National & International News-Saturday Jan. 6, 2007

CHICAGO (AP) - Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has undergone a 12-hour surgery. A statement released by the Chicago-based religious group says the minister's family is pleased with the outcome but no further details were given. Farrakhan issued a statement last year saying he was seriously ill.

PARIS (AP) - French President Jacques Chirac says the war in Iraq has destabilized the entire Middle East and allowed terrorism to spread. Chirac renewed his call during a speech Friday for an international conference on the Middle East to try and head off the number of growing crises there.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Senate Democrats are looking to overhaul ethics legislation. In their first act on Capitol Hill, they're looking to extend a ban on gifts, increase criminal penalties for violating lobbying disclosure laws and shed more light on pet projects of lawmakers. Debate begins Monday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's expected plan to send more troops to Iraq is running into trouble on Capitol Hill. Both Democrats and Republicans alike are saying it won't work even before the president has a chance to make his case. Bush is expected to unveil his new Iraq war strategy next week.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A parked car bomb targeting the convoy of a high-ranking Iraqi police officer has exploded in Baghdad today. One civilian was killed and six others were hurt. U-S troops killed four people and captured a fifth in raids targeting suspected bomb makers in Baghdad.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Senate Democrats say they're willing to accept new tax breaks for small businesses as demanded by Republicans as part of an increase in the minimum wage. The proposal would raise the minimum wage from five-15 an hour to
seven-25 an hour over about two years.

STATE DEPARTMENT (AP) - Some strong words for North Korea from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She says Pyongyang "would further deepen their isolation" by conducting further nuclear tests. The first test in October triggered U-N action. There are reports the North plans a second test.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Will it be Denver or New York for the 2008 Democratic National Convention? Neither is turning out to be an easy choice for Democrats. Denver's bid is fraught with logistical and financial problems and New York is refusing to underwrite its costs.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration wants to see some security upgrades for new planes. If approved, manufacturers would be required to design planes with stronger floors and ceilings and include bomb closets where an explosive device could be stowed if found during a flight.

UNDATED (AP) - Up to eight inches of new snow has fallen on the Denver area. It's the third large storm in the region in as many weeks. It isn't snow falling on the East coast, they're experiencing warmer than normal temperatures. Two tornadoes touched down in South Carolina Friday toppling cars and injuring 15 people.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The unseasonably warm weather along the East Coast has flooded some doctors offices' with patients suffering from allergies. Doctors say the weather has sparked an onslaught of mold spores that cause allergies and fluctuating temperatures that irritate already-suffering nasal passages.

UNDATED (AP) - It's Wild-card weekend in the N-F-L with a possible trip to the Super Bowl at the end of the playoff run. The Indianapolis Colts take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the A-F-C game and the Dallas Cowboys take on the Seattle Seahawks in the N-F-C game. Two more games tomorrow. The Super Bowl is next month in Miami.