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In photos: Hong Kong police use tear gas at Christmas protests

Riot police motion pedestrians away on a Mongkok district street in Hong Kong on Christmas Day. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

A Hong Kong mall closed early as police fired tear gas to break up protests Wednesday, Reuters reports, as the city's leader Carrie Lam said on Facebook the Christmas demonstrations had "ruined" celebrations.

Why it matters: After a period of relative calm, clashes between police and protesters erupted again this week at rallies in shopping districts. On Tuesday, police also used rubber bullets, per the New York Times. Authorities hoped the withdrawal of an extradition bill that triggered the protests six months ago would've quelled the unrest that's often left the Asian financial hub paralyzed. But it looks set to continue into the new year.

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.
Riot police during a protest in Mong Kok district. Photo: Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images
Pedestrians react after police fire teargas during a demonstration on Christmas Eve. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Plain clothes police during a clash with protesters in a shopping mall. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
A volunteer medic assists a pedestrian after police fire teargas on the city's streets. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Many protesters dressed in festive attire during the demonstrations. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Riot police secure an area in shopping mall. Photo: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Go deeper:

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more photos and details on the latest unrest.

Go deeper

Axios
2 hours ago - World

HRW: Over 100 former Afghan security members dead or missing under Taliban rule

Members of the Taliban movement patrol Kabul's airport in September. Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS via Getty Images

The Taliban have "killed or forcibly disappeared" over 100 former members of Afghanistan's security forces since the group took power in August, a Human Rights Watch report published Tuesday found.

Why it matters: It means former military members and officials from the ousted government, activists and other Taliban critics are facing peril amid executions driven by revenge — despite Taliban promises of an "amnesty" with no retributions, notes the New York Times, which first reported the news.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
3 hours ago - World

Barbados becomes a republic, replacing U.K. queen with president

Combination images of Dame Sandra Mason, president of Barbados, and Britain's Prince Charles at her swearing-in ceremony in Bridgetown, Barbados, late Monday.

Barbados officially became a republic at midnight local time after Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as the Caribbean nation's first president in a ceremony attended by the United Kingdom's Prince Charles.

Why it matters: Mason replaced Britain's Queen Elizabeth as head of state Tuesday — removing the country's final remaining colonial tie to the U.K. almost 400 years after the first British ships arrived in Barbados.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, Andrew Solender
7 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Right-wingers making McCarthy sweat for future Speaker post

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy stands with his Republican colleagues outside the House on Nov. 17. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Right-wing elements in the Republican Party are complicating House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's attempts to become the next speaker of the House should the GOP take back the majority in 2022.

Why it matters: While McCarthy has worked carefully to build trust among the conservatives who tanked his chances at clinching the speakership in 2015, they're still circling ahead of the next Speaker vote in January 2023.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow