National and International News-Friday, Dec. 29th

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - More hints that Saddam Hussein's execution could happen sooner, rather than later. His chief defense lawyer says the U-S, which has him in custody now, is asking that someone be authorized to receive his personal effects. That's believed to indicate Saddam will be turned over to Iraq soon.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - State-run T-V says two Iranians, formerly held by American forces, have been released. Neither the U-S military nor the U-S embassy will comment. This appears to relate to two men, with diplomatic immunity, who were among a group of Iranians arrested as apparent insurgents.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) - The formal mourning period for the late Gerald Ford focuses today on California with a public viewing in the church he and his wife attended after leaving Washington. Over several days, there will be funeral services in Washington and in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

UNDATED (AP) - New Year's holiday travelers are facing another snowstorm from the Rockies and the Plains states. Colorado's being hit again and the same system has shut two of New Mexico's highways. Storm warnings are up in parts of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas and Texas.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - Atlantic City, New Jersey's city council votes today on whether to ban smoking in gambling halls. Those are the only public indoor places left where it's allowed. When smoking was banned everywhere else, state lawmakers exempted casinos, worrying gamblers would go elsewhere.