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Features

<p>Erica Lefevre, aged seven, on the last family holiday before her father left</p>

Health & Families

I blocked my dying father from my life – I still feel guilty today

Grieving an estranged parent is complicated: you mourn not only their death, but the loss of the chance for things to be different, says Erica Lefevre, 49, who decided to cut her father out of her life

<p>New research has associated fitness levels and the quality of the muscles in the buttocks with risk of developing type 2 diabetes</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

What the shape of your butt muscles could mean for your future health

<p>Rick Stein’s tartlets prove that the best Christmas canapes deliver a jolt of flavour before anyone’s even taken their coat off</p>

Chef-approved Christmas canapes to impress your guests

<p>Brigitte Macron is taking a right-wing commentator to court over a conspiracy theory</p>

In Focus

How Candace Owens became the most dangerous person on the internet

<p>Pride comes before a fall: Carrie Bradshaw shopping for shoes in 'Sex and the City' </p>

In Focus

How to avoid hobbling in your heels this party season

<p>Christmas outfits that no one needs</p>

I refuse to buy any more ugly Christmas party outfits

<p>DJ Lou Hayter playing at Hidden Grooves </p>

How listening bars changed Britain’s big night out

Latest news

More features

<p>Gary Lineker has had plenty to smile about since leaving the BBC</p>

For Gary Lineker The Rest Is… world domination

<p>Young Brits are emigrating in record numbers</p>

Young people are ‘quiet quitting’ the UK – but where are they going?

<p>According to the new YouGov Big Survey on Christmas, a third of Britons (33 per cent) say they are fairly worried about the impact of Christmas on their finances</p>

I tried to do my Christmas shopping in an hour. Here’s what happened

<p>In his new series, David Dimbleby concludes that our royal family, including King Charles and Prince William, are as rich as plutocrats</p>

Our first billionaire king has some tough questions to answer

Fitness and wellness

<p>While open cup milkshakes and coffee drinks are exempt from the government’s latest sugar tax, their calorific content can still be a problem</p>

How embarrassing is your coffee order?

As prepackaged milkshakes and lattes get hit with a new sugar tax, Lydia Spencer-Elliott rethinks her daily calorific latte habit and asks is it time to wake up and smell the (actual) coffee?

How embarrassing is your coffee order?

As prepackaged milkshakes and lattes get hit with a new sugar tax, Lydia Spencer-Elliott rethinks her daily calorific latte habit and asks is it time to wake up and smell the (actual) coffee?

<p>While open cup milkshakes and coffee drinks are exempt from the government’s latest sugar tax, their calorific content can still be a problem</p>

<p>The new rules for party dressing: Go for gold not silver and party flats instead of heels.</p>

5 ways not to cringe dress this Christmas party season

<p>According to the Office of National Statistics, 18.1 per cent who experienced online bullying behaviour and 14.7 per cent who experienced in-person bullying behaviour did not tell anyone</p>

When it comes to bullying, it’s boys’ phones we need to worry about

<p>Working hard or hardly working? Many of us don’t believe we'll ever really retire</p>

in focus

This is why most of us don’t know the state pension age

Collegiate style is the hottest trend for autumn

Collegiate style is the hottest trend for autumn

<p>The NHS is encouraging people to book GP appointments online rather than in person, which has left many older patients feeling excluded</p>

in focus

My parents need to see a doctor – not log on to an NHS app

<p>It can be more common for therapists to hear from people who notice problem drinking in those close to them, than to hear patients talking about their own issues with alcohol</p>

in focus

What to do if you are worried someone is drinking too much

Food features

<p>Generation X, such as Oasis’s Liam Gallagher, were the first generation to have UPF feature heavily in their diets from an early age</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

The food Gen X is addicted to – and why it could be killing them

<p>A bowl of yoghurt and fruit – once hailed as the breakfast of the health-conscious, now caught in Britain’s food-policy crossfire</p>

Why your yoghurt isn’t as healthy as you think it is – or is it?

The best new no and low-alcohol drinks to try now

<p>Humble no more: beans have gone from back-of-the-cupboard staple to the food world’s hottest ingredient</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

How bean fibremaxxing became the secret to better gut-health

Recipes

<p>A hearty reminder that autumn salads can be every bit as comforting as roasts</p>

Autumn recipes to cook now, from squash to apple pie

<p>A thrifty twist on minestrone from Tom Kerridge – proof that a clear-out can still taste like comfort</p>

15 soup recipes from Tom Kerridge, Fearnley-Whittingstall and more

<p>Slow-cooked beef goulash – rich, smoky and perfect for soaking up with dumplings or crusty bread</p>

How to make classic Czech beef goulash

Life Stories

<p>After having five children of her own, Charlotte Johnson-Daniels decided to help childless couples and become a surrogate in 2022</p>

‘I’m a surrogate – but I don’t want to make money from a baby’

<p>Mohammed Nayef Salem is 18 and has been training as an entertainer since he was 12</p>

‘I’m a clown in a war zone – it’s an incredibly important job’

<p>Lauren Bateman, who received under-eye filler from a woman without medical qualifications</p>

‘I got under-eye filler – then felt like my face was going to explode’

<p>Rachael Doman and her husband Paul with their three children</p>

‘I went from zero children to being a mum to three kids overnight’

Independent TV

Boris Johnson caught on camera dancing in fairy wings

Moment Birkin bag owned by late star sells for £1.7m

Gwen Stefani’s Christmas plans shed light on Blake Shelton marriage

Alison Hammond responds to Prince Harry recreating Bake Off moment

Deals

<p>Enjoy luxury garden decor at without the pricetag at Garden Trading</p>

Enjoy 25% off all homeware and garden at Garden Trading

<p>These are the best ways to save at M&S right now</p>

M&S discount codes for December – how to save 10%

Up to 50% off luxury bags and jewellery at Aspinal of London

<p>Enjoy the best of Jacamo with these deals</p>

Save more than 25% on fashion, tech and gaming at Jacamo

Design

These green gems can run the gamut from statement pieces to handy homewares (Graham & Brown/PA)

10 ways to weave winter greens into your festive scheme

Make it a magical Christmas with this joyous collection of decorations (Rockett St George/PA)

10 ways to delight with shimmery decos and festive touches

Laying the table to an art form to showcase your festive flair (B&M Home/PA)

How to create a viral-worthy tablescape for Christmas

Royal Family

Royal Family News

Meghan Markle reaches out to estranged father after amputation surgery

Kate shares rare glimpse of special royal Christmas tradition

Watch: Prince Harry recreates iconic Alison Hammond moment

Women

<p>Independent Women: Sign up to Victoria Richards’ weekly newsletter </p>

Independent Women: Sign up to Victoria Richards’ weekly newsletter

<p>The chancellor admitted the government has ‘made a couple of unforced errors’ but insisted it is ‘fighting to win’</p>

‘Calling her Rachel from accounts is sexist’: Readers defend Reeves

<p>The hit Netflix show ‘Adolescence’ sparked conversations around the manosphere</p>

Third of boys think women’s rights are unimportant, survey reveals

Dating and Relationships

<p> (L to R) Steve Carell as Nick, Kerri Kenney as Anne, and Tina Fey as Kate Netflix’s The Four Seasons which examines at marital upset in midlife</p>

Why ‘walkaway wives’ are leading the charge in midlife divorce

Lovehoney has launched a sell-out advent calendar range

<p>There’s a wide range of options out there, so, you’re bound to find something to suit </p>

Best sex toys for men in 2025, picked by an expert

indy100

news

Tiny figures explore Irn-Bru cans in school project assisted by top photographer

Tiny figures explore Irn-Bru cans in school project assisted by top photographer

politics

The 34 most stupid things Donald Trump has ever said

gaming

Fallout co-creator is coming out of 'semi-retirement' - but what's he working on?

politics

JD Vance reveals truth about why his wife has not been wearing her wedding ring

politics

Watch Donald Trump doing his signature dance at FIFA World Cup draw to Village People's YMCA

politics

Watch Donald Trump doing his signature dance at FIFA World Cup draw to Village People's YMCA

sport

William praises ‘incredible’ Kevin Sinfield as he nears finish of ultramarathons

politics

'F****** pathetic': Trump's FIFA 'peace prize' at World Cup draw sparks gargantuan backlash