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Features

Why do millennials think the fire horse is coming to save them?

Tomorrow is the start of the Lunar New Year - the year of the Fire Horse. As memes about what is about to be unleased go viral, Olivia Petter asks why so many of her friends suddenly believe that Chinese astrology is about to change everything for them

<p>‘I learnt more about business in five years of running a restaurant than in anything else I’ve done’</p>

Radical naivety is a super power when starting a business

<p>Make sure you are aware of all the factors that could hinder the effectiveness of your contraception method</p>

How the ‘nocebo’ effect is putting women off the pill

<p>Dog prams are becoming a more common sight</p>

Dogs will soon out number children and that might be a good thing

<p>Even if we want to change our minds, our brains work against us. So how can we actually convince someone of our point of view, rather than leading them to further dig their heels in?</p>

How to change your mind — and the minds of the people around you

<p>Walking is one of the most accessible ways to increase your activity levels and improve your health</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Six science-backed ways to walk your way to a longer healthier life

<p>Cabbage: ancient, unfashionable and now improbably trendy</p>

Cabbage Core - the trend that’s here to stay

More features

<p>Muggles enjoyed his loaded puppucino with whipped coconut cream and goji berries at London’s Love My Human Townhouse </p>

I had a Valentine’s Day date with my dog – and I’m not the only one

<p>Keeping a food diary for a week will improve your diet quality</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

The biggest mistakes people make when they want to lose fat

<p>Despite accusations of racism at school, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is climbing in the polls</p>

Racism is soaring in British schools – is Nigel Farage to blame?

<p>Tom Stroud (right) and Dan Shrigley met after bonding on Instagram over masculinity </p>

Male friends: ‘We met a year ago. Now we tell each other, I love you’

Fitness and wellness

<p>Your sleep type is likely to have implications about your health</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

New research identifies five kinds of sleeper – which one are you?

A new study reveals that sleep types are more varied than simply larks and night owls – and questions the link between rising early and better health, finds Harry Bullmore

Fitness and wellbeing

New research identifies five kinds of sleeper – which one are you?

A new study reveals that sleep types are more varied than simply larks and night owls – and questions the link between rising early and better health, finds Harry Bullmore

<p>Your sleep type is likely to have implications about your health</p>

<p>Regular exercise is vital for health and longevity, but a smarter approach is needed as you age, according to coach Patrick James</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Eight golden rules for strength training after 50 according to experts

<p>Remember their names: Jessica Brady, Danielle Leslie and Nina Lopes - their legacy lives on</p>

Health and Wellbeing

The women who died of cancer but are still helping thousands

<p>Alice Smellie (left) with Mariella Frostrup (right) on the Menopause Mandate Walk in 2024</p>

Health and Wellbeing

Will taking HRT help with the menopausal dementia risk?

<p>Simple lifestyle changes deliver immediate results, including lower inflammation, less pain and improved energy levels</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Do these six things for immediate fitness results, says top coach

<p>Simple lifestyle changes deliver immediate results, including lower inflammation, less pain and improved energy levels</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Do these six things for immediate fitness results, says top coach

<p>ChatGPT has shown itself to be a nifty training companion, but fitness experts say it falls short of providing a ‘PT in your pocket’</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

I used ChatGPT to plan my workout – then asked trainers to review it

<p>Swerving ultra-processed foods in favour of whole foods can help your body function better, according to Dr Owen Kavanagh</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Four things you can do to reduce inflammation according to the experts

Food features

<p>Michelin stars are awarded on the plate, but the decisions behind them are shaped by far more than what happens on the pass</p>

How can a one-star hygiene rated restaurant have a Michelin star?

<p>Dry doesn’t mean joyless – many of the lowest-sugar wines are also the most balanced and expressive</p>

How much sugar is actually in your wine?

<p>This week, Just Eat announced the launch of an AI voice assistant designed to help users decide what to order</p>

Menu anxiety? No problem – AI is here to choose your dinner for you

<p>Boadi cooks the way he trains – focusing on protein, recovery and whole foods rather than meat or ultra-processed shortcuts</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

How to still build muscle on a plant-based diet

Recipes

<p>This cauliflower and potato coconut curry sings with freshness and zing</p>

Ryan Riley’s recipe for joy: Cauliflower and potato coconut curry

<p>‘What is more joyful than something delicious and comforting that can be whipped up in half the time than it usually is?’, such as a French (pickled) onion soup</p>

Ryan Riley’s recipe for joy: French (pickled) onion soup

<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

Life Stories

<p>For someone with RSD, a perceived slight can feel physically painful</p>

‘How rejection sensitivity dysphoria almost killed me’

<p>Model Katy Morgan was silenced by an NDA</p>

‘The ‘boob god’ surgeon tried to silence me after surgery went wrong’

<p>Lorraine Stanley put on a whopping seven stone with surgery - and now regrets it </p>

Why losing three stone made me more miserable than I was before

<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’

Latest news

Independent TV

Molly Mae ‘banished’ to spare room to help Tommy Fury

<p>Tinnitus leaves people with the perception of noises such as buzzing, humming, hissing or throbbing despite there being no outside sound (Alamy/PA)</p>

Sleepless nights? A doctor shares hack to help you drift off again

Beverley Callard shares fears over surgery following cancer diagnosis

<p>Victoria Beckham reveals David’s romantic preparations for Valentine’s Day</p>

Victoria Beckham reveals Valentine’s preparations

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 February – 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

Set the scene to get stuck into a really good book (Ruma/PA)

Reading nook ideas to mark World Book Day

Set the stage and bring the joy of the circus home (DFS/PA)

Master the FunHaus aesthetic with circus-inspired decor

Floral patterns and love slogans send the right romantic message (Oliver Bonas/PA)

9 whimsical ways to add an air romance into your home

Royal Family

<p>The King has been urged to ‘answer what he knew’ about his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Epstein links</p>

King urged to ‘answer what he knew’ about Andrew’s Epstein links

Prince William embraces Prince George’s hobby during royal visit

Prince William heckled over Andrew-Epstein links during royal visit

Women

<p>Vote in our weekly Independent Women poll</p>

Poll: Do you work from home – or would you, if you could?

<p>‘Rather than a constructive conversation, it is more like an argument about who is doing more jobs’</p>

‘I have never been happier’: Readers on life after divorce

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

Independent Women: Sign up to Victoria Richards’ weekly newsletter

Dating and Relationships

<p>One of the biggest warning signs that tends to emerge at this time of year is narcissistic love bombing.</p>

What is love bombing? The six signs to look out for on Valentines Day

<p>Some couples had spent tens of thousands on a single day</p>

‘No need to waste thousands on one day’: Readers on no-fuss weddings

<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 2026, tested by an expert

indy100

politics

Obama clarifies aliens stance after viral clip - but people aren’t convinced

Obama clarifies aliens stance after viral clip - but people aren’t convinced

celebrities

Harry Styles is curating a London festival - what you need to know

celebrities

Elon Musk’s latest comments on parenting get exactly the response you’re thinking of

viral

People are just realising the NFT 'stupidity' after Logan Paul and Justin Bieber fail

news

‘Incredible’ Milky Way shot wins South Downs dark skies photography competition

news

‘Incredible’ Milky Way shot wins South Downs dark skies photography competition

news

Comedy festival launches search for Glasgow’s funniest pensioner

news

Mother helped back to health by son’s physio clinic after brain damage