Major developments in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

— The National Guard presence balloons in New Orleans as more armed troops drive through watery streets with food, water and the promise of safer streets after days of looting. Lieutenant governor notes many troops are Iraq veterans "highly proficient in the use of lethal force."

— President Bush tours Gulf Coast communities amid criticism from the New Orleans mayor and others that he engineered a too-little, too-late response. Black lawmakers see bias against storm's many impoverished victims.

— The influx of refugees to Houston overloads the Astrodome, forcing officials to open two more giant centers.

— Congress works to rush a $10.5 billion recovery bill to Bush, who calls the relief effort the biggest in U.S. history.

— Twenty-five countries agree to join the United States to release the equivalent of 2 million barrels of oil per day from strategic fuel reserves.

— Asia-Pacific nations — including tsunami-battered Sri Lanka — promise to send money and disaster relief experts.

— Lawmakers demand investigation into price gouging on gasoline prices after thousands of consumer complaints.