Pakistan truce includes enforcement of Islamic law

February 16, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani officials reached a peace deal with a Taliban-linked group Sunday that could lead to the enforcement of Islamic law in a part of the country that is supposed to be fully under government control.

Militants in the Swat Valley responded by declaring a 10-day cease-fire as a goodwill gesture.

The agreement is expected to be formally announced today.

Several past deals with militants have failed, but Pakistan says force alone cannot defeat al-Qaida and Taliban fighters wreaking havoc in its northwest and attacking U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan.

The United States has said the deals merely give insurgents time to regroup.

North Korea hints at possible rocket launch

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea suggested today it is preparing a rocket launch, claiming the country has the right to “space development” — a term Pyongyang has used in the past to disguise a long-range missile test as a satellite launch.

Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency made the suggestion on the 67th birthday of leader Kim Jong Il, and accused the the United States and other countries of trying to block the country’s “peaceful scientific research” by linking it to a long-range missile test.

“One will come to know later what will be launched” from North Korea, KCNA said.

Australian firefighters make progress on blazes

MELBOURNE, Australia — Firefighters contained a new blaze that sprung up overnight in the hills east of Melbourne and said today they had made good progress on some of the eight remaining wildfires still burning out of control.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a national day of mourning for Australia’s worst-ever wildfire disaster.

Favorable weather conditions for the next few days will help control the remaining fires, but fuel is still dry and the wind could turn, Country Fire Authority spokesman Gary Weir said. More than 180 people were killed and 1,800 homes destroyed when fires tore across Victoria state Feb. 7.

Quake shakes Alaska’s Prince William Sound

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Several communities report feeling a 4.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Alaska’s Prince William Sound region.

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center says Valdez and Glennallen were among communities that felt the 10:35 a.m. Sunday quake. The earthquake was centered about 33 miles north of Valdez. There were no reports of damage.

Associated Press