The change in the hard/soft news ratio has taken on several forms. In the print media, the change can be seen clearly by the expansion of back of the book sections, for example, about subjects as varied as science and gardening. Television has no formal back of the book, but there are now fewer sections devoted to domestic and international political news.

How did Hercules (Herc. of antiquity) slay the Hydrant and cleanse the stables of Oregon? Did it all by main force, didn't he? Power? Shenanigan? Skulduggery? Of course he did.

Fixtures' secretary Jimmy Henry refuted the comments. I wouldn't have got this job if I hadn't some cop on, he said.

We've rounded up 26 recipes that sound, look and taste difficult but are actually really easy. ... try one of these deceptively easy but wildly impressive recipes.