BEIJING: Hong Kong's democracy protests have stoked fears of retribution from China, but observers say the city is simply too valuable to punish and sideline, even as it faces a long-term challenge from mainland rival Shanghai.

TORONTO: Following a request from the US, Canada's Parliament has voted to authorize airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group in Iraq.

NEW DELHI: The clash between Congress and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Jawaharlal Nehru has acquired an edge that is likely to sharpen in the coming days when the party announces programmes to celebrate his 125th birth anniversary.

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Fourteen people were injured when a clash broke out between two groups over a land dispute at Budhana town here, police said on Wednesday.

KOCHI: Under the bar, PR Sreejesh rarely loses concentration. The Indian hockey vice-captain and goalkeeper was in brilliant form in the recently held Asian Games in Incheon, holding fort like a champion to help India clinch gold and a berth to Rio Olympics.

PANAJI: Gabriel Fernandes sneaked his way past a couple of defenders, slotted the ball into the net and then looked around - not for the man who provided the assist but the one on the sidelines, smiling to himself and waiting for the striker to leap into his arms.

MADRID: An assistant nurse at a Madrid hospital where two Ebola patients died is infected with the virus herself, health officials said on Monday, in what is believed to be the first time a person has contracted the disease in Europe.

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil's leftist President Dilma Rousseff steeled herself Monday for a hard-fought race against center-right challenger Aecio Neves, who is seeking to unite frustrated voters to beat her in a run-off.

MURSITPINAR, Turkey: Street fighting raged between Kurdish defenders and Islamic State militants who advanced into Kobani on Monday after subjecting the Syrian border town to an assault lasting almost three weeks, residents and fighters said.

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have much more secure chopper rides from next year onwards. Their modified Mi-17 V5 helicopters might not be as plush or safe as specially-designed VVIP choppers but would be far better than the ageing and obsolete ones being currently used.