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Five suspected Islamist militants were being hunted by police yesterday after an FBI warning that famous landmarks in Rome could be attacked by terrorists.
The warning was followed by advice from the US embassy in Rome to US tourists that renowned sites and crowded places could be hit by jihadists who “may possibly utilise similar methods used in the Paris attacks”.
Italy is putting 2,000 troops on to the streets of Rome to protect 140 potential targets during the ‘Jubilee Year of Mercy’ proclaimed by the Pope, which starts on December 8.
The city has declared a “no-fly zone” for the celebrations.
The Italian response is being echoed across the West where security agencies are reviewing their readiness for a Paris-style attack, the Times reported.
Anti-terrorism officers were deployed in New York City after the release of an Isis propaganda video that threatened a bomb attack on Times Square.
In Melbourne, Holland America Line ship Noordam and a ferry at Station Pier were evacuated for four hours due to a bomb scare, while in Sweden authorities raised the national terrorist threat level and announced an increased police presence at public places like airports and railway stations.