Hong Kong: Members of Hong Kong's legislature met Wednesday for the first time since the largest anti-government protest in the city's history, with many opposition lawmakers slamming the pro-Beijing administration's handling of the crisis. Hong Kong has been shaken by a series of massive demonstrations against a proposed law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, and the city's police force has been criticised for using excessive force to disperse protesters. Videos of police beating unarmed protesters went viral and sparked public anger, and the tactics were widely condemned.

Police said force was necessary to fend off protesters throwing bricks and metal bars. In a tense session, opposition lawmakers grilled Hong Kong's head of security, John Lee, over the clashes. Many pro-democracy members of the Legislative Council wore black and carried white chrysanthemums in tribute to a man who fell to his death while protesting the law. Some placed placards on their desks reading "No China Extradition" and "Withdraw, Withdraw" -- referring to the controversial bill. "We are sad that some people were hurt while expressing their views," Lee said, as he repeated the government's apology for the turmoil caused by the bill. He said police were responding to threats from protesters, but opposition lawmakers ridiculed his comments.