Beijing has seen less air pollution on the eve of China's lunar New Year with less fireworks set off, the municipal environment watchdog said on Friday.
The biggest ever countdown extravaganza, organized by Hong Kong tourism promoting institution will be held on the Victoria Harbor on the 2014 New Year’s Eve.
Firework and firecracker celebrations will be banned in Beijing if serious air pollution is forecast for the upcoming Lunar New Year, a festival that features massive use of pyrotechnics.
Firecrackers are often set off in the streets and in Hutongs to ward off evil spirits. Yet, as smog is shourding many Chinese cities, people around China are debating whether firecrackers should be banned this year.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara announced Tuesday that a period of national mourning will be held for the victims of the New Year's Eve stampede in Abidjan that claimed 60 lives and caused more than 200 others injured.
More than 200 casualties including at least 60 deaths were caused in a stampede on New Year's Eve in Abidjan, the economic capital of Cote d'Ivoire, public television RTI reported on Tuesday.
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