Students' parents put in a quandary

Three days without school in Beijing have created a headache for some parents who have difficulty finding a person or institution for child care when they go to work.

Online searches spike for masks, purifiers, condoms and sportswear

While it is easy to imagine a sharp rise in online orders for anti-pollution products such as masks and air purifiers on smoggy days, a boom in the sales of condoms and sports-wear might be a little unexpected.

Family evacuated as threat looms

At the age of 4, my daughter has become an environmental refugee.

Children, elderly and sick people are most vulnerable to harm

Liu Chuanhe, a doctor in the respiratory department of the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, said he has received more patients in the past several days.

Capital answers pollution questions

Beijing issued a red alert for air pollution that took effect at 7 am on Tuesday and will remain in force until noon on Thursday. The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau and the Beijing Environment Monitoring Center have answered some of the public's questions.

Capital closely monitoring compliance

The hazy capital has reinforced response measures and inspections after it issued the highest-level air pollution alert for the first time because of the heavy smog.

Outdoor jobs: What the workers say

After the red alert was issued yesterday, the company issued us breathing masks and protective cream. But the working hours haven't changed much. We still have to work from 7 am to 9 pm.

Alert levels around the area

Shanxi province: Taiyuan: Yellow alert

131 elected members of top science academies

Scientists from innovative enterprises have been awarded the highest honor of the Chinese science community, representing new research directions in 3D printing, big data and next-generation Internet.

Survey: Workers seek balance with life outside

Chinese workers, sometimes viewed as busy bees, are attaching more importance to balancing employment with life outside the workplace, a recent survey showed.

Banks probed for fake vouchers

Several employees of rural credit cooperatives in Shandong province have been placed under investigation by local police on suspicion of forging deposit vouchers amounting to 150 million yuan ($23.4 million), media reported on Monday.

IN BRIEF (Page 4)