IN BRIEF (Page 6)

Ukraine, EU sign historic pact

Ukraine's new president signed a trade and economic pact with the European Union on Friday, pushing his troubled country closer into a European orbit and angering Russia, which warned of unspecified consequences.

UN: 110,000 people flee country this year

Some 110,000 Ukrainians have fled this year for Russia and another 54,000 have fled their homes but stayed in the country as Ukraine fights separatist rebels, the UN refugee agency said on Friday.

Leaders to back Juncker, leaving Britain isolated

British Prime Minister David Cameron set out a last-ditch case against the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker for European Commission president on Friday, trying to enforce a point of principle that raises the risk of Britain leaving the European Union.

Moscow sees possibility of terrorist state in Middle East

Russia's UN ambassador says there is a real prospect of a terrorist state springing up from Syria's Aleppo to Iraq's capital Baghdad.

DPRK tests new high-tech missiles as Kim watches

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea said on Friday that its leader Kim Jong-un has guided the test launches of its newly developed precision guided missiles, in a possible reference to three short-range projectiles officials from the Republic of Korea say the DPRK fired toward its waters a day earlier.

Iran rushes to save endangered Asian cheetahs from extinction

Charismatic cats once trained for emperors now struggle for survival

DPRK calls murder film 'act of terror'

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Wednesday denounced a new Hollywood movie about an assassination bid on leader Kim Jong-un as a "wanton act of terror" and warned of a "merciless response" unless the US authorities banned the film.

France blasts US nonprofit as unfit for Internet governance

France strongly attacked the US-based nonprofit body that assigns Internet addresses on Wednesday, saying it was not a fit venue for Internet governance and that alternatives should be sought.

TEPCO shareholders demand end to nuclear power in Japan

Energy company responsible for Fukushima plant wants to restart closed reactors

Firm eyes move into Europe

TEPCO wants to start operations in Britain and elsewhere in Europe, as it looks for ways to offset the huge costs of the Fukushima disaster, a report said on Thursday.

Philippine leader, rebel chief hold rare talks over stalled peace deal

Philippine President Benigno Aquino held a surprise meeting in Japan with the country's top Muslim rebel to address growing concerns over delays in implementing a peace deal, their aides said on Thursday.