The Joy of Cryptic Crosswords and How to Solve Them By Marc Breman Playing puzzles like crosswords and word searches could delay the onset of cognitive decline in old age, according to research. Scientists believe a mental workout could stimulate neuron growth in a key area of the brain and help us to keep us sharp in later years. Of all the puzzles available, cryptic crosswords are said to be the most fun – but also the most difficult to...

A new site has been launched that offers discounts on big ticket products by pooling consumer demand for them. The site, which claims to be the first "social marketplace", connects users and merchants, allowing them to bulk buy products and drive down the prices. Items such as cameras, hoovers and VR technology are being sold at up to 40 per cent off their market price because merchants are selling to entire communities of customers rather than just single punters. According to...

This is the moment a pensioner was given a police escort after he took a wrong turn on his mobility scooter - and ended up on a busy dual carriageway. Officers were called by concerned motorists who spotted the elderly man tootling alongside traffic on the A500 in Nantwich, Cheshire, at around 12pm on Monday (26/2). A police van and squad car attended the scene and provided an escort to help bring the OAP back onto the pavement so he...

A Scottish rugby fan will have more reasons to remember the historic Calcutta Cup victory -- after catching the matchwinning ball at full-time. The ball was launched into the stands at the final whistle on Saturday evening -- as Scotland defeated England for the first time in 10 years -- and Iain Cooper managed to catch it. His girlfriend Erin Linton posted a picture of Iain posing with the ball shortly after full-time at Murrayfield Stadium. Oil worker Iain from...

If London boroughs carried slogans in the same way US states do then "style over substance" would surely be the motto emblazoned across Mayfair's chic streets. You would see it scrawled on the bumper plates of the Lamborghinis that rev at full throttle between traffic lights on the congested streets, or embroidered on the red carpets that cushion the stairs outside its hotels. The bars, that puff a scented mist into your face on arrival and offer cocktails decorated like...

Ex-Newcastle United star Peter Beardsley has been accused of more racist comment as coach of the Newcastle United under-23 side Beardsley, who also played for England, future at the club looks in turmoil according to the Evening Chronicle. During his playing days with the national side fellow forward Gary Lineker, Beardsley as "the best partner I could ever have". The under-23s coach has already taken “a period of leave” from the club while an investigation into claims of racial abuse...

I guess historically you could describe me as living a reactive life. Unconsciously responding to messaging that was programming my body and mind to the trends and cultures thrust my way in modern life. I am fully aware of the privilege it is to access such a life. However somehow my involuntary and reactive existence propelled me into a very dark and unfamiliar territory. Off course it was slow and gradual, until I struck 'the bottom of the pit'. I...

36 professional footballers are facing prosecution for being pat of an alleged match fixing scandal. The activity is said to have taken place in La Liga and officials are pressing for the maximum punishment is found guilty. They could then be facing four-years in jail, rather than the two year term that the state were pushing for. One of the players caught up in the scandal is Ander Herrera, the Manchester United star. The game they are looking into is...

Heavy snowfall has caused chaos across Kent - with more than 100 schools closed and blocked roads closure bringing swathes of the county to a standstill. About six inches of snow fell last in parts of the south east last night, with more forecast until at least Friday. Temperatures could also plunge as low as minus nine later in the week before the 'beast from the east' has passed. Police cars covered in snow in Kent. More than 100 schools...