Esme Nicholson

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.

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.

"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.

While the United States debates the reopening of schools, NPR correspondents discuss experiences of Germany, Israel and Thailand as they reopen classrooms during the pandemic.

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.