National and International News-Thursday, Nov. 30th

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - President Bush continues to reject asking Iran to help Iraq's struggle for peace. But Iraq's leader is leaving the door open for both Tehran and Syria to play a role. The two men held a high-stakes meeting today and Bush pledged to strengthen Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's position.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A top Shiite legislator is demanding Iraq's prime minister improve security as a condition for Shiites ending a boycott of the government. They also want more reliable basic services such as electricity and water. The boycott started over the prime minister's meeting with President Bush.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The bipartisan Iraq Study Group has reached agreement on what to recommend as an exit strategy for the U-S from Iraq. The New York Times reports the panel stops short of setting a timetable, instead calling for a gradual pullback of the 15 American brigades now in Iraq.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) - Pope Benedict calls divisions among Christians a "scandal to the world." In a joint ceremony today with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians in Turkey, Benedict also suggests there's room in the European Union for the mostly Muslim nation.

NEW DELHI (AP) - Children with H-I-V and AIDS worldwide will have more access to lifesaving drugs. Former President Clinton got two Indian pharmaceutical companies to agree to cut their prices. Clinton will announce the deal in New Delhi today ahead of World AIDS Day tomorrow.