Beijing Declares War—on BBQs

Grilled lamb has become a scapegoat for Beijing's notorious air pollution, Reuters finds. Authorities say they have destroyed more than 500 open-air barbecues, which they claim seriously affects the city's air quality. State media showed photos of workers cutting apart the grills, many of which are operated by migrants from Xinjiang.

The barbecue blitz was ridiculed online, with citizens suggesting that authorities do something about the factories and millions of vehicles creating pollution instead, the AP notes. Earlier this year, the pollution index in the city soared to 755—on a scale of 500. (More Beijing stories.)