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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.
Germany's New Economy Minister Takes Aim At Arms Exports

Germany is the world's third-largest exporter of arms, like this bazooka destined for northern Iraq, being packed up at a German military base on Thursday. The country's economy minister has held up hundreds of weapons exports since he took office in December, angering many in the defense industry. Carsten Koall/Getty Images hide caption

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Carsten Koall/Getty Images

Parallels

Germany's New Economy Minister Takes Aim At Arms Exports

The nation is the world's third-largest arms exporter, and many weapons go to countries with questionable human rights records. Sigmar Gabriel wants to change that — but not all Germans are on board.

Germany's New Economy Minister Takes Aim At Arms Exports

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Thousands Gather In Germany To Rally Against Anti-Semitism

People with Israeli flags and banners attend a rally against anti-Semitism near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Sunday. Markus Schreiber/AP hide caption

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Markus Schreiber/AP

Europe

Thousands Gather In Germany To Rally Against Anti-Semitism

At an event in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is no place for anti-Semitism in Germany and called it a "monstrous scandal" that anyone in the country would be hassled for being Jewish.

Thousands Gather In Germany To Rally Against Anti-Semitism

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Economy

Additional EU Sanctions Target Russia's Actions In Ukraine

The latest penalties target Russia's financial, oil and high tech sectors, and slap travel bans and asset freezes on more officials.

Additional EU Sanctions Target Russia's Actions In Ukraine

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Europe

Ukraine Announces Cease-Fire With Russia

Ukraine's president says he and Russian President Putin have agreed to a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine. Putin's spokesman says since Russia isn't a party to the conflict it can't agree to a ceasefire.

Ukraine Announces Cease-Fire With Russia

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Despite Shelling, Ukrainian Workers Keep On Watering The Flowers

A man walks past burnt vehicles near a railway station after recent shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Aug. 29. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Maxim Shemetov/Reuters/Landov

Parallels

Despite Shelling, Ukrainian Workers Keep On Watering The Flowers

Amid major fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia separatists, electricity, water and other city services continue. The workers face risks associated with war as well as divided allegiances.

Despite Shelling, Ukrainian Workers Keep On Watering The Flowers

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Parallels

Ukrainian City Braces For Increasingly Lopsided Fight

Russian-backed fighters are reportedly preparing to launch an assault on the strategic Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, with armored Russian columns crossing the border into Ukraine.

Ukrainian City Braces For Increasingly Lopsided Fight

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Europe

Despite Quiet, Ukraine's Novoazovsk Still Feels Like A War Zone

In Ukraine, worried officials in the southeastern part of the country beefed up their defenses on Saturday as rebel forces slowly moved west following the recent capture of a strategic seaside town.

Despite Quiet, Ukraine's Novoazovsk Still Feels Like A War Zone

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Europe

Residents Join Soldiers In Shoring Up Defenses Of Key Ukrainian Port

In Ukraine, civilian volunteers are digging trenches outside the port city of Mariupol in an effort to defend their city from assault by separatist forces.

Residents Join Soldiers In Shoring Up Defenses Of Key Ukrainian Port

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Europe

Kiev Claims Russia Has Sights Set On New Eastern Ukrainian City

Ukraine has accused Russia of trying to open a new front in the war between the government and pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Kiev Claims Russia Has Sights Set On New Eastern Ukrainian City

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Europe

Russian Separatists Open New Front In Eastern Ukraine

At the same time, the Ukrainian and Russian presidents are to meet on Tuesday amid speculation that they might discuss the possibilities for a political solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Russian Separatists Open New Front In Eastern Ukraine

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Europe

Russian Convoy Crosses Ukrainian Border, Prompting Outcry From West

Russia has sent a large number of trucks into eastern Ukraine without the authorization of the Ukrainian government or Red Cross supervision. Moscow says the trucks are carrying aid for civilians, but the Ukrainians — together with NATO, U.S. and European leaders — say the move is a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Russian Convoy Crosses Ukrainian Border, Prompting Outcry From West

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Europe

The Siege Deepens In Eastern Ukraine's Donetsk

There are reports of heavy shelling on the outskirts of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, as government forces try to take the city from pro-Russian separatists. Meanwhile, thousands of the city's residents are trying to flee the fighting.

The Siege Deepens In Eastern Ukraine's Donetsk

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As Ukraine Presses Military Offensive, The Facts Are Fuzzy

Ukrainian soldiers muster at a point close to Luhansk in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, as Ukrainian troops make a push into rebel-held territory. Petro Zadorozhnyy/AP hide caption

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Petro Zadorozhnyy/AP

Europe

As Ukraine Presses Military Offensive, The Facts Are Fuzzy

Ukraine's army has been gaining ground against pro-Russian separatists. But details are difficult to pin down. They are now trading accusations over an alleged attack against a civilian convoy.

As Ukraine Presses Military Offensive, The Facts Are Fuzzy

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Europe

Civilian Convoy Comes Under Attack In Ukraine

The Ukrainian military says it has retrieved over a dozen bodies of people killed in an alleged attack on civilian vehicles on Monday. The government says separatists attacked the cars and trucks on a road outside of the city of Luhansk, but the rebels deny this.

Civilian Convoy Comes Under Attack In Ukraine

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