AFP - A former top aide to President George W. Bush, Karl Rove, failed to show up for subpoenaed testimony before the House of Representatives Thursday in a probe of controversial firings of federal prosecutors, at Bush's request, sources said.

AP - The Senate has confirmed Gen. David Petraeus as the top commander in the Middle East and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno to replace Petraeus as the chief military officer in Iraq.

AP - Democratic senators cited concerns Wednesday about political meddling and policies likened to racial and ethnic profiling in urging Attorney General Michael Mukasey to ensure the Justice Department abides by the laws it is supposed to enforce.

AFP - Veteran Senator Edward Kennedy got a standing ovation from his colleagues as he returned to the US Senate Wednesday for the first time since being diagnosed with brain cancer.

AP - Trailer manufacturers defended themselves Wednesday on Capitol Hill, insisting they're not responsible for FEMA trailers that had toxic levels of formaldehyde, despite Democrats' claims the companies knew the dangers yet didn't do anything about it.

AP - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on President Bush to release oil from the government's emergency reserve to knock down gasoline prices she says "are helping push the economy toward recession."