8 h. ago Digested week: My resolution is for the world: sunken living rooms

They’re cosy, civilised and different without disturbing things too much. Let’s do this!At last. I have been waiting a year for this moment. I must apologise to you all. Twelve months ago, in this very organ, nay in this very diary, I noted that we were now in the hazy, lazy, crazy days between Boxing Day and New Year and thus wished you all a happy “Christmas perineum”. It should have been, of course, “Merryneum”. It has been bothering me ever since. I can only put it down to post-turkey malaise. If it helps, it is only while Googling around this subject to write this entry that I have realised that the nickname “taint” – for the fleshly rather than festive part under discussion – refers to the fact that “’t ain’t the front, ‘t ain’t the back.” I think perhaps I knew this at some level but hadn’t consciously made the connection. Anyway. I offer the knowledge to you here in some kind of twisted act of contrition. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Digested week: My resolution, for the world, is sunken living rooms

They’re cosy, civilised and different without disturbing things too much. Let’s do this!At last. I have been waiting a year for this moment. I must apologise to you all. Twelve months ago, in this very organ, nay in this very diary, I noted that we were now in the hazy, lazy, crazy days between Boxing Day and new year and thus wished you all a happy “Christmas perineum”. It should have been, of course, “Merryneum”. It has been bothering me ever since. I can only put it down to post-turkey malaise. If it helps, it is only while Googling around this subject to write this entry that I have realised that the nickname “taint” – for the fleshly rather than festive part under discussion – refers to the fact that “’t ain’t the front, ’t ain’t the back”. I think perhaps I knew this at some level but hadn’t consciously made the connection. Anyway. I offer the knowledge to you here in some kind of twisted act of contrition. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Voices: How do I stick to my new year resolutions without feeling like a failure?

The Independent’s agony aunt Victoria Richards is here to help. Email dearvix@independent.co.uk for advice on love, work, family and relationships

Events

29 h. ago Mike and Zara Tindall's son Lucas, 4, pulls faces and monkeys around during family day out at Cheltenham

Princess Anne's daughter, 44, brought her children and nieces to Cheltenham for a spirited start to 2026, and it appeared to be a resolutely fun outing for her youngest son, Lucas, four.

Politics

30 h. ago The Independent asked celebrities to reveal their 2026 New Year’s resolutions

With the festive season officially over, much of it sat in front of the TV watching our favourite Christmas classics, it’s time to ring in 2026.

Politics

32 h. ago 'Bad luck' is ahead in 2026 if you do six everyday things on New Year's Day

As 2026 begins, many will be keen to start fresh with resolutions and traditions, but age-old superstitions warn against certain activities on January 1 if you want to avoid "misfortune".

Politics

34 h. ago Our 2026 listening resolutions: from Radiohead to Kendrick Lamar, critics try to get into music they’ve never liked

Streaming’s algorithms make it easy to avoid whole discographies – so in the interest of deeper listening, our writers dedicate time to the ones who might have got awayThe first time I heard Joni Mitchell, in 1997, she was looped across the chorus of Janet Jackson’s single Got ’Til It’s Gone. The song’s credits would educate me on the sample’s origins; I had previously assumed Big Yellow Taxi was an Amy Grant original. The second time I heard a Mitchell song was when Travis covered the beautiful River as a B-side. Continue reading...

Culture

36 h. ago Rick Astley vows to get fit in 2026 as he gushes over 'machine' Gary Barlow's regime

EXCLUSIVE: Hit 1980s pop star Rick Astley has revealed his New Year's resolution for 2026, ahead of turning 60 and touring across the UK and abroad in the New Year

Politics

38 h. ago Voices: How do I stick to my new year’s resolutions without feeling like a failure?

The Independent’s agony aunt Victoria Richards is here to help. Email dearvix@independent.co.uk for advice on love, work, family and relationships

Events

44 h. ago Football transfer rumours: Manchester United to sign Yan Diomande and Rúben Neves?

Today’s rumours are back and bleary-eyed, babyMen’s transfer window interactive: January 2026 editionAfter the bongs and fireworks, 2026 has finally begun. Naturally, no one really cares about resolutions, the real interest is in whether your team will sign a new left-back. Tittle-tattle is back in the limelight and the Rumour Mill will be firing up the very best – and worst – of it over the coming month. It seems like everyone in the Premier League needs to get the pen and chequebook out to solve their problems, making it an intriguing month ahead.After missing out on Antoine Semenyo, Manchester United will need to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements. One name that keeps cropping up in RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and the German side want around £87m for the Ivorian teenager. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping tabs on Diomande, which will make any purchase a touch trickier. Continue reading...

Sport

58 h. ago Sali Hughes on beauty: I don’t make new year resolutions, but these are my pledges for 2026

Hydrated skin and some trips to the gym – I’ll be embracing better beauty habits next yearI’m not given to making new year resolutions, but by coincidence I have recently made a number of pledges to adopt better beauty habits. I believe that even someone in this job, who already moisturises and UV protects religiously, can still find areas for improvement.Once again, I have pledged to drink more (or indeed some) water. After decades of tea dependency, I never find myself thirsty in the way others describe, and so force myself to hydrate only for the sake of my skin (to which it makes a noticeable difference) and well, aliveness. To this end, I’ve bought one of those ridiculously enormous mugs influencers drain several times daily, and hope to make my way through perhaps one by bedtime. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago 7 in 10 Brits say New Year's resolutions are outdated and won't make any for 2026

"With demanding jobs, family commitments and constant digital noise, all-or-nothing goals can feel more punishing than empowering."

Politics

4 d. ago What’s an ‘old year’s resolution’ and could it help you stick to your 2026 goals?

If you’ve ever rehearsed for a play or played scrimmages, you’ve used this kind of low-stakes practice to prepare for the real thing

Politics

4 d. ago Find inspiration for achieving your financial resolutions and money goals in 2026

The start of a new year usually brings new motivation to achieve goals

Economics

4 d. ago Fitness fans can grab a smartwatch for £5 before the New Year gym rush

Thousands will put 'get fit' on their 2026 New Year's resolutions. Fitness goers have seen an improvement when tracking with this inexpensive watch

Economics

5 d. ago Celebrity New Year’s resolutions 2026: Alison Hammond, Sam Thompson and more on hopes for the year ahead

Exclusive: Career highs, personal milestones and a fresh start for the year ahead - nine familiar faces share what they’re hoping to prioritise next

Politics

6 d. ago I've ditched resolutions in favour of a 2026 reset, says ALEXANDRA SHULMAN.... and here's why

Reset is the buzz word of the moment - forget New Year resolutions.

Politics

1 week ago Vote in our Independent Money poll: What financial resolutions will you make for 2026?

Each week, we invite readers to share their views on the financial stories making headlines – and impacting your bank balance

Politics

2 w. ago Five New Year money resolutions to boost your finances by the end of 2026

Game-changing hacks to help boost your cashflow from January.

Economics

2 w. ago Cutting screen time will be one of biggest resolutions in 2026

People weant to prioritise real life experiences, new research shows

Politics