Violent clashes between pro-democratic Hong Kong supporters and riot police have continued today, as part of a coordinated day of global protests aimed at casting a shadow over communist China's upcoming 70th birthday. Protesters have been hit with tear gas, rubber bullets and blue dye water cannon at several hot spots in the downtown area as riot police attempt to regain control of the chaotic scenes. The thousands-strong movement targeted central government offices with petrol bombs and rocks last night, and regrouped today to march along a thoroughfare near the Causeway Bay shopping centre. The second straight day of defiance has sparked fears of more violence ahead of China's National Day, the anniversary of its founding 70 years ago, on Tuesday. They were also blasted by water cannons, which is believed to contain an irritant blue dye to stain the protestors' clothes. Armed people were found among the protesters. 👮🏻‍♂️😱 #HK

According to unconfirmed information in these photos, an undercover cop uses a gun with rubber bullets. #HK

Right now in Hong Kong ... 😱 #HK

A massive snowstorm, coupled with winds reaching 70 mph and large 2.5-inch hail stones, hit Illinois on Friday in a 'freak' weather system that was expected bring 50 inches of snow to Western Montana and deliver an early winter to states as far as California. Temperatures in the Midwest were plummeting unusually early this year, with forecasters warning of trees falling to damage power lines, damaging waves on Flathead Lake in Montana, and dangerous travel conditions all the way to the West Coast lasting until Monday. As a thunderstorm frontal ripped through Illinois, in Chicago, four people had to be rescued from Lake Michigan and high winds hit during a thunderstorm in Manteno, knocking down tents and ruining an Oktoberfest event, ABC News reported. It came as approximately 70 reports of severe weather emerged from Kansas to Indiana, that latter which was under a flash flood warning as six inches of rain fell in the northwest area Saturday morning. 💦❄️😱