National and International News-Thursday, Dec.7th

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A day after releasing their long-awaited report on what to do about Iraq, leaders of the Iraq Study Group will be quizzed by lawmakers today. The group says the situation's getting worse but is still salvageable. It's recommending a training role for U-S troops rather than combat.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U-S military says at least 31 Americans have been killed in Iraq in just the first six days of this month. Eleven died yesterday, including five killed by a single roadside bomb.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The lame-duck Congress is limping toward adjournment. Members of the House hope to wrap it up Saturday. Both houses are still struggling to pass a 500-page catch-up bill. It deals with such unrelated matters as trade with Vietnam and tax breaks for tuition.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (AP) - The launch team at the Kennedy Space Center is pressing ahead with preparations for a rare nighttime shuttle launch tonight. Discovery is set for another mission to the space station. Clouds are a major concern and launch conditions might not get better before Tuesday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Scientists looking for life on other planets are ecstatic over some stunning news about Mars. New pictures show evidence that water may have been flowing through Martian craters as recently as several years ago. One scientist calls the finding a "squirting gun."