More stories

  • in

    How your political leanings can impact your success on dating apps

    Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreNew research suggests that your political leanings could significantly impact your chances of finding love online.A joint study by the University of Southampton and Harvard University has revealed a distinct political divide in the world of online dating. The analysis found that not only are voters unlikely to “swipe right” on a profile from the opposite end of the political spectrum, but Reform and Conservative voters generally have less success on dating apps than their Labour, Green, and Lib Dem counterparts.While the study showed a clear aversion to cross-party matches, researchers noted that those identifying as centre-right were more inclined to choose profiles further to their political right, rather than those with centre-left views.Researchers hypothesise that the relative success of left-leaning daters may be due to the demographics of dating app users. The study suggests that because dating apps tend to attract a younger demographic, who are often more socially liberal, this could account for the disparity in match rates.open image in galleryUsers of dating apps are not likely to swipe right on those from the other side of the political divide More

  • in

    Asparagus fortune teller predicts when next general election will be – and it doesn’t look good for Starmer

    A woman who uses asparagus to predict the future has shared when she thinks the next general election will be held – and it doesn’t look good for Sir Keir Starmer.Jemima Packington, the world’s only “asparamancer” and who foresaw Queen Elizabeth’s death and Brexit, claims she can peer into the future by throwing a handful of spears in the air and interpreting how they land.Ms Packington appeared on This Morning on Monday (29 April) and not only predicted a date for the next general election but also claimed the Labour leader will not be in charge. More

  • in

    Coming up short: Are Rishi Sunak’s tiny trousers the key to looking taller?

    Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletterStay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Like Winston Churchill’s bowler hats and Margaret Thatcher’s tailored suit-skirts, the image of Rishi Sunak as prime minister appears destined to become synonymous with the cropped trouser.The tailored, skinny fit look, reminiscent of a mid-noughties indie band, is said to be preferred by the PM because he believes it helps him appear taller in photographs. But according to Saville Row tailors, the tiny trousers may inadvertedly mean 5ft 6in Sunak is coming up short.Iordana Marin, a London tailor from JohnDana explained: “Shorter trousers are more of an Italian style of tailoring that was worn four years ago. That kind of cut is not for Rishi Sunak.“It’s not for people who are in positions of power. The cut is more for party wear, for more fashionable people. For him the trouser length should be touching his shoes, it’s not working for him.”Another tailor, of Hidalgo Brothers on Saville Row, said that Sunak’s ankle grazers may not be doing him any favours.Sunak and his ankle swingers at a battery factory in July More

  • in

    ‘Disappointing’: Prince William blasted by Lionesses fans for missing Women’s World Cup final in Australia

    Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter The Prince of Wales is facing criticism after it was confirmed that he will not attend the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney […] More

  • in

    Rishi Sunak spotted attending Taylor Swift-themed SoulCycle class in California: ‘He’s a Swiftie’

    A TikToker has described having the “biggest heart attack” of her life after spotting Rishi Sunak at a Taylor Swift Soulcycle class in California.Hannah Harmelin recalled how she saw “secret service” and security lined up inside and outside of the building, and she initially thought Swift herself was going to make an appearance at the class.Unfortunately, it wasn’t her favourite artist who turned up – but the prime minister instead.“I’m freaking out the whole time,” Harmelin explained.“The class ends, I’m looking around trying to see where she is, turns out it is the prime minister of the UK. Apparently, he’s a Swiftie.” More

  • in

    MSP’s ‘best friend’ crowned dog of the year in Scottish Parliament’s annual competition

    MSP David Torrance’s “best friend” has been crowned Holyrood’s dog of the year in the annual competition at the Scottish Parliament.Golden retriever Buster placed first in the contest, with Tess White’s flat-coated retriever Kura coming in second and a rescue dog called Oakley which was paired with Alison Johnstone finishing third.A greyhound called Joy, which was brought by Mark Ruskell, won the public vote.A total of 13 MSPs entered the dog of the year competition, being held for the fifth time, with some bringing their own pets and others being given a rescue dog.“When I come home, he’s loving, we go for a walk, we de-stress,” Mr Torrance said of Buster.“He’s definitely a man’s best friend.” More

  • in

    Matt Hancock finds out his surprising ‘celebrity lookalikes’ using TikTok filter

    Matt Hancock has been using TikTok’s ‘celebrity lookalikes’ filter to find out the famous faces that he’s apparently akin to.Much to the Independent MP’s surprise, the AI filter told him he resembled the likes of Anne Hathaway, rapper 50 Cent, and supermodel, Bella Hadid.“I don’t look anything like 50 Cent!”, he joked. “This is completely bonkers.”Since announcing he’d be leaving frontline politics before the next general election, Hancock has been acting more playfully on social media in a bid to win back the trust of young voters.Click here to sign up for our newsletters. More

  • in

    Meghan is ‘cuckoo’ in royal nest and her ‘woke hang-ups’ will destroy marriage, says Labour grandee

    Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Meghan Markle is a “cuckoo” in the royal nest and her “woke Californian hang-ups” are likely to destroy her marriage to Prince Harry, […] More