BEIJING (AP) — China warned the United States on Wednesday against using religious incidents as a pretext to interfere in its domestic affairs, after the U.S. expressed concern over a series of self-immolations by Tibetans. At least 15 Buddhist monks, nuns and former monks are believed to have set themselves on fire in the past year, mostly in traditionally Tibetan areas of southwestern Sichuan province. Most have chanted for Tibetan freedom and the return of their spiritual leader, the Dalai... Read more

PRAGUE (AP) — Churches were seized, priests jailed or executed and those who were still allowed to lead religious services did so under the watchful eye of the secret police. More than 22 years after the fall of Communism, the Czech government agreed Wednesday to pay billions of dollars in compensation for property seized by the former totalitarian regime. The deal threatened to topple the current coalition government earlier this week after a junior partner voiced anger at the thought... Read more

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s coalition government approved a multibillion-dollar plan Wednesday to compensate Christian groups for property seized by the former Communist regime. Under the plan, which is expected to be approved by Parliament, Czech churches would get 56 percent of their former property now held by the state — estimated at 75 billion koruna ($3.7 billion) — and 59 billion koruna ($2.9 billion) in financial compensation paid to them over the next 30 years. As part of... Read more

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s coalition government approved a multibillion dollar plan Wednesday to compensate Christian organizations for property seized by the former Communist regime. Under the plan, which is expected to be approved by Parliament, Czech churches would get 56 percent of their former property now held by the state — estimated at 75 billion koruna ($3.7 billion) — and 59 billion koruna ($2.9 billion) in financial compensation paid to them over the next 30 years. As part... Read more

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s coalition government has approved a plan to compensate religious organizations for property seized by the former Communist regime. According to the proposal, which still needs Parliament’s approval, Czech churches would get 56 percent of their former property now held by the state, and financial compensation. The Wednesday’s decision came after a junior coalition party withdrew its objection for the plan. The Public Affairs party was against the plan because it said the state cannot... Read more

CLEVELAND (AP) — Twelve members of a breakaway Amish group pleaded not guilty Wednesday to beard- and hair-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in a feud over church discipline. The seven original defendants arrested in November and five more added in an indictment returned last month entered the pleas in the crowded federal courtroom. U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster refused a defense appeal to release on bond the suspected ringleader, Samuel Mullet Sr., 66, and his son, Johnny Mullet, 37,... Read more

CLEVELAND (AP) — Twelve members of a breakaway Amish group in Ohio have pleaded not guilty to beard- and hair-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in a feud over church discipline. The seven original defendants and five more added in an indictment returned last month entered the not guilty pleas to federal charges Wednesday in a crowded Cleveland courtroom. Judge Dan Aaron Polster refused a defense appeal to release the suspected ringleader and his son on bond. A feud over church... Read more

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Mitt Romney, fresh from a strong victory in New Hampshire, turned his attention Wednesday to the southern state of South Carolina where he is perceived as too moderate and faces a fierce battle. A rougher tone and a tougher ideological terrain await the former Massachusetts governor in the state where evangelicals make up the base of the Republican Party. His rivals are banking on that to stop him in his tracks, while Romney is looking... Read more

CONCORD, New Hampshire (AP) — Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary Tuesday, a major step toward cementing his position as the party’s choice to run against President Barack Obama in November. With a sizable win in New Hampshire on the heels of his narrow victory last week in the Iowa caucuses, Romney has strong momentum going into the crucial — and likely more difficult — South Carolina primary on Jan. 21. Returns from 21 percent of the... Read more

CONCORD, New Hampshire (AP) — Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire Republican primary Tuesday, a major step toward cementing his position as the party’s choice to run against President Barack Obama in November. With a sizable win in New Hampshire on the heels of his narrow victory last week in the Iowa, caucuses, Romney has strong momentum going into the crucial — and likely more difficult — South Carolina primary on Jan. 21. Returns from 13 percent of the state’s... Read more