Happy Snooze Year

Despite long tradition, firecrackers have been banned in most urban areas in China, and can’t even be used to celebrate the Lunar New Year. No city is more strict than Luoyang, in the Henan province. “The city government is paying strict attention to the ban on fireworks,” the provincial newspaper reported, due to a fire at the Dongdu Commercial Center last year which killed more than 300 people. So much so that now even recordings of firecrackers have been banned. Playing such tapes results in up to a 200 yuan (US$24) fine. Tradition says the explosions scare evil spirits from entering the new year. (AFP) ...Yet there the politicians remain, year after year.