► Beijing issues 2nd red alert over air pollution

Authorities in Beijing have issued the red alert for air pollution for the second time, warning residents to brace themselves for severe smog. Beijing issued the highest level of its four-tier warning system on Friday morning. This followed forecasts by the country's Ministry of Environmental Protection that air quality may get worse later in the day. It says airborne pollutants are expected to remain over the city and in surrounding areas amid weak winds. The alert means that severe smog is expected for at least 72 hours. The number of vehicles on the road will be restricted from 7 AM on Saturday through late Tuesday night. Factories will also be temporarily closed or operate on shorter schedules. Beijing is recommending that local kindergartens, as well as elementary and junior high schools, suspend classes. It is calling on residents to remain indoors and wear masks. The density of hazardous PM2.5 particles in the capital's air stood at 67 micrograms per cubic meter for 24 hours until Friday morning. That's within Chinese environmental standards. But air pollution is expected to surpass levels seen on December 7th, when the red alert was issued for the first time.