KABUL (AP) — The stage is set in Afghanistan for a presidential run-off election. That's after both top candidate agreed to take part in the Nov. 7 vote. The high-stakes showdown comes in the face of Taliban threats and approaching winter snows. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the runoff is a positive development but won't solve the problem of government corruption.

PARACHINAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani soldiers appear to be gaining ground in a battle taking place in the hometown of Pakistan's Taliban leader. Intelligence officials also say Pakistani forces are moving ahead with a major assault on a militant base near the Afghan border. It's part of Pakistan's five-day-old offensive.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The good news in a new government watchdog report is that the $700 billion financial industry bailout played a major role in rescuing the economy. The bad news is that the bailout came at great cost to taxpayers, to the integrity of the financial system and to the public's perception of the government.

MONROE, N.Y. (AP) — Police say a 15-year-old boy is being held in a psychiatric hospital after he allegedly planned an attack at a high school. Police say the teen had stockpiled gasoline, propane, fuses and a machete. The attack had been planned for the anniversary of the Columbine High School killings.

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss authorities say they acted correctly when they tipped off the U.S. and set in motion the arrest of Roman Polanski in his decades-old child sex case. A ministry spokesman says Swiss officials asked their American counterparts if their arrest warrant was still valid. After receiving U.S. confirmation, he says Switzerland was obliged by treaty to make the arrest.