Top Newsmakers of 2019 / Carrie Lam: Hong Kong has been convulsed by sometimes violent protests and mass demonstrations since June, in response to a proposed law by the pro-Beijing chief executive's administration to allow people suspected of crimes on the mainland to be extradited to face trial in Chinese courts. The law has been shelved, but Lam has been unable to end the upheaval. Lam said she had caused "unforgivable havoc" by igniting the political crisis engulfing the city and would quit if she had a choice, according to an audio recording of remarks she made in August. Pro-democracy parties took control of 17 out of 18 district councils in November elections, posing a conundrum for Beijing and piling pressure on the embattled Lam. REUTERS/Umit Bektas October 16, 2019

Suicide bombers struck the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing at least one person and injuring scores in a major attack that could scupper plans to revive peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, reported Reuters. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which struck the Bagram air base north of Kabul. “First, a heavy-duty Mazda vehicle struck the wall of the American base,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman. “Later several mujahideen equipped with light and heavy weapons were able to attack the American occupiers.” The Taliban spokesman claimed the attack was still ongoing. The U.S.-led military coalition said the attack was “quickly contained and repelled”.

Somewhere in Brazil ... An attempt to steal a TV failed. 😂 #losers

Singer Cardi B departs Queens County Criminal Court in the Queens Borough of New York. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A mass accident occurred due to heavy snowfall In Vladivostok region, Russia. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Primorye county, 48 cars collided. The regional health department reports 12 injured, two people in the hospital, the telegram RT Russia reports.

Traffic police officer during a pursuit lost control and ran into a tree, Chernivtsi region, Ukraine. An investigation showed that the police officer was under the influence of drugs at the time of the chase. #facepalm

A demonstrator in a wheelchair tosses a fire extinguisher at a riot police vehicle during a protest against Chile's government in Santiago. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

Israeli soldiers run as a tire burns during a Palestinian protest over a U.S. decision on Jewish settlements, in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma

Traffic police officers in the city of Feodosia, Crimea region, Russia, stopped a drunken van driver of a by shots at his wheels. 🔫👮🏻‍♂️#shooting

A family puts a Christmas tree that they sawed on top of the car to take home for free at The Dutch Hoge Veluwe National Park in Otterlo, Netherlands. The initiative aims at reducing the pine population in the park, which is growing in vast proportions due to the amount of nitrogen in the soil. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

At least 25 people were injured in an explosion in the eastern German city of Blankenburg on Monday, local police said, adding that the cause of the blast was not yet known, reported Reuters. Residents were being evacuated from the block of flats where the explosion had occurred, spokesman Uwe Becker added.💥

Jersey City Shooting a 'Targeted Attack' on Kosher Deli, Mayor Says

#Meanwhile in EU ...