Dubai cancels New Year's festivities for Gaza

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Dubai's ruler has ordered the cancellation of all New Year's celebrations in the freewheeling Gulf city state because of the violence in Gaza.

Emirates news agency WAM said Tuesday that Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum called off "all forms of celebrations" but did not elaborate.

The order calls for Dubai instead to mark the new year "with a somber tone as a token of solidarity" with the Palestinian people and with the Gaza Strip in particular.

It was not immediately clear when the ban would take effect or whether it would apply to the scores of bars and restaurants planning pricey New Year's Eve events. AP