North Korea has launched a visceral diatribe against US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, calling the former vice-president a "rabid dog" -- while also borrowing the terminology of Donald Trump.
Pyongyang is renowned for its vitriol, but the verbal deluge was unusually ferocious even by its own standards.
Biden "had the temerity to dare slander the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK", the North's official KCNA news agency said late Thursday, referring to the country by its official name.
"Rabid dogs like Biden can hurt lots of people if they are allowed to run about," it went on. "They must be beaten to death with a stick.
"Doing so will be beneficial for the US also," it added.
It was not immediately clear what had provoked Pyongyang's ire, but Biden's campaign released an ad this week condemning Trump's foreign policy, saying that "dictators and tyrants are praised, our allies pushed aside".
The voiceover says the word "tyrants" at the exact moment a picture ...

North Korea calls Biden 'rabid dog' that 'must be beaten to death'

PTI Automatic

The European Union's investment arm has said it will stop funding fossil fuel projects from 2022 as part of a new strategy aimed at fighting climate change, in a decision environmental campaigners hailed as a "significant victory".
The European Investment Bank, the world's largest multilateral lender, had been criticised by climate groups for funding gas projects that potentially threatened the EU's commitment to the Paris climate goals.
But despite gas proving a potential sticking point, the EIB's board of directors -- composed of state representatives and the European Commission -- approved the new energy policy on Thursday.
"We will stop financing fossil fuels, and we will launch the most ambitious climate investment strategy of any public financial institution anywhere," EIB President Werner Hoyer said in a statement.
The EIB said the new energy plan would also "unlock" one trillion euros (USD 1.1 trillion) of climate action and environmentally sustainable investment over the next 

EU bank to stop funding fossil fuels in 'landmark decision'

Ana Claudia Rocha Ferreira suffered domestic abuse at the hands of multiple partners, dating back to when she was just 15 years old. The violence took a mental and physical toll.
"I only had four teeth left in the front. I was ashamed to go out," she explains.  Rocha is one of millions of women who are victimized by their partners in Brazil. In nearly all of the cases, men target the women's faces and teeth, in order to diminish their femininity and feelings of self-worth.
Rocha was one of the lucky ones.
She got new confidence -- and a new smile -- thanks to Rio de Janeiro dentist Armando Piva, who is part of a non-governmental network of volunteers rebuilding the teeth, and the lives, of battered women.
Rocha says the dental work was like a "dream" and changed her life.  But before her brilliant white grin -- emphasized by bright red lipstick -- was restored, Rocha went through some grim times.
"The assaults began when I was just 15 years old, and I was pregnant with my first ...

In Brazil, dentists give battered women a new life

Discredit the witnesses, dismiss the accusations against President Donald Trump as hearsay, shift the focus to the Bidens, unmask the whistleblower.
The outlines of the White House defense are clear after Day One of the impeachment hearings in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
Trump claimed he was "too busy" to watch the first round of public hearings that could see him potentially removed from office for abuse of power.
But that didn't stop him from firing off a string of tweets defending his actions and following it up with another tweetstorm on Thursday morning.
Most of the posts were links to television clips of Republican lawmakers mounting a robust defense of the president during the hearing in the House Intelligence Committee.
At a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump dismissed the inquiry into his conduct as a "sham" and a "joke" and said it "shouldn't be allowed." Top White House counselor Kellyanne Conway made the rounds 

Dismiss, discredit, divert: White House fights impeachment

A Guinean teenager was shot dead Thursday by police as he tried to flee a crackdown on mass anti-government protests in the capital Conakry, his family and a doctor said.
Alpha Souleymane Diallo, 19, was caught up in clashes and came face to face with two policemen who shot him in the chest, his elder brother Boubacar said.
A doctor at the Amitie Hospital confirmed that one person had died from bullet wounds.
The poor West African nation of about 13 million people has been shaken by violence during weeks of demonstrations over opposition suspicions that President Alpha Conde is seeking a third term in office, banned by the constitution.
At least 18 civilians and a paramilitary policeman have been killed since October 14. Dozens of people have been wounded and dozens more arrested.
On Thursday, a sea of people draped in red -- the colour of the opposition -- flooded the streets of the seaside capital, a day after Conde confirmed that parliamentary elections will be held in ...

Guinean teen shot dead during mass anti-government protests

US President Donald Trump bribed Ukraine by withholding aid until Kiev committed to investigating his political rival, the top congressional Democrat said Thursday after the first impeachment hearings yielded "devastating testimony" against Trump.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said testimony provided Wednesday by two witnesses, including a US envoy to Ukraine appointed by Trump himself, was damning because it "corroborated evidence of bribery" by Trump in his actions regarding Ukraine.
The comments signal that Democrats believe the evidence that emerged from the first public hearing of Trump's impeachment inquiry was strong enough to back their argument that Trump abused the power of his office to advance his political interests.
The evidence, Pelosi told reporters, makes the wrongdoing by former president Richard Nixon, who resigned in disgrace in 1974 when it became clear he would be impeached, "look almost small" by comparison.
"The devastating testimony corroborated evidence ..

Pelosi says Trump sought to 'bribe' Ukraine

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who recently complained about the pressures of life in the media spotlight, announced Thursday they will not spend Christmas with the rest of the royal family.
Instead of joining Queen Elizabeth II at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England, the couple and baby Archie will spend the holiday with Meghan's mother, who lives in the United States.
"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month," said a statement issued by the couple, who married last year.
"Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, their royal highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the duchess's mother, Doria Ragland.
"This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the royal family, and has the support of Her Majesty The Queen." It was not immediately clear if the couple would travel to visit Ragland, or invite her to Britain.
The announcement comes ...

Harry and Meghan to miss Christmas with the queen

Bangladesh coast guards intercepted a wooden boat carrying 119 Rohingya refugees bound for Malaysia as it was about to sink, officials said Thursday, the latest in a spate of trafficking incidents this year.
Nearly one million Rohingya live in squalid camps near Bangladesh's border with Myanmar, many fleeing the neighbouring country after a brutal military crackdown began in 2017.
With few opportunities for jobs and education in the camps, thousands have attempted to reach other countries like Malaysia and Thailand.
The vessel was found in the Bay of Bengal, just off the coast of Bangladesh's southern Saint Martin's island, after a tip-off by fishermen, coast guard spokesman Saiful Islam told AFP.
"We found that the boat was taking water due to engine failure," Islam said. "It was about to sink. Had we not reached there in time, it would have sunk."
Islam said the 119 people on board, including 58 women and 14 children, were heading for Malaysia.
It was the highest number of Rohingya .

Bangladesh intercepts Malaysia-bound boat carrying 119 Rohingya

One female was killed Thursday in a school shooting near Los Angeles, hospital officials said.
The suspect was in custody and taken to a hospital for treatment, while at least three others were injured in the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Los Angeles.
"One female deceased patient. Two critical male patients. One male patient in good condition," tweeted the nearby Henry Mayo Hospital in Valencia.
No further details of the deceased were provided.

One female killed in school shooting near Los Angeles: hospital

Former Catalan minister Clara Ponsati was released on bail when she appeared in court in Scotland on Thursday in connection with a Spanish extradition request for her to be tried with sedition.
The 62-year-old ex-minister handed herself in at a police station in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, before a scheduled hearing arising from her role in Catalonia's unilateral bid for independence.
Her lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court his client had been released on bail pending another hearing on December 12 and a full hearing in early 2020.
"Clara submits that she should not be extradited for a show trial in the (Spanish) Supreme Court, where she believes the only verdict would be one of guilt," he told reporters.
"We will submit that Clara's human rights cannot be guaranteed in the Spanish courts," he added.
"Sedition is the archaic offence invented in the 16th century (royal) courts of Europe by kings and queens to stop the backlash from people demanding their ...

Catalan ex-minister Ponsati freed on bail after Scotland arrest

Thousands of opposition supporters demonstrated on the streets of Georgia on Thursday after the ruling party failed to push through promised electoral reforms.
Protesters began gathering outside the parliament in central Tbilisi minutes after lawmakers voted down the legislation and blocked traffic on the city's main thoroughfare.
In the evening, their ranks grew to some 10,000 in peaceful protests with a heavy police presence, AFP journalists saw.
The protests came after the parliament dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party failed to pass legislation to hold parliamentary elections next year under a new proportional voting system.
Opposition parties accused the party's leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, of orchestrating the bill's failure.
Protesters say the current voting system favours the increasingly unpopular ruling party.
Ivanishvili, Georgia's richest man, had announced "large-scale political reform" under pressure following mass street protests in June.
Demonstrators on ...

Thousands rally in Georgia as ruling party backtracks on reforms

A 70-year-old Hong Kong man has died after he was hit by a brick during clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters, a hospital said Friday, the second person to die in a week of worsening violence.
"The patient's situation continuously deteriorated. He passed away" late on Thursday, a spokesperson for Hong Kong's Prince of Wales hospital said in a statement.

Man, 70, dies after being hit by brick in Hong Kong protest clashes: Hospital

Thousands of French hospital workers demonstrated Thursday over years of cutbacks they say have harmed care in a country with a health system once the envy of the world.
Public hospitals in France have been forced to shave 9.0 billion euros (USD 9.9 billion) off their debts since 2005, leading to the scrapping of hundreds of beds and dozens of operating theatres while stagnant salaries have fuelled a flight to the private sector.
Calling on President Emmanuel Macron to "save public hospitals", thousands of hospital doctors, nurses, students and administrative staff held protests in Paris and a dozen other cities Thursday.
The protests began in March when emergency room staff, who complain of elderly patients being left for hours on trolleys in corridors while waiting for a bed, began strike action.
Over 260 emergency rooms nationwide are still affected by the work stoppages.
On Thursday, staff from other hospital departments joined in the protests.
In Paris, several thousand ...

'Save public hospitals', French health workers urge Macron

South African Airways (SAA) said it was cancelling 200-odd flights on Friday and Saturday following a strike call by unions over the cash-strapped national carrier's retrenchment plan.
The state-owned airline on Monday announced a restructuring process that could affect 944 employees and "lead to job losses".
"South African Airways has asked passengers who had been booked to travel on all its domestic, regional and international flights on Friday and Saturday not to turn up at airports," the carrier said in a statement late Thursday.
SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali told AFP about 200 flights would be cancelled over two days.
The airline, which employs more than 5,000 workers, is one of the biggest in Africa, with a fleet of more than 50 aircraft providing dozens of domestic, regional and European flights each day.
But the company is deep in debt, despite several government bailouts, and has not recorded a profit since 2011.
More than 3,000 workers, including cabin crew, check-in, ticket ...

South African Airways cancels all flights after strike call

Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick joined the crowded 2020 presidential race on Thursday, signalling the concern some Democrats have about the leading candidates just three months before the first primary.
The 11th-hour entry of Patrick, one of the first US African-American governors, reflects the unsettled nature of the Democratic contest and comes as billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg also considers running.
Patrick, 63, announced his bid for the White House in a 2:35-minute video posted on his website, becoming the 18th candidate in the Democratic pack. Nine others have already dropped out.
"They bring a richness of ideas and experience and a depth of character that makes me proud to be a Democrat," Patrick, who is close to former President Barack Obama, said of the other candidates.
"But if the character of the candidates is an issue in every election, this time is about the character of the country," he added.
Patrick, who had said last year he wouldn't run, this .

Ex-governor Deval Patrick enters crowded 2020 Democratic race

At least four people were injured in a shooting at a high school north of Los Angeles Thursday, triggering a police hunt for the suspect who was later taken into custody.
Police and ambulances swarmed the area around Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, after the early morning shooting sent panicked children running from the area.
"Update regarding the shooting at #SaugusHigh, suspect is in custody and being treated at a local hospital," tweeted Los Angeles Country Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
The suspect was described as a male Asian. Local media reports said he was 15 years old.
Officials at the nearby Henry Mayo Hospital in Valencia said they were treating a total of four patients from the high school -- three of whom were in critical condition.
Police spokesman Bob Boese, speaking on the local NBC news channel, cautioned that it was not clear if all victims had been located.
"Our deputies are doing a systematic search of the campus," ...

California school shooting injures four, suspect in custody

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised allies Thursday that the United States would keep up the fight against the Islamic State but demanded action from them in turn, including the repatriation of thousands of jihadists from Syria.
Senior officials from more than 30 countries discussed the campaign against the extremists in a meeting in Washington proposed by France, which has been particularly concerned by President Donald Trump's decision last month to pull US troops from Syria.
Pompeo dwelled little on Trump's decision but said US forces remained positioned to "make sure ISIS will never get a second wind," using a common acronym for the group.
"The United States will continue to lead the coalition and the world on this essential security effort," Pompeo said as he opened the talks.
He scoffed at criticism of Trump's move, pointing to the October 26 raid by US forces that killed the group's chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as well as an operation that killed his would-be successor.
"Ask .

US gives assurances on Islamic State fight but asks allies for more

The EU on Thursday launched a legal case against London for failing to nominate a commissioner, despite the Brexit delay that keeps Britain in the bloc.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm "has today sent a letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom for breaching its EU treaty obligations by not suggesting a candidate for the post of EU Commissioner," a statement said.
The move, known in EU jargon as an infringement procedure, begins a long process involving several warnings, but that could eventually lead to suing Britain at the EU's highest court to force compliance.
Ursula von der Leyen, the incoming president of the Commission, had written twice to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to nominate a commissioner.
The former German defence minister had hoped to head a 28-strong team of top officials from each of the EU member states in time for her commission to take office on December 1.
But London notified the EU on Wednesday after much delay it will not nominate 

EU launches legal case against Britain over commission post

Five of the biggest emerging economies railed against protectionism on Thursday as they vowed to overcome "significant challenges" facing multilateralism, in a swipe at US tariffs and unilateral action.
The joint declaration by BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- came on the second day of the annual gathering, which Brazilian host President Jair Bolsonaro used to boost ties with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
"Trade tensions and policy uncertainty have taken a toll on confidence, trade, investment and growth" in the global economy, said Bolsonaro, as he read out the declaration that also touched on conflicts around the world, including Syria.
"It is critical that all WTO members avoid unilateral and protectionist measures," he said.
"We reiterate the fundamental importance of a rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open, free and inclusive international trade."
And the BRICS "reaffirm our commitment to helping overcome the significant ...

In swipe at US, BRICS hit out at protectionism

At least 28 Afghan nationals were killed in a truck crash in southeastern Iran on Thursday, semi-official news agency ISNA reported.
Two trucks collided in Khash county in Sistan-Baluchistan province, said Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesman for Iran's emergency services, adding that another 21 passengers were injured.
One of the drivers lost control after a tyre blowout and crashed into the other vehicle, according to state TV.
Iran is one of the deadliest countries in the world for road accidents, according to the World Health Organisation.
According to Iranian officials, the Islamic republic is home to some three million Afghan immigrants.

28 Afghan nationals killed in Iran truck crash

California police were hunting a gunman Thursday after a shooting broke out at a high school north of Los Angeles, with "multiple victims" confirmed.
"This is an active shooter situation," the local sheriff's department tweeted, as police and ambulances swarmed the area around Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Los Angeles.
It said the suspect, described as a male Asian with black clothing, was still on the run.
The city of Santa Clarita tweeted that there were "multiple victims injured" in the early-morning shooting.
Police spokesman Bob Boese, speaking on the local NBC news channel, said there were "at least three" victims but cautioned that it was not clear if all victims had been located.
"Our deputies are doing a systematic search of the campus, still looking for the suspect," Boese said. He said one weapon had so far been recovered.
No official details were immediately available on the condition of the victims.  Aerial video from the NBC ...

AFP

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