Iran reports capture of CIA 'spies'
TEHRAN, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- An Iranian lawmaker said 12 CIA "spies" have been arrested in Iran and Lebanon, state media reported.
Parviz Sorouri, a member of the Iran Parliament's Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, said Wednesday those arrested were assigned to inflict a "heavy blow" to Iran through acts of sabotage, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.
Sorouri said the alleged spies were, in the words of IRNA, "on a mission to cripple Iran in nuclear, military and security areas."
Press TV did not provide details of the arrests, including where or when they occurred.
CNN reported this week a U.S. official said informants who worked for the CIA had been captured in Lebanon but did not say how many.
The official told the U.S. network one of the ways Hezbollah counter-terrorism operatives identified the informants was tracing their cellphone calls.
Referring to Iran, the official said, "Look who helps them."
Hezbollah, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, shares tactics and information with Iran and has close links to Iran and Syria.
Press TV said Hezbollah forced the CIA to scale back espionage in Lebanon.
U.S. sources, Press TV said, have been quoted as saying they fear for the lives of "paid informants" in Iran and Lebanon.
Weather ruffling travelers' feathers
SEATTLE, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Thanksgiving holiday travelers encountered some turkey weather across the United States Thursday and could expect more through Saturday, forecasters said.
A Pacific storm bore down on the Northwest Thanksgiving Day, bringing snow, winds and colder air into Washington and Oregon before its trek over the Rocky Mountains Friday, AccuWeather.com said.
While the storm was expected to lose its snowy punch Saturday, strong winds would remain as it moved into the High Plains.
The storm could bring at least 6-12 inches to areas in the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Oregon and the higher elevations of northern California, forecasters said. Eastern parts of Washington and Oregon could see 1-3 inches of snow.
Wind gusts could top 60 mph, forecasters said.
The storm will join another system from the Southwest over the Midwest, producing travel-disrupting weather for the weekend, AccuWeather.com said.
Snow was expected to spread across northeastern Iowa, Minnesota, northern and central Wisconsin and parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula Saturday.
A powerful cold front was forecast to mix with humid air, causing severe weather to spread across the South this weekend, meteorologists said.
Thunderstorms were expected Saturday across eastern Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, southeastern Missouri, Mississippi, western Tennessee and western Alabama.
The storms were expected to bring wind gusts greater than 60 mph, large hail, torrential downpours and lightning. Forecasters said a few thunderstorms could produce an isolated tornado.
Man walks into police station with rifle
CHICAGO, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A 28-year-old man walked into a Chicago police station with a loaded assault rifle Thursday and said he was declaring martial law, authorities said.
The Chicago Tribune reported the man was arrested and taken to Stroger Hospital for evaluation after walking into the Harrison District station on the west side just before 4 a.m.
The man, who the Tribune did not identify, did not point the rifle at anyone and was taken into custody without incident, authorities said.
The AR-15 assault rifle he carried had a fully loaded 30-round magazine, authorities said.
Report: Sandusky family member an accuser
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- At least one of the accusers in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal is a member of suspected molester Jerry Sandusky's family, CBS News reports.
CBS reported Thursday a source it identified as someone close to the case said the alleged victim, who is one of two new accusers, came forward after the 67-year-old former Penn State defensive coordinator was charged with 40 counts of allegedly sexually abusing eight boys over a period of 15 years. The abuse allegedly occurred before Sandusky was indicted.
CBS reported an attorney for Sandusky said the latest claims were untrue and his client is innocent. Joseph Amendola said one of the new accusers is a family member involved in a divorce and custody case.
CNN reported Wednesday a Pennsylvania judge has issued a temporary order barring courts and attorneys from revealing the name of one boy allegedly abused by the former football coach, who also ran a foundation he allegedly used to target victims. Judge Kathy Morrow also sealed parts of the case relating to the boy, CNN said.
CNN also reported Vicky Triponey, a former Penn State vice president from 2003 to 2007, accused former school President Graham Spanier and former head Coach Joe Paterno of acting to make sure football players facing disciplinary action received lesser punishment and special treatment. The report included no reaction from Spanier or Paterno.
