At least 5,600 people in Haiti were killed due to gang violence in 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement issued Tuesday.
These deaths represent an increase of over 1,000 on the total death toll in 2023, according to figures verified by OHCHR.
In addition, more than 2,200 people were injured and around 1,500 kidnapped, it said.
Haiti is plagued by rampant gang activity, with criminal organizations controlling 85 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to the UN.
The first batch of a UN-backed security mission of foreign police was deployed last June to assist Haiti's police in restoring security and order. The mission was originally planned to consist of around 2,500 personnel, but only 400 have been deployed so far. The situation in Haiti shows no significant improvement, while gang clashes in many parts of the capital continue to escalate.
At least 5,600 killed in Haiti gang violence in 2024: UN
Starting from Jan 1, "Beijing Service," a service platform backed by the Beijing municipal government, extended its coverage to the city's two international airports, setting up 24-hour kiosks to facilitate visitors from abroad.
On the first day of 2025, two Beijing Service kiosks near the international arrivals areas of Beijing's Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport were put into use, with well-trained staff providing 24-hour multilingual services for global travelers.
"This year we have set up service stations in Beijing's Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport to provide travelers with one-stop services including payment setup, mobile phone services, and transport and tourism consultation, covering four categories of more than 20 convenient services. The services aim to further facilitate foreigners to study, travel, or live in Beijing, and to upgrade the level of Beijing's international services," said Zhang Li, division chief of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Government Services and Data Management.
The move came after the city's recent poll with international visitors on what could be done to improve their experience in China, aiming to better support the surging global visitors brought by the country's visa-free policies.
The Beijing Service platform can now provide a one-stop solution to newcomers, and address most of the common concerns of foreign travelers.
"So far, I haven't had any problems, and it seems quite straightforward and it's easy to follow the instructions, everyone gives clear instructions, so it's quite easy to follow. So far everyone I have talked to is able to give feedback (on) what I needed, so it's been good," said Rahima Siddiqui, a traveler from New Zealand.
Beijing Service platform offers one-stop solutions to int'l visitors
