2 h. ago ‘No thought given to the human being’: Ben Affleck says he hated his ‘horrendous’ Batman suit

The actor, who took on the role in 2016 for box office let-down Batman v Superman, said the uncomfortable costume ‘made it difficult to make the movie’Ben Affleck says that he “hated” the Batsuit, and that it was “horrendous to wear” and “made it difficult to make the movie”.Speaking to GQ, Affleck said that the main issue with the elaborate costume was the heat it generated. “They don’t breathe. They’re made to look the way they want them to look. There’s no thought put into the human being. So what happens is that you just start sweating So in that thing, you’d just be pouring water, because you have that cowl over it. Like, there’s one thing to wear the suit, but once you cover your head, I guess that’s where all your heat kind of escapes and you feel it.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Clay, silty or sandy? Testing your soil type is an essential part of becoming a good gardener

Loamy soil is the holy grail, but all types can be improved by adding organic matterI often mention my veg patch’s clay soil in this column, and that’s because soil type affects what we grow and how. Getting to know your soil is an essential part of becoming a great grower of edible plants. Soil type is determined by the size of the soil’s particles which, in turn, determine its characteristics.Sandy soil has the largest particles, which means it is light, easy to work, lets water drain through it freely and warms up quickly in spring. This also means that sandy soil dries out easily, isn’t as water retentive as other types and tends to be low in nutrients as they wash through it. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Stuck on repeat: NHL’s playoff format keeps delivering déjà vu matchups

From Kings v Oilers to Leafs v Bruins, the league’s divisional structure has turned once-thrilling postseason clashes into stale reruns. Is it time for a change?“It’s the stupidest thing ever.” This was Washington Capitals’ forward Daniel Winnik’s review in 2017 of the NHL’s still (somewhat) new playoff format. Three seasons earlier, along with realigning its divisions, the NHL had abandoned it’s previous, simple playoff arrangement. For 20 years, the top eight teams from each conference qualified for the playoffs, with the first-placed team playing the eighth-placed team, the second-placed team played the seventh, and so on. “I don’t know why it’s not one to eight,” Winnik said. “I don’t know why we got away from that.” A lot of people are still asking the same question.On Sunday, as the NHL locked in its first Western conference playoff matchup, confirming that the Dallas Stars will face the Colorado Avalanche, some fans took to online forums to both celebrate and lament. “Anybody...

Politics

5 h. ago Schoolboy, 17, says 7 petrified words to mum as he realises he's paralysed from accident

Amin Noroozi lost sensation in his arms and legs after a diving accident at Stinson Beach, California. His mum revealed what the 17-year-old told her after he was pulled from the water

Politics

6 h. ago 'Harmless' train habit could see passengers hit with £200 fine this bank holiday weekend

Train travellers are being made aware of a mistake that could land them in hot water.

Economics

6 h. ago The simple diet change that could protect against dementia and motor neurone disease

Boosting your consumption of certain fats could help to keep your brain healthy

Events

6 h. ago Chess: Carlsen scores in Paris, leads Freestyle Grand Slam after two events

The world No 1 defeated his old rival and world No 2, Hikaru Nakamura, in the final, and took the $3.75m series lead before the third Slam event in Las VegasMagnus Carlsen, the world No 1, scored a low-key triumph on Monday when he won the Paris leg of the $3.75m Freestyle Grand Slam by defeating his old rival and world No 2, USA’s Hikaru Nakamura, by 1.5-0.5 in the final. It was patient attrition over the two games, worthy of a place in the Carlsen-David Howell book Grind like a Grandmaster.The decisive first game had some technical errors, which the Norwegian described almost apologetically in his post-game interview. The rematch was more routine as the 34-year-old simplified to his goal of a drawn rook endgame and a move-40 handshake. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Virgil van Dijk contract was made simple for Liverpool after reaching £40m conclusion

Virgil van Dijk has followed team-mate Mohamed Salah in penning a new two-year contract at Anfield to continue the Liverpool captain's glittering spell on Merseyside

Economics

8 h. ago Mum praised for 'genius' hack to quickly double fridge space for Easter

A woman has shared her simple trick to help make sure you maximise all of your fridge space, so when it comes to buying your Easter food for the weekend - you can fit it all in

Technology

8 h. ago Banish dandelions from your garden immediately using 35p kitchen staple

April is often a busy time for gardens as we enter spring and rush to rejuvenate our outdoor areas before summer, however, this simple 35p hack can save you time and keep your lawns free of dandelions.

Politics

9 h. ago ‘Simply unsustainable’: The stark Easter message from Scotland’s business leaders

“Without immediate intervention, we will see more businesses cut back or close entirely” – Liz Cameron, SCC

Politics

10 h. ago 'Life changing' health app helps 'morbidly obese' mum shed almost 3 stone

After being told by a doctor she was 'morbidly obese' a mum of two managed to lose 2st 8lb in just four months after discovering Simple health app

Politics

10 h. ago 'Dark humoured' Brits love 'tasteless' songs for their own funerals – see top picks

Researchers found that some Brits choose ‘dark humour’ as a final send off, or simply tried to ‘lighten the mood’ for mourners, with many picking songs about kicking the bucket

Politics

12 h. ago Squirrels 'run away and won't come back' when they smell kitchen scrap they hate

Squirrels are notoriously difficult to get rid of - but one pest control expert has revealed a simple kitchen scrap that will keep the furry rodents at bay for good

Politics

18 h. ago Student found dead in family's jacuzzi while celebrating her 22nd birthday

Alexandra Săsărman was found lying in the jacuzzi at her family's cabin where she was staying with her friends to celebrate her birthday, with suggestions the hot water caused her death

Society

20 h. ago Emmerdale star Danny Miller teases wedding will 'blow minds' with major twists

As John and Aaron prepare to get married, things are never so simple in the Dales

Science

20 h. ago 'I lost 20lbs without even trying after picking up three European habits'

After making some natural lifestyle habit changes, Richa Prasad was shocked to realise she'd lost 20lbs without trying - and shared the simple tweaks she had made

Politics

20 h. ago ‘A maverick’: pope defies doctors’ orders with another surprise public outing

Dressed down pontiff visits St Peter’s Basilica, and is expected to appear at Easter Sunday mass Lorena Araujo Piñeiro, a restorer, was putting the finishing touches on the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago ‘Maverick’ pope defies doctors’ orders with another surprise public outing

Dressed-down pontiff visits St Peter’s Basilica, and is expected to appear at Easter Sunday massLorena Araujo Piñeiro was putting the finishing touches to the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica, when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro, a restorer. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago ‘He continues to be a maverick’: Francis keeps pushing the limits of papacy

Pope’s surprise public outings after serious illness show he is saying ‘I’m here, and I’m in charge’, a Vatican expert saysLorena Araujo Piñeiro was putting the finishing touches to the restoration of the 17th-century tomb of Pope Urban VIII, a dark bronze and gold monument in St Peter’s Basilica, when she noticed a man wearing a striped poncho-like top, black trousers and no shoes, being pushed in a wheelchair towards her.“It was around noon and the basilica was practically empty,” said Piñeiro, a restorer. “I struggled to recognise who it was I thought he was a simple pilgrim. It was as if he’d just got out of bed.” Continue reading...

Politics