Topic: Cologne

New mission for Knights of Malta: rescue Europe's poor

The chivalric order of the Knights of Malta, which has an annual budget of $800 million, announced the switch of emphasis from Asia and Africa to Europe this week.

To ban or not to ban? German right-wing group to show anti-Islam film.

After protesters torched the German embassy in Sudan last week, a German right-wing group announced plans to screen 'Innocence of Muslims.'  Now officials are weighing a ban of the event.

German circumcision ban incites new religious controversy in Europe

The ruling of a court in Cologne in June to ban circumcision of young boys for religious reasons has riled Muslims and Jews alike. 

German universities move to train next generation of imams

Concerned about the influence of foreign imams on Germany's Muslim community, the government is funding Islamic theology departments in its public universities to train imams at home. 

German President Wulff resigns amid scandal, diverting Merkel's attention (+video)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel canceled a trip to Italy in order to deal with the fallout of President Christian Wulff's resignation, who was one of her political allies.

Germany sees public bookshelves spring up all over the country

Shelves that allow anyone to take or leave a book are a hit in cities and suburbs, including Cologne.

Germany heightens security on 'concrete indications' of terror attack

'We have cause for concern, but no reason for hysteria,' German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière said today, adding that the tip-off came from a 'foreign partner,' reportedly the US.

11 countries speaking out against Koran burning in Florida

More than 10 countries have now condemned a Florida pastor's plan to burn the Koran in commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks of nine years ago. As noted in the Monitor article Why the planned Koran burning causes outrage and alarm, "Muslims see it as the uninterrupted, unchangeable, and eternal word of God. Burning the Koran is akin to directly burning the word of God." Here is what leaders are saying worldwide.

Catholic sex abuse scandal raising doubts for young German Catholics

In Germany, the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI, the priest sex abuse scandal has shaken many young Catholics' trust in the church, if not their faith. The man who initially inspired a new 'Benedict generation' is now seen as out of touch.

Priest bridges religious divide by funding Germany's biggest mosque

The cooperation between Rev. Franz Meurer and Iranian Navid Kermani illustrates how far Germany has gone in accepting its booming Muslim minority.

Germans wary as mosque rises in Cologne

Plans to build the largest mosque in the country highlight a fundamental demographic change that some fear poses a threat to Europe's Christian culture.

Etc.

One woman leads a crusade to cleanup cycling in Germany

Sylvia Schenk, a lawyer and former Olympic runner, is trying to rid sports of drugs by getting sponsors to force athletes to submit to testing.

One woman leads a crusade to cleanup cycling in Germany

Sylvia Schenk, a lawyer and former Olympic runner, is trying to rid sports of drugs by getting sponsors to force athletes to submit to testing.

Opinion: Israel at 60: So vilified, yet so deserving of praise

The world should appreciate what it has accomplished.