Hong Kong protester shot at close range, counterprotester set on fire in latest escalation of violence

A pro-democracy protester was shot at close range and a counterprotester was set on fire as violence continued to engulf Hong Kong on Monday morning, with the disturbing images of street fights and escalating attacks from both sides drowning out an appeal by the city's embattled leader for an end to demonstrations. Carrie Lam, the pro-China chief executive of Hong Kong, laid the blame for the ongoing demonstrations deteriorating into chaos squarely at the feet of the pro-democracy protesters, who she labeled "rioters." But videos emerging from the autonomous Chinese territory showed the mayhem being instigated from all angles.-- More...