Features

<p>Skype’s owner, Microsoft, has announced it is retiring the platform on 5 May after more than 20 years of service</p>

RIP Skype: a nostalgic service that allowed us to connect

Skype was the first of its kind to allow mere mortals to make global video calls via the internet. At the time, the platform was revolutionary; ahead of its closure in May, Ellie Muir asks why it flopped so spectacularly at a time when our need for internet communication skyrocketed

<p>From unwanted AI to insane group chats, WhatsApp may have pushed users too far</p>

Disgruntled user has left the chat: Is it time to hang up on WhatsApp?

What even is an ego death?

<p>Delivery companies have come under fire for poor customer service</p>

let's unpack that

This is why couriers got so brazen with delivering our parcels

<p>Generation Z has been dubbed the spiritual generation</p>

Let’s Unpack That

Make Christianity cool again: Why Gen Z is flocking to church

<p>Polls show rage has been growing since 2016 – a year in which we became more politically divided than ever</p>

Let's unpack that

The world has become addicted to rage – and 2016 might be to blame

<p>Glow up: why is the facelift enjoying such a rise in popularity, including among younger patients? </p>

let's unpack that

Forget filler, we’re in the era of facelifts?

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More features

<p>Dubai chocolate’s popularity has had unforeseen consequences for the global pistachio market</p>

Your bougie taste in food is ruining the planet

<p>I eat within an eight-hour window starting from midday and fast for the remaining 16 hours (most of it while I’m asleep)</p>

in focus

I don’t eat before noon – but I worry it’s a bad idea

<p>Bachelorette bacchanalian is a thing of the past, with more brides opting for a chilled out affair ahead of their nuptials</p>

From penis straws to puppy yoga: Inside the ‘zen do’ revolution

The actor/model and the “Achy Breaky Heart” musician, who has had recent public fall-outs with his ex-wives and some of his children, including Miley

in focus

Liz Hurley be warned: Family troubles could be a romantic red flag

Fitness and wellness

<p>Running a marathon for the first time has meant being discerning about my kit</p>

Sports & Fitness

I’m running the London Marathon – these are my training essentials

From sweaty 5ks to rainy long-distance runs, these are the products getting me race-day ready

Sports & Fitness

I’m running the London Marathon – these are my training essentials

From sweaty 5ks to rainy long-distance runs, these are the products getting me race-day ready

<p>Running a marathon for the first time has meant being discerning about my kit</p>

<p>I taped my mouth shut every night to see if the Tiktok trend might actually be worth it</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

I tried mouth taping for three weeks, and the results surprised me

<p>My therapist advised me to pick up a copy of the book and the rest is history</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

How living with less changed my life

<p>With waiting lists for mental health services at an all-time high, many women are turning to AI for support</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Women are using ChatGPT as a free therapist

<p>Research suggests autoimmune diseases in women could be linked to behaviour and environment, as well as biology</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Is there a link between anger and autoimmune disease in women?

<p>Research suggests autoimmune diseases in women could be linked to behaviour and environment, as well as biology</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

Is there a link between anger and autoimmune disease in women?

<p>Ideal for outdoor adventures, changing robes keep you warm and make it easier to change out of wet gear al fresco</p>

Travel & outdoors

Best changing robes 2025, tried and tested

<p>Biohackers follow personalised protocol to optimise their health</p>

Fitness and wellbeing

What is biohacking – and can you actually hack your health?

Food features

<p>Rick Stein has been credited with changing the way Britain eats</p>

Rick Stein on 50 years of fish, fame and ‘ruining’ Cornwall

<p>Meghan Markle is a fan of the glass jam jar, but her obvious top tip to wash them out and reuse them was met with much mirth this week</p>

Jam is under threat – here’s why your breakfast just got pricier

<p>Two sides of the same appetite: street-level spaghetti or sky-high tasting</p>

Fine & Dime: Two wildly different meals, one delicious new food column

<p>'No mother wants a teddy cuddling a pink prosecco bottle – trust me'</p>

No mother wants a teddy cuddling a pink prosecco bottle – trust me

Recipes

<p>This Thai-style red curry is ready in under 15 minutes – quicker than a takeaway</p>

How to cook Thai food at home – inspired by ‘White Lotus’

<p>A high protein lunch with plenty of gut-loving fibre</p>

Dr Rupy’s one-tray salmon tikka bowl is a midweek gamechanger

<p>Start your day with a protein hit</p>

The anti-inflammatory oats that taste like chocolate pudding

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

<p>Beaver caught farting on wildlife camera</p>

Wind in the willows! Beaver caught farting on wildlife camera

<p>Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet help Meghan Markle produce Valentine’s Day treat
</p>

Meghan Markle shares rare clip of Princess Lilibet making summer treat

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Beyoncé’s mother Tina fights back tears over emotional toll of cancer

Meghan responds to critics with behind-the-scenes Prince Harry video

Deals

<p>Enjoy Garden Trading’s amazing site-wide deals</p>

Enjoy 25% off all homeware and garden at Garden Trading

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Marks & Spencer discount codes for April – save 10% site-wide

Save up to 20% on luxury bags, jewellery and more at Aspinal of London

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

Save over 25% on fashion, tech and gaming at Jacamo

Design

<p>With the right design choices, even budget-friendly finishes can be elevated to look and feel high-end</p>

Where to spend and where to save on your home upgrade

Shades of yellow can help embrace spring (Desenio/PA)

9 ways to weave sunshine yellow into your scheme

Spring-fragranced candles (The White Company/PA)

9 ways to scentscape your space for summer

Royal Family

<p>Prince and Princess of Wales get competitive during soft play visit in Isle of Mull.</p>

Prince and Princess of Wales get competitive during soft play visit

<p>Meghan Markle appeared on The Jamie Kern Lima Show</p>

Meghan sets record straight on rumours about running for office

<p>Meghan Markle cries discussing how proud she is of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.</p>

Meghan Markle cries discussing how proud she is of Archie and Lilibet

Women

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The Independent Influence List list on display at the Outernet

<p>Some are calling Blue’s stunt a bizarre cash grab while others have called it a trauma response</p>

Bonnie Blue isn’t the problem: it’s the men who want to sleep with her

The real reason why Demi Moore’s Golden Globes speech is going viral

Dating and Relationships

<p>The couple at an event held by the Clooney Foundation for Justice in New York in 2024</p>

George Clooney says he’s never argued with his wife – that’s a problem

<p>Views around celibacy have completely changed in recent years </p>

Celibacy is revolutionising people’s sex lives

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What is pegging? Expert explains an act that can improve your sex life

indy100

politics

Trump administration's 'pathetic' reaction to Amazon Tariff pricing sparks huge backlash

Trump administration's 'pathetic' reaction to Amazon Tariff pricing sparks huge backlash

gaming

GTA 6 LIVE: Trailer 2 not needed says former Rockstar developer

science-tech

Scientists discover creature 'beyond imagination' encased in 99 million-year-old amber

news

Quilts created during Covid pandemic to be celebrated in new exhibition

news

Ex-Parachute Regiment officer begins 2,000-mile solo row around Great Britain

news

Ex-Parachute Regiment officer begins 2,000-mile solo row around Great Britain

politics

Donald Trump accused of ‘sleeping’ at Pope Francis’ funeral as ‘Sleepy Joe’ insult turns on him

science-tech

Space discovery shows that the pyramids were built using ingenious method