लाइफस्टाइल

Whether you’re stuck in traffic, grounded by winter weather or tackling chores at home, this year’s must-listen audiobooks offer epic adventures, sharp humor and moving memoirs. Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – Stuck in ski traffic. On board a five-hour flight (with a layover) to a sunny destination. During a road trip to see family for the holidays. Heck, just toodling around the house doing laundry or washing dishes. Those are just some of the many opportunities that life presents to listen to audiobooks, especially if you still have some weeks stuck indoors before warmer weather returns. Here are our favorites, starting with a Top 10 must-listen list, gathered from staff and readers alike. No. 1: ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ Author: George Saunders Narrated by: The author, Nick Offerman , David Sedaris , Carrie Brownstein , Don Cheadle , Lena Dunham , Bill Hader , Keegan-Michael Key , Julianne Moore , Megan Mullally , Susan Sarandon , Ben Stiller and 155(!) others Running time: 7 hours and 25 minutes Plot: With the Civil War raging, Abraham Lincoln mourns his dead 11-year-old son, Willie, in a Georgetown cemetery, returning to the crypt to hold the boy’s body. With Willie’s spirit in a purgatory — a bardo, in Tibetan tradition — ghosts interact and quarrel while commenting on the grief-stricken scene and more. Why you should love it: This groundbreaking novel is unlike anything else you’ve ever read. (Don’t worry if you find yourself getting a little lost at the beginning; there’s a lot going on and a multitude of characters.Stick with it, trust us!)And just look at that lineup of narrators! —Recommended by Barbara Ellis and LeAnna Efird ; Audio Publishers Association 2018 audiobook of the year No. 2: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Author: Andy Weir Narrated by: Ray Porter Running time: 16 hours and 10 minutes Plot: Science teacher and biologist Ryland Grace is the unlikely hero who must save Earth from a sun-killing substance. Why you should love it: “Project Hail Mary” is on alotof online lists of best audiobooks. And the fact that it’s been made into a movie starring Ryan Gosling (scheduled for March 2026 release) should be enough to pique your interest. By the author of “The Martian.” —Recommended by LeAnna Efird , Andrea Walden-Morden and reddit.com reviewers; winner of the 2022 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year No. 3: The Harry Potter boxed set (seven books) Author: J.K. Rowling Narrated by: Jim Dale (American version) and Stephen Fry (British version) Running time: Varies, between 8 hours, 18 minutes (“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”) and 27 hours, 2 minutes (“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”). Totals: nearly 117 hours of listening for the American version and 124 hours for the British. (Heck, you could easily finish all seven by spring.) Plots: Harry Potter , Hogwarts, flying cars, dastardly demons. Good vs. evil. Love conquers all. Oh, come on. Do we really have to tell you more? For shame. Why you should love them: Harry Potter is a literary phenom, and even if you’ve already read the books and/or watched the films, you owe it to yourself to get the full experience. You can’t go wrong with either version: Jim Dale’s theatrics are a treat, while British actor Stephen Fry brings us into the wizarding world as Rowling intended. Full cast editions — featuring actors like Kiera Knightly as Dolores Umbridge and Kit Harington as Professor Lockhart — are now available for preorder. (But we find it difficult to believe they’ll be any better than the Fry/Dale versions.) —Recommended by Barbara Ellis , goodreads.com and libbylife.com reviewers No. 4: The Murderbot Diaries (seven books) Author: Martha Wells Narrated by: Kevin R. Free , plus a dramatized version Running time: Varies, from 3 hours, 17 minutes (“All Systems Red”) to 4 hours, 24 minutes (“Fugitive Telemetry”) Plot: In a future time, a “killer” security android takes out his governing module and goes rogue, watching space operas and weighing in on the vagaries of the human species while protecting — and actually getting to like — them. And they kinda like him, too. Why you should love it: Timely, certainly, since it dwells on sentient robotics and artificial intelligence. But listen to it because you will quickly fall for the quirky robot who is on a journey of self-discovery. (Choose the Kevin R. Free versions over the dramatized readings.) —Recommended by Jonathan Shikes , Barbara Ellis , reddit.com reviewers No. 5: ‘My Friends’ Author: Fredrik Backman Narrated by: Marin Ireland Running time: 13 hours, 22 minutes Plot: Four teens grow up in poverty, violence and neglect, forging a bond that lasts their lifetimes. Twenty-five years into the future, an 18-year-old girl will be saved by two of them. Why you should love it: The writing, the character development, the flow, the pathos. It pulls you in quickly and never lets go. Everything you want out of a novel. This is Fredrik Backman (author of “A Man Called Ove” and “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry”) at his best. —Recommended by Barbara Ellis and audible.com No. 6: ‘Bossy Pants’ Author: Tina Fey Narrated by: the author Running time: 5 hours, 32 minutes Plot: Autobiographical essays by the actress (“30 Rock”), writer (“Mean Girls”) and comedian (“SNL”). Why you should love it: Well, she’s quick-witted, sarcastic, smart and funny as hell. That ought to do for starters. ( New York Times bestseller, Audiobook of the Year at the 2012 Ausie Awards) —Recommended by Beth Rankin No. 7: ‘Everything is Tuberculosis’ Author: John Green Narrated by: the author Running time: 5 hours, 35 minutes Plot: Green tells the story of Henry Reider , a young tuberculosis patient at Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone , and through him advocates for global health care reform. Why you should love it: In its review, The Associated Press wrote: “The real magic of Green’s writing is the deeply considerate, human touch that goes into every word.” Well said. A New York Times and Washington Post bestseller. —Recommended by Katie Langford No. 8: ‘The Correspondent’ Author: Virginia Evans Narrated by: Maggi-Meg Reed , Jane Oppenheimer and others Running time: 8 hours, 36 minutes Plot: Sybil Van Antwerp uses letters (correspondence) to make sense of the world, and always has. She writes to family members, friends, authors, universities and others, trying to make sense of things, complain of injustices, express remorse. Why you should love it: This one will catch you by surprise. It starts out slow, and the format takes a little getting used to, but you soon settle in for the lovely ride. It’s a quiet treasure. —Recommended by LeAnna Efird and Barbara Ellis ; a New York Times bestseller No. 9: ‘The Stand’ Author: Stephen King Narrated by: Grover Gardner Running time: 47 hours, 47 minutes (the uncut version) Plot: A post-apocalyptic fantasy about the struggle between good and evil. On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas ; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder. Why you should love it: Sure, King has plenty of novels that would be great to listen to, but none more timely than this, even though it was first published in 1978. Yay, good guys! Yay, Boulder! —Recommended by Barbara Ellis , audible.com and reddit.com reviews No. 10: ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Author: Jane Austen Narrated by: Marisa Abela , Harris Dickinson , Glenn Close and 12 others Running time: 4 hours, 34 minutes Plot: Elizabeth Bennett , Mr. Darcy , heaving bosoms, unrequited love in the 1800s. Happy ending. Why you should love it: Well, it’s a classic, for starters. You think you know the story, but you owe it to yourself to listen to this fantastic production and performances. —Recommended by Kristen Kidd , libbylife.com And more to consi…

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

Cologne (dpa) – If you have some boiled potatoes left over from a meal, then try this tasty recipe for your leftovers. Mash them and brush them with melted butter. Season the butter well with salt, fresh garlic and paprika powder. Then sprinkle a little finely grated Parmesan cheese over the potatoes and pop them in the oven. Bake them until they are crispy and brown. If you serve these baked potatoes without other side dishes, try adding a sour cream dip, with some fresh or frozen herbs. It is ready in no time. Ingredients for 4 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp olive oil 1 clove of garlic 1 tsp paprika powder Salt Pepper 800 g potatoes (cooked) 35 g Parmesan 300 g sour cream 1 tbsp chives (frozen) 1 tbsp parsley (frozen) 1/2 tbsp dill (frozen) 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp lemon juice 10 g parsley (optional) Method Melt the butter and mix with the olive oil. Peel the garlic and press it into the fat using a garlic press. Season with paprika powder, plenty of salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (fan). Lightly brush the baking tray with the seasoned fat. Place the potatoes (cut in half depending on their size) on the baking tray, press them down lightly with a cup (or similar) and brush them with the seasoned fat. Finely grate the Parmesan and sprinkle about three quarters of it over the potatoes. Bake for about 35 minutes until the potatoes and cheese are crispy and brown. Use the time in between to make your dip. Mix the sour cream with the frozen herbs and season with mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Wash the parsley, shake it dry and sprinkle the leaves over the potatoes before serving. These are more for visual appeal than taste. Serve your crispy potatoes with the dip. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn ueh xlt cwg tsn 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.)

Hamburg (dpa) – Repeated skin rashes, inflamed ears or itchy paws can quickly worry any dog or cat owner. What's wrong with my pet? The answer may lie in the food bowl. According to animal welfare experts, dogs and cats can also develop food allergies over time. When this happens, the immune system mistakenly treats harmless protein components in food as a threat. The body responds by releasing inflammatory messengers that trigger unpleasant symptoms. Common allergy triggers According to animal welfare organization Four Paws, food allergies are often caused by the following ingredients: In dogs:Beef and lamb, poultry, cereals, dairy products In cats:Beef, chicken, fish Typical symptoms of food allergies In addition to itching, rashes, recurring inflammation and loss of fur, these symptoms are typical of food allergies: Dogs:vomiting, diarrhoea and flatulence Cats:excessive grooming, frequent scratching/licking and sometimes open skin wounds If you notice that your pet is suffering from symptoms like these, you should have this checked out by a vet – also to rule out other illnesses. Identifying the culprit with an elimination diet To determine which ingredient is causing the reaction, vets often recommend what's known as an elimination diet. This should always be carried out under veterinary supervision. Initially, only a single source of animal protein is included in your pet's diet. Horse meat, for example, is a good choice as it is considered hypoallergenic. Cereals and dairy products should be avoided in an elimination diet as they can also be potential allergy triggers. "You may be able to choose food that also contains added carbohydrates such as sweet potato or parsnip," advises vet Sabrina Karl from Four Paws. Dogs and cats should be fed for at least six to eight weeks following the elimination diet. During this time, the allergy symptoms should subside. The most important rule to ensure that this plan works: "Snacking on other treats is absolutely a no-go during this time," says Karl. Reintroducing foods step by step Once the period is over, pet owners can add a second protein source and feed it for a few weeks. Do the symptoms return? If so, you are on the trail of the trigger. If, on the other hand, the animal is doing well, owners can gradually add more protein sources until abnormalities reappear. Once the problem ingredient has been identified, it should be permanently eliminated from the pet's diet. The Four Paws experts advise owners to seek advice from their vet or animal nutrition specialists to ensure that, despite dietary restrictions, the pet continues to receive balanced and healthy nutrition. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn rid xxde mls 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.)

New gardeners can make a head start on their windowsills. London (PA Media/dpa) – Budding gardeners who can’t face the elements of winter could be considering starting off with some seeds indoors. You don’t need a huge amount of space to begin – just a windowsill will do – and you could be growing vegetables, flowers and herbs in late winter and spring which will be ready to plant outside once the weather warms up. But what’s the advantage of sowing seed? “You get so much more variety and choice if you grow from seed,” says YouTuber, best-selling author and horticulturist Huw Richards, whose new book How To Grow Food, co-written with chef Sam Cooper, is out on March 12. “If you buy a plant, you might not know what compost they have started the seeds off in or any added chemicals. “Here’s a simple analogy. It’s like going to a fast-food restaurant, getting a product that you consume, but you don’t really know what’s gone into it. But if you get all the primary ingredients and make that same meal yourself, you’ve got that transparency.” What you’ll need Seed trays (either with cells or without), good quality multi-purpose peat-free compost and, most importantly, seeds. If you are sowing early you will ideally need a heated propagator or heat mats to help the seeds indoors germinate. Lids with ventilation for your seed trays are also useful. Other sundries include a fine mist sprayer to keep the compost moist, plant labels and a permanent waterproof marker pen (widely available from garden centres). Water, heat and light “The three main things you need to think about are water, heat and light,” says Richards, Gardena brand ambassador. “The biggest mistake that people make when sowing seeds is overwatering because there’s too much water in the compost. It just causes the seeds to rot. Make sure that it’s damp, like if you’ve just wrung out a sponge.” Edibles that people would start sowing first, like chillies and tomatoes, need some baked heat to help them with germination, or they are likely to fail, he continues. “Some people put their trays in an airing cupboard that’s warm and on the first sign of germination, move them to a sunny windowsill otherwise the seedlings will turn leggy,” he says. “You can get heated propagators, or fancy ones that have built-in LED grow lights, but if you want to keep things simple, any situation that has ambient warmth really helps as well.” Seeds will germinate without light, Richards explains, because then they will emerge to try to find the light. “Basically, the germination is more about soil contact, water and (high) enough temperature.” Tips for windowsill growing If you only have room to grow seeds on a windowsill while the weather is still cool, invest in a heated propagator or heat mats, which can be rolled up and are easy to store, he recommends. The earliest crops for sowing might be chillis and aubergines, bell peppers, which could be started off in late February. “The end of February is a good time to sow tomatoes, because the issue is that they grow quite quickly. If you start them off too early, they’re going to get too big for their modules, cells or pots. “They’ll need potting on and you’re going to be trying to grow them indoors for another two months before you can plant them in a polytunnel (or other sheltered spot such as a greenhouse), which won’t be until the beginning of May,” he explains. Flowers to sow Sow flower seeds such as calendula, cosmos, nigella, larkspur and ammi majus from February onwards, but if you are sowing that early you’ll benefit from heat mats or a heated propagator, he points out. “These are heat-loving crops from a different part of the world, they’re not used to our low temperatures. Even an ambient temperature on a sunny windowsill is still pretty cool. You can plant them without any bottom heat, but you might only get the odd one pop up, but most will likely fail.” If you don’t want to invest in heated accessories, leave your sowing until mid-spring, when temperatures are warmer. Sowing tips Use good quality, multi-purpose, peat-free compost – RHS or Soil Association-endorsed is a good marker, Richards says. Dampen your compost before you put it into your seed tray or cells, making sure it is moist but not soaking. Then sow your seeds as per the seed packet instructions. Growing in individual cells or just regular seed trays is a matter of preference, but with larger seeds, such as broad beans and runner beans, you may be better off starting them off in small pots or bigger cells because they will need extra depth for the roots to develop. Once seedlings appear, if they are on a south facing windowsill, rotate the trays daily, he recommends. When the compost starts to dry out water it with a fine spray. You can transplant them to slightly bigger cells or pots once three to four true leaves have appeared, he suggests. True leaves are those which follow the first two leaves after germination. If you’re going to pot on into individual cells, there’s no need to thin, because you’re thinning through the process of pricking out and planting out, he says. Plants like radish and beetroot are planted out in a clump – with four to five seedlings per planting. Then you pick the biggest root first and allow the smaller ones to continue growing. “If you’re after individuals, say, if you’ve two tomatoes per cell and two seedlings appear, you’ll then remove the weakest or the smallest one, and cut it out, don’t pull it out, because they’re really small seedlings and the act of pulling might damage the roots of the other seedling.” Be patient “People need to stop rushing. I know they’re eager, and that’s great, but plants catch up as well. My biggest sowing month is actually May, so you’ve got loads of time, you can still sow tomatoes in early April and get a crop,” he says. The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa 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.)

Los Angeles (dpa) – US rock legend Bruce Springsteen has dedicated a protest song to the citizens of Minneapolis, condemning the hard-line actions of the US immigration authority ICE on the orders of US President Donald Trump. In the song "Streets of Minneapolis" Springsteen rails against "King Trump’s private army" whose soldiers "trample on our rights" and sings of a city beneath "an occupier's boots" and fighting "fire and ice." "I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis," Springsteen posted on social media. "It's dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbours," he wrote, also dedicating the song to the two US citizens shot and killed by ICE agents in January, Alex Pretti and Renée Good. ICE and other cooperating authorities have faced criticism for their violent implementation of Trump’s deportation policy with chaotic militaristic raids. Protests grew louder after Renée Good was shot dead by an ICE officer in early January. Last Saturday nurse Alex Pretti was then shot dead during an operation by federal officers, prompting nationwide protests against Trump, his deportation policy and the actions of the agencies loyal to him. Springsteen has long been known as a critic of the US president, slamming Trump during his tour last year and criticising deportation raids and the government’s handling of demonstrations in Los Angeles. The song title "Streets of Minneapolis" recalls the famous Springsteen track "Streets of Philadelphia", which he wrote for the 1993 film drama "Philadelphia" about the AIDS crisis. The musician won several prizes for it, including the Oscar for best original song. The following information is not intended for publication dpa mub xxde 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.)

Polls show big cultural differences in whether pets are allowed in their owners' beds. But with risks ranging from lost sleep to parasite exposure, what do experts say about when a furry bedtime companion is harmless — and when it’s better to keep them off the covers? Berlin (dpa) – Does your dog get to sleep on your bed? That probably depends on which country you live in, as polls suggest numbers vary greatly from place to place. In Germany, around one in three pets are allowed to sleep on their owners' bed, significantly more than in Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy, a YouGov poll showed. At 29% Germany had the highest share of pet owners saying they share their bed with their four-legged friend, while Switzerland had the lowest at about one fifth. However most pets appear to sleep in their own basket or cage, according to respondents in Europe. In the United Kingdom, research from the consumer website MoneySuperMarket showed that nearly half (44%) of British dog and cat owners share their bed with their pets. The numbers appear to be similar at 45% in the Netherlands, where 50% of owners even allow their pet to lick their face, according to a study in 2009. Age may also make a difference, and one US survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine showed 53% of younger residents who are members of Generation Z and are now between 13 and 28 sleep with a pet, while just 36% of Baby Boomers do. Sleep and hygiene vs pet in the bed So is letting a dog up on the bed a good idea? That depends, and differing opinions have been heard from pathologists, animal welfare experts and sleep researchers. The German Animal Welfare Association, for one, sees no fundamental problem with sharing the bed with pets. "It is neither particularly harmful nor particularly beneficial for the animal to sleep in the bed — it remains an individual choice," a spokeswoman said. "For dogs and cats, sleeping in their owner's bed is generally not a problem." The only important thing, she said, is that hygienic conditions such as regular deworming are in place and that the animal is free of ticks and fleas. Fleas and ticks can also carry diseases, and several worm species can be transferred from dogs to humans. The same goes for skin fungal infections and giardia, which can cause intestinal problems. Regular parasite prevention is therefore important, but this should be done regardless of whether the animal is allowed in bed with you or not. A 2022 scientific analysis in the Netherlands concluded there is a risk that pets pass on pathogens to their owners in the bed, particularly for humans with weaker immune systems. "Sharing a bed … highly elevates the exposure rate to pathogens that may be present. Therefore, it is of great importance that owners have a good understanding of how to interact with their pets in a responsible way," the veterinary and microbiology researchers said. "This is especially advised for young, old, pregnant or immunocompromised owners, who are at a greater risk if they develop infections." Dogs and cats should always be banned from the beds of babies and toddlers. Not only could a child be scratched or bitten, there's also the danger of babies suffocating, "for example, if the dog lies down on the child's face or paws the blanket over the child," says animal welfare expert Lea Schmitz. Never a good idea for small animals Smaller animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs "under no circumstances" belong in the bed, say animal rights experts, as they could be crushed while someone is asleep. "They are not cuddly toys," the German Animal Welfare Association spokeswoman said. In addition, they need contact with their own kind and sufficient opportunities to retreat in their enclosure. Another factor, for humans at least, is the potential loss of sleep, and light sleepers find it easier if the dog stays elsewhere at night. Research has shown that many who allow their dog up on the bed are woken up in the middle of the night. The UK polling data showed one in three lose sleep because their pets wake them up. In the United States, almost half (46%) of respondents say they sleep with their pets. Of those, 19% said their sleep is worse due to the pets in the bed while 46% report sleeping better due to their furry friend. The following information is not intended for publication dpa sak mew xxde 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.)

Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – The “Melania” documentary purchased by Amazon for $40 million is on track to recover as little as$1 million on its opening weekend , according to at least one projection. But optimists say the movie following Melania Trump in the weeks leading up to her husband’s second inauguration will do a little better than that when it opens around the world on Friday. According to Puck, the National Research Groupexpects “Melania” to gross $5 million in North America , despite cold weather throughout much of the country and demonstrations opposing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Boxoffice Pro projectseven more conservation earnings of between $1 million and $2 million when the movie plays on roughly 1,500 screens over the weekend. Despite Amazonreportedly sinking an additional $35 million into a global marketing push to pack cinemas overseas, early indications show thatinterest in the film abroad is “soft,” reported British publication The Guardian. President Donald Trump held aprivate screening of “Melania” in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, hours after federal agentsfatally shot Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti during protests opposing the presence of ICE in Minnesota.Trump reportedly called the film “incredible.” New York Democratic Party activist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted on social media that the timing of Trump’s“movie night at the White House” proves he’s “unfit” to lead the country. Rolling Stone reported Monday that people who worked on the movie aren’t excited about it either. One source said “I would really feel great ” if “Melania” is a box office bomb. Others complained about working with director Brett Ratner, who largely retreated from Hollywood during the height of the #MeToo movement aftermultiple women accused him of sexual misconduct . An AMC listing shows thatadvance tickets for “Melania” are available at several of its New York City area theaters. Tickets are discounted by 20% for multiple daytime screenings. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa 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.)

Once a staple of the 1980s, the buddy comedy is back as Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista crash through Hawaii and beyond in "The Wrecking Crew". Can this star duo recapture the genre’s original swagger? Los Angeles (dpa) – Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista are bringing the buddy comedy genre back with "The Wrecking Crew", arriving on Amazon’s Prime Video from January 28. In the 1980s, action comedies led by two bickering male protagonists were among the most popular film genres. Two mismatched heroes who would rather not work together often had to crack a case, leaving collateral damage and endless one-liners in their wake. Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte in "48 Hours", Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in "Lethal Weapon" and Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in "Bad Boys" are among the best-known examples. In the genre's reboot, action stars Momoa ("Dune", "Fast X") and Bautista ("Spectre", "Guardians of the Galaxy") play estranged half-brothers Jonny and James. When their father Walter (Brian Keaulana) dies in a hit-and-run car crash, the duo investigate on their own, as Walter was a private detective and apparently working on a dangerous case. Jonny (Momoa) is a biker with a taste for alcohol. A traumatic event drove him from his Hawaiian home many years ago, and he now works as a police officer in Oklahoma. His older brother James (Bautista) serves in the Navy. Neither had a good relationship with their shared father, who left one mother for the other. The brothers have not been in touch for a long time. Jonny is not keen to attend the funeral, but before his sister-in-law even informs him of the death, some highly irritable Yakuza, members of Japan’s notorious crime syndicate, show up at his home. They have not reckoned with the quick-witted, if half-naked, Jonny. It emerges that shortly before his death Walter sent Jonny a package containing something that the gangsters are desperate to get. On their trail across Hawaii, Walter’s sons encounter more unfriendly characters, and the disagreeable patron Robichaux (Claes Bang). Morena Baccarin ("Deadpool") plays Jonny’s resolute girlfriend Valentina, Jacob Batalon ("Spider-Man: Far From Home") the tech nerd Pika. The fitting cast is rounded out by cult comedian Stephen Root ("Office Space") as a tetchy, resigned police investigator, and Temuera Morrison — known as Jango and Boba Fett in several "Star Wars" films and the series "The Mandalorian" — as a family friend and politician. "The Wrecking Crew" has everything a buddy comedy needs: sharp quips, inventively choreographed fights, plenty of situational humour and thumping action. A standout sequence sees James, Jonny, Valentina and Pika in a minivan attacked first by motorcycle hitmen, then by gunmen in a helicopter, as they weave through busy highway traffic. Stars Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista clearly have fun on camera and have strong chemistry in this entertaining action film. It cannot match the genre's classics, but as a breezy TV choice for an evening on the couch, "The Wrecking Crew" fits the bill. The following information is not intended for publication dpa pde xx a3 gth

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

Climate-friendly construction is more essential than ever as the climate is changing, bringing us new weather patterns and altering the way we use energy. All that impacts our homes and wider surroundings, so planning ahead makes sense. Berlin (dpa) – Heat waves and wildfires, torrential rain and flooding – extreme weather events are on the rise in many parts of the world. Residential buildings can't be expected to withstand the forces of nature if they're not well adapted to the vagaries of the local climate. That makes climate-appropriate home construction more important than ever. What does it entail? Here are some questions and answers: What exactly is "climate-appropriate" construction? "Firstly, new construction choices should be aimed at not further fuelling global warming from carbon dioxide emissions," says Alexander Steinfeldt, energy expert and spokesman for Berlin-based co2online, a non-profit consultancy company. Secondly, our homes need to be adapted to climate change. In other words, climate-appropriate construction means planning buildings able to stand up to current and future climate changes, and building them in as climate-friendly a way as possible. Is this a new idea? Not completely. "Climate-adapted construction is basically as old as mankind itself. Weather and climate have always determined where and how to build," says Markus Hennecke, executive board member of the Bavarian Chamber of Civil Engineers. This is why houses in the mountains look different than those on coasts, and houses on the Mediterranean from those in the Far North. Constantly adapting to climate changes such as stronger winds, heavier snowfalls and rising temperatures isn't new either. "But now there's a third dimension, namely resource-efficient construction," Hennecke says. "This means constructing and operating buildings that cause as few greenhouse gas emissions as possible. It's a new challenge." Climate-appropriate construction is more than simply having solar panels on your roof and a heat pump in your basement. "It involves comprehensive planning: Architects, energy consultants, building physicists and landscapers have to work closely together from an early stage," says Steinfeldt.  They've got to "take the lifespan of the building and its components, as well as local conditions into account." How should individuals best approach construction planning? "Clients who attach great importance to climate-appropriate construction need to be active themselves. They can't just book a climate package as an add-on when planning a house," says architect Andreas Köhler, a consultant for the Berlin-based Builder Alliance (BSB).  Ideally, they should hire an architect or planner who specializes in this area, then "go directly with the specialist to the property and draw conclusions," says Köhler. For example, if you want to build near a river or on a hillside, you've at least got to make sure that the basement is waterproof against pressure. Houses on hillsides are also often exposed to strong wind suction nowadays, so they have to be designed to withstand it. The building's orientation is important as well. If it's exposed to sunlight for many hours of the day, there'll be lower heating costs in the winter, but measures to mitigate solar radiation in the summer will be required, such as awnings or other forms of heat protection. "The client should discuss these things with the architect before detailed construction planning begins," Köhler says. Are there construction materials that are particularly climate-friendly? "Lots of energy goes into producing and transporting conventional construction material such as cement and plaster," notes energy expert Christian Handwerk. "It's environmentally more sustainable to use renewable and natural materials, for example by substituting gypsum plasterboard with clay building boards." Steinfeldt says, "As for insulation, there are ecological alternatives to plastic, such as hemp or cellulose. These natural materials often provide a more pleasant room climate, store carbon dioxide during their lifespan and can be recycled more easily later." If you are building a home, what else should you take into consideration? A "passive house" is especially energy-efficient. Steinfeldt describes it as using heat already present – generated by people, machines or the sun – so efficiently that hardly any extra heating is needed. This requires exceptional insulation, airtight windows and a ventilation system that brings in fresh air without heat loss. If heating does prove necessary, it should be produced using renewable energy sources if possible, for instance a heat pump or solar thermal systems. Solar panels can produce electricity, and what's not used immediately can be stored. What are the advantages of having a climate-friendly house built for you? "You benefit from the use of natural materials, low energy consumption and a healthy indoor climate," says Köhler, adding that it also gives you a good feeling knowing your house is well equipped for both the present and the future. "There's a financial benefit too," says Handwerk. "Climate-friendly houses with low energy consumption have a higher long-term value than conventionally built ones do." The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn kaf bzl mod tsn ob 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.)