Rivals pounce as Romney says: “I like being able to fire people who provide services to me’ NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Republican front-runner Mitt Romney stumbled down the homestretch of the New Hampshire primary on Monday, declaring, “I like being able to fire people who provide services to me” as his rivals intensified already fierce criticism. “Gov. Romney enjoys firing people. I enjoy creating jobs,” said former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who has staked his candidacy on a strong showing... Read more

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s army says suspected members of a radical Muslim sect have killed two Christians in separate attacks despite an increased security presence in the area. Col. Victor Ebhaleme said Boko Haram gunmen attacked two Christian homes Monday evening in back-to-back attacks in the northeastern city of Maiduguri. At least 54 people have been killed in recent days by Boko Haram, according to an Associated Press count. Boko Haram says it has started specifically targeting Christians, exploiting... Read more

CAIRO (AP) — The Muslim Brotherhood has emerged as the biggest winner in parliamentary elections, but the fundamentalist group that has long dreamed of ruling Egypt is likely to be cautious about flexing its newfound muscle. The Brotherhood has been crushed by the military before and will likely tread carefully to avoid spooking the ruling generals or the country’s Western supporters, who provide generous amounts of badly needed foreign aid. That may be the best tactic for the Brotherhood as... Read more

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech coalition government may crumble over a junior member’s rejection of a plan to compensate religious organizations for property seized by the former Communist regime. Two conservative coalition members — the Civic Democrats of the prime minister and the TOP09 party — told the junior Public Affairs party Monday that its “no” would end the coalition. The proposal gives Czech churches 56 percent of their former property now held by the state and compensates them financially.... Read more

CAIRO (AP) — A prominent Christian Egyptian media mogul faces trial on a charge of insulting Islam, lawyers said Monday, based on his relaying a cartoon on his Twitter account. The case dates back to June, when Naguib Sawiris posted a cartoon showing a bearded Mickey Mouse and veiled Minnie. He made a public apology after Islamists complained, but his action set off a boycott of his telecom company and other outlets. He said it was supposed to be a... Read more

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Bosnian Serbs have marked the 20th anniversary of the formation of their ministate in Bosnia. The anniversary was marked Monday by receptions and a religious ceremony at which the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej described Republika Srpska as “the youngest Serb state.” After the Bosniaks and Croats who lived in the former Yugoslav republic of Bosnia along with Serbs indicated they want to declare independence as other former Yugoslav republics had already... Read more

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Authorities in Alaska say a church congregation in Anchorage evacuated Sunday morning services because of a carbon monoxide scare that turned out to be bear spray someone shot off in the basement. KTUU reports ( ) 200 people fled Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church due to the strange smell and irritated throats. Firefighters ventilated the church with fans. Anchorage police are investigating. Read more

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — The head of Tunisia’s moderate Islamic party condemned Monday anti-Semitic slogans chanted by a handful of ultraconservative Muslims at the arrival of a top Hamas official. Rachid Ghannouchi also reiterated the policy of his party, which heads the country’s new government, that Tunisia’s Jews are “full citizens with equal rights and duties.” “Ennahda condemns these slogans which do not represent Islam’s spirit or teachings, and considers those who raised them as a marginal group,” Ghannouchi said... Read more

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Students at several Philadelphia-area Catholic schools slated for closure staged rallies Monday to voice their opposition to an archdiocese plan that would shutter 48 schools. Dozens of students gathered outside St. Hubert’s High School for Girls carrying signs, chanting and singing the school’s Alma Mater. St. Hubert’s is one of four Roman Catholic high schools slated for closure under a plan announced Friday by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The plan would also close 44 elementary schools because... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — A roadside bomb killed two Shiite pilgrims on Monday, the latest in a wave of attacks targeting the sect that have killed more than 80 people in less than a week and deepened fears of renewed sectarian warfare. Police and health officials said the blast targeted pilgrims walking to the holy Shiite city of Karbala to commemorate Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, a revered Shiite... Read more