Governments warn against possible threat to Westerners in BeijingDecember 25, 2015 - 12:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UK and U.S. governments have issued a warning about possible threats against Westerners in the Chinese capital Beijing on or around Christmas Day, BBC News reports. British and U.S. officials say they have received information of possible threats in Sanlitun, which is a busy bar and shopping district. The Australian and French governments have also urged their citizens to remain vigilant. Beijing police have issued a yellow security alert in the city. A yellow alert is the second lowest level in China's four-level security alert system. The alert means there will be increased security checks in shopping areas, and rubbish bins in public areas will be checked every 30 minutes, state news agency Xinhua reports. There was an increased police presence in Sanlitun on Thursday, with armed police deployed outside shopping malls. There were no further details from French, Australian, U.S. and UK officials. Beijing police said in a microblog post (in Chinese) that they had implemented the yellow alert in Beijing's large and medium sized shopping areas to "maintain social order". The Sanlitun area, in Beijing's Chaoyang district, contains many bars and restaurants popular with foreigners. Photo: AFP Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |