Germany just did something huge for Syrian refugees — and for the future of Europe By Amanda Taub

German Chancellor Angela Merkel did something really good this week: Her country will now allow Syrian refugees, who normally would be deported back to wherever they first entered the European Union, to stay and apply for asylum. Thousands of Syrians who would have otherwise faced uncertainty in Europe can now begin the process of rebuilding their lives in Germany. Germany, with the stroke of a pen, has just given an awful lot of Syrian families the chance to start a new life. But this is even more important than that: In addition to being a blessing for these Syrians, it is also a gift to Europe. Migration has become a crisis so great for Europe that, earlier this month, Merkel called it an even bigger challenge for the EU than the Greek debt crisis. She is now leading by example, showing Europe what it must do to overcome that crisis.

Migration has become a crisis for migrants and for Europe

The policy change couldn’t be more necessary. The EU is facing its largest refugee crisis since World War II, and the human cost has already been devastating. But rather than address that human devastation directly, EU countries have for the most part sought to avoid taking any responsibility for it at all. When refugees arrive, EU rules leave them and other migrants trapped in their first countries of arrival until their asylum claims have been processed. For many, that means being marooned in Italy or Greece, which are facing full-scale humanitarian crises as refugee numbers overwhelm the available housing and supplies. Under EU rules, if any of these migrants make their way into Germany, then Germany is supposed to deport them back to their EU country of first arrival. But now, with this change, Syrians can stay in Germany to apply for asylum there. That's a big deal, and could help thousands of the world’s most vulnerable people stay safe from persecution, and from squalid camps in Greece or Italy. Merkel and her government deserve credit for making this important change, particularly at a time when asylum policy is an increasingly volatile political issue in Germany. Perhaps just as important, this is also a step toward addressing one of the most serious political problems facing the EU: how to fairly share responsibility for the migrant crisis.

The rest of Europe needs to follow Germany's lead

What we should hope for is that Germany's reprieve for migrants will set an example, and become one of many steps in Europe toward a fairer system for refugees. Vox Photo

Hüttenabend

Uriger Hüttenabend auf der Wannenkopfhütte Live Musik und ein fantastisches Kässpatzen-Menü aus der Riesenpfanne erwartet unsere Gäste auf der Wannenkopfhütte in Obermaiselstein bei Oberstdorf im Allgäu. Photo

Olivia Newton John and John Travolta - Grease

You're The One That I Want Photo

The British Monarchy

The Duke of Cambridge has written the following preface to Elizabeth II: The Steadfast, a biography by former Home and Foreign Secretary Lord Hurd, which recounts the reign, character and family life of The Queen..."Over the last ninety years, the world has changed more rapidly than at any time in history. When my grandmother The Queen was born in 1926, the wounds of the Great War were still healing, but few would imagine how soon they would be reopened. The confidence of the previous century had morphed into uncertainty and many worried – as they still do – about the challenge presented to our communities by rapid technological and social change. After almost ninety years, we find ourselves in a world that has changed dramatically, almost beyond recognition to the world that The Queen was born into, but where the role of charity, family, duty and compassion perseveres. I think I speak for my generation when I say that the example and continuity provided by The Queen is not only very rare among leaders but a great source of pride and reassurance. Time and again, quietly and modestly, The Queen has shown us all that we can confidently embrace the future without compromising the things that are important. From a personal point of view, I am privileged to witness the private side of The Queen, as a grandmother and great-grandmother. The Queen’s kindness and sense of humour, her innate sense of calm and perspective, and her love of family and home are all attributes I experience first-hand. I should add that no mention of The Queen is complete without paying tribute to my grandfather Prince Philip, who has devoted his life to supporting her. All of us who will inherit the legacy of my grandmother’s reign and generation need to do all we can to celebrate and learn from her story. Speaking for myself, I am privileged to have The Queen as a model for a life of service to the public."

HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, 2015 The British Monarchy

Eros Ramazzotti ROMA 2004

Un' Emozione Per Sempre Photo Wikipedia

Eros Luciano Walter Ramazzotti (born 28 October 1963), known simply as Eros Ramazzotti, is an Italian musician and singer-songwriter. Ramazzotti is popular in Italy and most European countries, and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, as he has released most of his albums in both Italian and Spanish.

Die Toten Hosen

Tage wie diese Photo

Hombre -- Ricky Martin

Vuelve

Irish Breakfast Scones By Louise Lennox

Louise Lennox goes all Irish with this lovely breakfast treat. RTÉ

Ingredients

• 1 pound (16 oz.) self raising flour (All purpose flour + 5tsp. baking powder + 1tsp. salt)
• 4 oz butter (cubed)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 6 floz whole milk
• 4 oz honey
• 6 oz frozen mixed berries
• 1 tub of clotted cream

Method                                 

1. In a large bowl rub together flour and butter until they resemble breadcrumbs. (Can use a butter cutter).
2. Whisk eggs, milk and 2 oz of honey together then pour into the flour mix. Gently stir with a fork until a soft ball is formed.
3. Roll out scone dough into a 10inch round on a lightly floured surface and cut into eight triangles or use a cookie cutter to do this.
4. Lightly sprinkle a baking tray with flour and place scones on top leaving space in between them. Brush the top of scones with beaten egg yolk mixed with 4 Tbsp.water.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for 20-30 minutes until golden brown.
6. While the scones are baking make the berry compote by simply heating the frozen berries in a pot with the remaining honey, bring to a boil, simmer for five minutes.
7. Serve the scones warm cut in half topped with the warm berry compote and clotted cream.

Devonshire Cream

3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup whipping cream

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and salt; stir until well blended. Stir in whipping cream. With an electric mixer, beat mixture until stiff. Store in refrigerator.

A Milestone in Africa: No Polio Cases in a Year By Donald G. McNeil Jr.

It has been one full year since polio was detected anywhere in Africa, a significant milestone in global health that has left health experts around the world quietly celebrating. The goal had seemed tantalizingly close in recent years, but polio always managed to roar back, particularly in Nigeria. Then officials embraced a vigorous new approach to vaccination and surveillance in that country, hiring thousands of community “mobilizers” to track down the unvaccinated, opening operations centers nationwide to monitor progress and seeking out support from clerics and tribal chiefs. The result has been remarkable. The last African case of polio was detected in Somalia on Aug. 11, 2014, the final sign of an outbreak with its roots in Nigeria — the one country where the virus had never been eradicated, even temporarily. But the last case in Nigeria was recorded on July 24, 2014. “This is a big success, but it’s still fragile,” said Dr. Hamid Jafari, the initiative’s World Health Organization director. “There’s always a worry that there could be an undetected case in a population you’re not reaching.” The case count has been below 2,000 annually since 2001, and eradication efforts now cost about $1 billion a year. But to the frustration of epidemiologists, the virus is a master of the cross-border jailbreak. Thirty-four cases have been found this year, all in Pakistan or Afghanistan, the last places in which the virus is known to persist. Many scientists now say a worldwide victory over polio is in sight. Even assuming there are no more cases, Africa will not be officially declared polio-free for two more years. The W.H.O. requires three case-free years because surveillance is difficult in a continent of isolated villages and nomadic herders. Reaching the milestone is a testament to the persistence, deep pockets and adaptability of the eradication initiative, which is led by the W.H.O., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations Fund for Children, Rotary International, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations Foundation. International New York Times Photo

Jaguar Sees New Models, Europe Demand Helping Offset China Slump By Siddharth Vikram Philip

Jaguar Land Rover expects to meet its target for record annual sales with the introduction of new models and expansion in Europe, offsetting a slump in the Chinese car market. “Overall, we see strong demand in Europe and more particularly in the case of JLR because of product pipeline and models,” C. Ramakrishnan, group chief financial officer at parent Tata Motors Ltd., said at a press conference in the company’s home city of Mumbai on Friday. “With growth in other markets, we expect to meet our sales targets for the year.” Bloomberg Photo

Science Proves Reading To Kids Really Does Change Their Brains By Catherine Pearson

Pediatricians often recommend parents routinely read aloud to their young children. Now, for the first time, researchers have hard evidence that doing so activates the parts of preschoolers' brains that help with mental imagery and understanding narrative -- both of which are key for the development of language and literacy. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which publishes Pediatrics, has long been outspoken about the importance of reading at home throughout infancy and early childhood, arguing that it can improve language skills, foster literacy development and help with other less tangible qualities. "Parents who spend time reading to their children create nurturing relationships, which is important for a child’s cognitive, language and social-emotional development," the AAP has said. "Start using books early on with your kids," DeWitt urged. "Reading early -- and often -- is important." Huffington Post Photo

Thoughtful China

Ad Campaigns at One Show in New York and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2015. Photo Thoughtful China

Michael Jordan (and kid) bests Jimmy Butler (and kid) at a shooting competition (Video) By Kelly Dwyer

Michael Jordan It’s August, and in the days before school starts it’s also time for basketball camps. To sit cross-legged on a hardwood floor while hoping that everyone else notices the shoes that you mortgaged way, way too much of your allowance to buy while watching a shooting drill as presented by an assistant coach you’ve never heard of.  Watch Chicago’s Jimmy Butler and [Chicago] Bulls legend Michael Jordan wow the kids at Jordan’s camp, with You Know Who winning things as always. Photo: Getty Images.