Nation, world briefs 8/25/2015

Reid endorsement bolsters Iran deal

WASHINGTON -- With Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on board, the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers is picking up momentum to survive opposition from Republican and Israeli opponents. A day after Reid's announcement he will back the deal pushed by President Barack Obama, Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow threw her support behind the agreement, declaring in a news release Monday: "I have determined that the imminent threat of Iran having a nuclear weapon outweighs any flaws I see in the international agreement. For this reason, I must support the agreement." Stabenow became the 28th Senate Democratic supporter of the deal, pushing backers closer to the 34 votes they would need to sustain Obama's veto of any resolution of disapproval.

Broken cameras hurt Bangkok probe

BANGKOK -- Up to 75 percent of the security cameras were broken along the getaway path taken by the main suspect in last week's Bangkok bombing, Thailand's police chief said Monday, revealing an obstacle to an investigation that has only fuzzy images of the still-unidentified man. Investigators are trying to "put pieces of the puzzle together" but have had to use imagination to fill holes left by cameras that failed to record his movements, said national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung, openly frustrated as he spoke one week after the blast. "For example, the perpetrator was driving away -- escaping -- and there are CCTV cameras following him. Sometimes there were 20 cameras on the street, but only five worked," Somyot said.

2 accused of threats to Pokemon event

BOSTON -- Police say two men from Iowa who made online threats against Pokemon competitors -- referring to the Boston Marathon bombings and the Columbine High School massacre -- were stopped as they tried to register for the World Pokemon Championships in Boston. Kevin Norton, 18, of Ames and James Stumbo, 27, of Boone were ordered held without bail on gun charges Monday pending a Sept. 1 hearing. Boston police Commissioner William Evans said the men made threatening statements in a closed online Pokemon forum before driving 25 hours to Boston on Thursday for the championships. Both were experienced players invited to attend. The moderator of the Pokemon forum notified security at the convention center where the competition was held. Officers found a 12-gauge shotgun, an AR-15 rifle and several hundred rounds of ammunition in their car.

Intruder found in shower, laundering

ERIE, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Police say a woman found an intruder taking a shower and doing his laundry at her home when she woke up. Troopers say the resident called police to her home in Greene Township on Saturday morning. Erie resident Casey James Shaffer, 24, was arrested on charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and loitering and prowling at night. Shaffer remained jailed Monday in the Erie County Prison pending a preliminary hearing Sept. 8.

-- From wire reports