Ophelia finally weakens, speeds northeast

NAGS HEAD, N.C. -- Tropical Storm Ophelia was weakening and moving off the North Carolina coast Friday after a three-day drenching that was far less severe than many had anticipated. But tropical storm warnings were posted in New England. An evacuation order for Hatteras Island was lifted early Friday, allowing residents to return, Dare County officials said. Coastal residents to the south, where the storm's gusty wind ripped apart businesses and homes, were hit hardest.

Schwarzenegger says he will run for re-election

SAN DIEGO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed an open secret Friday, telling supporters that he's running for re-election next year, an early announcement designed to re-energize his sagging political momentum. The challengers already are lining up. State Treasurer Phil Angelides and Controller Steve Westly have announced they will seek the Democratic nomination. Two liberal Hollywood luminaries, director Rob Reiner and actor Warren Beatty, also have been mentioned as possible candidates for the position.

Cheney to have surgery to treat aneurysm

WASHINGTON -- Vice President Dick Cheney will undergo an elective surgery next weekend to treat an aneurysm in an artery behind his right knee. The condition, discovered earlier this year during a routine checkup, needs to be treated "as to not become a problem over time," Steve Schmidt, counselor to the vice president, said Friday.

Dissident says Iran hiding nuclear materials

WASHINGTON -- An Iranian exile who opposes the Islamic regime said Friday that Iran's military is building secret tunnels around the country to conceal materials for a nuclear weapons program. Alireza Jafarzadeh, who helped expose key nuclear facilities in Iran in the past, told a news conference that some of the tunnels house secret "military-nuclear factories" while others are used for storage. He said his information was based on sources inside the country who have proved to be accurate in the past.

-- From wire reports

Jafarzadeh's presentation included detailed maps depicting measurements and other features of the tunnels.