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Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson Special correspondent Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is based in Berlin. Her reports can be heard on NPR's award-winning programs, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and read at NPR.org.
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Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is a NPR foreign correspondent based in Cairo.

Wednesday

Germans Are Drinking Less Beer These Days, But Why?

A waiter carries beer mugs during the 2012 Oktoberfest in Munich. Johannes Simon/Getty Images hide caption

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Johannes Simon/Getty Images

The Salt

Germans Are Drinking Less Beer These Days, But Why?

Despite Germany's long association with beer, it looks like its citizens are imbibing less of their celebrated beverage now than they did a generation ago. Some cite the economy as a factor; others, the rise of health consciousness.

Germans Are Drinking Less Beer These Days, But Why?

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Monday

Europe

Germany Evaluates Its Global Military Role

For decades after the devastation of World War Two, Germany recoiled from any prospect of military engagement. Now the country is under pressure to get involved in foreign military conflicts as the U.S. cuts back its role as the world's policeman. Germany's growing military role is now being debated in government and academic circles.

Germany Evaluates Its Global Military Role

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Thursday

Europe

Dresden Marks WWII Bombing 68 Years Ago

Toward the end of World War II, allied forces bombed the lightly defended city of Dresden, creating a firestorm that destroyed it and killed tens of thousands of people. The attack was designed to destroy German morale and hasten the end of the war. These days, neo-Nazis are using the anniversary to march and stir up nationalistic sentiment in a bid to boost their political and popular clout.

Dresden Marks WWII Bombing 68 Years Ago

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Sunday

Europe

Troop Deployment No Long Sparks Mass Protests In Germany

After two devastating world wars, Germans recoiled from any prospect of military intervention. But today, German troops are posted in Afghanistan and engage in combat. This week, German lawmakers are expected to extend their country's military's mission in Afghanistan for 13 more months.

Troop Deployment No Long Sparks Mass Protests In Germany

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Friday

Africa

Benghazi Threat Not Made Public

Amid conflict in West Africa, come threats to Westerners in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. British, German and Dutch citizens have been urged to leave Benghazi. It's been the focus of partisan controversy in the U.S. as Congress tries to determine what caused the September attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission there that killed four Americans, including the ambassador to Libya.

Benghazi Threat Not Made Public

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Saturday

Germany's Housing Market Is Hot. Is It Overheating?

Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood, like many others across the city, is experiencing a real estate boom. Housing prices have risen by as much as 20 percent in the past year in some German cities. Adam Berry/Getty Images hide caption

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Adam Berry/Getty Images

World

Germany's Housing Market Is Hot. Is It Overheating?

Buyers are snapping up property in Germany, leaving some analysts worried that it's a bubble in the making. But others say the conservative approach to home ownership, including a tradition of large down payments, will protect the market from a U.S.-style crash.

Germany's Housing Market Is Hot. Is It Overheating?

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Monday

Middle East

Egypt Referendum Marred By Irregularities

In Egypt, unofficial results show the country's controversial draft constitution was narrowly approved in the first stage of a referendum held this past Saturday. The draft constitution has deeply divided Egyptians. The second round of voting will take place this Saturday.

Egypt Referendum Marred By Irregularities

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Sunday

Egyptian Constitutional Referendum Appears To Have Passed

Polling station officials count ballots in Cairo on Dec. 15, at the end of the first day of vote in a referendum on a new constitution. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Egyptian Constitutional Referendum Appears To Have Passed

The outcome is unofficial at this point as the government has said it will not announce official results until the referendum concludes in the rest of Egypt next Saturday. Though voting counts differed, most major supporters and opponents of the constitution reported it had received a majority "yes" vote.

Saturday

Egyptians Hurry To Vote On Draft Constitution

Women wait in line outside a polling station to vote on a disputed constitution drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo on Saturday. Amr Nabil/AP hide caption

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Amr Nabil/AP

The Two-Way

Egyptians Hurry To Vote On Draft Constitution

Turnout was high Saturday morning at polling stations in several Cairo neighborhoods where Egyptians are deciding whether to approve their country's controversial draft constitution.

Egyptians Hurry To Vote On Draft Constitution

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Friday

Africa

Protests Continue In Egypt Over Draft Constitution

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi says he's determined to hold a referendum on the draft constitution on Dec. 15. But it's an election fraught with problems for him and his opponents. It's unlikely to be a free and fair vote, with most judges who would be the ones to serve as independent monitors being on strike, leaving its legitimacy in doubt. His opponents, meanwhile, are in trouble if they decide to boycott the vote or not. Not voting gives Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood a guaranteed victory. But if opponents do vote and lose, then their efforts to quash the draft document and Morsi's power grab would lose legitimacy.

Protests Continue In Egypt Over Draft Constitution

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Tuesday

Africa

Egyptians Stage Rival Demonstrations In Cairo

Supporters and opponents of Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi were on the streets of Cairo again on Tuesday, staging demonstrations in different parts of the capital. With the dueling camps separated, the chances of violence have decreased, but there was some early Tuesday in the city's iconic Tahrir Square. Morsi's opponents are demanding that he postpone a scheduled referendum on a draft constitution they see as flawed. But the president insists the vote will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday. Audie Cornish talks to Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson.

Egyptians Stage Rival Demonstrations In Cairo

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Monday

Africa

Egypt's Morsi Authorizes Military To Arrest Civilians

Over the weekend, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi rescinded most of a temporary order that elevated his powers above judicial review. But he did not concede on demands to postpone a vote on a new constitution.

Egypt's Morsi Authorizes Military To Arrest Civilians

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Friday

Middle East

Egyptian Protesters Display Newfound Unity

The power grab by Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and the drafting of the country's constitution have caused the mostly secular opposition to come together for the first time since the revolution drove President Hosni Mubarak from power.

Egyptian Protesters Display Newfound Unity

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Thursday

Africa

Morsi Calls For Consensus Amid Escalating Protests

Egyptian army tanks were deployed around the presidential palace in Cairo on Thursday after a night of clashes between pro and anti-government protesters outside the palace. Audie Cornish talks to Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson.

Morsi Calls For Consensus Amid Escalating Protests

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Sunday

Ach! No End In Sight For Berlin Airport Woes

The opening date of Germany's new Willy Brandt Berlin Brandenburg International Airport has been delayed three times due to construction delays and safety concerns. Sean Gallup/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Europe

Ach! No End In Sight For Berlin Airport Woes

The new international airport in Berlin has become a major embarrassment to Germany. The airport was supposed to replace the three airports that operated in the once-divided city. But with major cost overruns and safety issues, the project has been delayed three times already.

Ach! No End In Sight For Berlin Airport Woes

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