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With visuals so stunning they feel almost tangible, "Avatar: Fire and Ash" delivers yet another mesmerizing journey to Pandora, pushing the boundaries of 3D technology. But will the franchise’s repetitive storytelling and wooden dialogue leave audiences emotionally adrift? Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – It happens early on, the first time “Avatar: Fire and Ash” took my breath away with its visual effects. It was something simple — waves gently lapping in the foreground as characters spoke — but the cerulean water was so vivid, so seemingly tangible that I shifted backward in my seat to avoid getting wet. The latest “Avatar” entry, like its predecessors, is full of stunningly beautiful imagery like this, all brought to life with the most impressive 3D technology I’ve ever experienced in a movie theater. But also like 2009’s “Avatar” and 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” that’s almost all that “Fire and Ash” has going for it, with a blandly generic plot and insipid dialogue that includes this winner: “When you ride the beast, you become the beast.” “Fire and Ash,” once again directed by James Cameron , with a script from Cameron, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver , takes place shortly after the events of “The Way of Water,” with Jake Sully ( Sam Worthington , somehow even less charming this time around) and Neytiri (a criminally underutilized Zoe Saldaña) still grieving over the death of their son Neteyam. Lo’ak ( Britain Dalton ) blames himself for his older brother’s death; Neytiri is questioning her faith in Eywa, the Na’vi deity that governs the global consciousness of Pandora, the moon on which they live. It’s rather dour, but understandably so. And then there’s the matter of the Sky People (aka humans), who are still set on colonizing Pandora after ruining Earth for humanity, even if the indigenous population keeps halting their advances. (Most humans on Pandora continue to lack any depth or subtlety, single-mindedly focused on taking over the moon without any regard to the morality of the situation — including being OK with killing sapient whalelike creatures to harvest them so humans can stop aging.) The plot, in essence, is a direct continuation of “The Way of Water,” with Stephen Lang reprising his role as Col. Miles Quartich, who leads the charge against Jake and his family both to help colonize the moon and because he hates Jake and Neytiri for killing his former human self. (His consciousness was implanted into an Avatar body — a hybrid between human and Na’vi — in the second movie.) This time around, though, Quartich pairs up with the Mangkwan clan, aka the Ash People, a group of Na’vi that reject Eywa after losing their village in a volcanic eruption, and are basically pirates. Their leader, Varang ( Oona Chaplin ), who at one point claims “I am the fire!”, wants to cover the world in flame. In that, Quartich sees a means to an end. Not that it matters much, because at this point, I’m not sure anyone sees an “Avatar” movie for the story. It’s a good thing, then, that “Fire and Ash” is such a technical knockout, from its visuals to costume and sound design. The world of Pandora is vibrancy incarnate, brimming with eye-popping gorgeousness: a flying creature’s gossamer wings, painted in cotton candy hues; glittering bioluminescence wherever you look; a cultlike celebration cast in shadow and fire. Every visual element is masterful, from the smallest detail (a Na’vi’s ear twitching) to the largest (an enormous fireball descending from the sky). And the action is fierce, kinetic and basically nonstop in “Fire and Ash.” The ending sequence goes on a bit too long (as does the movie in general, at 195 minutes), but it’s all generally entertaining, if you forgive the fact that the spectacle replaces the story for the most part. For a franchise that roots its characters’ traditions in song, it’s a shame each new entry feels so one note, and a repetitive one at that. But it’s par for the course for “Avatar” at this point. If you liked the first two movies (which jointly made $5.2 billion at the box office, so it’s fair to say many did), you’ll enjoy “Fire and Ash,” which should be seen in 3D on the biggest screen possible. Just don’t be surprised if the only thing that sticks with you is that water, gently lapping at the screen. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa coh

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Los Angeles (dpa) – Netflix has released a trailer for the second batch of episodes for the long-awaited final season of "Stranger Things", arriving on December 25 or December 26, depending on your location. "This whole time everything we have ever assumed about the upside down has been dead wrong," Dustin can be heard saying in thetrailer , over flashes of scenes hinting at a blockbuster showdown. Among the questions to be answered: Can Max and Holly escape their mind prison? What is the extent of Will's newly discovered powers? And perhaps most importantly: Can the return of Eleven's 'sister' Kali in the finale make sense of season 2's controversial plot diversion? The wait has been long for the finale of a series that premiered in the summer of 2016 and became a global phenomenon almost overnight, with its mix of fantasy, mystery, horror and coming-of-age, plus a heavy dose of 1980s flair and pop culture nods. The launch at 5 pm US Pacific Time means many in the Eastern Hemisphere will need to wait another day (or at least until after midnight) before they can watch. Fans will have to wait until New Year's Eve for the final episode, which the Duffer Brothers previously told dpa they had long been preparing for. "We've always had the ending in mind, the last scene in particular," Matt Duffer said in an interview in November. "We've had that for seven years or something. So that provided us with a North Star that we were confident in. So we were always building towards that moment." What's happened so far (careful, spoilers) In season one, set in 1983, Will Byers disappears. His friends Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson and Lucas Sinclair, searching for him, meet the mysterious girl Eleven, who has extraordinary powers. They, and Will’s mother Joyce, discover a parallel shadow world, the Upside Down, where the fearsome Demogorgon lurks. After Will is rescued, Hawkins faces a greater threat in 1984. A creature called the Mind Flayer invades victims’ thoughts and takes control of their will. In season three, set in 1985, Soviet agents infiltrate Hawkins to open a portal to the shadow world, bringing more unwelcome visitors. Police chief Jim Hopper sacrifices himself to close the portal from the other side and ends up in a Russian penal camp where Demogorgons are being used for experiments. Season four opens with unexplained deaths in Hawkins. An intelligent entity called Vecna haunts citizens in their dreams. Eleven learns she has a link to Vecna rooted in her traumatic past. The shadow world breaches the real one and parts of the town must be evacuated. The first episodes of season five have so far set up Vecna's mysterious return, introducing a new enemy in the US military played by 1980s legend Linda Hamilton, while Eleven looks set to be backed up by her 'sister' Kali and Will with his newfound powers. The following information is not intended for publication dpa coh

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The shock killing of cult director Rob Reiner will prompt many to return to his impressive catalogue of films. But where to begin? Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – Rob Reiner was born into the lineage of comedy thanks to his father, television pioneer Carl Reiner, and he first gained recognition as an actor, including his Emmy-winning role on “All in the Family.” And while there is certainly a streak of humor through almost all of his films, what marks Reiner’s work as a director is his astonishing versatility, able to switch styles from one project to the next with remarkable ease. The run of films that begins with his feature directing debut, 1984’s “This Is Spinal Tap,” on through 1986’s “Stand by Me,” 1987’s “The Princess Bride,” 1989’s “When Harry Met Sally…,” 1990’s “Misery,” 1992’s “A Few Good Men” and 1995’s “The American President” is simply breathtaking for its mastery across the specrum of popular Hollywood moviemaking. ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984) Though not strictly the first to explore the form, Reiner’s first feature as director more or less cemented the concept of the “mockumentary,” presenting itself as a documentary on the (fictional) rock band Spinal Tap. Reiner appeared onscreen as Marty DiBergi, director of the faux film-within-the-film, forming a neat transition from his career as an actor to director. And while this year’s sequel “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” wasnot particularly well received , the legacy of the original, still among the most quotable comedies ever made, remains untouchable. —Mark Olsen ‘The Sure Thing’ (1985) Made amid the teen sex comedy craze of the 1980s, Reiner’s second film, about two college students sharing a cross-country car trip together, had something special and different about it — namely the performances of John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga, who both brought an openhearted tenderness to a story that might have toppled into cynicism. The emotional earnestness that would often come through in Reiner’s work first emerged here, making what could have been a run-of-the-mill exercise into something more. —M.O. ‘Stand by Me’ (1986) Based on a novella by Stephen King, “Stand by Me” is about four boys — played by Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and River Phoenix — who find their friendship tested during a particularly eventful Labor Day weekend of 1959. Approaching the story with a mix of dewy nostalgia and incisive clarity, the film earned Reiner the first of three nominations from the Directors Guild of America. —M.O. ‘The Princess Bride’ (1987) It would beinconceivableto not include “The Princess Bride” in any consideration of Reiner’s best, as the swashbuckling fantasy romance embodies a sense of playful inventiveness and anything-can-happen ethos. An elderly man reads a story to his grandson as the action comes to life in the tale of a farm boy and a princess who are fated to be together, if only they can overcome all manner of trials and challenges. The movie has now enchanted multiple generations of children and adults alike. —M.O. ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ (1989) As much as any other movie, “When Harry Met Sally…” (scripted by Nora Ephron) has come to embody the modern romantic comedy with its will they-won’t-they tale of two good friends who come to realize they may also work as something more. Grounded by the charming performances of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, as well as a strong supporting cast including Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby, the film has a rare warmth. It was Reiner’s mother Estelle who delivered the unforgettable punchline, “I’ll have whatshe’shaving.” —M.O. ‘Misery’ (1990) Reiner named his production company Castle Rock Entertainment in honor of his deep love for Stephen King’s fiction and after making a splash with “Stand by Me,” there was no way he wasn’t going do something scarier as a follow up. (You get a hint in “When Harry Met Sally” — look at the hardcover Crystal is skimming.) King’s captive-author nightmare gets classed up by two knockout performances calibrated in perfect harmony: Kathy Bates’ psycho fan, a turn that earned her an Oscar, and James Caan as the bedbound writer. At the time, Caan was an actor in need of a second chance. Reiner was it. —Joshua Rothkopf ‘A Few Good Men’ (1992) Reiner seemingly conquered yet another movie genre with this tightly wound military courtroom thriller and received his only Academy Award nomination, for best picture. Reiner was also recognized with nominations from the Directors Guild, Producers Guild and Golden Globes for the film. Written by Aaron Sorkin and featuring a cast that includes Tom Cruise and Demi Moore, this has Jack Nicholson’s volcanic delivery of the now-legendary line, “You can’t handle the truth!” —M.O. ‘The American President’ (1995) A president as a romantic lead? Such things actually happened during the Clinton era. Reiner injects warmth and realism to Sorkin’s swaggering original script, loaded with wonky dialogue and walk-and-talks. But it’s the careful steering of Michael Douglas as a widowed U.S. leader and rising star Annette Bening as an extra-persuasive eco-lobbyist that distinguish this gentle comedy, one that seems positively alien to our current climate. Widely known for his vigilant activism in later years, Reiner’s on-screen politics were no less optimistic. —J.R. ‘Rumor Has It’ (2005) Not many would dare to take on a sort-of sequel to a movie as beloved as “The Graduate,” but Reiner brought a casual ease to the tale of a woman, played by Jennifer Aniston, who believes her mother and grandmother were the inspiration for Charles Webb’s original source novel. Though reviews at the time largely savaged the movie, it now seems just the kind of self-assured studio comedy audiences yearn for, buoyed by Shirley MacLaine’s outrageous performance as a woman who may be the real Mrs. Robinson. —M.O. ‘Albert Brooks: Defending My Life’ (2023) Reiner received two Emmy nominations for this documentary tribute to comedian, actor and filmmaker Albert Brooks, a friend of Reiner’s since the two met as teenagers at Beverly Hills High. It’s captured as an expansive conversation with the two sharing a meal in a restaurant. As much as the film is a portrait of Brooks, it also reflects Reiner’s own unique position as someone who knew show business and its ups and downs with a rare intimacy. —M.O. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa coh

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Candles, chargers and the cooker are all potential sources of danger that can cause a fire if you don't watch out. Try these ways to cut the risk and know exactly what to do if you spot flames nonetheless. Berlin (dpa) – You may be lighting candles to brighten up shorter days in your part of the world – and they sure make for a cosy atmosphere. But a moment of distraction and they can easily become a fire hazard – say if your blind or curtains suddenly go up in flames. "As a general rule, never leave open flames unattended in your home," says Hermann Dinkler, fire safety expert at the TÜV association in Berlin. Many of us know this, yet fires caused by open flames keep occurring when someone briefly leaves the room. Consider these tips on what to look out for to prevent fire hazards – and be sure you know what to do in the event of an emergency. The classics – candles, cigarettes and the stove A forgotten candle is just one example but many such risks lurk in your flat or house that can cause a fire. Human error and carelessness are often the cause from a burning cigarette in bed or an unattended pot on the stove. You might just glance at your mobile phone or open the front door, and suddenly the pot or pan with hot fat on the stove has caught fire. "Don't pour water on it," Dinkler says. "The fat will explode, splattering all over the kitchen and setting the surrounding area on fire. There is also a risk of serious skin injuries." It is safer to smother the fire by placing a lid on the pan. Then turn off the hob and remove the pot from the heat. But be careful: if the risk seems too great, it is better to close the kitchen door, leave the flat and call the fire brigade. Overheating, overload and brittle cables Around a third of house fires are caused by electricity, according to damage statistics from Germany's Institute for Damage Prevention and Damage Research (IFS). "It's not just toasters, hairdryers or kitchen stoves that generate heat that can cause fires," says Carsten-Michael Pix from the German Fire Service Association. All household appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines or dryers are potential sources of danger – especially if your appliances are no longer in good condition. Damage to electrical appliances usually occurs gradually. Daily use causes cables to wear out over time. Plugs, plastic housings or cable sheathing become brittle, making the appliances particularly susceptible to short circuits and overheating. Your washing machine may have been working well for years in a damp bathroom environment but it can rust unnoticed. "If water then penetrates the housing and ultimately the electrical wiring through leaks, a fire can occur," says Pix. Tumble dryers are also susceptible to defects due to moisture. Check your household appliances and their electrical cables and connections regularly, Pix says. "Pay particular attention to the connection points where the cables are fed into the appliance. These are often exposed in older appliances." If you notice a defect in an appliance or cable, you should have it repaired or replace the equipment. Underestimated danger: batteries and multiple sockets Other sources of danger in the home are multiple sockets, charging cables and batteries, according to Pix. Multiple sockets are often used when there are not enough permanently installed sockets in the home. "However, if too many powerful power consumers are connected to the multiple sockets, they quickly become overloaded," Dinkler says. This can cause them to overheat and start fires. Connecting several multiple sockets together is particularly risky. The load and thus the fire hazard is particularly high in older houses, where old electrical cables are still in use. Chargers and batteries for electric bicycles or e-scooters can also be problematic. "There have been house fires with extensive damage because lithium-ion batteries caught fire while charging overnight," says Pix. There is a similar risk when charging mobile phones or tablets. The tricky thing about fires caused by electricity is that they can occur at any time, during the day, at night or while on holiday. So how can they be prevented? "Anything that is not in use should be disconnected from the power supply if possible," says Pix. If possible, only switch on electrical appliances when someone is at home. And only charge batteries when someone is awake so you can react in an emergency. If the fire originates from an electrical appliance, unplug it if possible or trip the residual current device. How else can I prevent fires? Smoke detectors, which are mandatory in private homes in many places, can save lives. They are particularly useful at night when people are less likely to smell fire while they are sleeping. "Precisely because many sources of fire lie hidden, it is important that someone is on the lookout and warns of danger," says Pix. In an emergency, the devices emit a loud sound. Residents should ensure that their smoke detectors are operational at all times. The same applies to fire extinguishers. It is good to have one in the house. "But you also have to be able to use it," says Dinkler. Also be sure your fire extinguisher is in good working order – which is not always the case if it has been hanging on the wall or standing in the corner unused for years. Consider a few things in advance too as a fire always takes people by surprise, causing stress and excitement, says Pix. "You can be prepared though." Take a quiet moment to consider: What do I actually do if there is a fire?What equipment do I have?Do I need a fire extinguisher?Where are the escape routes?Where can I find help? "This way, in an emergency, which hopefully will never occur, you can act calmly and appropriately," says Pix. If in doubt, call the fire brigade – and do not put yourself in danger. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn kaf mod sw xxde arw

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Vienna (dpa) – Lyrics of successful songs in the United States have become simpler and more negative over recent decades, according to a University of Vienna study by psychologists Mauricio Martins and Markus Foramitti. "People tend to the music that matches their own mood," said Foramitti, whose analysis was published in the journal Scientific Reports in December. The researchers examined the lyrics of the 100 most popular English-language songs in the Billboard Hot 100 each year from 1973 to 2023, a total of 20,186 songs. To classify "stress-related" words, they used a recognised lexicon of 270 terms such as "abuse", "attack" and "pressure". Nouns such as "pain" and "anger" were counted as negative. A song was considered simpler the more words could be removed without reducing comprehensibility. Foramitti said that an example of a complex song was "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973) by Elton John. The lyrics of US star Taylor Swift contained stress-laden words and dealt with heartbreak, as in "Bad Blood", which counted as negative in the study’s context. By contrast, "Special" by Lizzo from 2023 was associated with little stress and low complexity. While people usually like to listen to music in line with their mood, it was different in extreme situations such as the coronavirus pandemic, the authors said. Around those crisis years, the lyrics of successful songs became more cheerful. "This points to people escaping from an overwhelming everyday reality," said Foramitti. The authors also noted a new trend since 2016. Since then, lyric complexity has risen markedly again, they said. Looking at the political landscape, Donald Trump’s first presidency may have also played a role in songwriting, the authors posit. However Foramitti cautioned that closer investigation is still needed to determine whether the then and current US president is truly a major cause in the turnaround in lyric trends. The following information is not intended for publication dpa mrd xx n1 swe

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London (PA Media/dpa) – Hollywood star Timothee Chalamet has said his new sports drama is an “antidote to dark times” and one of the films he is “most proud of”. The 29-year old, known for "Dune" and "A Complete Unknown," stars in the new Josh Safdie movie "Marty Supreme" alongside Gwyneth Paltrow. It follows Marty Mauser as he chases his dream of becoming a table tennis champion. Speaking on "The Graham Norton Show," Chalamet described the film as “incredible” and “important” to show. He said: “It is an incredible, unconventional movie with an incredible, unconventional director. “It’s about the pursuit of the singular dream of following your heart. “I believe it is an important film to put out now. I hope this movie can serve as an antidote to the dark times because ultimately it is about dreaming big. “What starts off as a table tennis movie evolves into a heist film, and lands in a very human place. It is one of the films I am most proud of.” The film has had three Golden Globe nominations, including for best screenplay and best picture for musical or comedy, with Chalamet up for best male actor in a motion picture musical or comedy. The film also stars US rapper Tyler The Creator, with a supporting cast including Fam star Odessa A’zion, Canadian TV personality Kevin O’Leary, US filmmaker Abel Ferrara, and Saturday Night Fever actress Fran Drescher. Safdie is known for directing "Good Time" (2017), with Robert Pattinson, and "Uncut Gems" (2019), starring Adam Sandler and Julia Fox. Chalamet is at the centre of a rumour that he is the Liverpool rapper EsDeeKid. On Thursday Chalamet was asked by BBC One presenter Greg James if he was the rapper, to which the actor replied: “All will be revealed in due time.” A photograph of EsDeeKid, whose face is covered up, sparked the theory with comments suggesting his eyes looked similar to Chalamet’s. Chalamet rose to fame after starring in Luca Guadagnino’s acclaimed 2017 romance "Call Me By Your Name." He has gone on to star in "Little Women" (2019), "The King" (2019) and "Wonka" (2023) and won the leading actor prize at the Sag Awards in February for his role as Bob Dylan in the biopic "A Complete Unknown." "Marty Supreme" is to be released on December 25 in Britain and the US with other markets coming later. The following information is not intended for publication dpa pa arw

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Set aside enough time, create the right mood and remember, the journey is the destination – and you are set to make cookies with youngsters. Start by letting them pick the recipe they want to make. Berlin (dpa) – Strap on your apron and wipe off the kitchen surfaces. It's the time of year where many of us bake festive cookies to give to friends and relatives – or eat ourselves. If you have kids who are eager to help, then bear in mind that the journey is always the destination. Here's how to make baking as enjoyable as possible for the little ones. Instructions for baking cookies with children Three important things to prepare: Time management: Allow plenty of time! An hour between appointments won't work. If you're pressed for time, the project will fail, says Christina Bauer, a farmer in Göriach, Austria, and author of a book about baking with children. Nutritionist Dagmar von Cramm also warns, "Please don't do anything else at the same time!" Atmosphere: Creating a good atmosphere is a must: "Christmas music makes it much easier," says Christiane Kührt, author of "Christmas made easy – Yummy." How long children can keep baking cookies Don't choose more than one or two recipes. "If there are more, it's no longer fun," says Bauer. "Preschoolers can last a maximum of 30 minutes – schoolchildren longer," says von Cramm, of her rule of thumb. Kührt suggests you spread Christmas baking over two days. Bake cookies on the first day and decorate them on the second. "Otherwise, you'll quickly find yourself alone in the kitchen," she says. Baking cookies is simply fun. Three tips for more baking fun with children Children decide what to bake Bauer advises letting the little ones choose the recipes beforehand. For baking blogger Kathrin Runge, the right recipes are those that can be prepared in a relatively short time and don't need to stay in the oven for too long. These include butter cookies and coconut macaroons, for example. Children like to dress up Aprons are good for protecting clothes. And they're fun. "Little bakers love having their own long aprons. You can also tie a large tea towel around them, for example – then they look like real bakers or chefs," says Runge. Separate utensils for children "Every child needs their own wooden board and a small rolling pin, for example," says Runge. Special accessories such as children's baking tins are nice, "but in my opinion not really necessary." What tasks are suitable for children when baking biscuits? Children can help with these fun – and crucial – four activities: 1. Weighing2. Snacking3. Cutting out4. Decorating Let's get started: from kneading the dough to decorating Get all the ingredients ready Children want to get started right away. So it's a good idea to have all the ingredients ready before you begin. "If you start gathering ingredients now, you'll cause the first big disappointment," says Bauer. This includes sealed packages: "They should already be open." Now you can start weighing the ingredients, an exciting activity for children which they really enjoy. Start with the eggs All the ingredients are weighed. The mixing bowl is ready. If eggs are part of the recipe, start with them. Children aged four to five can separate the egg whites from the yolks. If some of the shell slips in, it's easy enough to fish it out. Flat dough sheet instead of a large ball All the ingredients have been kneaded into a dough. Instead of a large ball, Kührt says form a finger-thick sheet from the dough and place it in the refrigerator. "This can then easily be rolled out between two sheets of cling film or baking paper. This prevents more flour from being added, which only makes the dough hard and crumbly." Alternative: knead the dough yourself beforehand Von Cramm and Kührt recommend preparing the dough yourself the day beforehand. Kührt would also mix the icing for decorating without the children – but only shortly before you need to use it. "Because stirring until the desired consistency is achieved could take too long for children," says Kührt. If you don't have time for this, you can also use icing from a bag. Children don't like hearing the phrase: "Wait, it's not ready yet!" Here are some even more taboo phrases when baking cookies with kids: "Leave it, I'll do it.""Wait, not yet.""Don't use too many sprinkles." Snacking is allowed Licking the bowl must be allowed. This is the rule in Christiane Bauer's bakery, where she emphasizes the importance of using very fresh ingredients. Von Cramm suggests using a special snack dough made without eggs (due to the risk of salmonella) as baking without snacking is no fun, in her view. Individuality before beauty When cutting out and decorating cookies, don't expect what you make to win a beauty contest. When baking with children, Bauer's motto is, "Creativity before beauty." Runge also advises you to stay calm, be patient and give lots of praise – even if something didn't turn out quite right. Von Cramm also warns against excessive ambition. "Children's biscuits don't have to be perfect." In the end, every child should get their own tin for "their" biscuits. Five tips for greater safety when baking cookies Adults can easily take a baking tray out of the hot oven, brush hot chocolate coating onto a cake or chop dried fruit into small pieces. "Unfortunately, with children, the whole thing can quickly go wrong," warns Runge. Runge recommends: talking to children about potential dangers,make agreements,set a good example andconsider installing protective devices on the hob and oven. Most importantly, if the children are still small, always stay with them in the kitchen! "Not only for safety reasons – it's so much fun to watch the little ones making dough, decorating and snacking," says Runge. How to create wonderful memories Remember to take photos of the children baking cookies. After all, snapshot of little bakers in action could be great in your Christmas card. "It's a lovely memory and you can see how the children grow and become more independent from Christmas to Christmas," says Kührt. Three simple recipes for children: Recipe 1: Melted Snowman This is an idea from the German Guild of Bakers based on the motto "Some people are worth melting for," from Disney's "Frozen": A round biscuit with white icing is the melted part of the snowman, topped with a marshmallow as the head – decorated with chocolate eyes and a mouth. The arms are painted onto the icing base and colourful chocolate pearls are scattered on top as buttons. Ingredients: 300 grams of flour200 grams of soft butter80 grams of sugarGrated zest of one organic lemon1/2 beaten and stirred egg Preparation: Knead the ingredients into a dough and chill for 40 minutes.Then roll out the dough on a floured work surface, cut out round biscuits and bake for approx. 8 minutes. When the biscuits have cooled completely, add a round dollop of icing and a white marshmallow to the top. Decorate the eyes, nose, mouth, arms and belly buttons with icing and black chocolate pearls. Make even more little snowmen while you wait for the dough to cool – simply shape raw marzipan into small balls, assemble them and decorate them by icing the face and adding rubber strings as a scarf and chocolate moulds as a hat. "These cute little monsters are a big hit," says Kührt. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn cwg nhr xxde arw

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Some mistakes easily made by bakers include glancing at the recipe too swiftly. First, check you have everything ready. Once you are all set, take it slow and steady so your cookies turn out perfectly. Berlin (dpa) – People in many parts of the world bake cookies and give them to others especially during the holidays. But baking, as many of us know, is all about precision. So to achieve excellent results, you need to be well organized. Here is how to avoid mistakes when baking cookies. Potential mistake number 1: Skimming the recipe You can easily overlook an important step or ingredient if you skim over the recipe. People often overlook the times for proving or resting dough, and that occasionally causes problems for baking enthusiasts. Also, rookies tend to modify the recipe as they see fit or vary the order of the ingredients. Solution: Carefully read all the way through the recipe before you start baking to get an overview of the duration, difficulty and ingredients, say specialists from the German Bakers' Association. Here are some details that people often overlook: Does the dough need time to cool or rise?Are all of the baking utensils and ingredients ready?To what temperature should the oven be preheated? Potential mistake number 2: Guessing rather than measuring the ingredients Acting on instinct and guessing visually when following a recipe can complicate even the most ambitious baking project as baking requires precision. Otherwise your dough may quickly become too crumbly, too sticky or too firm. Solution: Measure the ingredients exactly as specified in the recipe. Ideally, weigh everything with scales, including liquids, otherwise the consistency and baking will be thrown off balance, experts warn. It is fine to vary the amount of sugar or spices slightly. But if you want to achieve the same result as in the recipe, you must adhere to the quantities specified. After all, there is usually a technical reason why a recipe contains the specified quantities. "If you change the quantities, resting times, baking times or temperatures, the result will also be different," says German guild baker Florian Lutz, a third-generation baker. He is not only one of 80 bread sommeliers worldwide, but also knows how to make perfect biscuits. Despite measuring accurately, shortcrust pastry – the classic type of dough for biscuits – can sometimes be difficult to roll out, breaking or crumbling. This is probably due to… Potential mistake number 3: Working shortcrust pastry too long Solution: "Shortcrust pastry must be prepared quickly. This means that the ingredients should be kneaded together quickly and the dough should not be rolled out over and over again," says baking blogger and baking book author Kathrin Runge. Do not use too much flour, otherwise the shortcrust pastry will break. Potential mistake number 4: Roll out pastry with wrong amount of flour If the dough sticks, some amateur bakers use far too much flour on the work surface. This can also make the shortcrust pastry dry and crumbly. However, if there is too little flour, it may stick. Solution: Runge suggests you can roll out shortcrust pastry better if you cut open a large freezer bag and work the dough between two layers. Potential mistake number 5: Shortcrust pastry is at the wrong temperature Solution 1: If the dough is too warm, you will need to cool it whoch could take a while. Otherwise, the butter can become too soft when rolling out, which sometimes leads to shortcrust pastry tearing, says Runge. Solution 2: Immediately after cooling, your shortcrust pastry may be still too hard to roll out. Wait until it has reached room temperature. Small mistakes – big impact. Why is dough so sensitive? "If you knead the dough for too long or roll it out when it is too warm, the fat will run out. It will then become tough and tear easily. If you notice that the dough is getting too warm, simply put it back in the fridge and continue later," says Lutz. Even if you avoid these mistakes, things don't always go smoothly. Some frequently asked questions and answers: 1. Which flour is best for cookies? Master baker Lutz prefers type 550 wheat flour and type 405 wheat flour. These two types also work best for Dagmar von Cramm, nutritionist and food blogger, though she also finds type 1050 wheat or spelt flour good for nut and chocolate biscuits. Wholemeal flour is more difficult for beginners to work with, though. 2. Can you stir the shortcrust pastry for biscuits? Lutz says no. "Shortcrust pastry works best when it is kneaded quickly and briefly by hand and then placed in the refrigerator overnight to cool. This makes it perfect for working with the next day." Pre-cool the bowl and spoons, too. 3. Why does shortcrust pastry have to rest in the refrigerator? Without refrigeration, it is often difficult to roll out because it is too soft and sticky. Shortcrust pastry from the refrigerator, which has then reached room temperature, is easier to work with. Resting also allows the individual ingredients to bind better, and sugar crystals dissolve more easily. "It's also no problem to leave shortcrust pastry in the fridge for longer. It can be prepared perfectly and only processed after 2-3 days," says Runge. You can also freeze shortcrust pastry – ideally in small balls so that they thaw more quickly. 4. Should biscuits be baked with fan-assisted or top/bottom heat? Both are fine. "If you opt for fan-assisted, the oven heats up faster and uses less energy. With top/bottom heat, the biscuits don't dry out as much," says Lutz. 5. How do you make cinnamon stars and other biscuits nice and soft? "Shortbread cookies should hopefully be nice and crispy – at least that's how they should be," says Lutz. Other types, such as cinnamon stars, must remain soft. You can achieve that by baking them for the correct amount of time, not too long. With cinnamon stars, if you feel that they are not ready, then they are ready. The white layer should never turn brown. 6. How do you know when the biscuits are done? That depends entirely on the type. With "normal" shortbread biscuits, meaning those you cut out with a cookie cutter, you can tell by their colour whether they need to be taken out of the oven. "As soon as the colour changes from golden yellow to chestnut brown, the biscuits are done," is Lutz's rule of thumb. Von Cramm advises paying attention to the colour at the edges. "If in doubt, lift the biscuits and look at the underside." Also, if you are making shortbread biscuits, the cut-out biscuits themselves do not need to rest, says Lutz. 7. What surface is suitable for cutting out biscuits? It's important that the surface is hard says Lutz. Surfaces made of wood, stone, metal, plastic and so on are generally suitable.You need a hard surface for cutting out biscuits. 8. How do you make icing for biscuits? To make the icing, Lutz simply takes a teaspoon of lemon juice – or more, depending on how many biscuits there are – and mixes it with enough icing sugar to create a thick consistency. If you want a specific colour, add food colouring. "It's best to use powder, otherwise the liquid ratio will be off." 9. Should cookies be decorated before or after baking? Add sugar pearls and the like before baking, but icing decorations should only be added afterwards Lutz says. Von Cramm finds that cookies usually look more decorative with icing or sugar writing. However, they should not be placed directly on top of each other. "Nuts or chocolate decorations that bake with the cookies are more stable. They bond with the dough, which is coated with egg before decorating," she says. Nuts actually develop more flavour when baked. Be careful with dried fruit or sugar decorations. "They quickly become too hard or burn during baking." 10. How can you keep biscuits fresh for as long as possible? "Biscuits stay fresh and tasty for a long time in an airtight metal tin," says Lutz. Let the biscuits cool before placing them in the…

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Cologne, Germany (dpa) – A miso-based umami marinade transforms roasted pointed cabbage into an explosion of flavour, paired with celeriac and potato purée, spring onions and a squeeze of lime. The umami bomb at the heart of this recipe is miso paste. Made from fermented soybeans, it naturally contains a hefty dose of glutamate, which delivers that characteristically savoury depth we also know from flavour enhancers. Together with soy sauce, which adds a pleasant saltiness, you get the perfect aromatic base. Garlic rounds it off, and a hint of sugar caramelizes in the oven, making the ideal marinade for the pointed cabbage. In the oven the cabbage also develops fine roasted notes. A simple side of mashed potato would be too dull a counterpoint for so much flavour. So the potatoes get support from some robust celeriac (also in season here in Europe like the pointed cabbage). Two finishing touches perfect the taste: A few spritzes of lime juice add some bright acidity, and a handful of spring onions add crisp freshness. Ingredients for four portions: 5 potatoes (about 600 g) 1/2 celeriac (about 300 g) 150 ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp butter 150 g whipping cream salt 1 clove garlic 4 tbsp soy sauce 4 tbsp miso paste 4 tbsp sesame oil (unrefined) 2 tsp sugar 1 pointed cabbage 4 spring onions 2 organic limes 2 tbsp sesame seeds (toasted) Method: For the purée, peel the potatoes and celeriac and cut into large chunks. Put the vegetables in a pot with the vegetable stock, cover and cook over medium heat until very soft, about 30 to 40 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid and press the vegetables through a potato ricer. Season with butter, cream and salt. Peel the garlic and press it into a bowl. Add soy sauce, miso paste, 3 tbsp sesame oil and the sugar, then whisk until smooth. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (top and bottom heat). If necessary, remove any damaged or wilted outer leaves from the pointed cabbage. Quarter the cabbage, keeping the core attached so the wedges hold together. Place the quarters in a baking dish and brush generously with the marinade so it runs into the layers. Drizzle the remaining sesame oil over the cabbage. Lightly cover the base of the baking dish with water so the marinade does not stick. Bake the pointed cabbage until tender but still with bite, about 40 to 45 minutes depending on size and leaf thickness. Switch on the grill for about five minutes to char the tops until the leaves are well browned. Wash, dry and quarter the limes. Wash and dry the spring onions, trim off the roots and the dark green tops, then slice into fine rings. Spoon the celeriac purée onto four plates. Set a wedge of pointed cabbage on top, then garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve the limes alongside and squeeze over the cabbage before the first bite. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn ueh yyzz n1 xlt cwg tsn

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Tokyo (dpa) – "So cute: Is that a Labrador? Can I pet him? Oh, a terrier you say – my next guess! Did you move here recently by chance?" And so begins another friendly chat with a stranger thanks to a dog. Be it getting a bit of tree-infused park air, ambling round the block or just a quick wander to the shops, having a dog on a lead or seeing one is always a potential ice-breaker. Small wonder, then, that a team of Japanese researchers have found an association between owning a dog and having a "stronger sense of community" – an apparent outcome the team puts down to the pets doubling-up as a conduit for "neighbourhood-based connections." "Compared to incidental interactions or friendships, anchored personal relationships fostered by dog ownership are more likely to be perceived as ties with neighbours," the researchers assert in a paper published in the science and medical journal PLOS One on Wednesday. Around 500 residents of Sagamihara in Japan volunteered to take part in the research, which was carried out by psychology and veterinary academics at Rikkyo University and Azabu University. The same tendency for dog-owners adding to connections within a neighbourhood was not seen as much among owners of other pets, including cats – a finding the researchers said was in line with other related work on the subject.  The team called for further research taking in distinctions such as differing effects of dog ownership and dog walking as well as the "frequency, duration, and distance of dog walks." Future studies should also take into account "dog characteristics" – a potentially challenging subtlety which the researchers contend could further help with the "disentanglement of the association between dog ownership and personal relationships." The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)