Hong Kong: In a fearsome escalation of violence, Hong Kong police shot a protester at close range in the chest on Tuesday, leaving the teenager bleeding and howling on the ground. Tens of thousands joined anti-government protests that spread across the semi-autonomous Chinese territory even as Communist leaders in Beijing celebrated 70 years in power.

The single pistol shot fired by the officer as protesters swarmed toward him hit the 18-year-old on the left side of his chest, police spokeswoman Yolanda Yu said. She described the protesters as "rioters" and said the officer had feared for his life.