Madrid will limit the number of people at Puerta del Sol square, Brussels scrapped celebrations following threats and Moscow police will for the first time close off Red Square. Other cities are going ahead with normal New Year's Eve festivities.
Each New Year's Eve, Peruvians take delight in ritually torching dolls of their politicians, sportsmen or celebrities -- but environment officials say the tradition is a health hazard.
Despite all of the marketing efforts to make Santa Claus the star of Christmas in Costa Rica, 39 percent of Tico parents polled in a survey last month said they tell their children that Baby Jesus, known in Spanish as El Niño or El Niñito, is the one who brings gifts on Christmas Eve.
