Cologne

forest

How a forest became Germany’s poster child for a coal exit

For decades, RWE has been slowly razing the forest and surrounding towns to expand its adjacent coal mine, among Europe’s largest producers of lignite coal and greatest sources of carbon dioxide pollution. And earlier this fall, the company moved to start cutting a new section that protesters have been occupying.

How a forest became Germany’s poster child for a coal exit
A section of the Hambach lignite mine in Germany's Rhineland coal fields, whose coal-fired power plants, run by power giant RWE, are one of Europe's largest sources of CO2 emissions.

Germany talks a good game on climate, but it's still stuck on coal

Germany talks a good game on climate, but it's still stuck on coal
Caitlin Duncan (right), Hesham Ahmad Mohammad (center) and Caitlin Duncan's boyfriend (left) on New Year's Eve.

This Syrian refugee rescued an American student after she was assaulted in Cologne

This Syrian refugee rescued an American student after she was assaulted in Cologne
Flowers and handwritten signs for the sexual assault victims have been left on the steps of Cologne's Gothic cathedral. Hundreds of women reported being victimized in this area during a chaotic New Year's Eve.

Men of Arab descent not finding Germany as welcoming as they used to

Men of Arab descent not finding Germany as welcoming as they used to

Germans angered over Catholic Church's decision to deny sacraments for church tax scofflaws

Germans angered over Catholic Church's decision to deny sacraments for church tax scofflaws

Persecuted Chinese writer escapes to the U.S.

Writer Liao Yiwu, who spent years in prison in China, escaped this summer and will tour the U.S. as his latest book is released in English.

Persecuted Chinese writer escapes to the U.S.
The World

Steve Reich's WTC 9/11

Even though Reich is no stranger to difficult subject matter (Different Trains, from 1988, is a meditation on the Holocaust), it took him nearly a decade to write about the attacks that hit so close to home. His new work WTC 9-11 is an unusual hybrid.

Steve Reich's WTC 9/11
The World

Iranian rock band Kiosk'

Cyrus Farivar profiles an underground Iranian rock band that is using the Internet as a primary means for getting its music into Iran.

Iranian rock band Kiosk'
The World

Geo answer

The answer to today's Geo Quiz is Cologne. Ultimate fighting is coming to Germany. But not without a fight. Officials in Cologne are trying to impose a ban on anyone under 18 attending the upcoming ultimate fight championship. They says the sport glorifies violence.

Geo answer
The World

Pope's cologne

Faith talks to Dr. Fred Haas, a family doctor from San Rafael, California, about the cologne he created based on a recipe from Pope Pius IX.

Pope's cologne

No-Car Day, European-Style

No-Car Day, European-Style
The World

Germany's Green Results

Germany's Green Results