for a gauge of how seriously Beijing is taking its upcoming military parade, just try driving around town. Or going to a hospital. Or flipping on the TV. Authorities in the Chinese capital have pulled out all the stops to make sure that Thursday’s parade — intended to mark the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat at the end of World War II — goes according to plan. They will temporarily shut several major roads, gas stations, shopping districts, concert halls, parks, bars, long-distance bus terminals, hospital outpatient departments and, on the morning of the event, even the city's airports. They will dispatch 850,000 ... (full story)