In Bangkok, police-flanked partygoers rung 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 enjoyed scaled-back celebrations. And in Belgium’s capital, authorities anxious after thwarting what they say was a holiday terror plot canceled festivities altogether.
As the final hours of 2015 drew to a close, many bid a weary and wary adieu to a year marred by attacks that left nations reeling and nerves rattled. Still, most places forged ahead with their celebrations as many refused to let jitters ruin the joy of the holiday.
A look at how people around the world are doing exactly that:
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand, the first nation with a sizable population to celebrate the New Year, counted down the seconds to midnight with a giant digital clock on Auckland’s landmark Sky Tower. Horns blared and crowds cheered as the tower was then lit up with fireworks, with colors shifting from green to red to white.
AUSTRALIA
Australian officials, struggling to contain the threat from home-grown extremists, encouraged revelers to enjoy the evening and assured that thousands of extra police would be out patrolling the major cities. Melbourne’s rival, Sydney, takes seriously its position as one of the first major cities in the world to ring in each new year. More than 1 million gathered along the famed harbor to watch a glittery display featuring a multicolored firework “waterfall” cascading off the Harbor Bridge and pyrotechnic effects in the shapes of butterflies, octopuses and flowers.
MALAYSIA
Security was beefed up in Malaysia’s biggest city, Kuala Lumpur, where fireworks marked the new year at a historic square as well as at the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the world’s tallest buildings.
Malaysian authorities have detained more than 150 suspects linked to the Daesh extremist group over the past two years, including some who were allegedly plotting to launch attacks in strategic areas of Kuala Lumpur.
JORDAN
Nada Fayez, 46, a mother of four teenagers, planned to celebrate the New Year at home with her family. She said the security situation in Jordan is safe and she would have no concerns if her sons and daughter preferred to celebrate outside their home. Jordan has taken a high-profile role in the US-led military campaign against the Daesh. IS controls large areas of Jordanian neighbors Syria and Iraq. Security has been beefed up in the streets of Amman, as well as in malls and hotels.
PHILIPPINES
Shopping malls and cities organized fireworks displays to discourage people from lighting their own firecrackers. A huge religious sect, the Iglesia ni Cristo, attempted to break the world record for the largest fireworks display and the highest number of sparklers to be lit in one place.           (See also Page 6)
INDIA
Hotels and restaurants in and around New Delhi had been advertising grand party plans with live bands and dancing. With security being a concern, police and anti-terror squads on Tuesday conducted mock terror-attack drills at a crowded shopping mall and food court. Witnesses, however, were unimpressed. Mona Arthur, a Delhi journalist who was in the mall at the time, dubbed the exercise a “mockery of a mock drill.”
NEW YORK
Around 1 million people converged on New York City’s Times Square for the annual celebration. The party began with musical acts, including Luke Bryan, Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato and Carrie Underwood, and ended with fireworks and the descent of a glittering crystal ball from a rooftop flagpole. This year’s festivities were also attended by nearly 6,000 New York City police officers.