney is using
garbage trucks as safety barriers.
The
German capital has beefed up security after the December 19 carnage,
deploying hundreds more police, some armed with machine-guns.
"This
year, what's new is that we will place concrete blocks and position
heavy armoured vehicles at the entrances" to the zone around Brandenburg
Gate, a police spokesman said.
In Cologne, after a wave of sexual attacks last year, 1,800 police will be deployed -- compared to just 140 in 2015.
In neighbouring Austria police will hand out 6,000 free pocket alarms to help stop assaults on women.
In
Paris, there will be a firework display again, after muted 2015
celebrations following the November 13 massacre of 130 people.
A woman sells 'Happy New Year 2017' headwear on a shopping street in Sydney, on December 30, 2016(AFP)
Nearly 100,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers will be deployed across France against the jihadist threat.
With
more than a million people expected to turn out to watch the ball drop
in Times Square, New York is deploying 165 "blocker" trucks and some
7,000 police.
Rome has deployed armoured
vehicles and greater numbers of security forces around the Coliseum and
at St Peter's Square where Pope Francis will celebrate midnight mass.
Moscow
police will deploy more than 5,000 officers backed by thousands more
from the new national guard and volunteer militia to maintain order.
Thousands traditionally gather in Red Square, but for the second year in a row, the area will be open solely to 6,000 invitees.
Berlin has beefed up security after the December 19 carnage, deploying hundreds more police, some armed with machine-guns(AFP/File)
London
will have 3,000 officers on patrol with crowds flocking to line the
banks of the Thames to watch the fireworks around the London Eye Ferris
wheel.
In Dubai, the gigantic
pyrotechnics off the world's highest skyscraper are going ahead, despite
a major tower block blaze nearby last year.
Up to two million people are expected to party at Rio's Copacabana beach.
But
with Brazil mired in its worst recession in a century, the fireworks
have been cut to just 12 minutes as the state government fights
bankruptcy.
Normally boisterous Bangkok
will see in the new year on a more sombre note, with prayers and candles
replacing parties as the nation grieves for King Bhumibol Adulyadej who
died in October.
And, at the stroke of
midnight, the celebrations will last one second longer –- a leap second
-– decreed by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems
Service to allow astronomical time to catch up with atomic clocks that
have called the hour since 1967.
Source: Pulse.ng
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