Hong Kong Officer Fires Shot, and Police Use Water Cannons at Protest
HONG KONG — Hong Kong police officers on Sunday drew pistols on protesters who were charging them with sticks, and one fired a warning shot into the air after another officer fell, as a weekend of violent clashes brought an end to nearly two weeks of restraint. T he police on Sunday fired rounds of tear gas and plastic bullets at protesters who threw bricks and firebombs. They also used water cannon trucks for the first time since protests began in June.
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China rotates new troops into Hong Kong amid mass protests
China rotates new troops into Hong Kong amid mass protests
Hong Kong ’s leader Carrie Lam has officially announced she is withdrawing the earlier-suspended extradition bill that sparked massive He says “police brutality” has left “an irreversible scar” on Hong Kong society, adding that people “would not believe” the announcement of withdrawal is sincere.
HONG KONG — Carrie Lam, Hong Kong ’s chief executive, said Wednesday that the government would withdraw a contentious extradition bill that ignited months of protests in the city, moving to quell the worst political crisis since the former British colony returned to Chinese control 22 years ago.
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Chief executive did not concede to other demands including an inquiry into police violence.
© Reuters/KAI PFAFFENBACH Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam holds a news conference in Hong Kong HONG KONG, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will announce on Wednesday the formal withdrawal of an extradition bill that triggered months of unrest and has thrown the Chinese-controlled city into its worst crisis in decades, Cable TV and other media said.
The protests in the former British colony began in June over the bill, which would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, but have since evolved into a push for greater democracy.
It was not immediately clear if the announcement, which the South China Morning Post newspaper said was due later on Wednesday, would help end the unrest.
Exclusive: Amid crisis, China rejected Hong Kong plan to appease protesters - sources
Exclusive: Amid crisis, China rejected Hong Kong plan to appease protesters - sources
HONG KONG — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is expected to announce later on Wednesday the formal withdrawal of a proposed extradition bill that sparked three months of protests in the Chinese-ruled city, the South China Morning Post reported , citing unnamed sources.
The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 (Chinese: 2019年逃犯及刑事事宜相互法律協助法例(修訂)條例草案)
The chief executive's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
© Getty A protester shouts in front of police outside the government headquarters Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index jumped after the report, trading up about 3.3%. The property index also jumped 6 percent.
The withdrawal of the draft legislation was one of the protesters' key demands. Lam has said before that the bill was "dead" but she did not withdraw it.
Hong Kong returned to China under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows it to keep freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, like the freedom to protest and an independent legal system, hence the anger at the extradition bill and perceived creeping influence by Beijing.
Lam told business leaders last week that she had caused "unforgivable havoc" by introducing the bill and that if she had a choice she would apologize and resign, according to a leaked audio recording.
From Asia’s Finest to Hong Kong’s Most Hated
The city’s police force was once widely respected for its restraint and trusted by the local population. No more.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced the formal withdrawal of the extradition bill that sparked months of protests in the Chinese-controlled territory. 0:54. "I don't think she chose a good timing to announce such a withdrawal ; now it's coming a bit too late." Lam announced in early July that the
The Hong Kong extradition bill triggered months of unrest and has thrown the Chinese-controlled city into its Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the official withdrawal of the extradition bill . Hong Kong ’s benchmark Hang Seng Index jumped after the report , trading up about 3.3%.
At the closed-door meeting, Lam told the group that she now has "very limited" room to resolve the crisis because the unrest has become a national security and sovereignty issue for China amid rising tensions with the United States.
After several weeks of protests over a controversial extradition bill, demonstrators are angry at Beijing’s response and are making wider demands for democratic reforms.
(Pictured) A protestor hurls back an exploded tear gas shell at police officers on Aug. 31.
Students take part in a school boycott rally at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on Sept. 2.
Students take part in a school boycott rally against the controversial extradition bill on Sept. 2.
How Italy's 'Captain' Salvini steered his ship onto the rocks
How Italy's 'Captain' Salvini steered his ship onto the rocks
Secondary students wear face masks during a school strike against the controversial extradition bill on Sept. 2.
Students take part in a school boycott rally against the controversial extradition bill on Sept. 2.
Hong Kong Protesters Flood Streets to Call for U.S. Support
Tens of thousands of demonstrators called on the U.S. to protect human rights in Hong Kong, capping a weekend of smaller, heated protests that continued even after the government’s recent attempt at conciliation. Protesters, many waving American flags, gathered at a park in the city’s main business district during the early afternoon on Sunday and for hours marched past the sprawling U.S. consular complex up a nearby hill. © Kin Cheung/Associated Press Protests on Friday and Saturday turned violent at several subway stations toward the late hours.
Medical staff hold posters as they form a human chain to express solidarity with anti-extradition bill protesters during their lunch break at the Queen Mary Hospital on Sept. 2.
Protesters gathered in the rally against a controversial extradition bill on Sept. 2.
Students take part in a school boycott rally against the controversial extradition bill on Sept. 2.
North Korea fires two unidentified projectiles: report
North Korea has fired two unidentified projectiles, the South Korean Yonhap News Agency has reported. The news agency said that South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launches, which took place on Tuesday morning in the region. "Our military is monitoring the situation in case of additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture," the Joint Chiefs said in a statement.
Students wear protective gear during a protest against the controversial extradition bill on Sept. 2.
Protesters build barricades outside terminals at Hong Kong International Airport on Sept. 1.
An anti-extradition bill protester breaks a security camera outside the terminal on Sept. 1.
An anti extradition bill protestor sprays a fire extinguisher on Sept. 1.
An airport official checks if the doors are locked as anti extradition protestors try to get into the terminals on Sept. 1.
Airport security guards hold the gate to stop the anti-extradition bill protesters from entering the airport on Sept. 1.
Anti-extradition bill protesters take rest outside the terminals on Sept. 1.
An anti-extradition bill protester smashes Mass Transit Railway (MTR) facility as they accuse the railway operator of helping the government to catch protesters, at Tung Chung on Sept 1.
Anti extradition bill protesters try to burn barricades outside a metro station on Sept. 1.
Passengers walk to a terminal as protesters block the roads leading to Hong Kong International Airport on Sept. 1.
Protestors demonstrate in front of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong on Sept. 1.
People and protesters run away from the riot police outside the terminals at Hong Kong International Airport on Sept. 1.
A protester tries to break into a compartment containing fire equipment at Hong Kong International Airport on Sept. 1.
Officials assist arriving passengers near a blockade set up by protesters at Hong Kong International Airport on Sept. 1.
Anti-extradition bill protesters use trolleys and barrier to block the entrance of the airport in Hong Kong on Sept. 1.
A police officer is seen running inside Hong Kong International Airport on Sept. 1.
Protesters gather in the bus terminal at Hong Kong International Airport on Sept. 1
Riot police charge outside of the Mongkok Police Station during a standoff with protesters after an anti-government rally in on Sept. 1 in Hong Kong.
Fire is seen during a pro-democracy protest on Aug. 31.
Police fire tear gas at protesters on Aug. 31.
Protesters stand in front of fire during a pro-democracy protest on Aug. 31.
A policeman pours water on the face of a protestor who was detained on Aug. 31.
Protesters are engulfed in cloud of tear gas during a clash at an anti-government rally outside of Central Government Complex on Aug. 31.
Protesters march with a banner that uses the stars of the Chinese national flag to depict a Nazi Swastika symbol on Aug. 31.
Water-filled police barricades are seen displayed around the vicinity of the Chinese Liaison Office building on Aug. 31.
People confront the police officers as they attend a protest on Aug. 31.
Protesters cover their right eyes as they attend the Stand in Silence for the 74th Anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong gathering at the Cenotaph on Aug. 30.
A Christian group marches towards Chief Executive Carrie Lam's house to support the anti-extradition bill protesters on Aug. 30.
Pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow arrive at the Eastern Court by police van after being arrested on suspicion for organising illegal protests, on Aug. 30.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Agnes Chow (L) and Joshua Wong speak to the media after being arrested and released on bail on Aug. 30.
Troops are seen at the Shek Kong military base of People's Liberation Army (PLA) in New Territories, Hong Kong, on Aug. 29.
A Woman’s AncestryDNA Test Revealed a Medical Secret
As cancer patient, she had received cord-blood cells from an anonymous donor. The DNA from those cells led her to him.
A flight attendant doll is placed inside a shopping mall during a rally to support Cathay Pacific staff on Aug. 28 in Hong Kong. A fortnight after saying it "wouldn't dream" of muzzling the political views of its 27,000 Hong Kong staff, Cathay Pacific faces accusations of betraying its values over pro-democracy protests, as a company tied closely to the city's ascent now tucks firmly under the wings of China.
Police patrol the road around San Uk Ling Holding Centre, where accusations of police mistreatment of detained protesters have recently been made by activists and lawyers, on Aug. 29.
Rebecca Sy, former head of Cathay Dragon's Airlines Flight Attendants' Association, chants slogans with a group of pro democracy protesters in a rally to support Cathay Pacific staff on Aug. 28.
Protesters stick notes on the outside of the Cathay Pacific offices during a rally against White terror and the dismissal of Cathay Pacific staff on Aug. 28.
Protesters gather to condemn alleged sexual harassment of a detained demonstrator at a police station on Aug. 28.
Protesters wave their phones in the air during a #MeToo rally against police sexual harassment on Aug. 28.
A protester carries a placard as she gathers with others to condemn alleged sexual harassment of a detained demonstrator at a police station, on Aug. 28.
People take part in a #MeToo rally on Aug. 28, to protest alleged sexual assaults by police against anti-government female protesters.
People take part in a #MeToo rally in Hong Kong on Aug. 28, to protest alleged sexual assaults by police against anti-government female protesters.
People take part in a #MeToo rally on Aug. 28, to protest alleged sexual assaults by police against anti-government female protesters.
A demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister as they clash with riot police during a protest on Aug. 24.
Slideshow by photo servicesChina has denounced the protests and warned about the impact on Hong Kong's economy
China denies it is meddling in Hong Kong's affairs but warned again on Tuesday that it would not sit idly by if the unrest threatened Chinese security and sovereignty.
Riot police fired beanbag guns and used pepper spray - both anti-riot weapons - on Tuesday to clear demonstrators from outside the Mong Kok police station and in Prince Edward metro station, with one man taken out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask over his face, television footage showed.
Videos showing the man being apprehended by the police in the station have been widely shared on social media with protest groups and activists saying it is evidence of the police brutality they say is widespread and needs to be investigated.
The police, who have repeatedly denied using excessive force, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hong Kong police are due to hold a news conference at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT).
Three men, aged between 21 and 42, were taken to Kwong Wa Hospital late on Tuesday, a hospital authority spokeswoman said.
Two, including the man stretchered out of Prince Edward station, were in a stable condition and one had been discharged, she said. (Reporting by Twinnie Siu, Jessie Pang, Noah Sin and Farah Master; Writing by Joe Brock and Nick Macfie)
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A Woman’s AncestryDNA Test Revealed a Medical Secret.
As cancer patient, she had received cord-blood cells from an anonymous donor. The DNA from those cells led her to him.