China's capital issues first ever 'red alert' on air pollution

China's capital on Monday issued its first ever "red alert" for pollution, as the city government warned that Beijing would be shrouded in heavy smog from Tuesday until Thursday. China's leadership has vowed to crack down on environmental degradation, including the air pollution that blankets many major cities, following decades of unbridled economic growth. In an online statement, the Beijing city government ordered all outdoor construction work to stop on red alert days, besides urging schools