Beijing grinds to halt as second ever 'red alert' issued over severe smog

Four days of heavy pollution in China's capital means restrictions on vehicle use, school closures and bans on fireworks and outdoor barbecues

China's capital city issued a "red alert" for pollution on Friday, hard on the heels of its first-ever such warning earlier in December, as Beijing's leadership vowed to crack down on often hazardous levels of smog.

Authorities in the Chinese capital warned the city would be shrouded by heavy pollution from Saturday until next Tuesday, prompting the highest-level warning that leads to emergency responses such as limiting car use and closing schools.