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Working with nature and conserving resources are important, say experts. London (PA Media/dpa)  – If you’ve failed in previous years to stick to your New Year’s resolutions, whether it’s losing weight, giving up drinking or quitting smoking, perhaps it’s time to look to the garden to turn over a new leaf. Sustainability – minimising environmental impact, working with nature and conserving resources such as water – is a key focus of horticultural experts in 2026 and beyond, so perhaps think about realistic New Year’s resolutions to aid sustainability, which you could simply adopt as a new way of gardening. “Sustainability is about working with the available resources in your garden and making use of everything. Rather than seeing something as a waste item that needs to be binned or taken to landfill, just think, ‘What can I do with this? What can I turn it into?’” says Kim Stoddart, editor of Amateur Gardening magazine. Here are some ideas for realistic resolutions to help you garden more sustainably in 2026. Grow from seed “The joy, satisfaction and lower resource input needed to create plants for your garden can achieve amazing results for something as simple as a few seeds and some time,” suggests Peter Jones, Eden Project director of horticulture. Go peat-free It’s so easy. If you don’t have time or space to make your own compost, just opt for peat-free varieties of compost in your garden centre or nursery. You will help to protect native peatlands and wildlife in the process. Don’t dig Opt for the ‘no dig’ method, which not only will give you less backache but can benefit the environment, as you are not forking over and releasing carbon into the atmosphere. If you want to suppress weeds in winter, place a layer of cardboard on the area you want to cultivate, which will decompose naturally, and then cover it with organic matter such as compost, and grow your plants in that. No need to dig at all. Grow what you want to eat “Try and grow a few of your favourite things, be it a tomato, or a French bean. A meal with food metres, not food miles, is a joy with the benefit of greater sustainability,” says Jones. Buy local If you want to reduce the carbon footprint caused by air miles and long-distance transportation, think about where your plants come from before you buy. Native plants may be the way to go, or those grown near or at your local nursery, or even if you have a neighbour who will pass you a cutting or some seedlings, at least you know it hasn’t travelled far. Choose the right plant for the right place A little research to find out what soil you have and the situation – sheltered, sunny, shady, exposed – will help you choose the right plant for the right place. “Don’t try to fight your environment and plan to plant at the best time to ensure success,” Jones suggests. Grow your own cut flowers So many beautiful flowers that can be grown in the UK are imported from abroad. Take a moment to consider what flowers you can grow at home which may be good for cutting, including roses, echinacea, peonies and dahlias, as well as shrubs such as forsythia and witch hazel, which provide excellent cutting material in winter and early spring. Be patient, though, as many perennials grown from seed won’t flower in the first year. Go native Just growing a few native plants on your plot such as bugle, chives, primrose, cowslip, cornflowers and ox-eye daisy is superb for biodiversity and will attract all sorts of pollinators and wildlife to your garden. These plants are also likely to thrive, as they have adapted to life in our climate and ecosystem. Companion plant If you have a problem with whitefly on your tomatoes, cucumbers and kale, plant French marigolds with them because their scent will deter the pests or attract the predators. So rather than using chemicals you can handle the problem naturally. Similarly, grow pungent plants such as leeks and garlic among carrots to deter carrot fly, or plant sacrificial crops such as nasturtiums, which cover the ground and tempt aphids away from brassicas such as Brussels sprouts. Save water With climate change ever present, try to make a few changes to help save water. It may be setting up a water butt from the down pipe of the roof of your home, your garden shed, greenhouse or other structure using a rainwater diverter, the RHS suggests. For those who don’t have that facility, increase the water-holding capacity of your soil by adding organic matter to it, whether as a mulch or digging it in, it adds. Reduce waste Why not re-use bits and pieces instead of sending cast-offs to landfill? It might involve utilising a piece of old furniture as a garden prop, plant holder or ornament, creating novelty containers out of tin cans, colanders, rain boots and old sinks, re-using plastic pots time after time for seeds and seedlings and recycling cardboard boxes to use as weed suppressants instead of non-biodegradable plastic membranes. Revive your tools You may have left your tools out in the rain and think that they are beyond saving, but have a go, suggests Stoddart. “Look after your tools. If you have high-quality tools – a lot of the good makes use really good-quality steel – that look really rusty, you can sand them down and bring them back. Take them apart, give them an oil, give them a sharpen and you’ll be amazed how much you can transform those tools. “There’s a beauty around looking after things, upcycling, repurposing, making things last for longer and not feeling that you have to keep buying something, that feels really good.” The following information is not intended for publication dpa pa mls

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Berlin (dpa) – They are considered the oldest dumplings in China and have inspired similar dishes like gyoza elsewhere in Asia. Jiaozi are a great choice for a first attempt at making dumplings at home, says Stefan Leistner, a food blogger and specialist in teaching Asian cuisines. That's because the thin dough is easy to shape and fill, he said. He likes to prepare the Chinese parcels as follows. Ingredients for about four servings: For the dough: 200 g wheat flour 120 ml water 1/2 tsp salt For the filling: 250 g minced pork 100 g pak choi two spring onions three shiitake mushrooms one piece of ginger (about 2 cm) one clove of garlic 1 tbsp light soy sauce 1 tsp dark soy sauce 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine 1 tsp cornflour one egg salt pepper For the dip: 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp rice vinegar 1/2 tsp chilli oil Method: First knead the flour, water and salt into a smooth dough, then leave to rest for one hour. For the filling, finely chop the vegetables, squeeze out any liquid, then mix with the minced pork, egg, spices and sauces. Roll the dough out thinly, cut out circles, fill and seal. Pan-fry the dumplings in a little oil until golden brown, add a splash of water, cover and cook for about five minutes. Mix the dip and serve with the jiaozi. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn hpz yyzz n1 xlt cwg lue

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Some people claim that without Coca-Cola, there would be no Santa Claus as we know him today. From Saint Nicholas to Sinterklaas and 19th-century illustrators, the look and legend of Santa Claus have roots that stretch much further than 1930s soda advertising. Berlin (dpa) – "Coca-Cola did not create the legend of Santa Claus." The myth that the many-named gift-bringer of Christmas was invented by a soda brand is so persistent that even Coca-Cola has had to step in to clear up the facts. After all, most people picture Santa as an older, bearded, white-haired and portly man in a red and white suit – in other words, precisely how Coca-Cola depicted him in its 1930s advertising. However, while the company may not have invented him, it admits its advertising did help shape and spread the contemporary image of Father Christmas. Coca-Cola explains that from 1931 the company’s commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom established the image of a warm-hearted, portly man in a red and white coat. This depiction, distributed internationally in advertisements and posters, then became the visual standard in various portrayals of Santa. he real roots of the modern Santa reach much further back. Historically, the figure is based on Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop from what is now Turkey. In medieval Europe, legends spread about Saint Nicholas, patron of children and the poor, giving rise to numerous regional traditions. The figure is said to have reached North America in the 17th century via Dutch immigrants. Their "Sinterklaas", carried by early settlers in Nieuw Amsterdam, evolved into "Santa Claus" in the English-speaking world. Because many Protestant congregations in North America rejected the veneration of Catholic saints, the gift-giving later shifted from St Nicholas Day on December 6 (the death day of Saint Nicholas of Myra) towards Christmas (December 24 or 25). In the 19th century Santa Claus took on a literary form. Writer Washington Irving described him as a jolly, chubby Dutchman as early as 1809. A decisive influence came from the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", which for the first time brought together key elements such as the reindeer-drawn sleigh, the night-time visit via the chimney and the distribution of presents. Towards the end of the 19th century illustrators refined the visual appearance. German-born caricaturist Thomas Nast developed the visual features from 1863 for US news magazine "Harper’s Weekly". He created a sturdy, bearded man in varying red and white versions, who was depicted as living at the North Pole, supported by helper elves and dealing with wish lists. The Nast images, which are still used today, were picked up by Coca-Cola's illustrator. Haddon Sundblom’s warmly rendered Santa – human, friendly, approachable – gave the figure a unified look. With the spread of US pop culture after World War II, this version of Santa Claus became established worldwide and has lasted until today. The following information is not intended for publication dpa mfl yyzz a3 sik

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Two cities, two love interests and, right in the middle of it all, Emily in Paris – or rather, in Rome. The hit series is back on Netflix and promises plenty of drama to help you escape your world-weariness and winter blues. Paris (dpa) – For Emily Cooper, it's all Dolce Vita for her time in Rome in the new episodes of "Emily in Paris" — or rather, in Rome. The usually uptight perfectionist finally letting go in the season now available on Netflix. At least for a moment. Of course, both small and big dramas return to the ambitious marketing woman played by Lily Collins. Although boss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) had actually assigned Emily to run the Rome office last season, the familiar team suddenly shows up in the Eternal City. On top of that, the mother of Emily’s new boyfriend Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) and the most important client of the new outpost politely refuses to accept Emily’s pitches, and has to admit he doesn't know what anything in this country means. Naturally, things are not all rosy with Marcello either, and then Gabriel turns up, the man Emily yearned for forever but with whom things were always complicated. The drama is set to Italian music, pastoral excursions and gorgeous coastal images — and yes, hopping from Rome to the sea for a quick event stretches belief for anyone who knows the area, but ah well. Series creator Darren Star, who invented "Sex and the City", has said the new season shows Emily in a different light, in a new situation and with dramatic experiences. The woman from Chicago does indeed seem more mature and deeper — at least at times. Then there are scenes where Emily whines and pouts, with endless little problems and misfiring communication. Collins told Harper’s Bazaar the series offers something therapeutic to audiences with all its laughter and fun. For distraction and entertainment that may be true, but as a model for romantic relationships the series is hardly ideal. You end up wishing Emily had more self-confidence, and wishing for a strong female lead who is not thrown off course the moment a partner has an ex he does not hate and who — heaven forbid — is also attractive. Then again, "Emily in Paris" is no relationship guide, and thrives on maximizing the drama. Things heat up for other people too, with this season again giving other characters more space. There are family clashes, several men squabbling over the same woman, secrets, hurt feelings, a potentially consequential affair and hasty decisions, as well as two people in Emily’s circle unexpectedly developing feelings for each other. In between, plenty goes downhill fast. One thing you can say for the fifth season of "Emily in Paris": it is not boring. Fans can look forward to extravagant outfits again, and even a princess makes an appearance. The big question for many will be whether Emily really stays in Rome, and whether some shooting also took place in Venice. The trailer makes clear Paris will still play a part in Emily’s life, since her best friend Mindy (Ashley Park), her ex and friend Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) and, of course, chef Gabriel remain rooted there. Fans will have to wait to see what it all means for Emily’s love life and career. This much can be said: At least one of the men interested in her does not give up as quickly as it might first seem. The following information is not intended for publication dpa rbo xxde coh

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Rome (dpa) – US actor Kevin Spacey is set to return to screens this year in a new role on Italian television – as one of the main characters in the comedy series "Minimarket." The streaming platform RaiPlay plans to release the first five episodes on December 26. In the series, Spacey, 66, plays an Oscar winner and imaginary friend of a law graduate who dreams of TV stardom. The career of the former Hollywood star, who gained fame for films like "American Beauty" and TV shows like "House of Cards," took a hit in 2017 after allegations of sexual assault were made against him. In a London criminal court trial, Spacey was acquitted on all charges. Next year, he is expected to face three civil lawsuits in London over the same allegations. In June 2024 Spacey said on the programme Piers Morgan Uncensored that he was heavily in debt and would lose his house in Baltimore through foreclosure. By his own account he has many millions in debts and can no longer pay his bills. After his acquittal he sought to rebuild his career. In May 2025 he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival. In October 2024 he posted a photo from a shoot in Phoenix, Arizona, without naming details of the project. In 2021 he appeared on camera in Italy for the film "L'uomo Che Disegnò Dio" ("The Man Who Drew God") by director Franco Nero. The following information is not intended for publication dpa brd xxde sl nca wjh coh

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Overflowing with twists, secrets, and deliciously unhinged drama, "The Housemaid" turns Freida McFadden’s novel into a captivating cinematic soap opera with Amanda Seyfried as a manic matriarch and Sydney Sweeney as the street-smart newcomer. Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – The movie equivalent of a soapy, trashy beach read, "The Housemaid" is a madly enjoyable romp that makes the most out of its talented cast and takes audiences on a thrillingly unpredictable joyride. For a date night or a girls night out during the stressful holiday season, audiences would be hard pressed to find anything else this devilishly delightful. This overflowingly juicy adaptation of Freida McFadden's 2022 novel stars Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester , a wealthy Long Island wife and mother who hires Millie Calloway ( Sydney Sweeney ) to lend a hand around the house and to help take care of Cecelia (Indiana Elle), the grade school-aged daughter she has with her husband Andrew ("It Ends With Us'" Brandon Sklenar ). Millie, near destitute and trying to rebuild her life after some childhood, er, speed bumps — we learn early on that she's on probation, but the details of her past are purposely slow to emerge — desperately needs the work. At first, all seems dreamlike with the new gig, until Nina starts freaking out on Millie, blaming her for things she didn't do and playing head games with her new helping hand, who is living in the attic of the Winchester's lovely family home. Andrew isn't around often, but when he is, he's apologetic to Millie for Nina's erratic behaviour. We learn Nina has some dark secrets of her own, and it's not long before Andrew grows closer to Millie, and they share late nights watching Richard Dawson -era "Family Feud" episodes in the family viewing room, which only further stokes Nina's ire. Mt. Clemens -raised director Paul Feig ("A Simple Favor," "Bridesmaids"), working from a sharp script by Rebecca Sonnenshine , works these elements — the emerging rivalry between Nina and Millie, the budding attraction between Millie and Andrew — into a sudsy lather. The three principal cast members, meanwhile, lean all the way into their parts — Seyfried as the manic, uptight wife and mother who is prone to psychotic outburtsts; Sweeney as the kindhearted but street smart bombshell; Sklenar as the handsome husband and mama's boy ( Elizabeth Perkins is Evelyn, his doting mother). Of course, like any good page turner, "The Housemaid" has much more up its sleeve than first meets the eye, and the fun of the movie is watching it unspool in gloriously unhinged ways. Much has been made of Sweeney in recent months — about her box office appeal, about her media image, about her future career prospects. Only those that haven't been paying attention would undersell her talent, and her work here should do a lot to lift her out of the financial doldrums of her last few projects. But Seyfried is the rock here, and the Oscar nominee — she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for 2020's "Mank" — gets to have a blast while playing all manner of crazy. Between this and her work in the upcoming "The Testament of Ann Lee ," the one-time "Mean Girl" has blossomed into a wholly captivating leading lady. The twists and turns in "The Housemaid" are way too delectable to spill. But they help it make for a highly entertaining moviegoing experience, a popcorn movie just begging for extra butter. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa coh

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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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