WASHINGTON - Human rights groups that praised a proposed ban on mistreating terrorism suspects warned on Friday that another provision lawmakers inserted in a final defense bill could lead to abuse at the Guantanamo Bay prison.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon will comply with a House subpoena for internal documents detailing Hurricane Katrina-related correspondence except, perhaps, from Defense Secretary Donald H.

WASHINGTON - President Bush will address the nation about Iraq on Sunday evening, his first speech from the Oval Office since he announced the beginning of the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee on Friday accused Democratic Rep. John Murtha of turning his anti-war stance into a fundraising ploy.

WASHINGTON - Vice President Dick Cheney will represent the United States at the opening session of Afghanistan's parliament and assess reconstruction efforts in earthquake-damaged Pakistan during a five-country trip beginning Saturday.

WASHINGTON - Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, was in the hospital Friday after suffering a heart attack.

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. Conrad Burns is attempting to cut his ties to indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, saying he will return about $150,000 in donations he received from Abramoff and the lobbyist's clients and associates.

WASHINGTON - House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement Thursday to extend the USA Patriot Act, the government's premier anti-terrorism law, before it expires at the end of the month.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Thursday raised the possibility of reducing U.S. troop levels in Iraq next year below the 137,000 level of the summer.

WASHINGTON - New Jersey will be represented for the first time by a minority U.S. senator when Gov.-elect Jon Corzine announces his decision to name Democratic Rep.

WASHINGTON - House Republicans, finally advancing their tax priority for the year, pushed forward Thursday with plans to keep reduced rates for capital gains and dividends alive for an extra two years.

WASHINGTON - Rep. John Murtha's stock is rising in the Democratic Party right alongside his public profile. The once-camera-shy Vietnam veteran who rattled Washington last month by calling for the removal of troops from Iraq seems to be popping up everywhere, making TV appearances and being cited by reporters as a leading Democratic opponent of President Bush's war policy.