Security stepped up around the globe for Christmas, New Year

As Christmas and New Year celebrations get into full swing around the world, many countries are on high alert to prevent potential terrorist attacks.

Cities across the United States have tightening security for the holiday season.

In New York City, police have deployed K-9 teams and high-technology devices to detect explosives or radiation, as well as drafted in hundreds of additional security personnel.

Authorities are taking extra precautions in Washington, too, after an Islamic State group released posters that showed the famed Washington National Cathedral on fire.

Las Vegas, in the western US state of Nevada, has also installed 800 safety barriers along its world-famous Strip to prevent vehicle attacks.

The US Department of Homeland Security has said there are no credible threats at this time, but it has urged citizens to stay alert over the holiday season.

European nations are also on alert after a terrorist killed 12 people in December last year by driving a truck into crowds at a Christmas market in the German capital of Berlin.

This year, many Christmas markets in Germany were surrounded with concrete barriers to protect shoppers as part of tighter security measures.

Italy's Interior Ministry has also ordered law enforcement authorities to step up controls in public areas where crowds are likely to gather, such as squares, churches, monuments and open-air markets.

Other countries that have been victim to terror attacks are also on high alert ahead of the Yuletide celebrations.

Security chiefs in Nigeria have placed all personnel on standby in the case of any emergency situation. The Nigerian Army has called on people who reside in the restive northeast region to be security vigilant and guard against suicide bomb attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

Egypt has made an announcement to raise the security level to the highest around churches ahead of Christmas.

In Asia, Indonesian police have launched an anti-terror campaign called Operation Candle to ensure public safety during Christmas and New Year.

The country was hit by church bombings in several cities on Christmas Eve in 2000.

Terror attacks have become rampant worldwide in recent years. Festive celebrations, which usually attract large crowds of people, are now major targets for terrorist groups worldwide.

(China Daily 12/25/2017 page12)