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Two fierce matriarchs, played by Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, clash over land, power, and family loyalty in Netflix's new Western, "The Abandons". Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – Ah, the Western. That great American canvas, upon which many sorts of motion pictures have been projected, stretching back to the very beginning of the medium: adventure, romance, comedic, serious, simplistic, artistic, racist, revisionist, historical, metaphorical, low-budget, big-budget, dark, light, set in a wild landscape or on the edge of it, where the deer and the antelope play, etc., etc. In 1939, the year John Ford made "Stagecoach," elevating John Wayne to stardom, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry were also busy. (If Wikipedia is to be trusted, something like 120 Westerns were released that year.) Roy and Gene would also have television careers when the tube came knocking, birthing a wealth of Westerns — "Bonanza," "Gunsmoke," "The Rifleman," "The Virginian," "Maverick," "Have Gun, Will Travel," I could go on from here to Missouri. This year we've had"American Primeval" and"Ransom Canyon," the ongoing brilliance of"Dark Winds" and the continuing adventures ofTaylor Sheridan . With so many movies and television series working that vein over more than a century, it's no surprise that the same material turns up again and again. "The Abandons," a new Western premiering this week on Netflix, is thick with old plot points and character types. (Seven episodes out of 10 were available to review.) Admittedly, creator Kurt Sutter has given the tropes a bit of a spin, making two women — played by Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey — adversarial matriarchal leads, but the nuts and bolts come right off the shelf. We are in the town of Angel's Ridge in Washington Territory in the year 1854. Constance Van Ness (Anderson) and Fiona Nolan (Headey) are widows — but not "widder women" — each in charge of her business, turf and adult children. Constance is upper-class, cold, refined, ambitious and the owner of a silver mine. Her brood consists of Willem (Toby Hemingway), the problem child; Garret (Lucas Till), the younger but more capable son (he wears a suit), trouble in his own way; and Trisha (Aisling Franciosi), a fair flower who will nonetheless curse like a sailor at times. She plays Schubert on the piano, a character detail that feels tacked on, but at least it is a character detail. Fiona is her almost mathematically conceived opposite, an earthy rancher with four adopted grown children; there's a horrible dead husband in her backstory. Elias (Nick Robinson) and Dahlia (Diana Silvers) are brother and sister, whose late father left the money for the land upon which Fiona has built their ranch. (Guided and gifted, in her mind, by God.) With them are Albert (Lamar Johnson) and Lilla Belle (Natalia del Riego), "two angels alone and hurting" Fiona met along the way. They are "five abandoned souls, now kin," and so call their ranch the Abandons. Production is down at the mine, which Constance fears will make "my primary associate, the esteemed Mr. Vanderbilt," as in Cornelius, withdraw his investment, which in turn will make Angel's Ridge slide "back into the mud" and won't do Constance any good either. (The town, as even the sheriff describes it, belongs to her.) And so she lusts after a suspected vein of silver running under Jasper Hollow, occupied by Fiona's ranch and three other families, none of whom are in a rush to leave, despite A) her offers of money and B) acts of sabotage to force them to go. They debate whether to "go to the law" or handle her themselves, and because they are democrats, vote on it. The collision of wealthy, often industrial interests with humble workers on the land has been the basis of many a Western; we are meant, as feeling humans, to side with the farmers and the ranchers against the mine owners as custodians rather than despoilers of the Earth. That Willem calls Isaac the blacksmith "a dirty little Jew" doesn't speak well for the Van Nesses, either, but we'll see much worse from him before the opening episode is out — and then we won't see him. On the other hand, Fiona is more than a little crazy and Constance, in her icy way, can seem almost reasonable. At times it seems that the two, as mothers, might be about to make some interesting connection, even common cause, but they are driven apart by mutual antipathy and the fact that each will be guilty of some awful stuff against the other. "Our struggle, Fiona," says Constance, "is a matter concerning property, not children." "All matters concern my children," replies Fiona. "But do our children need such concern or do we slyly foster it clinging to our motherly purpose?" Well, that is the question, and you do wonder why these kids don't just light out for Portland. (Constance, whom one would not exactly call maternal, believes her motherly purpose is superior to Fiona's, "it being one of blood"; Fiona responds, "Love is not shared through blood.") There's a "Romeo and Juliet" subplot as well, involving Elias and Trisha, and though Sutter may not have had Shakespeare specifically on his mind, given that his"Sons of Anarchy" contained a whole lot of "Hamlet," it seems not unlikely. Other plots involve bandits, guns and an Indigenous tribe, the Cayuse, about to sign a treaty and a rebel faction out to scotch it. In spite of supercharged performances by the two leads, there's something pasteboard about the characters, drawn in thick outlines but not really colored in; that the actors are saddled with old-timey dialogue makes them less rather than more real. (As is often the case, minor players make a more lifelike impression, including Michael Greyeyes and Michiel Huisman, who do work, cleaner and dirtier, for Constance, and Ryan Hurst as one of the Jasper Hollow inhabitants, a quiet man with a past and a way with guns, another popular Western type.) The series is busy, certainly, and frequently violent, with a few impressive set pieces, but majestic Canadian scenery aside, "The Abandons" feels artificial, schematic. (Good characters get to make pure, naked love; bad ones have pervy sex — implied, not shown.) Any random three minutes of "Deadwood" or even a still photo of Wayne seem more genuinely expressive of its times, however historically accurate or fanciful they may be. In spite of a nicely conceived main street and a decent complement of extras, Angel's Ridge itself never comes alive. (Patton Oswalt appears briefly as the mayor, his only real job to provide a body for expository dialogue to stream across.) The silver mining at the bottom of all this business isn't portrayed at all, nor are any practical matters of running a ranch; everyone's too busy fussing and feuding, I suppose. Cornelius Vanderbilt, glimpsed briefly on his way to visit Constance, disappears, presumably to resurface in the concluding three episodes; and by "concluding" I mean whatever brings us to the cliffhanger I assume is coming. Beyond the hope of seeing horrible people punished and not-horrible people flourish, which I am always down for, did I care much about the fate of Jasper Hollow or Constance's silver mine? I can't say that I did. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa coh

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Joachim Trier’s new film "Sentimental Value" has cemented his reputation for capturing delicate human emotions. After earning the Grand Prix at Cannes, this film is already being talked about for the Oscars. Berlin (dpa) – Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier has confirmed his status as one of arthouse cinema’s most sought-after directors with “Sentimental Value”, which won the Cannes Grand Prix and is being praised for its acting and distinctive visual language. Few directors capture human feeling in such delicate images as Trier, with some calling him a modern incarnation of cult filmmaker Ingmar Bergman for the emotional depth in his work. Since "The Worst Person in the World" with Renate Reinsve, Trier has been in high demand. When "Sentimental Value" premiered in Cannes, many were sure the family drama would win the Palme d’Or. In the end, Trier received the festival’s second most important award, the Grand Prix. The film lingers in the viewer's thoughts with its outstanding performances and striking imagery. "Sentimental Value" tells a simple story. A father (Stellan Skarsgård) has become estranged from his daughter and tries to reconnect after her mother’s death. Gustav works as a director. His daughter Nora (Reinsve) is a theatre actor and is meant to star in his comeback film. Nora resents that he was not there for her as a child and turns the role down. She generally struggles to allow closeness and suffers depressive episodes. Only with her sister (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) does she have a close relationship. An actor from the US (Elle Fanning) ultimately takes the role, creating new tensions within the family. The centre of events is the family home, which frames the story. Trier uses the house not as a mere backdrop but as a space where relationships become visible. The camera uses walls and door frames to render proximity and distance spatially. He also often moves in close to his characters’ faces, making the finest of emotions visible and heightening the film’s emotional depth. It is a story of family structures, and of the support and the wounds they can contain. At the same time it is about the artistic life. All this is told with melancholy and humour. At one point Gustav gives his young grandson an inappropriate birthday present of Michael Haneke’s morbid psychodrama "The Piano Teacher" on DVD and tells him the film will explain women and their relationships with their mothers. Despite references that will delight cinephiles, "Sentimental Value" can appeal to a broad audience. As in "The Worst Person in the World", it is about love, loss and fear, in essence about life itself. Trier tells it so delicately that the film moved some at May’s festival to tears. An Oscar nomination, at least in the Best International Feature Film category, is considered likely. The following information is not intended for publication dpa lif yyzz n1 cor

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The Duchess of Sussex is staging Christmas in a sparkling show packed with celebrities, anecdotes and recipes. Can Meghan win over fans with her cheery celebrations? She sure is trying. San Francisco, California (dpa) – Wearing a black jumper, Meghan dances through a row of undecorated Christmas trees. Only the best will do for the Sussex home; the tree must be large and lushly green before it is decorated. "Once a year, you can do the tree thing," she says, laughing, before finding the right fir tree and decorating it with glittering baubles in the following scene. It's a highly traditional start to the show by Prince Harry's wife. And now, you can watch her cook and bake her way through a nearly 1-hour long show on Netflix. In "With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration," Meghan invites viewers to a "festive wonderland full of warmth, traditions and lots of joy," the streaming platform says. Guests include chefs Will Guidara and Tom Colicchio, as well as tennis player Naomi Osaka. This all sounds promising, but the show may still struggle in terms of viewers. The first two seasons of the series were savaged by critics, who slammed the shows for lacking authenticity, calling the productions contrived, smug and cloying. Can Meghan turn things around by stirring in a touch more reflection? 'Joyless as coal in a Christmas stocking’ She is trying. In this special, the Duchess of Sussex cooks up all kinds of recipes, makes Advent calendars for her children Archie and Lilibet, serves festive cocktails and gets her hands dirty with cookie dough and beetroot – all to the sound of Christmas music. She also tells stories from her childhood and raves about her mother's Christmas dinner. She laughs as she steps in front of the camera in red pyjamas to announce her next two guests. But despite all her efforts, some aren't buying all that Christmas fever. Even before the release, the British media responded with frosty critique. Watching Meghan skip among the Christmas trees pretending to be cold, you have to "secretly admire" the project, which seems almost like "a deliberate provocation," The Guardian wrote. Rather than genuine joy, Prince Harry's wife served up "a sterile imitation of suspiciously flawless baked goods, fake smiles and artificial emotions," The Telegraph reported. The series presented a celebration "without any soul" and was "as joyless as coal in a Christmas stocking." Meanwhile The Times slammed what it called "meaningless crafts," implausible conversations, going so far as to dismiss the show as a "fever dream." A kiss for Harry We also get to see Prince Harry, standing in the kitchen. He raves about his mother-in-law's Christmas dinner, as Meghan prepares it. Viewers are even treated to a kiss, in a rare scene of this kind of the couple. Meghan and Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, renounced their royal duties more than five years ago and now live with their children in the US. Harry's relationship with his father has long been seen as broken though there were recently indications of an initial rapprochement. After leaving the British royals' inner circle, Meghan and Harry signed a contract with Netflix and brought several projects to the screen. In the summer, they extended their collaboration and signed a multi-year first-look deal. And the platform seems eager as ever to turn out further productions. Meghan's love of Christmas is nothing new. She has been photographed in the past decorating a Christmas tree that was a good four or five metres tall. And she has also celebrated Christmas with the royal family, joining the traditional festivities in Sandringham, despite all the differences, the Telegraph noted. "I love the holiday season," she says in the trailer. Will viewers share the love? The following information is not intended for publication dpa pba xxde arw

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This tidying trend can help bring back calm before Christmas. London (PA Media/dpa) – Before all the Christmas celebrations officially commence, now is the perfect moment to set aside some time for some serious decluttering. Getting the house clean, organised and festive can feel like an overwhelming task, but the snowflake rule offers a simple way to make it more manageable. We got in touch with professional organiser, Lesley Spellman, who hosts "The Declutter Hub" podcast with Ingrid Jansen, who explained exactly what this tidying trend entails and how it can bring a sense of much-needed calm amidst all the Christmas chaos. What exactly is the snowflake rule? Just as no two snowflakes are the same, this decluttering trend encourages you to eliminate any duplicates in your home to create a more streamlined space. “The idea is that you go through your stuff in a really simple way and make choices based on duplicates that you have in your home,” explains Spellman. “You look at where you’ve got duplicates, and then determine which one is the most useful or the most sentimental to you. “This rule takes decluttering right back down to a simple ‘choose this one or that’ kind of idea and encourages you to not have anything additional to what you need in your home.” It helps simplify the often daunting prospect of decluttering. “A very simple method like this is perfect for people who have just found themselves in a position where they’ve got a little bit too much stuff and want to do a clear out ready for Christmas,” says Spellman. “The whole premise of the snowflake method is that it’s quick and speedy and you can get through lots of different rooms before Christmas.” Why is the lead up to Christmas the perfect time to use this method? Helps creates space It’s a great way to prepare your house before the inevitable influx of stuff that tends to accumulate during all the festivities. “It obviously depends on your individual circumstances, but if you’ve got children then there is usually an exponentially crazy influx of stuff coming into the house around Christmas,” says Spellman. “There’s only so much space in your house, so clearing the decks a little bit allows space for these things to come in.” Provides an opportunity to take extra things to a charity shop The snowflake method may also lead to a pile of items that are in a good enough condition to take to the charity shop. “It’s an absolutely brilliant time of year to take things like partywear, brand-new items and Christmas decorations to a charity shop,” says Spellman. “It’s a good thing to do this side of Christmas because a lot of these things will be less useful to charity shops afterwards.” Helps you feel calmer “There’s just this feeling of calm that comes with having less,” highlights Spellman. “Having control of your home and that feeling that you get from decluttering and organising your home just makes you feel a little bit calmer.” Provides the opportunity to teach your kids a lesson “If you’ve got children, I think it’s really important to teach them that you can’t just ask for loads more stuff from Santa or mum and dad without letting go of some of the stuff that you’ve already got,” says Spellman. “I think teaching those lessons early on is a really good thing. Can help you uncover things “By following the snowflake method you will probably uncover a lot of stuff that you completely forgot about which might stop you from buying new things, so will therefore help you save money,” says Spellman. “Through this process you might also uncover things like Christmas cards, gift bags and wrapping paper that you can use up rather than buying new.” Gives you a kickstart on new year organising “So many people wait until January, which is obviously a big time for decluttering, but it’s brilliant to start now and get ahead of the game,” says Spellman. “Investing a little bit of time in decluttering now will help you feel so much calmer and more accomplished.” Here are some helpful tips on how to get started… Think about what the goal is “It’s really important to understand what the big picture goal is,” says Spellman. “Ask yourself, why do you want to do it? Is it for the children or have you got guests coming over? “Think about what’s important to you and what’s going to help turn the dial on a little bit more.” Focus on one room at a time “Decluttering the communal rooms is probably going to be the priority,” says Spellman. “The kitchen is a great place to start as it’s the hub of the home and it’s important to have that as a space that you are proud of and feel comfortable in.” Break it down into manageable chunks “If you start a massive declutter which takes you from 8 am on Saturday morning to 7 pm at night, then you are going to be completely worn out and won’t want to do any more the following day,” says Spellman. “But if you instead break it down over a few different weekends and start with the kitchen and break it down cupboard by cupboard that will help you manage your own energy levels.” The following information is not intended for publication dpa pa arw

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Berlin (dpa) – Your shoes may have started to smell – it would not be surprising as our feet sweat more than many people think. During the day, the amount of sweat can quickly add up to the equivalent of a small shot glass. Do remove this moisture as otherwise it accumulates inside your shoes, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow. That's what causes an unpleasant smell. However, with a little prevention and some proper care, you can easily avoid such odours. Prevention through airing, choice of materials To prevent shoes from starting to smell in the first place, Claudia Schulz from the German Shoe Institute recommends: Changing shoes regularly and allowing each pair to rest for at least 24 hours. Newspaper placed inside the shoes overnight draws out any residual moisture. Cedar shoe trees are particularly effective as they absorb moisture and give off a pleasant scent. The choice of materials also plays a role. Leather or natural fibres such as cotton and linen absorb sweat better than synthetic materials. Wearing socks made of natural fibres such as merino wool or cotton also reduces perspiration inside the shoe. "Walking barefoot in trainers or closed shoes, on the other hand, is not a good idea, as moisture then accumulates even faster," says Schulz. If shoes smell already What can you do if your shoes already smell and cannot be put in the washing machine? The simplest method is to air them out regularly, using a fan if necessary, says Schulz. Try using antibacterial sprays from the chemist's or based on essential oils as they also help to reduce germs and neutralize odours. You can also put lemon slices in your shoes or scented sachets with herbs are suitable home remedies. "Baking powder or coffee powder, on the other hand, are often not strong enough to effectively combat the smell," she says. You can also place your shoes in a bag in the freezer for a few hours. The cold kills bacteria and reduces odours, but this method is more suitable for textile and plastic shoes than for delicate leather. Care depends on material Leather shoes require more care. They should be treated regularly with creams to moisturise and keep the material supple. You can clean suede leather such as velour with special brushes and can also treat them to repel dirt and moisture. You can clean textile shoes or trainers in the washing machine under certain circumstances, but be careful as especially with mixed materials or glued soles, you may start to see unsightly edges or loose seams, says Schulz. It is safer to wash them gently by hand with a mild detergent. If you use the washing machine, you should put the shoes in a laundry bag, wash the laces separately and select a gentle cycle. To keep your shoes extra fresh, store them with scented sachets or even spray a little of your favourite perfume in the shoe box – that gives the shoes a very personal touch. Don't forget foot hygiene If you want to prevent odours in the long term, go beyond caring for your shoes. Do wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly prevents sweat odours. You can also use foot powder and special deodorants to help reduce the production of sweat. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn nam tsn xxde arw

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A new Netflix docuseries dives into the turbulent rise and fall of Sean "Diddy" Combs, uncovering shocking details — from a violent childhood in New York to explosive allegations of his involvement in the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. New York (tca/dpa) – Netflix released its long-awaited50 Cent- produced documentary “ Sean Combs : The Reckoning ” on Tuesday, featuring unseen footage, major revelations and exclusive insider interviews. Thefour-part docuseries covers everything from the rap mogul’s troubled childhood to the tragedies that shaped his career. Here’s a rundown of the doc’s most jaw-dropping revelations about Diddy’s rise and fall. Combs’ chaotic childhood The documentary explores the violence and chaos of Combs’childhood in Mount Vernon, N.Y. , including alleged beatings at the hands of his mother. AfterDiddy’s drug-dealer father was murdered when he was 3 years old, his mother, Janice, took on a strict disciplinarian role, according to childhood friend Tim Patterson . “His beatings made me scared,” Patterson said. “I got beatings … but when he got his beatings, it wasn’t a joking thing.” Patterson also revealed that Combs grew up in a home where wild parties were the norm. “Janice knew how to throw a party, and the parties were packed,” Patterson said. “You got the ladies who looked like they were straight out of a ‘Jet’ magazine. Some brothers up there. If you want to call them pimps, you can. If you want to call them hustlers, you can. You got a member of the New York Knicks, or two. There was a stage in her living room, literally a stage. And that’s where we used to have to go and dance. And everybody’s calling you, ‘Baby.’ And everybody’s saying, ‘Do that dance.’ And all of this stuff he’s taking in.” Diddy attempted a “propaganda” campaign before his arrest Six days beforeCombs was arrested in September 2024 , he attempted to form a plan to activate a pro-Diddy campaign on social media, according to the documentary. Footage exposes an intense conversation between the Bad Boy Records founder and his lawyer regarding the perception of him online. Diddy hoped to repair his public image by bringing in a strategist, saying it should be “somebody that has dealt in the dirtiest of dirtiest, dirty business of media and propaganda.” Jurors explain mixed verdict in trial “I do feel it’s important that we let the public know from the jurors’ standpoint just kind of how we reached the verdict,” Juror 160 said in the documentary. “It’s not everything that the media has put it out to be.” Twojurors from Combs’ trial , who convicted him on charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, said they felt his relationship with Cassie Ventura was definitely violent, but they didn’t think the evidence was strong enough to convict him of themore serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering . “You can’t beat that small girl like that, the way he did,” one juror said, in reference to thesurveillance video of Combs brutally beating Ventura in a hotel hallway, but noted that “domestic violence wasn’t one of the charges” against Combs. The second juror said he felt “confused” by the complicated nature of Combs and Ventura’s relationship, explaining that they’d see evidence of violence and then “the next minute, they’re going on dinners and trips.” Allegations of involvement in Tupac and Biggie deaths Interviews with former artists and staff at Bad Boy Records revealed behind-the-scenes stories about the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls , with severalclaiming Combs was heavily involved . With interviews from Mark Curry , Roxanne Johnson and Bad Boy co-founder Kirk Burrowes , the documentary alleges that Combs helped escalate the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry in the 1990s. According to Burrowes, Combs “ushered Biggie to his death” by pressuring the “Big Poppa” artist to go to Los Angeles to promote his album, even though Smalls didn’t want to go and knew it was dangerous. Burrowes also alleged that he now believes Combs similarly “had a lot to do with the death of Tupac.” The documentary claims that Diddy paid drug kingpinDuane ‘Keffe D’ Davis to have Shakur killed in 1996. Davis is currently awaiting trial in connection to Shakur’s death. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa coh

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It takes work and application to learn how to write by hand. Surely, these days everyone tends to type? Not so fast, says an educational expert, who spells out why it makes sense to learn handwriting and how parents can help motivate youngsters to pick up a pen or pencil. Berlin (dpa) – Learning how to write takes time, whether it is holding your pen properly or ensuring all the letters are on the same straight line. These days, some children roll their eyes, wondering why they still need to be able to write by hand when everything tends to be typed or dictated into a phone. Adults also have differing views on this issue as the digital world continues to develop. In Germany, Professor Emeritus Friedrich Schönweiss has developed a diagnostic and support tool for spelling, at the University of Münster. The education researcher and media educator explains why he still considers writing by hand to be important – and gives parents specific tips on how to support their children. Do children today still need to learn to write with pen and paper? Friedrich Schönweiss:Absolutely, in fact it should be a matter of course. Even in a highly technological age, it is indispensable. It would be naive not to consider the many new possibilities offered by keyboards, tablets and voice input. However, these should not be viewed simply as "modern" or "old-fashioned and dispensable," but as additional new options. In order to be able to use a keyboard at all, learning to write correctly is an absolute prerequisite. Studies also repeatedly show that this must be done by hand, with pen and paper. Only by literally grasping the individual characters, developing a feel for differences and subtleties, and quickly combining or deciphering groups of letters can the technology be used properly. And should children also learn cursive writing? Schönweiss:Yes, the transition to cursive writing is essential as only then is the process of learning to write complete. You can prepare to learn cursive through exercises and mandalas, and children also enjoy it. Once children have mastered cursive writing, they can concentrate much better on the content of the writing process or its results. We see this reflected in other subjects, such as maths word problems. What actually constitutes "good" handwriting? Schönweiss: The criteria are actually quite clear: both writers and readers must be able to clearly identify the result later on. This requires automated, relaxed and unforced movements, uniformly recurring characters, clear distinctions between upper and lower case letters, and sufficient differentiation between similar or easily confused characters. By reproducing the ideal core of each letter, the writing automatically becomes legible. Of course, confidence in spelling also plays a decisive role in legibility. Do you have any tips for parents on how to support their child in learning to write? Schönweiss: First of all, it is important that parents do not just let their child do it, but support them. They are also welcome to do this in consultation with the teacher. But give your child and yourself enough time. Spend enough time on the first playful stroke and writing exercises. Initially, concentrate only on individual letters and their ideal form and allow your child to automate the movements. When holding the pen, make sure they use the three-point grip, with the thumb and index finger holding the pen and the middle finger serving as support. Insist on this grip consistently. However, as soon as your child starts to tense up, take a break and then pay attention to their pen grip again. Establish small rituals – you could for example ring a bell every now and then during homework time, prompting your child to check their posture. Make handwriting part of your everyday life by writing postcards, shopping lists, short messages, "research reports," recipes, game instructions, travel reports and the like. How can parents motivate their children? Schönweiss: All parents can assume that their children are motivated to begin with – or that they can be motivated if they understand the purpose of the effort and the challenge is one they can master. However, it is not uncommon for this initial curiosity and willingness to learn and constantly improve to be lost. Parents should then convey to children that they are ultimately working for themselves and that by learning to write, they are becoming more independent, able to exchange ideas with others and learn more and more about the world. It is very important that parents do not become impatient and do not focus too much on achieving the desired result. It is not possible to prescribe learning success. Even if it is clear that success is not possible without effort, encourage your child and support them so that they can take small steps in their learning, and then appreciate these as real successes together. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn bac cwg lue xxde arw

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Berlin (dpa) – You may be seeking ways to handle frizzy, flat or tangled hair. One popular approach is to wear a silk cap at night, to prevent your hair from losing its shape or getting split ends due to movement and friction against the pillow. If you are considering a silk cap, master hairdresser Antonio Weinitschke spells out why people wear them and what matters if you choose to do so too. You pull a silk bonnet over your hair for the night so it can act as a protective cover and prevent your hair structure from being damaged by friction. "Your hair retains its natural shape better as a result," he says. These are especially good for people who move around a lot in their sleep as a bonnet can be an easy way to prevent hair breakage. Why silk works so well Silk is an ideal material to protect your hair as it is smooth and temperature-regulating. It feels pleasantly cool in summer and retains heat in winter. Unlike cotton, silk absorbs hardly any moisture so conditioning agents and natural oils remain in your hair instead of being transferred to the pillowcase. That means your hair feels softer and less brittle the next day. Another advantage is that hairstyles last longer. If you have curls, waves or blow-dried styles in the evening, you can better maintain the shape overnight. What hair types is the bonnet suitable for? Originally, silk bonnets were mainly used in Afro hair care as Black hair tends to be dry and fragile. It can also help maintain a hairstyle if the hairstyle is "set" to last for several days. But these days, lots of people with straight or fine hair are also wearing the bonnets, which you can buy in different shapes. Get a tight-fitting model for short or straight hair, while a loose-fitting version works better for hairstyles with more volume. For long hair, cap shapes are ideal, as the hair can be tucked inside them. Make sure the bonnet fits comfortably and does not slip. Alternative: silk on the pillow If you feel uncomfortable wearing a cap, try switching to a silk or satin pillowcase as these materials are also smooth and gentle on your hair structure. They prevent hair from sticking to the surface or losing its shape due to heat. Caring for your silk bonnet: gentle washing Silk is delicate so wash it carefully. Weinitschke recommends hand washing with lukewarm water. You could also wash it in a gentle cycle at a maximum of 30 degrees is also possible, but without a strong spin cycle. After washing, let your bonnet air dry to keep the material supple and durable. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn nam tsn xxde arw

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Cologne (dpa) – Try these delightfully contrasting ingredients for an unforgettable soup. Roasting cauliflower draws out its nutty flavour, which is enhanced by baked garlic and shallots. Finely puréed and refined with cream, it becomes a rich and creamy soup. Meanwhile the salsa verde is crisp and fresh and not only adds visual appeal but is also a refreshing highlight in itself. The salsa is based on finely chopped parsley and coriander plus plenty of olive oil. Added capers provide saltiness, plus there is the added zing from pickled green pepper. Plus, the lemon zest adds further freshness to the dish. Ingredients for 8 servings The soup: 1 cauliflower 4 potatoes 100 g celeriac 2 shallots 3 cloves of garlic (large) 3 tbsp olive oil Salt Pepper 1 litre vegetable stock 200 g whipping cream For the salsa verde: 20 g flat-leaf parsley 15 g coriander (fresh) 1 spring onion 2 tbsp capers 1 tsp green peppercorns in brine 1/2 organic lemon 120 ml olive oil Preparation Line a baking tray with baking paper and preheat the oven to 180 degrees (fan). Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and roughly divide the cauliflower into florets. Roughly dice the stalk. Peel the potatoes and celeriac and also dice them roughly. Wrap the garlic cloves and shallots in a piece of baking paper to prevent them from burning. Place all the ingredients on the baking tray, drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for approx. 40 minutes until the cauliflower is roasted – it should be lightly browned. In the meantime, prepare the salsa verde: wash the herbs, shake dry and chop the leaves as finely as possible. Cut away the root and dark green part of the spring onion. Quarter the light-coloured part of the spring onions lengthways and then cut into very fine slices. Wash the lemon and grate approx. 1/2 teaspoon of zest. Chop the capers and green pepper very finely. Mix all the ingredients with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the vegetables from the oven. Carefully peel the shallots and garlic cloves. Set aside a few smaller cauliflower florets to add to the soup. Then place the vegetables in a blender with a little vegetable stock and purée until smooth. Pour the soup into a saucepan with the remaining vegetable stock and cream, bring to the boil briefly and then simmer for around 5 minutes. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls, add the cauliflower florets to the soup and serve the salsa verde separately in a small bowl and gently stir the salsa through the soup. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn cwg xxde arw cwg amc

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Berlin (dpa) – Few hairstyles polarise people as much as the mullet. Once a fashion faux pas, it is now firmly back in vogue. But is it a suitable look for the office? In Germany, master hairdresser Antonio Weinitschke explains why the mullet is now more about style than scandal – and how you can make it work even in everyday business life. "The difference to the 80s is huge," says Weinitschke. Compared to today, the mullet of that era was more extreme, with more volume and a stronger contrast between the front and back. In those days it was a look that stood for rebellion and pop culture. Today's mullets are softer, with gentler transitions and a more natural structure. Although it is reminiscent of the rock and country aesthetic of the 80s, the mullet now looks much more elegant and contemporary. Instead of being loud and provocative, individuality is now the focus. But what about at work – can you really wear a mullet when you're dealing with Excel spreadsheets and team meetings? The style specialist says yes, with the right attitude. "The days when there were rules dictating hairstyles in the office are over. If your mullet is cut by a professional, you can wear it in almost any industry." Of course, there are differences. In creative professions, for example, an individual look hardly stands out, but in more conservative environments such as a bank, it can still cause frowns. Nevertheless, the mullet has arrived, not only on the catwalks, but also in open-plan offices, according to Weinitschke. For everyday wear, he recommends a more subtle style. "It's best to wear it soft and loose, not too torn, which would be more of a party or band look." You can use styling cream or light hairspray to shape the mullet naturally. However, he advises against gels or strong hold products, "otherwise the look can quickly appear artificial or stuck on." So when you stand in front of the mirror in the morning, go for "casual rather than loud" and style your hair to suit your personality and work environment. An unkempt or overly styled mullet quickly looks unprofessional, says Weinitschke. "If it looks like it's from the 80s, that's a no-go." It's important that the haircut is cleanly executed and suits the wearer. Only then will it exude style consciousness rather than nostalgia. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn nam sw xxde arw

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