by LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush has been a "total failure" in everything from the economy to the war to energy policy, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday. In an interview on CNN, the California Democrat was asked to respond to video of the president criticizing the Democratic-led Congress for heading into the final 26 days of the legislative session without having passed a single government spending bill. (5) comments

by EILEEN SULLIVAN Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - European terrorists are trying to enter the United States with European Union passports, and there is no guarantee officials will catch them every time, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday. Chertoff's comments on Capitol Hill comes as the country is entering a potentially vulnerable period with the presidential nominating conventions coming up next month; the presidential election in November; and the transition to a new administration in January - all of which may be attractive targets for terrorists. (0) comments

LOGAN, W.Va. (AP) - Another defendant has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the suspected torture of a young woman held captive in West Virginia last summer. Bobby Brewster, 25, pleaded guilty in Logan County Circuit Court on Tuesday to second-degree sexual assault, malicious assault and conspiracy to commit kidnapping or holding hostage. (0) comments

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A jury has convicted a man of murder for a 2006 shooting spree that ended in a school, where he went looking for his ex-girlfriend and killed another teacher. The jury found 29-year-old Christopher Williams guilty on Thursday of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder. (0) comments