BERLIN (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest in Germany has admitted to 280 counts of sexually abusing three boys over a several-year period. The 46-year-old priest, who has been suspended, went on trial Thursday at the state court in Braunschweig. The dapd news agency reported that he showed no remorse. The man who was not identified was arrested last July after one victim told his mother what had happened. He was charged with abusing three boys aged between 9 and... Read more

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A human wave of more than 20,000 surrounded the Muslim faithful as they prayed toward Mecca Friday, as anti-government demonstrations over spiraling fuel prices and corruption showed unity among protesters despite growing sectarian tensions in Africa’s most populous nation. While violence sparked by religious and ethnic divisions left about 1,500 people dead last year alone in Nigeria, some hope the ongoing protests gripping the oil-rich nation will bring together a country that already suffered through a... Read more

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A human wave of more than 20,000 surrounded the Muslim faithful as they prayed toward Mecca Friday, as anti-government demonstrations over spiraling fuel prices and corruption showed unity among protesters despite growing sectarian tensions in Africa’s most populous nation. While violence sparked by religious and ethnic divisions left about 1,500 people dead last year alone in Nigeria, some hope the ongoing protests gripping the oil-rich nation will bring together a country that already suffered through a... Read more

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest was sentenced Friday to three years and one month in federal prison and ordered to repay $650,000 he acknowledged siphoning from his northwest Las Vegas parish to support his gambling habit. Muffled sobs erupted from a courtroom packed with supporters, but Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, 59, stood straight and made no reaction as U.S. District Court Judge James Mahan faulted him for accepting responsibility but “hedging his bet” by blaming the theft on... Read more

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison Friday for siphoning some $650,000 from his northwest Las Vegas parish to support his gambling habit. Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, 59, made no reaction as U.S. District Court Judge James Mahan faulted him for abusing a position of trust in his congregation. Muffled sobs erupted from a courtroom packed with supporters. Defense attorney Margaret Stanish asked the judge for probation and to... Read more

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A lawyer planned to ask a federal judge on Friday to reject a call for almost three years of prison time and instead give probation to a Roman Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to siphoning $650,000 over eight years from his northwest Las Vegas parish gift shop, votive candle collection and prayer funds to support his gambling habit. In documents filed in advance of sentencing, Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe’s attorney asks U.S. District Court Judge James Mahan... Read more

TONGI, Bangladesh (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Muslim devotees have gathered on the banks of a river outside the Bangladeshi capital to call for peace and a revival of Islamic tenets. The three-day gathering on the banks of River Turag, near Dhaka, is one of the world’s largest Islamic congregations. Area police chief Abdul Baten says more than a half-million people took part in Friday’s opening prayers. Organizers say nearly 4 million are expected by Sunday. The gathering is... Read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — Torn between reality and their political dreams, leading conservatives are defending Mitt Romney against attacks on his work in the private sector even as they search for a more palatable candidate amid a growing sense that his nomination may be certain. Romney is marching steadily through South Carolina, a state still uncertain about him, and picking up a prominent conservative’s endorsement while sending a message to his party: It’s time to stop the bickering. Not just yet,... Read more

Today is Saturday, Jan. 21, the 21st day of 2012. There are 345 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date: 1521 – Pope Leo X excommunicates German reformer Martin Luther. 1606 – England’s Parliament imposes severe penalties against Roman Catholics. 1643 – Dutch mariner Abel Tasman discovers Tonga in the Pacific. 1732 – Russia gives up claims to certain Persian territories under Treaty of Riascha. 1793 – France’s King Louis XVI, condemned for treason, is executed... Read more

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The leadership of Venezuela’s Roman Catholic Church is raising concerns over rampant violent crime. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference has urged the government of President Hugo Chavez to take action aimed at curbing the country’s rising murder rate. The non-governmental group Venezuelan Violence Observatory says at least 19,336 Venezuelans were slain during the first 10 months of last year. That is a 9.8 percent increase from 2010, when 17,600 people were killed. The estimates 57 homicides were... Read more