WORLD briefs

FAIRBANKS, Alaska. Sarah Palin stepped down as Alaska governor on Sunday with a fiery speech reminiscent of her days as running mate to Republican John McCain — when she frequently revved up crowds while attacking Democrats and the news media.

On Sunday, Palin took on old foes in the media, Hollywood and the Lower 48 states. As her audience shouted its approval, she scolded reporters for making things up, mocked Hollywood stars who have opposed wolf-control programs, and complained that "outside special interests still don't get it."

KABUL. Afghanistan has struck its first ceasefire with the Taliban in a remote province before a presidential election next month, the government said on Monday, but the truce lasted only hours before clashes broke out.

TEHRAN. Iran's opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi said on Monday the pro-reform protests which erupted after the country's disputed June presidential vote will continue, his website reported.

"The pro-reform path will continue," Mousavi said in a statement. "The establishment should respect the constitution and let us to gather to commemorate our killed loved ones on Thursday."

OCOTAL, Nicaragua. Ousted President Manuel Zelaya has encamped his roving government-in-exile in this sleepy mountain town near the Honduran border to launch his return to power after a coup last month.

nAfter weeks of shuttling between Central America and Washington, Zelaya said he would not leave the border region for at least a week, despite a U.S. State Department spokesman saying he would arrivein Washington to restart negotiations with the interim government that deposed him.

MOSCOW. An interview U.S. Vice President Joe Biden gave to an American newspaper was front-page news Monday in Moscow, where his characterization of Russia as a weakened nation hit a raw nerve.

Biden said Russia's economic difficulties are likely to make the Kremlin more willing to cooperate with the United States on a range of national security issues.