Chaos in Hong Kong as pro-democracy protests 'blossom everywhere'Pro-democracy protesters Wednesday stepped up a “blossom everywhere” campaign of road blocks and vandalism across Hong Kong that has crippled the international financial hub this week and ignited some of the worst violence in five months of unrest. China, facing the biggest challenge to its rule of the territory since it was handed back by the British in 1997, has insisted it will not buckle to the pressure and warned of even tougher security measures.

Venezuela ex-intel chief missing in Spain ahead of US extradition: policeVenezuela’s former military intelligence chief has gone missing in Spain just days after a court approved a request for his extradition to the United States on drug trafficking charges, police said Wednesday. “They are currently looking for him,” said a spokeswoman for Spain’s national police, referring to General Hugo Armando Carvajal. Judicial sources said police had gone to his house in Madrid after Friday’s court decision but could not find him.

U.S. Supreme Court declines to shield gun maker from Sandy Hook lawsuitThe U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday dealt a blow to the firearms industry, rejecting Remington Arms Co's bid to escape a lawsuit by families of victims aiming to hold the gun maker liable for its marketing of the assault-style rifle used in the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre that killed 20 children and six adults. The justices turned away Remington's appeal of a ruling by Connecticut's top court to let the lawsuit proceed despite a federal law that broadly shields firearms manufacturers from liability when their weapons are used in crimes. The lawsuit will move forward at a time of …

Ten Reasons Why Impeachment Is Illegitimate“coup has started. First of many steps. rebellion. impeachment will follow ultimately. lawyers https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/826255624610729985 …”“coup has started. As one falls, two more will take their place. rebellion impeachment”2017 Tweets from Mark Zaid, current attorney for the “whistleblower”There are at least ten reasons why the Democratic impeachment “inquiry” is a euphemism for an ongoing coup attempt.1) Impeachment 24/7. The impeachment “inquiry,” supposedly prompted by the president’s Ukrainian call, is simply the most recent in a long series of “coups” that sought to overturn the 2016 election and thus preclude a 2020 reelection bid. The pattern gives away the game.Usually the serial …

Catholic bishops' agenda: immigrants, gun deaths, sex abuseUS Catholic bishops received a challenging to-do list Monday as they opened their national assembly — notably to support immigrants and refugees, extend the campaign to curtail clergy sex abuse and work harder to combat gun violence. “The pope has emphasized certain themes: Mercy, closeness to the people… a spirit of hospitality toward migrants, and dialogue with those of other cultures and religions,” Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio, told the bishops as they opened a three-day meeting. Pierre said the bishops should find tangible ways of showing they supported the pope’s merciful message and flexible doctrine, which includes an …

EU unveils sanctions plan to hit Turkey over Cyprus drillingThe European Union on Monday unveiled a system for imposing sanctions on Turkey over its unauthorized gas drilling in Mediterranean waters off Cyprus but no Turkish companies or officials have yet been targeted. EU member countries can now come forward with names of those they think should be listed. Turkish warship-escorted drillships began exploratory drilling this summer in waters where EU-member Cyprus has exclusive economic rights, including areas where European energy companies are licensed to conduct a hydrocarbons search.