Germany heightens security ahead of isis bomb threat

Police in Munich evacuated two major railway stations after an intelligence agency warned Germany of an imminent attack, officials said. Authorities received information that suicide bombers from so-called Islamic State (IS) could target the central station or Pasing station, Bavaria's interior minister said. Both stations have since reopened, police tweeted. Cities across Europe have been on alert for a possible New Year's Eve attack. The alert in Munich came just hours before midnight and police warned people to stay away from crowds. "I am happy that nothing has so far happened and I hope it stays that way," said interior minister Joachim Herrmann. Between five and seven militants were thought to be planning an attack, Munich's police head Hubertus Andra said. Image copyrightEPA Image caption Police were told of the threat as celebrations were in full swing Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office alerted Munich police after receiving the tip-off from a "friendly intelligence agency" on New Year's Eve, Mr Herrmann said. Local media reports say the information had come from French authorities. The city's police said they had called in reinforcements from southern Bavaria and special police units were already operating in the city. Belgium arrests Security concerns had already caused New Year celebrations to be cancelled or limited in other European cities. The authorities in Brussels called off all official events after three people were detained on Thursday in connection with an alleged New Year's Eve plot. They are being held for a further 24 hours, prosecutors said. Two other terror suspects were arrested earlier this week. New Year: Celebrations mark start of 2016 But the apparent plots to target New Year celebrations in Brussels were not related to the suspected network behind the Paris attacks, the authorities said. Image copyrightAP Image caption Security in the centre of Brussels was tight Police seized material during Thursday's raids including computers, phones and materials for playing airsoft - a military simulation game in which players fire replica weapons loaded with plastic pellets. Separately, Belgian police arrested a 10th suspect over the 13 November attacks in Paris, in which 130 people were killed. The Belgian national, identified as Ayoub B, was detained on Wednesday during a raid in the Brussels district of Molenbeek. He has been charged with terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group. Paris attacks: Is Molenbeek a hotbed of extremism? In Paris, the traditional fireworks display has been called off but thousands of people partied on the Champs Elysees in the biggest public gathering since last month's attacks. Image copyrightReuters Image caption Thousands joined celebrations on the Champs-Elysees More than 100,000 police were deployed across France.