MIR ALI, Pakistan (AP) — A resident in the region says about 30,000 Pakistani troops are facing "very tough" resistance from militants defending their main sanctuary near the Afghan border. The operation in South Waziristan (vah-ZEER'-ih-stahn) involves mostly poorly equipped Pakistani soldiers trained to fight conventional wars, not a counterinsurgency.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — There's word that at least five senior commanders of the elite Revolutionary Guard have been killed in a suicide bombing in southeastern Iran. Iran's official news agency says the dead include the deputy commander of the Guard's ground force.

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Two women, one from Ireland and the other from Uganda have been freed by their captors in Sudan. A Sudanese government official says the foreign aid workers had been held hostage for more than three months in the Darfur region.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A third person who was overcome during an Arizona sweat lodge ceremony run by self-help guru James Arthur Ray has died. A sheriff's spokesman says the 49-year-old woman was transported to the hospital Oct. 8 with damage to multiple organs. She was among more than 50 people crowded inside the sweat lodge.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — The sheriff in Larimer County, Colorado says he's thinking of pressing misdemeanor charges in a runaway balloon drama that first appeared to involve a 6-year-old boy trapped on board. The boy was actually hiding in his garage. Sheriff Jim Alderden expressed disappointment that he couldn't level more serious charges. He hasn't said who will be charged.