What is your first memory? Have you ever thought about it? I know what mine was…it was of my mom holding me and singing to me. I can even smell her cologne, she has worn the same type of cologne all of my life.

She asked me last night what my first memory was. She was wondering if she will have a last memory with her Alzheimer’s…one that will stay in her mind when all her other memories leave. I told her what my memory was and she told me that she hopes that is her last memory, her singing to me, but me holding her. She fell asleep last night singing, “You are my sunshine….my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray, you will never know dear how much I love you…” and I added, after she was asleep…please don’t take my sunshine away. Read more…

From EurActiv, EU news & policy debates:

At least nine countries led by Germany are expected to ask the European Commission to draw up plans for a so-called “enhanced co-operation” on the financial transactions tax (FTT) following a meeting of EU finance minister in Luxembourg on Friday (22 June).

BACKGROUND: A financial transactions tax (FTT) is one of many proposals made to tax the financial sector and hinder market speculation. Many countries have already implemented a levy on banks’ assets and liabilities.

The European Commission and the International Monetary Fund have also examined the possibility of a financial activities tax which would place levies on profits and bonuses.

In a bid to lower national contributions to the EU budget, the European Commission proposed to tap into an FTT. The UK is the staunchest opponent of the tax, arguing that the move will encourage financial operators to route their business through tax havens.

In May the European Parliament supported the Commission proposal.

Finance ministers took the decision after their Austrian colleague Maria Fekter told them that Vienna’s support for the EU’s permanent bailout fund – the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) – depended on progress on the FTT.

“If I do not get this [enhanced] co-operation, then the ESM will not be ratified and this would really be a pity,” Fekter told the ministers. Read more…