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Hong Kong Crisis Escalating; More Protests Expected This Weekend

Reuters

   HONG KONG - Hong Kong braced Thursday for more mass demonstrations
   through the weekend, with the weekslong crisis escalating after
   pro-democracy protests forced the cancellation of nearly 1,000 flights
   this week and world leaders urging calm.

   China reiterated Wednesday that Hong Kong's protest resembled terrorism
   and more street clashes followed ugly and chaotic scenes at the airport
   two days ago, when protesters set upon two men they suspected of being
   government sympathizers.

   Police and protesters faced off again on the streets of the financial
   hub overnight, with riot officers quickly firing tear gas as their
   response to demonstrators hardens.

   Ten weeks of increasingly violent confrontations between police and
   protesters have plunged Hong Kong into its worst crisis since it
   reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

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