Germany unnerved by scores of xenophobic attacks against refugees

Meissen, Germany

IN A gesture of German goodwill, the administration in this medieval city leased a newly renovated apartment building here to humanely - even comfortably - house dozens of desperate asylum-seekers. The newcomers from Syria and other war-ravaged nations would enjoy freshly redone floors, cute balconies and shiny, modern appliances in a cheerful building near a timber-framed pub.

Then Meissen's goodwill went up in smoke.