NEW YORK – New York City's iconic New Year's Eve celebration will be surrounded by sanitation vehicles to stop truck-driving attackers like those in Germany and France.
The 65 garbage collection and sand trucks along Times Square's perimeter are meant to stop would-be assailants from plowing trucks into the crowd of 1 million people.
New York Police Department Chief of Patrol Carlos Gomez said Thursday that 100 patrol cars also will be used as blocker vehicles.
Officials say they regularly adapt their security measures based on world events. They say there are no known, credible threats against the gathering.
A Dec. 19 attack in Berlin killed 12 people. A July 14 attack in Nice, France, killed 86.
New York police say they'll deploy 7,000 officers, bomb-sniffing dogs and heavily armed counterterrorism units.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Russia vows 'reprisals' over US sanctions
Russia has pledged "adequate reprisals" over US sanctions and accused Washington of trying to destroy ties by making "unfounded" allegations of interference in the US election.
The United States wants to "definitively destroy US-Russia relations which have already reached a low," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, adding that Russia will "react in an adequate manner based on the principles of reciprocity".
Washington announced a series of measures against Russia, including tough sanctions on Russia's top two intelligence agencies, the expulsion of 35 diplomats and a decision to shut down two Russian compounds in the US.
"We categorically reject the unfounded assertions and accusations made about Russia," Peskov said, according to the Ria-Novosti news agency.
"The American sanctions against Russia and the expulsion of 35 diplomats in 72 hours are proof of a real paranoia," said Leonid Slutsky, the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.
"They are once again taking very aggressive measures against our country," he said, according to Ria-Novosti.
'Election hacking'
President Barack Obama had all but accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of personally ordering a cyber-hack that many Democrats believe damaged Hillary Clinton's chances in November's closely fought election with Republican foe Donald Trump.
The US intelligence community has concluded that a hack-and-release of Democratic Party and Clinton staff emails was designed to put Trump - a politician with no diplomatic experience who has praised Putin - into the Oval Office.
The US government is also declassifying technical information on Russian cyber activity to help companies defend against future attacks.
Richard Weitz, fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera: "The Kremlin needs to calculate, and it's in a bit of a dilemma here, how much do they want to show they're tough and respond at the risk of harming relations with a new US administration that's coming to power in a few weeks, which clearly wants to improve relations with Russia."
The White House says it will provide a more detailed briefing of its claims to congress, said Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington, DC.
"The timing of that report is curious, roughly three weeks before Trump is set to be sworn into office," she said.
"It's a move that may have been designed to put Donald Trump in a difficult spot, forcing him as one of his first acts of office to decide whether to lift the Russian sanctions that many members of his own Republican Party support, while at the same time putting at risk the Russian relationship many allege may have helped him win the White House," said Halkett.
Speaking after the announcement of sanctions, Trump - currently on holiday in Florida - said that it was time for the US "to move on".
However, the incoming president also vowed to meet with intelligence leaders to learn more.
Lilit Gevorgyan, Russia analyst with IHS Global Insight, told Al Jazeera: "What we're seeing is a mismatch between what the outgoing Obama administration is saying, and what the newly-elected president is saying about Russia ... Yes, perhaps Russia is celebrating a victory, but I believe that it's a short term victory. What is worrying is what's coming next."
The United States wants to "definitively destroy US-Russia relations which have already reached a low," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, adding that Russia will "react in an adequate manner based on the principles of reciprocity".
Washington announced a series of measures against Russia, including tough sanctions on Russia's top two intelligence agencies, the expulsion of 35 diplomats and a decision to shut down two Russian compounds in the US.
"We categorically reject the unfounded assertions and accusations made about Russia," Peskov said, according to the Ria-Novosti news agency.
"The American sanctions against Russia and the expulsion of 35 diplomats in 72 hours are proof of a real paranoia," said Leonid Slutsky, the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.
"They are once again taking very aggressive measures against our country," he said, according to Ria-Novosti.
'Election hacking'
President Barack Obama had all but accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of personally ordering a cyber-hack that many Democrats believe damaged Hillary Clinton's chances in November's closely fought election with Republican foe Donald Trump.
The US intelligence community has concluded that a hack-and-release of Democratic Party and Clinton staff emails was designed to put Trump - a politician with no diplomatic experience who has praised Putin - into the Oval Office.
The US government is also declassifying technical information on Russian cyber activity to help companies defend against future attacks.
Richard Weitz, fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera: "The Kremlin needs to calculate, and it's in a bit of a dilemma here, how much do they want to show they're tough and respond at the risk of harming relations with a new US administration that's coming to power in a few weeks, which clearly wants to improve relations with Russia."
The White House says it will provide a more detailed briefing of its claims to congress, said Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington, DC.
"The timing of that report is curious, roughly three weeks before Trump is set to be sworn into office," she said.
"It's a move that may have been designed to put Donald Trump in a difficult spot, forcing him as one of his first acts of office to decide whether to lift the Russian sanctions that many members of his own Republican Party support, while at the same time putting at risk the Russian relationship many allege may have helped him win the White House," said Halkett.
Speaking after the announcement of sanctions, Trump - currently on holiday in Florida - said that it was time for the US "to move on".
However, the incoming president also vowed to meet with intelligence leaders to learn more.
Lilit Gevorgyan, Russia analyst with IHS Global Insight, told Al Jazeera: "What we're seeing is a mismatch between what the outgoing Obama administration is saying, and what the newly-elected president is saying about Russia ... Yes, perhaps Russia is celebrating a victory, but I believe that it's a short term victory. What is worrying is what's coming next."
Armed police to be on NYE London Tube trains after Berlin attack
Armed police will be deployed on London Underground trains for the first time on New Year's Eve following a review of security.
The armed officers and other additional patrols have been brought in to bolster the 3,000 officers who will police the capital's streets.
Although armed officers have been visible at Tube stations for some time, they are not routinely seen on Underground trains and platforms.
Transport for London told Sky News that armed British Transport Police officers will be seen on Tube trains from New Year's Eve onwards.
Plans for the BTP to have its own armed division were announced in 2011 but it was only in October that the force said it wants its uniformed marksmen to travel on the Tube.
Concrete barriers have also been erected around the main routes into London to guard against the possibility of a vehicle attack.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that security plans for the Mayor's firework display - and surrounding New Year's Eve celebrations - had been "adjusted" in the last few days.
It has happened because concerns about a possible mass-casualty terror plot targeting the event have intensified following events in Nice and Berlin.
A lorry drove along a packed seafront in Nice in July, killing 86 people, while 12 people died earlier this month when another lorry was driven into Christmas market stalls in Berlin.
The armed officers and other additional patrols have been brought in to bolster the 3,000 officers who will police the capital's streets.
Although armed officers have been visible at Tube stations for some time, they are not routinely seen on Underground trains and platforms.
Transport for London told Sky News that armed British Transport Police officers will be seen on Tube trains from New Year's Eve onwards.
Plans for the BTP to have its own armed division were announced in 2011 but it was only in October that the force said it wants its uniformed marksmen to travel on the Tube.
Concrete barriers have also been erected around the main routes into London to guard against the possibility of a vehicle attack.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that security plans for the Mayor's firework display - and surrounding New Year's Eve celebrations - had been "adjusted" in the last few days.
It has happened because concerns about a possible mass-casualty terror plot targeting the event have intensified following events in Nice and Berlin.
A lorry drove along a packed seafront in Nice in July, killing 86 people, while 12 people died earlier this month when another lorry was driven into Christmas market stalls in Berlin.
Brexit is the 'firing gun on a decade of disruption', report finds
Britain is on course for a "decade of disruption" in the wake of the vote to leave the European Union, a report has warned.
Brexit has delivered a "profound shock" to the UK's political and economic order which is likely to damage growth and living standards until 2030, according to centre-left think tank IPPR.
The report said the upheaval comes at a time when Britain's rapidly ageing population threatens to put new strains on the state, with the funding gap for adult social care expected to hit £13bn by 2030-31.
It said: "Brexit is the firing gun on a decade of disruption.
"Even as what we do and how we work changes, the UK is likely to remain trapped in a low growth, low interest rate decade driven by demographic shifts, productivity trends, weak investment, weak labour power, high levels of debt, and the headwinds of a slowing global economy.
Brexit has delivered a "profound shock" to the UK's political and economic order which is likely to damage growth and living standards until 2030, according to centre-left think tank IPPR.
The report said the upheaval comes at a time when Britain's rapidly ageing population threatens to put new strains on the state, with the funding gap for adult social care expected to hit £13bn by 2030-31.
It said: "Brexit is the firing gun on a decade of disruption.
"Even as what we do and how we work changes, the UK is likely to remain trapped in a low growth, low interest rate decade driven by demographic shifts, productivity trends, weak investment, weak labour power, high levels of debt, and the headwinds of a slowing global economy.
United States to expel 35 Russian diplomats
The US is to expel 35 Russian diplomats, and shut down two Russian compounds, in response to "harassment" of Americans in Moscow.
The diplomats affected work at the Russian embassy in Washington, and at the country's consulate in San Francisco.
The move is part of a series of measures, not only for alleged intimidation of US diplomats in the Russian capital, but also for alleged interference in the recent presidential election.
Two US officials also said there would be a series of measures after Russia allegedly hacked US political institutions, as well as individuals.
In addition, Vladimir Putin's country is accused of helping President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates by leaking information.
The diplomats affected work at the Russian embassy in Washington, and at the country's consulate in San Francisco.
The move is part of a series of measures, not only for alleged intimidation of US diplomats in the Russian capital, but also for alleged interference in the recent presidential election.
Two US officials also said there would be a series of measures after Russia allegedly hacked US political institutions, as well as individuals.
In addition, Vladimir Putin's country is accused of helping President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates by leaking information.
Vladimir Putin: Agreement reached on Syria ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin says an agreement has been reached on a countrywide ceasefire plan for Syria, with Russia and Turkey to act as guarantors.
Syrian state news agency SANA said on Thursday that the ceasefire announcement excluded the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the group formerly known as al-Nusra Front.
Putin said the truce was set to begin at midnight on Thursday (22:00 GMT) and would be followed by peace talks between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and the opposition in the Kazakh capital Astana.
He also said that the Russian military had been ordered to scale down its presence in Syria, where it has been providing crucial support to Assad's forces.
He did not say how many troops and weapons would be withdrawn but said Russia would continue "fighting international terrorism in Syria" and would maintain its presence at both an air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia and the naval facility in the Syrian port of Tartus.
"The agreements that have been reached are no doubt very fragile and they demand attention and follow-up in order to keep them and develop them. Nevertheless, it's a significant result of our work, the defence ministry, the ministry of foreign affairs, our partners in the region.
"Now we need to do everything for these agreements to work, so that negotiators would come to Astana and would begin to work on real peace process. I call on the Syrian government, armed opposition, all countries involved to support these agreements."
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's defence minister said the truce would include 62,000 opposition fighters across Syria, and that the Russian military has established a hotline with its Turkish counterpart to monitor compliance.
The Turkish foreign ministry confirmed the agreement and called on countries with influence on groups fighting in the country to provide the necessary support for the ceasefire to last.
"Russia and Turkey strongly support the truce and will monitor it together," the ministry said.
Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Moscow, said three different documents had been signed in a trilateral agreement between Russia, Turkey and Iran.
"The first document lays out an agreement between the Syrian government and opposition groups on the ground. The second document includes measures designed to control the ceasefire and the third lays out what needs to happen next in order for there to be peace talks."
"It's still unclear which opposition groups have been involved in this process," our correspondent added.
"Just a day ago the negotiating arm of the largest group of rebels fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army said they had yet to be in contact with anyone and had not been invited to participate in talks."
The Syrian conflict started as a largely unarmed uprising against Assad in March 2011, but quickly developed into a full-on armed conflict.
Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria, estimated in April that more than 400,000 Syrians had been killed since 2011.
Calculating a precise death toll is difficult, partially owing to the forced disappearances of tens of thousands of Syrians whose fates remain unknown.
Almost 11 million Syrians - half the country's prewar population - have been displaced from their homes.
Syrian state news agency SANA said on Thursday that the ceasefire announcement excluded the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the group formerly known as al-Nusra Front.
Putin said the truce was set to begin at midnight on Thursday (22:00 GMT) and would be followed by peace talks between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and the opposition in the Kazakh capital Astana.
He also said that the Russian military had been ordered to scale down its presence in Syria, where it has been providing crucial support to Assad's forces.
He did not say how many troops and weapons would be withdrawn but said Russia would continue "fighting international terrorism in Syria" and would maintain its presence at both an air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia and the naval facility in the Syrian port of Tartus.
"The agreements that have been reached are no doubt very fragile and they demand attention and follow-up in order to keep them and develop them. Nevertheless, it's a significant result of our work, the defence ministry, the ministry of foreign affairs, our partners in the region.
"Now we need to do everything for these agreements to work, so that negotiators would come to Astana and would begin to work on real peace process. I call on the Syrian government, armed opposition, all countries involved to support these agreements."
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's defence minister said the truce would include 62,000 opposition fighters across Syria, and that the Russian military has established a hotline with its Turkish counterpart to monitor compliance.
The Turkish foreign ministry confirmed the agreement and called on countries with influence on groups fighting in the country to provide the necessary support for the ceasefire to last.
"Russia and Turkey strongly support the truce and will monitor it together," the ministry said.
Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Moscow, said three different documents had been signed in a trilateral agreement between Russia, Turkey and Iran.
"The first document lays out an agreement between the Syrian government and opposition groups on the ground. The second document includes measures designed to control the ceasefire and the third lays out what needs to happen next in order for there to be peace talks."
"It's still unclear which opposition groups have been involved in this process," our correspondent added.
"Just a day ago the negotiating arm of the largest group of rebels fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army said they had yet to be in contact with anyone and had not been invited to participate in talks."
The Syrian conflict started as a largely unarmed uprising against Assad in March 2011, but quickly developed into a full-on armed conflict.
Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria, estimated in April that more than 400,000 Syrians had been killed since 2011.
Calculating a precise death toll is difficult, partially owing to the forced disappearances of tens of thousands of Syrians whose fates remain unknown.
Almost 11 million Syrians - half the country's prewar population - have been displaced from their homes.
Health warning as temperatures plunge and freezing fog descends
A health warning has been issued for the elderly and ailing as temperatures plummet and freezing fog disrupts travel across the country.
Public Health England (PHE) has issued its first "level three" cold weather alert since January.
Road travellers face the dual problem of fog and frost - a day after a motorist was killed in a major crash following foggy conditions on the A40.
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said visibility could be limited to 100m or less in some parts on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile the fog saw Heathrow airport hit by delays while there was also a second day of disruption at London City Airport with more than a dozen flights cancelled.
The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" fog warnings across the bulk of England and parts of Wales.
Forecasters see the unsettled, milder weather over Christmas making way for clearer but colder conditions as the new year approaches.
The cold weather warning was issued after plunging temperatures were forecast for northwest England, Yorkshire and the Humber, the Midlands and the east of England.
A level three alert is issued when average temperatures look set to fall to 2C and if either widespread ice or heavy snow is present. A level two warning remains in place in the rest of England.
Dr Thomas Waite, consultant in extreme events and health protection at Public Health England, said: "The effects of cold can be severe, in particular for those who are over 65, have a long-term illness, or are not mobile.
"Our advice to these groups is when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest.
"Most of the practical advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we all help each other to stay well this winter."
On the roads, the AA urged "extreme caution" by motorists.
Spokesman Ian Crowder said: "We have got the worst possible conditions really, of fog and icy roads, and that can be lethal."
Public Health England (PHE) has issued its first "level three" cold weather alert since January.
Road travellers face the dual problem of fog and frost - a day after a motorist was killed in a major crash following foggy conditions on the A40.
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said visibility could be limited to 100m or less in some parts on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile the fog saw Heathrow airport hit by delays while there was also a second day of disruption at London City Airport with more than a dozen flights cancelled.
The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" fog warnings across the bulk of England and parts of Wales.
Forecasters see the unsettled, milder weather over Christmas making way for clearer but colder conditions as the new year approaches.
The cold weather warning was issued after plunging temperatures were forecast for northwest England, Yorkshire and the Humber, the Midlands and the east of England.
A level three alert is issued when average temperatures look set to fall to 2C and if either widespread ice or heavy snow is present. A level two warning remains in place in the rest of England.
Dr Thomas Waite, consultant in extreme events and health protection at Public Health England, said: "The effects of cold can be severe, in particular for those who are over 65, have a long-term illness, or are not mobile.
"Our advice to these groups is when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest.
"Most of the practical advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we all help each other to stay well this winter."
On the roads, the AA urged "extreme caution" by motorists.
Spokesman Ian Crowder said: "We have got the worst possible conditions really, of fog and icy roads, and that can be lethal."
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