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Men, if you've been looking for a manly fistful of fragrance, a scent that, say, invokes the adrenaline rush of NASCAR rather than a shirtless jog on the beach, take a deep breath -- the industry is paying attention to the growing percentage of guys who are taking care of their own grooming and buying their own scents. That's why, alongside faces like Matthew McConaughey and James Franco (shilling for Dolce & Gabbana's the One and Gucci by Gucci, respectively), you're likely to see rapper 50 Cent pitching Power, and Common promoting Diesel's Only the Brave. Words such as "power"...

Scuffles have broken out after about 1,600 people demonstrated against a rally held by a group opposing the building of a mosque in the German city of Cologne. The rally, held by Pro Koeln, a right-wing group, led to violence after left-wing demonstrators demanded entry to it on Saturday, saying it had been described as a public event. Wolfgang Baldes, a police spokesman, said: "There were minor scuffles. "We've not allowed some of the protesters to get into the square ... police intervened and secured a distance. "We have more than 5,000 policemen here for the weekend, we are well...

The manager of Pascha, which houses more than 120 prostitutes across its 12 stories, did not expect any takers when he put up posters advertising the tongue-in-cheek promotion. But more than 40 men have already come forward to have the name inked onto their arm in large blue letters, and the brothel's tattoo artist is having to work extra shifts to keep up with demand. Herbert Manske, 46, was among the dozens of clients who queued up to undergo the procedure on the first night at the brothel in Cologne, Germany. "My wife doesn't mind," he said. "I get free...

FBI Warns of Potential Terror Attacks The FBI and Department of Homeland Security today issued an analytical "note" to U.S. law-enforcement officials cautioning that al-Qaida terrorists have in the past expressed interest in attacking public buildings using a dozen suicide bombers each carrying 20 kilograms of explosives. Authors with the U.S. Office of Intelligence and Analysis added that they have "no credible or specific information that terrorists are planning operations against public buildings in the United States." The FBI and DHS analysts said they were releasing the note because "it is important for local authorities and building owners and...

German commandos storm KLM airliner arresting two suspected 'terrorists' - local media. More soon.

A German far right group has stirred Muslim anger worldwide by holding a three-day "Anti-Islamisation Conference" to protest against the construction of mosques and Muslim immigration. Prominent members of Europe's far right, including French "Front National" leader Jean-Marie le Pen and Belgian far-right politician Filip Dewinter, have said they will attend the meeting in Cologne which is aimed at forging a European alliance against "Islamisation." The conference will include a rally in the centre of Cologne tomorrow which police say could lead to clashes with left-wing groups that plan a counter-demonstration. Trade unions, churches and other groups have also announced...

Cologne is bracing for violence this weekend as far-right supporters from all over Europe gather for an "anti-Islamification congress" and rally defending the continent against an "immigrant invasion." Those attending the event starting Friday in the west German city include Filip Dewinter, head of Belgium's far-right Vlaams Belang party, and Andreas Mölzer, the Euro MP once ejected from Austria's Freedom Party for being too extreme. Also adding his support to what organisers call Europe's "shared, thousand-year history", identity and "Western values and Christian traditions" will be Mario Borghezio from Italy's anti-immigration Northern League. Jean-Marie Le Pen, the veteran head of...

The planned construction of over 180 mosques in Germany is mobilizing right-wing xenophobes but also an increasing number of leftist critics. They fear the Muslim places of worship will facilitate the establishment of a completely parallel society. ... the media reported "turmoil" and an "enraged" audience in a school auditorium in Ehrenfeld, a district of the German city of Cologne. The mood was almost comparable to that of the protest gatherings once held against nuclear missiles or reactors. Instead the outrage was directed at a huge mosque planned for the area. Still, the words used by the project's opponents called...

HOUMA, LA (WAFB) - Houma police officers and Terrebonne Parish sheriff's deputies say an attractive woman named Patches has been arrested after her "calogne samples" made at least two men pass out. One of the incidents prompted a statewide alert to Louisiana law enforcement agencies. The first complaint happened in early June. Police say an 18-year-old man says he was leaving a Houma restaurant at lunchtime when he was approached by a woman who said she was selling cologne. Police say the woman asked the victim is he was interested in buying some cologne she was selling. "The suspect produced...

Still in Control Pervez Musharraf was calm, confident and—despite a flurry of rumors—not about to announce his resignation. Instead, the Pakistani president's "concession" to his troubled nation was an announcement that he would allow Britain's Scotland Yard to help local law enforcement agencies with their investigation into last week's assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Speaking in a nationally televised address two hours after Pakistan's election commission announced the postponement of the ballot to Feb. 18, six weeks later than had been scheduled, Musharraf was notably deferential in his remarks about Bhutto, often invoking her "martyrdom" and extolling...

Roman barge under Cologne to reveal shipping history Posted : Sun, 09 Dec 2007 02:08:05 GMT Cologne, Germany - Excited archaeologists are raising part of a Roman barge that sank near the wharf nearly 2,000 years ago in the German riverside city of Cologne. Cologne, which derives its modern name from the town's Latin name, Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, is full of Roman remains including a largely intact aqueduct. But the oaken boat, found 12 metres below the surface during excavations a few days ago for an underground mass-transit line, is something special, offering scientists a new window into life...

COLOGNE, Germany — The construction of one of Europe's biggest mosques near a globally famous Christian landmark has sparked a furious dispute in Germany. Immigration and integration are extremely sensitive issues in Germany, which is home to a Turkish community of several million. But almost within the shadow of Cologne Cathedral, political correctness was replaced by bitter confrontation, as the city's Muslims began building a 2,000-capacity mosque whose twin minarets will reach 170 feet. "Muslims have been here for 40 years, yet people are praying in back rooms," said Seyda Can, an Islamic theologian at the Turkish Islamic Union in...

Huge mosque stirs protests in Cologne By Harry de Quetteville in Cologne Last Updated: 12:39am BST 25/06/2007 The construction of one of Europe's biggest mosques near to a globally famous Christian landmark has sparked a furious row in Germany. Immigration and integration are hugely sensitive questions in Germany, which is home to a Turkish community of several million. But almost within the shadow of Cologne Cathedral, political correctness has now been replaced by bitter confrontation as the city's Muslims begin to build a 2,000-capacity mosque with twin minarets that will reach 170ft. "Muslims have been here for 40 years, yet...

A cat saved the life of a newborn baby abandoned on the doorstep of a Cologne house in the middle of the night by meowing loudly until someone woke up, a police spokesman said on Saturday. "The cat is a hero," Cologne police spokesman Uwe Beier said. "Its loud meowing got the attention of the homeowner and saved the baby from suffering life-threatening hypothermia. The homeowner opened door to see why the cat was making so much noise and discovered the newborn." Beier said the boy was taken to hospital at 5 a.m. on Thursday, when overnight temperatures fell toward...

Now that Cologne has opened Carnival season (on the day that most of Europe was celebrating Armistice Day), we can look forward to some pretty strange Masses over the coming months. Here are some examples from previous years.

ROMA August 25, 2005 – He had announced it since his first morning as pope, in the seminal address delivered in the Sistine Chapel on April 20: “The Eucharist will be the centre of the World Youth Day in Cologne in August.” And what he said, he did. To the million young people gathered from 197 countries for four days in the city that keeps the relics of the Magi – even to those of little faith and the non-baptized – Benedict XVI preached “the inconceivable greatness of a God who humbled himself even to appearing in a manger,...

RELATED NEWS: “God has given us the perfect Pope,” says Spanish archbishop Argentine bishop: “Benedict XVI’s challenges attract and captivate young people” Archbishop of Havana: WYD unlike any other youth event Pope and youth stop to adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament Pope recalls WYD, prays event may inspire more vocations Cologne, Aug. 24, 2005 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI recalled today the gathering of hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world in Cologne, Germany, for World Youth Day last week. “Young people from all cultures of the world gathered as pilgrims seeking Jesus Christ, whom...

Dear Brothers in the Episcopate, I bless the Lord who has given me the joy of meeting you here, on German soil, at the conclusion of this 20th World Youth Day. I think we could say that the hand of Providence has been visible during these days, and not only has it given encouragement to me, the Successor of Peter, but it has also offered a sign of hope to the Church in this country, and above all to you, her Pastors. To all of you I renew my heartfelt thanks for the effort you have made in preparing for...

COLOGNE, Germany (AP) -- German-born Pope Benedict XVI on Friday became the second pope to visit a synagogue, entering to the haunting tones of a ram's horn, praying before a Holocaust memorial and lamenting a rise in anti-Semitism. "We need to show respect for one another and to love one another," Benedict said, pressing a theme of interfaith understanding that has marked his first foreign trip as pope. The hourlong stop, for which Cologne's Jews stood and applauded, was filled with significance for the 78-year-old Benedict, who grew up in Nazi Germany. He called those times "the darkest period of...

"May Christ be everything for you," Pope tells seminarians Cologne, Aug. 19, 2005 (CNA) - In a special meeting today with more than 500 seminarians at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, Pope Benedict XVI said the seminary years are a time of preparing for mission and a “springtime” in the life of a follower of Christ.Pope Benedict wished to celebrate the vespers of this Friday, talking to the seminarians, addressing the mystery of vocations in the church, and giving them a special message on their mission. Amid a colorful and joyful audience, and after listening to various testimonies, the...

Pope Benedict XVI, rigt, talks to German President Horst Koehler, left, in Koehler's presedential residence in Bonn, western Germany, Friday, Aug. 19, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI on Friday became the second Pope to visit a synagogue, stopping to pray and remember Holocaust victims with Cologne's Jewish community. (AP Photo/Jochen Luebke, pool) Pope Benedict enters a Cologne synagogue together with an unidentified member of the Cologne Jewish community in Germany August 19, 2005. Pope Benedict on Friday entered the Cologne synagogue, that was destroyed by the Nazis during the anti-Jewish Crystal Night riots in 1938 and rebuilt in 1959, becoming only...

Dear Seminarians,  I greet all of you with great affection and gratitude for your festive welcome and particularly for the fact that you have come to this gathering from so many countries the world over.  In a special way my heartfelt thanks go to the seminarian, the priest and the Bishop who have given us their own personal witness.  I am very pleased to have this opportunity to be with you.  I had asked that the programme of these days in Cologne should include a special meeting with young seminarians, so that the vocational dimension which is always a part...

Thought you freepers may enjoy these. Virtual Pilgrimage to World Youth Day http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/aug/05081509.html World Youth Day Virtual Pilgrimage Chapter 2 - Youth Filling Europe's Empty Churches http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/aug/05081701.html World Youth Day Virtual Pilgrimage Chapter 3 - Germany Restored With Arrival of Native Pope http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/aug/05081807.html In Synagogue Pope Calls Jews and Christians to Work Together to Defend Life and Family http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/aug/05081901.html

Pope faces condom protest on visit to Germany By Ruth Gledhill for Times Online The new Pope embarked on the toughest test of his papacy to date when he arrived in his native German this morning to greet a crowd of more than 400,000 young Catholics gathered to celebrate World Youth Day. The event, which became one of the biggest showcases of his charismatic predecessor's reign, has already been the focus of lobbying by the some of the Church's most committed youth on issues such as the Vatican's opposition to condom use to prevent the spread of Aids. Pro-condom posters...

A woman dressed as a bishop leads an anti-religion demonstration in Cologne August 19, 2005. Pope Benedict arrived in his German homeland on Thursday on the first international trip of his pontificate, a visit to the World Youth Day attended by hundreds of thousands of young Catholics. After the jubilant reception he received from 400,000 young Catholics Benedict's agenda centred on the closed-door talks at the presidential villa in nearby Bonn and the religious meetings in Cologne. REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski Demonstrators dressed as a priest and a nun kiss in front of a large model dinosaur during an anti-religion demonstration in...

EWTN will provide LIVE coverage of this historic event. The Eternal Word Television Network is available through most cable and dish network providers. Check your local listing for appropriate channel. Specials schedule is subject to change without notice. POPE BENEDICT XVI VISIT TO THE SYNAGOGUE, COLOGNE, GERMANY(60:00) LIVE Friday  August 19, 6:00 AM

The plane carrying Pope Benedict XVI flies over the Vatican flag before touch-down at the Cologne-Bonn airport August 18, 2004. Pope Benedict arrived in his German homeland on Thursday on the first international trip of his pontificate, a visit to the World Youth Day attended by hundreds of thousands of young Catholics. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay Pope Benedict XVI looks out of the plane's window as he arrives at the Cologne-Bonn airport August 18, 2005. Pope Benedict arrived in his German homeland on Thursday on the first international trip of his pontificate, a visit to the World Youth Day attended by hundreds...

From Cologne to the Conquest of Europe: How the Muslim Brotherhood is Challenging the PopeAt World Youth Day in Cologne, Benedict XVI is also meeting with Muslims. Here are the leaders and organizations of radical Islam in Germany, with their plans for expansion by Sandro Magister ROMA, August 18, 2005 – The penultimate event of Benedict XVI's visit to Cologne, before the vigil and Mass with the young people of World Youth Day XX, will be a Saturday, August 20 meeting with the "representatives of some of the Muslim communities." The meeting will take place at the residence of the...

Cologne, Germany - Luke Strand walked toward this city's historic cathedral on Wednesday, quietly reciting the rosary. Distractions squeezed by the 24-year-old Milwaukee man. Exuberant Italian young people, arms linked together, pushed past. Nearby, a large group of Chileans chanted in Spanish. Strand, who is studying to become a priest, smiled at the scene. "I'm tired and exhausted, but this is the beauty of it. We're on a pilgrimage," he said. Strand had traveled to World Youth Day in Cologne - not for solitude, but for solidarity. About 325,000 young Catholics from nearly 200 countries have already arrived for the...

Tens of thousands of young people descended on Cologne in Germany today to kick off the 20th World Youth Day celebrations that will include German-born Pope Benedict XVI’s first foreign trip. German leaders of the Roman Catholic Church were to hold opening masses in the western cities of Cologne, Bonn and Duesseldorf. Later today, music, dance and theatre festivals were planned for the young pilgrims from around the world. Organisers said some 400,000 people had registered to attend the events. Benedict was to join the festival on Thursday and close the event with a huge open-air mass outside Cologne on...

German-born Pope Benedict XVI will say prayers in Hebrew when he visits the synagogue in Cologne, Germany, that was destroyed by the Nazis, a cardinal organizing the trip said Tuesday.Jewish representatives invited the pope to visit while he is in Germany in August for the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day and Benedict replied, '"I will come,"' said Cologne Cardinal Joachim Meisner.The visit will include a prayer service in which the psalms will be "prayed," the cardinal said. "We have learned them in Hebrew."Since his April 19 election as pope, the German-born Benedict has reached out to Jews while denouncing...

Pope Benedict XVI has told the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican he intends to visit the main synagogue in Cologne, Germany, in August, becoming the second pontiff in history to visit a Jewish place of worship. Ambassador Oded Ben-Hur said the pope told him of his intention following an audience with diplomats assigned to the Vatican on Thursday. Benedict's predecessor, John Paul II, made a groundbreaking visit to Rome's synagogue in 1986. The new pope has said he intends to continue John Paul's work toward improving relations between Roman Catholics and Jews. "We're very happy, and this is a gesture...

As far as I know, World Youth Day is still being held in Cologne from 15 August until 21 August 2005. This will be likely the first "homecoming" of the new Pope. In the past, there have been valid criticisms of the WYD Masses, mainly because of how people were acting at the Masses, and to what some see as liturgical "experimentation." This is probably going to be related to the issue of who is going to be appointed to the Curia, but I'm looking forward to see who gets appointed to be papal liturgist, and how the Masses at...

Una Voce Federation Announces Support of Juventutem Festival 2005 In response to the invitation of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, youth attached to the traditional Latin liturgy (Mass of St. Pius V) will organize a festival in Cologne, Germany as part of World Youth Day 2005 (WYD) between August 10-21. The Juventutem festival will consist of a delegation of youth led by Mgr. Fernando Rifan, Apostolic Administrator of the Union of St John Vianney and Bishop of Campos, Brazil. Young people from more than 20 countries are expected to join the bishop. Chaplains to the delegation will be provided...

BERLIN (Reuters) - An explosion in a building in the German city of Cologne has injured up to 12 people, four seriously, fire services in the city say. A police spokesman said the cause of the explosion on Wednesday was not yet clear. "There was an explosion in a three-storey residential and business building in Cologne," a fire services spokesman said. There were no dead but fire services were still at the scene investigating, he added. N-TV television earlier reported that there was speculation the blast was an attack of some kind on a hairdresser's shop.

By Lenore Skenazy M EN, you are going to thank me for this column. Women, too. Because in the course of researching the latest perfume trends — as any serious journalist must — I learned from a bona fide scientific institute the three smells that most turn women off. Ready? Cherries. Barbecued meat. And cologne. "All acted to inhibit female sexual arousal," reports Dr. Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Hirsch! For, while the number of men rubbing themselves with cherries or spare ribs is...

BERLIN (Reuters) - The German city of Cologne is resorting to a "sex tax" on brothels to boost its revenues after national reforms left local authorities short of cash. City authorities confirmed on Friday they were extending the existing "pleasure tax" -- already levied on casinos and amusement arcades -- to brothels, erotic massage parlours and table-dancing clubs. Cologne expects to triple its pleasure tax revenues, Inge Schuermann, a city spokeswoman told Reuters. "This is about making taxes fair but also because we are more than up to our necks in financial problems," she said, shortly after Germany's parliament approved...

MUNICH: Police in the western German cities of Mannheim and Cologne have opened inquiries into a German-Russian businessman suspected of masterminding the illegal supply of weapons to Iraq, weekly news magazine Focus says in its edition due out on Monday. The businessman, named as Mark V., specialises in selling weapons from former Soviet bloc countries to the Middle East and German investigators suspect him of illegally channelling weapons to Iraq via Jordan, it said. The United Nations slapped an embargo on sales of weapons to Iraq after Baghdad invaded neighbouring Kuwait in 1990. Mark V., who owns a dental equipment...

RIYADH, 29 June — Saudi authorities have arrested a number of Arab and Asian expatriates peddling cologne-based alcohol, an Arabic newspaper reported yesterday. Police arrested an unspecified number of "East Asian and Arab workers" in Riyadh Wednesday night, who were in possession of 30,000 bottles of cologne, Al-Watan said. The group had been selling the cologne "used as a kind of alcohol," the paper said, adding that the bottles were confiscated from Deera market in Riyadh. The paper said the bottles were brought in a car driven by a Yemeni. They tried to escape when they saw inspectors from the...

Cologne drinking toll rises to 11 JEDDAH, 10 June — Two more people died on Saturday, taking the death toll from the contaminated cologne consumption in Makkah to 11, Okaz reported yesterday. At least 22 others are receiving treatment in several hospitals in the city. Laboratory tests on blood samples from the dead indicate that their deaths were caused by methanol. Dr. Ahmad Ilyas, director of the laboratory, said he informed the hospitals in Makkah to administer ethanol to counteract the methanol poison. Meanwhile, three people died and nine others became seriously ill in Jizan after consuming cologne.