Esme Nicholson

The country's scattershot approach, with each of 16 states imposing different regulations, has come under mounting criticism as cases surpass 3 million and hospitals warn they're running out of beds.

Health Minister Jens Spahn said Sputnik V could be a stop-gap solution to Europe's critical COVID-19 vaccine shortage. Spahn said Germany will still wait for EU regulators to approve the vaccine.

While Germany struggles to try to contain the pandemic, airlines have planned more than 300 extra flights to take German vacationers to sunny Majorca over the Easter holidays.

The violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol stunned many in Germany, especially those who grew up in the American sector of then-West Berlin.

The airport opened in 1948 and is closing as Berlin's new international hub opens after a series of delays. Although COVID-19 has hampered travel, Germans are visiting Tegel to relive old memories.

There's talk in Germany's capital of how a Joe Biden win would benefit the ailing transatlantic relationship. But there's also caution that expectations of a Biden administration are too high.

Germany is heading into a partial lockdown. Berlin already imposed closing hours to its nightlife for the first time in decades as Germany's leader asked youth to think of their grandparents.

Germany's COVID-19 infection rate is surging among 20 to 40 year olds. Politicians and epidemiologists are telling people to avoid parties, but that message is not being received well in Berlin.

NPR correspondents in South America, the Middle East and Europe discuss the recent spikes in coronavirus cases in their regions.

Police, who believe vandalism to be the cause, are unsure of the motive. German media is speculating a link to a conspiracy theory. The extent of the damage won't be clear until after restoration.

Sharp increases in COVID-19 cases in many countries in Europe have left governments trying to limit the spread of infection while avoiding further damage to their economies

A few years ago, Thomas Harding wrote a memoir centered on what became of his great-grandparents' German house. Now he's made it into a children's book about belonging, with the home his protagonist.

Germans abide by a host of laws to keep noise at a minimum after 10 p.m. and on Sundays. Thousands of motorcyclists have been riding in roaring protest through cities in response to a proposed ban.

Germans still use cash for the majority of transactions, and many stores and restaurants don't take cards. Old habits die hard even during a pandemic when retailers worry about hygiene.

"I'm not in the slightest bit concerned about using cash right now," one Berlin shopper says. "I just keep washing my hands. Simple." Cash makes up 75% of Germany's transactions.

EU leaders, still divided on how to help European economies hit by the pandemic, hope German Chancellor Angela Merkel can forge an agreement when they meet in Brussels on Friday.

Poland's conservative president Andrjez Duda, 48, won a second five-year term on Sunday. It was a bitterly fought election, and the opposition might dispute the results.

Germany is Europe's largest economy, but business leaders warn it is in danger of losing its edge because of sluggish Internet connections. The government has promised to speed things up.

Members of Germany's ruling Christian Democrats have chosen Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to succeed Merkel as Germany's next chancellor.

The British musician is on a tour of Europe, apologizing for Brexit, the plan by Britain's government to leave the EU. The last performance is scheduled for the same day leaders are gathering to finalize a potential Brexit deal.