BEIJING LOCKED DOWN PRIOR TO PARADE

Beijing is under lockdown on the eve of a massive military parade to mark six decades of Communist Party rule, with armed police manning street corners to ensure nothing spoils the event. The show of force has grounded kites and pigeons, lined roads with volunteer grandmother security guards, prompted warnings to stock up on food and left harried citizens pondering who the festivities are really for. Officials say they are not over-reacting, pointing to recent protests in the remote regions of Tibet and Xinjiang as a reminder that the country is vulnerable to security threats.