On a New Year’s Eve haunted by fears of terrorism, a spectacular fire in one of Dubai’s tall towers captured the world’s attention. With few exceptions, the celebrations rolled on, and while fire still raged, the Dubai Media office declared on Twitter: “New Year celebrations in Dubai will continue as scheduled.”
And it was quite a show, drawing cheers and whistles from tens of thousands people watching the barrage of fireworks competing with the burning building for attention.
In Bangkok, police-flanked partygoers rang in the new year at the site of a deadly bombing that took place just months ago
In Paris, residents recovering from their city’s own deadly attacks will enjoy scaled-back celebrations. And in Belgium’s capital, authorities anxious after thwarting what they say was a holiday terror plot have canceled festivities altogether.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Belgium said six people were brought in for questioning Thursday morning in connection with a suspected plot to stage extremist attacks. Three of those detained were released later in the day.