NAD+, or, to give it its full name, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is having a bit of a moment.
“I’m gonna NAD+ for the rest of my life and I’m never gonna age,” Hailey Bieber shared on a previous episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Jennifer Aniston is reportedly also a fan of IV NAD+ treatments.
Since then, NAD+ has made its way to social media stardom, with one viral video suggesting it can “address all those signs of premature ageing like jowls, hooded eyes and crows feet”. Boots says search for the term is growing.
But what is NAD+, does it really work, how much should you take, and is it right for everyone?
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We asked senior clinician and GP at The Independent Pharmacy, Dr Donald Grant, to share his thoughts.
What is NAD+?
“NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a vital coenzyme found in every living cell, crucial for converting food into energy, repairing DNA, and maintaining cellular health,” Dr Grant said.
NAD levels decrease with age. Because NAD plays a big part in cell metabolism and is involved with enzymes that might affect ageing, a 2021 paper said that some think “interventions that increase NAD+ may slow aspects of the ageing trajectory”.
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They suggested that replacing or boosting people’s NAD+ levels might lead to them looking younger and feeling healthier.
Research so far has mostly involved animal trials or small, early-stage human trials.
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“While supplements can be utilised to increase NAD+ levels in the human body, there is currently limited evidence that they provide significant anti-ageing, energy, or health benefits,” Dr Grant said.
“Some studies have indicated slight benefits for sleep quality and ageing. However, with research in its early stages, it’s much too soon to draw proper conclusions about the supplement’s effectiveness.”
How can I tell if I should take NAD+?
“There is no widely used test to determine whether an individual ‘needs’ to take NAD+ supplements. Most people take these supplements without a confirmed deficiency,” Dr Grant said.
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“NAD+ levels can decline with age or with specific health conditions, such as chronic inflammation and obesity.”
Taking too much NAD+ in supplement form may lead to nausea, headaches, skin irritation, and muscle cramps, said the Cleveland Clinic.
“Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid these supplements. It’s also recommended that people with cancer should not take NAD+, as NAD⁺ is involved in cellular growth and repair, and there are concerns that increasing its levels could also support the growth of cancer cells,” Dr Grant added.
What’s the best dose of NAD+?
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“As research is still ongoing, there is no universally accepted ‘best dose’. In clinical studies, people typically took around 250–500 mg per day, but this increased in some cases,” said the GP.
“For people who’d like to take the supplement, I recommend starting on a low dose and opting for reputable brands with clearly listed ingredients to guarantee safety”
He ended, “Overall, while NAD⁺ supplements can increase NAD⁺ levels in the body, it is not yet clear what dose, if any, translates into meaningful health benefits, so a cautious and informed approach is recommended.”
Saros – are you getting it this week? (Sony Interactive Entertainment)
The Wednesday letters page is worried what Sony’s PS5 DRM controversy is all about, as a reader wishes that XCOM 3 got announced this week.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Instant access With Saros out this week, I’m very tempted to buy it straight away. I have two main reasons for this: I really want to play it and Sony games rarely go down in price for physical. I’m fairly certain I’ll do it but I feel a bit of a chump for buying something at full price on day one.
Some people seem to swear by it but while I do it often enough I usually feel like I’ve fallen into a trap. Am I just being gullible and should I just wait a few months until it’s cheaper?
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And yet there are real benefits. If it’s multiplayer it means you don’t get left behind by coming into it late but even for single-player it means you avoid any spoilers (probably) and get to be in on the conversation around it, which you won’t necessarily have if you pick it up six months later.
So I’m a bit torn. My head says I should wait and save money but heart says I want to get the game now and be an early adopter like the cool kids. Goldie
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Inevitable U-turn This PS5 30 day DRM thing is very strange. Sony hasn’t said anything about. A lot of people think it’s a bug, and it’s just come out of nowhere for no reason. I’m going to guess that it was all intentional and they somehow thought people were just going to roll over and accept it, because that’s how all these companies act… until there’s an instant uproar and they have to do another U-turn.
Why can’t Sony just be normal? They’ve already got a virtual monopoly, so just sit there and rake in the money. Why do you then need to start making it clear we don’t own anything we buy and that publishers can take it away from us whenever they want. Funnily enough, that makes me less likely to buy something, which you would’ve thought is not what they’re trying to encourage. Cribbens
Splash damage Had no idea it was Firaxis’ 30th anniversary this year, but if I had known I would’ve bet on not hearing a word about XCOM. We didn’t get a new video game annoucement, but we did at least get something, so I guess that’s better than expected?
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It’s still tragic to me what happened with Marvel’s Midnight Suns. People don’t buy one game and an entire studio is ruined forever, a promising franchise is killed instantly, and another (XCOM) will probably never get a chance again. The worst thing is Midnight Suns is a really good game! It’s a crying shame what happened. Wotan
Capcom minus Marvel I’m not sure how I feel about a Capcom game universe. It sounds fun to have Dino Crisis and Resident Evil and Pragmata being in the same world, but I imagine it’d all get old real quick once you start all the exposition to explain it. But then again, the thought of a zombie dinosaur and a robot dinosaur sound very appealing to me.
You could even say Onimusha was from back in time and Devil May Cry was maybe the same universe too. But yeah… it’s probably not worth it.
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What I would love to see though is a new Vs. fighter. We’re not getting Marvel anytime soon, and Warner Bros. owns DC Comics, so let’s just skip the middleman and make it Capcom vs. Capcom. I would buy the hell out of that, deluxe versions included.
I’m not really sure why it’s never happened before because I don’t think it’d be an especially expensive game to make, especially if they based it on the Street Fighter 6 engine. Maybe they can use their Resident Evil Requiem money to give us that Leon vs. Phoenix Wright showdown we’ve all been craving. Klaus
Rise of the Machine I have a lot of trouble imagining the Steam Machine is going to be a big success or change anything about gaming. Number one is that Valve never make enough of their hardware. The Steam Deck would be a lot bigger if they just produced more and made them easier to get but they don’t seem to care.
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And now it sounds like they’re going to shadow drop the hardware out of nowhere in the middle of June or something. I know that worked for Nintendo but Valve don’t exactly have the same amount of experience. Half-Life 3 could make a difference, but when you can play it on any other PC does that really count as an exclusive? Rarebit
Change of plan Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this whole Xbox releasing on other platforms was a plan that hugely backfired on Phil Spencer. If I’m right in saying that with Xbox Game Pass Microsoft forced Sony to up their game with PS Plus in order to offer realistic competition. So when Microsoft started buying everything up they had the dream of negating console exclusives (mainly because theirs weren’t selling) and thought that by releasing games multiplatform they would again force Sony’s hand, due to consumer expectations and pressure to follow suit.
This obviously hasn’t worked, except for a few games on PC which Sony have now apparently abandoned and now Sony fans are getting the best of both worlds and Xbox is failing hard. Now I’ve always had Xboxes, including the Xbox Series X, so I was actually a fan but I’ve now migrated back to Sony for the first time since PlayStation 2 and it would take a lot to coax me back.
In my opinion, I think Xbox need to go back to exclusives for the next gen (and actually make some decent ones) and probably drop the Xbox moniker, as I think most of the damage is irreversible to the brand. I do hope they do something good with Project Helix, as competition is healthy in any business and we have all seen how Sony has been acting now they are effectively the only choice for high-end gaming on consoles. P B
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GC: It’s not clear who’s idea going multiformat was, but it seemed to be something that was forced upon Spencer, after so much money was spent buying Activision Blizzard. It was certainly Spencer’s original plan to make all Bethesda games exclusive.
Chance annoucement Every now and again I remember that Atlus still hasn’t announced Persona 6 or given any hint of when it’s out, which is so rude of them.
I’m hoping that it might turn up at the Summer Game Fest because I really don’t want to have to wait until December and The Game Awards. GC, do you think there’s a chance we’ll see it in the next couple of months? Colin
GC: There’s certainly a chance but there’s no hint or rumour to suggest it one way or another.
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Busy month Wow! I just read your article about all the games coming out in May. Is everyone trying to escape a GTA 6 launch or what?
It’s a nice list though. I’ll see how some of them review here before I have another look at buying any.
I had been peeking on the Bond game which everyone always hopes will trump GoldenEye 007, because, let’s face it, no Bond game has ever since. Forza Horizon 6 and the Lego Batman game I had been checking out too. They’re more a series of games I’ve played than anything I’m really excited about, especially as the Lego formula and Horizon voiceovers have got stale over a series of time.
I haven’t had anything on my must-buy radar for ages, and it’s kind of disappointing for me being a long time gamer and having an Xbox Series X and a Switch 2 and feeling like I’ve nothing left to play that I’m really into. I have done a lot of Fallout 4 recently as well and its leagues ahead of Starfield.
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The last game I kept coming back to, minus Fallout 4, was the Super Bomberman Collection and that release has me scratching my head why they haven’t added all those different retro arenas into just one edition, so there’d be a ton of them and made a golden edition of the game. I don’t think they ever needed to start giving characters special moves, it was better before it on random pick-ups from bomb blasts. Your review on the collection was great and it made me buy it, by the way.
I thought Dirtystopout’s Reader’s Feature was top drawer at the weekend, I was actually disappointed when it ended. I love hearing about how people got hooked up on video games and what sucked them in over the years.
Keep up the good work. Nick The Greek
GC: Thanks.
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Inbox also-rans Is Directive 8020 one of those interactive movie type games like Until Dawn? Tom Twice
GC: It is. In fact, it’s by the same developer as Until Dawn, as are all The Dark Pictures Anthology games and The Quarry.
To whom it may concern: I do not want to be buried in a Mario-shaped coffin. If you do that to me I will haunt you. Kimpo
The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
Aman involved in a crash involving a quad bike is in a critical condition. Emergency services were called to a crash between a Yamaha quad bike and white BMW along Dogsthorpe Road in Peterborough just before 8pm on Monday (April 27).
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The quad bike passenger, a 22-year-old man, suffered serious injuries. He remains in a critical condition at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
The other rider, also a 22-year-old man, initially failed to stop at the scene. He was later treated at Peterborough City Hospital for his injuries.
The driver of the BMW was uninjured. Sergeant David McIlwhan, from Cambridgeshire Police’s road policing unit said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around the time of the collision.
“If you believe you may have dashcam footage of either vehicle in the lead up to the collision, please also get in touch with us as this may help us paint a better picture of what happened.”
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The East of England Ambulance Service also attended the scene. An ambulance spokesperson said: “One ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic car and the MAGPAS Air Ambulance were sent to Dogsthorpe Road Peterborough yesterday evening following reports of quad-bike rider injured in road traffic collision.
“One patient with serious injuries was transported by road ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.”
Anyone with information should report it online or call police on 101 and quote Op Penhale or incident 505 of April 27.
A train station pub’s roof needs repairs as a “matter of urgency”. Cambridge’s railway station building dates back to 1845, when it was first built by Eastern Countries Railway.
The former ticket office is a part of the original building and was converted into the pub, known as The Old Ticket Office, in 2018. Greater Anglia, which owns the station building, has proposed to carry out roof repairs at the pub.
This includes flashing replacement, slate replacement where required, drainage improvements, leak prevention, and remedial work to walls where required. Timber repairs to roof members could also take place, as well as installation of a man safe to the roof.
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In its application, Greater Anglia said the repairs are a “matter of urgency” in order to “address any progressive damage such as timber decay and mould to the existing structure”. A Greater Anglia spokesperson added: ““We have submitted for Listed Building Consent to carry out essential repairs to the Old Ticket Office pub at Cambridge railway station.
“These works will address areas of deterioration and are being progressed as a priority to protect the building and support the tenant. Subject to Listed Building Consent, we expect work to begin later this year and take around three months to complete. The pub will remain open during this time and we do not expect any impact on customers using the station.”
A survey on the roof via drone footage revealed a number of issues. The slate hipped roofs had a “number of significant defects”, while gutters were found to be “narrower than expected”.
It was also clear from drone footage that the gutters had “usual defects”, including debris, material fatigue, and a “lack of regular maintenance were visible”. Other defects were recognised from the roof, including vegetation growth and structural issues.
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The applicant proposes to carry out a number of different repairs. This includes installing new coping stones, brickwork repairs, options to repoint internal brickwork joints, and other repairs.
In order to complete the work, a temporary scaffold would be set up outside the pub. The pub is still expected to open if the works are approved.
The applicant added: “The scaffold design process included how the scaffold would impact on the day-to-day operations of the station frontage and the Old Ticket Office public house, maintaining safe access and egress for customers, maintaining accessible access for persons with disabilities and emergency service access for the duration of these works.”
The Department for Work and Pensions has introduced new regulations extending PIP assessment review periods, benefiting nearly four million claimants and delivering savings of around £300 million
Nearly four million people receiving Personal Independence Payments will see the frequency of their health assessments reduced under new changes. The Department for Work and Pensions has introduced regulations enabling it to extend all existing PIP award reviews to a minimum of three years for new claims, increasing to five years at the subsequent review if entitlement continues.
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This extended timeframe has already begun to apply to numerous fresh PIP claims. The government says the modifications to new and existing PIP claims will generate savings of approximately £300million in total, with alterations to existing claimants accounting for roughly £230million of this figure. The DWP stated the measure seeks to release health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and complete additional reassessments.
PIP is the primary disability benefit for working-age individuals in the UK. People may qualify for PIP if they require additional support with daily activities owing to an illness, disability or mental health condition. PIP eligibility isn’t determined by people’s conditions, but instead by how it impacts their daily life.
Following changes implemented from April 6, health reviews have been prolonged to a minimum of three years for most new PIP claimants aged 25 and above, extending to five years at their subsequent review if entitlement persists, reports the Mirror. Since 2016 in England and Wales, almost 60% of award reviews have resulted in no alteration.
The modifications are distinct from a review being undertaken by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, which will examine the function of PIP, eligibility criteria for the daily living and mobility components, and the assessment procedure.
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Commenting on the new changes, Sir Stephen said: “Reforming the welfare system so that it better meets the needs of disabled people is a priority for the government. A major part of this is ensuring that Pip is fit and fair for the future – and we are taking an important step to improve the system through new legislation, which will reduce the frequency of reviews for many existing Pip customers.
“This will make the system more efficient by freeing up the capacity of health professionals to tackle our inherited assessment backlog, while removing unnecessary pressure from disabled claimants whose conditions rarely change at each review.”
He added: “We are also increasing face-to-face assessments for Pip from 6% in 2024 to 30% of all assessments. Additionally, my review is looking into how we can bolster Pip for the future, and we have opened a call for evidence for people to share their views on how Pip should be reformed.”
Harriet Edwards, director of influencing at the national disability charity Sense, said: “The process of applying for disability benefits is long, complicated, and emotionally distressing, and so we welcome these plans to help disabled people go through fewer assessments in the future.
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“Sense research found over half of disabled PIP claimants with complex needs felt humiliated during their assessment; clearly this process needs to urgently change.
“It’s vital that the Timms Review continues to work with disabled people to make the application process for PIP fairer and less distressing. But most importantly, what disabled people with complex needs require is reassurance that the government won’t make further cuts to benefits that provide a lifeline for them.”
Fazilet Hadi, Disability Rights UK’s head of policy, said: “Reducing the frequency of PIP reviews makes sense, both for disabled people and DWP. So often our needs remain the same, and reviews just cause anxiety. It is of concern that face-to-face reviews will increase, as these can be physically and emotionally challenging.”
Taking place on Thursday, May 14, at Ramside Hall Hotel, the event will explore the theme Maximise Your Business Value and is part of a popular series hosted by Sunderland-based wealth management firm Northern Spire.
David Cook, founder and managing partner of Northern Spire, said: “This is the latest in our series of briefings and tickets are being snapped up quickly.
“As usual, we have some top panellists to discuss our topic, looking at growing your business and then exiting it when the time is right.”
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The session will be jointly hosted by Mr Cook and financial adviser Suzanne Watson and will begin at 8.30am.
Panellists include Kate Cooper Fay, group CEO at Cooper Fay Harris; Jon Malton, founder of the Lighthouse Business Club and former managing director at Ringtons Ltd; Luke Philpott, corporate partner at BHP Law; and Carl Swansbury, partner and head of corporate finance at Ryecroft Glenton.
Mr Malton said: “I was delighted to be invited to join the panel.
“I see too many business owners working really hard without reaping the rewards for their efforts, the risks they have taken, and the responsibilities they carry – not just for the business, but also for their employees and their families.
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“It can be a heavy burden and a lonely place.
“For proud business owners, it can be hard asking for help, so by being a panel member I hope in some small way, I can share my knowledge and experience which may prove useful.”
He brings a wealth of experience to the table.
Mr Malton said: “I’ve been lucky in my career – I trained in the corporate world, worked in family businesses, and owned and operated my own businesses.
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“I think it’s fair to say that maximising a business’s value is harder now than ever before.
“Whether an owner is looking to sell or stay, I’d suggest they focus on making themselves dispensable by developing their leadership team, improving systems and processes, and building strong financials.
“If they sell, their business will be highly saleable; if they stay, they’ll enjoy their business rather than being a slave to it.”
The event will include a Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the panel.
However, he confirmed last year that the show would be back in 2026, with a release date having now been announced.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was revealed that viewers will see Ted heading back to Richmond in just a few short months, with the first episode of season four premiering on Wednesday 5 August.
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The 10-episode season will then come to an end on 7 October.
Check out the newly-released trailer for yourself below:
These will include Sex Education star Tanya Reynolds and Adolescence’s Faye Marsay, as well as Jude Mack, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.
An official synopsis for the new season has teased: “In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team.
“Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.”
Since its premiere in 2020, Ted Lasso has gone on to become one of Apple TV+’s most popular shows, with glowing reviews and multiple awards wins, including Emmys for leads Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein.
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Last year, Jason admitted: “It’s daunting, because we told the story we wanted to tell. But there’s more there.
“And it is a neat group of people to work with, it’s a wonderful group of people, and characters to write around and for. It’s such a great group.”
The first three seasons of Ted Lasso are now streaming on Apple TV+.
Tom Charter has dedicating his life’s work as an artist to honouring them
A man is campaigning for a forgotten hero of the Second World War to be included on the £20 banknote. He claims they are ‘national treasures’ who contribute as much as the King.
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Tom Charter has always admired the humble pigeon – even dedicating his life’s work as an artist to honouring Britain’s most polarising birds. So when the 29 year old heard that the Bank of England was gathering the public’s views on what wildlife should feature on the next series of banknotes, Tom felt certain it had to be the pigeon.
Tom specifically believes pigeons’ contribution during World War Two is reason enough of why the birds have earned a place on our banknotes. During the Second World War, birds carried vital messages about troop positions and early news of the D-Day landings. Tom describes the winged creatures as a ‘national treasure’ that have been wrongfully branded as ‘vermin’ despite their valiant efforts 80 years ago.
Currently, the £20 note features artist JMW Turner on the back and a portrait of King Charles III on the front. And Tom believes the common pigeon should take its pride of place on the note alongside the monarch.
Tom, who lives in Ashford, Kent, said: “I have loved pigeons for a very long time. They’re around us every day and just have little characters about them. They’re just really misunderstood birds and get quite a bad name, and I want to change that. I saw the Bank of England were drawing up a shortlist for the summer for the public to vote on the wildlife they want [on banknotes] and saw people were talking about the beautiful birds like the robin or raven, but thought hang on a minute there’s a bird that lives with us every single day.
“They’re urban wildlife, they still deserve a spot as well. I just straight away thought it has to be a pigeon and it has to be on the £20 note because it’s so perfect.
“Pigeons are war heroes. They saved thousands of British lives in World War Two, yet people treat them like vermin today. We used them then sort of forgot about them as a nation. I think it’s a bird of the people. This would be an appreciation – they deserve it.”
Tom believes Britain’s pigeons are a ‘national treasure’ that deserve pride of place alongside the King on our banknotes. The artist has even launched a petition calling for this, racking up 6,700 signatures in a week.
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Tom said: “The King and pigeon have both contributed to society. If you have a pigeon and a king, that’s amazing. That just sums up what Britain is all about. Why not put a pigeon on with the King? I think that’s incredible.
“The support for the petition has been amazing. It just shows they’re a really underappreciated bird. And if you give people the chance, they’ll support the pigeon in numbers. We need to stop this vermin narrative and recognise the animals that live alongside us.
“It’s a way to celebrate the pigeon and what the pigeon has done for us all. I think they’re a national treasure, whether they’re an animal or not.”
Fans connect, often viscerally, to Wolf’s lyrics, which sit at the messy intersection of love, obsession, self-doubt and empowerment. She pairs them with a dissonant rock-pop sound that’s equal parts Alanis Morissette and Evanescence – a stylistic choice that initially worked against her.
Ready for a new month? (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
May brings growth, vitality and grounding energy, helping us to plant our feet in the right foundations and put our weight to something meaningful.
The opening of a Full Moon in Scorpio, bringing hidden truths to the surface and asking for emotional honesty, especially around power, trust and what we’re ready to release.
Just days later, Pluto turns retrograde, nudging us into a quieter, internal transformation. This is shadow work territory: subtle, profound, and ultimately empowering.
Mid-month, the New Moon in Taurus offers a welcome reset. After the emotional intensity, we’re invited to slow down, stabilise and focus on what truly sustains us — financially, physically and emotionally.
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Looking for more insight?
Join my magical, mystical tarot club – where we explore the cards through challenges, lessons, guided meditations, and rituals. Metro readers can enjoy a free month at Insider level using this link.
Then, as Venus moves into Cancer, love softens and connections deepen, so by the time Gemini season begins, the mood lifts.
The month closes with a Full Moon in Sagittarius, reminding us to zoom out, seek meaning, and trust the bigger picture.
Let the tarot guide you through this journey from depth to lightness, from release to renewal. May is going to be fulfilling.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
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Act on that wanderlust (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Aries for May: The Hierophant, The Chariot, Five of Cups
Meaning: There are two good ways to ‘get over something’, Aries. The Five of Cups shows you’re right at the tail end of that process, feeling like this is the final dark before the new dawn… and you’re right.
First piece of advice comes from The Hierophant — seek to understand the deeper lessons and wisdom from your experience. Enough time has passed that you can examine things more dispassionately and find a fresh angle. There are learnings here that will help and uplift you.
Second piece of advice comes from The Chariot — go on an adventure, a journey, a trip, a quest into the unknown, a change of scene and landscape. New territory = new opportunity. You are ready to branch outside of your current comfort zone, routine and everyday habitat and find new places to grow, roam and enjoy different experiences. Travel changes you. Seek this route.
Look back to move forward (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Taurus for May: The Magician, Ten of Swords, Six of Cups
Meaning: The past is calling your name… and something is going to return to your life, but not as you once knew it. This will be a reimagined and fit-for-purpose now version.
The Six of Cups is the nostalgia and childhood memory card, or inner child yearnings. Something is nagging at your memory, and is ready to be acknowledged and reinvented. The Magician is your powerful creative side coming to life, as a result of this memory. You realise you always liked or were good at something and this is perhaps the key to your happiness and success now, in the present.
Realising this and activating it enables you to cut ties with a chapter you’ve long since tired of. Maybe this is about changing what you do at work, where you live, your social or leisure time pursuits, your friendship circle, or even your love life. The past holds the answers and the key. Go back to Memory Lane and discover what’s been lost.
Death is the tarot’s transformation card (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Gemini for May: Death, Page of Coins, The Fool
Meaning: You have reached the end stages of a long chapter in your life, as shown by the transitional Death card, and it’s time to embrace a fresh start. This could be linked to anything, but you will know it because the energy is fading, false or turning negative. The ‘good stuff’ has been used up, the natural life cycle is waning.
The Page of Coins hints at this linking to work, wealth, home or health, and also hints that your current priority is to research, study and learn about your next option. There is some homework to be done (good; you love it) so you can plan a shrewd pivot move.
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The Fool says that things will be kicking off before the end of Spring- this might involve travel or new technology — but it will all happen, once it starts, quickly and escalate fast. This is a whole new era, and maybe your most successful yet! Be led by your best hopes.
Now is about creating solid foundations (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Cancer for May: Six of Wands, Nine of Coins, Ten of Wands
Meaning: May holds a great deal of good luck for you, so take chances, play bold hands and embrace risky moves — they may well pay off handsomely.
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The Six of Wands gifts you with the presence of Lady Luck for all of May and half of June. Right up to your birthday season! And what you pursue here should be for long-term gain. The Nine of Coins asks you to think about the long game, the coming decade, the foundations you can start building now that will last and grow long into the future.
Don’t overdo it, or think that Rome should be built in a day. The Ten of Wands just wants you to make initial moves, put down markers, pitch and apply. This whole project may takes months and years to complete, and that’s okay, you have time. No pressure or rush or stress. Mindful moves in pursuit of something long-term that might require a bit of luck to get it moving (because fortune favours you right now).
Go your own way (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Leo for May: Four of Cups, The Hermit, The Emperor
Meaning: We often spend much of our life running away from our true calling or nature. Perhaps trying to be someone else, impress others, compare and copy their best traits whilst suppressing our own worst ones. It’s all pointless — you are who you are, my friend, and Leo you are a born leader!
The Four of Cups asks you to zoom in on your regal, authoritative and powerful side. It’s there! It’s a gift from the cosmos and it’s time to bring it to the foreground and work with it. The Emperor is your tarot talisman or ally at this time. He brings an invitation to mimic and mirror your leadership idols, to make different moves to shift the power dynamics in your relationships and career circles. He wants you to rise, take control, accept ownership.
The Hermit shows this is a period of deep personal growth and transition, shining a light on many things in your past and present, and will take from now until October to fully manifest. A work promotion or even self employment opportunity feels very likely too.
Try to learn from this (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Virgo for May: Five of Wands, Queen of Coins, Four of Coins
Meaning: Dissatisfaction is an uncomfortable, sometimes unwelcome, feeling but it serves a great purpose. It directs our focus to what we could change, remove or improve upon to restore a sense of pride and contentment.
Use this feeling as a messenger and guide. The Five of Wands reveals it is calling on you. And it’s likely that this is something linked to work, wealth, home or health as shown by the Queen of Coins, and maybe something you’ve not taken fully accountability for, maybe left for someone else to manage or sort out. But they’re not doing it. Or not doing it to your standard, more likely.
So… the Four of Coins asks you to step in and shake it all up. Don’t just ‘take it back’, try to find a new way forward that uses the best that you each have to offer and tackles this in a totally new way. This will be inventive, successful, and renewing. It could lead to more shared projects, that actually work.
Who’s the backstabber in your circle? (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Libra for May: Three of Swords, Ten of Coins, Queen of Coins
Meaning: This card trio makes me think ‘there’s a fly in your ointment’. So while everything is going to turn out great, feels hopeful, and the potential is all there for success and prosperity, first, you really should remove that fly!
The Ten and Queen of Coins see you setting yourself up for long-term wealth, home, work and health success. You’re doing all the right things, or trying to, and it’s already yielding results. You feel you know what the right alchemy and mix of activity and priority is for you right now. It’s just a matter of sticking to it.
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Back to that fly… The Three of Swords is a betrayal/backstabber/unkindness card, and suggests something small but spiteful in your realm that requires nipping in the bud, before it grows any bigger and can do any real harm. You know what it is. I suspect you wish it would take care of itself or fade away, but it’s won’t. You need to acknowledge it and oust it. Then, all will be well and you will feel in control, powerful and validated in your position. Take this step.
It might be time for some Sun (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Scorpio for May: Page of Wands, The Sun, Four of Wands
Meaning: You have outgrown certain surrounds or situations (you’ll be feeling frustrated, bored or irritated in these places, or with these folk) and you’re ready for the next level, a bigger space, a new role, as shown by the promoting Four of Wands. Time to rise, Scorpio!
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The Page of Wands asks you to embrace this leap and try lots of different ways and means to do it, there’s always more options than you think. Don’t be put off by first impressions or initial explorations — keep at it, something will move and reveal the right opening for you alone.
The Sun blesses this upwards climb with great joy, luck, success and prosperity — this is exactly what you’re meant to be doing right now, this is your ideal path. Onwards and upwards. And, as a reward, maybe The Sun also thinks you should book a holiday!
Action is needed, not just wishes (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Sagittarius for May: Nine of Cups, Nine of Swords, King of Swords
Meaning: You are a natural and powerful manifester but you need to remember that actions count, they are what really make the difference in generating momentum and change. You can’t just ‘wish something away’, and though you know this, you still do it anyway!
The Nines of Cups and Swords sees you hoping your worst fears would evaporate, take care of themselves, or be removed by a saviour. None of that will happen, but the King of Swords visits with you this May to bring the strength of intellect and rationality. You feel dispassionate enough to look these worries full in the eye, and decide what to do about them. None are as bad or scary as you fear — your mind has played tricks on you.
Everything has a solution, a way through, an exit. Find the ‘playbook’ to your troubles and play the right moves and, by June, you could be free of all of this angst and moving ahead with shrewd plans and schemes. Let the King of Swords lead.
Help make this right (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Capricorn for May: Five of Swords, Judgement, Justice
Meaning: You are the bringer of justice this May, Capricorn, and you get to pass the judgment, execute the amendments, and enjoy the benefits of taking responsibility for this mess! Folk will respect how you handle it, and that will pay back in unexpected ways down the line.
The Five of Swords shows there is a conflict in your realm, a fundamental schism of opinion. Judgement reveals you can see why each person holds their position and what the appropriate compromise or truce position would be, and you hold the necessary respect of each person to suggest and broker this proposal. So do it.
Justice shows a good outcome will emerge, order will be restored, wrongs will be righted, and people will feel that you did them a good turn with your subtle intervention.
Don’t be too proud to change your mind (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Aquarius for May: The High Priestess, Temperance, King of Wands
Meaning: A change of heart, at a very deep and lasting level, stabilises your mind and clears away all the fog. Once you can see clearly, you can think clearly, and this leads to a new purpose that feels totally authentic and aligned with right where you’re actually at (vs wish to be, or hoped to be). Reality bites!
The High Priestess and Temperance work together to bring you a soulful shift or change of perspective which casts new light on where you’re at, and why. And it’s helpful. This new understanding makes you feel stable, secure, ‘right’ about things.
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Then, with this solid foundation, the King of Wands is unleashed! Purpose, power, adventure, magic energies and forces. You feel like you’re ready to embark on a new quest because the challenge and goal is so obvious and clear to you. This is going to be great!
Make a wish, Pisces (Picture: Kerry King/@inlovewithcameras)
Tarot cards for Pisces for May: Seven of Cups, Ace of Wands, The Star
Meaning: Miracles and magic for you this May, Pisces! How delightful! The Star is a miracle card, bringing you a dream come true, a wish fulfilled and fully granted by your own personal genie (can you see him yet?). Look out for sparkles, glimmers, flashes, comet trails and fairy lights. They’re a signal that you can make your wish and take a step towards it!
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The Seven of Cups brings your imagination to its full force, which is some going! You’re one of the most creative star signs and naturally artistic. The Ace of Wands has you starting a new creative class, project, role, or challenge.
Get busy doing something expressive and whimsical, something that puts an enchanting layer of meaning over the top of everyday life, a hyper-real filter and glow up. You can make everything feel more alive and interesting. This is your gift to share with others.
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
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The pre-school was previously rated as requires improvement in 2025
A pre-school where children have a “sense of belonging” has improved its Ofsted rating. In March 2025, Cracker Jacks Pre-School in Kester Way, St Neots, was rated as requiring improvement across all areas by Ofsted.
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Inspectors said the quality of education across the nursery was “not consistent” and organisation of nursery activities and routines required improvement. Following its latest inspection in February, the pre-school has improved its rating to expected standard.
It has been rated as an expected standard in all areas, including: achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; curriculum and teaching; inclusion; and leadership and governance.
The report said children who attend “achieve well” from the start, and gaps in children’s learning were “closing consistently”. Babies were said to “smile with delight” at the nursery.
Kim Seaman, nursery director said: “We are absolutely delighted that our nursery has now been recognised as achieving an expected standard, a result that reflects the passion, dedication and hard work of our entire team.
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“After an unexpectedly early inspection in 2025, shortly after opening our new setting, we felt we had not yet been given the time many new provisions need to fully settle, embed routines and showcase everything we knew we could offer. Rather than allowing that to define us, our team remained committed to creating the warm, nurturing and inspiring environment our children deserve.”
Inspectors said staff have “high expectations” of the children’s behaviour, and they set clear and age appropriate boundaries for this. Staff were also said to create a “warm and nurturing environment”. Inspectors praised leaders for demonstrating an “understanding of curriculum quality and teaching” in its latest inspection.
The report added: “They make informed decisions to drive improvement as they regularly review and refine the curriculum in response to children’s needs.” It was also said that children show a “sense of belonging” when attending the nursery.
To improve its rating, Ofsted recommended a number of next steps. These were:
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Leaders should support staff to consistently allow younger children to demonstrate and practise their independence, giving them more opportunities to complete tasks on their own before providing support;
Leaders should continue to build on staff practice to support older children to develop their critical thinking skills;
Leaders should have a more focused approach to increasing children’s awareness of a healthy lifestyle.
Ms Seaman added: “This achievement is a wonderful recognition of how far we have come and the determination of everyone involved. It celebrates not only our staff, but also the incredible support of our families and local community who have believed in us every step of the way.
“Most importantly, this result reflects what we see every day – happy children, thriving in a safe, caring and stimulating environment. We are immensely proud of this milestone and excited for the future as our nursery continues to grow from strength to strength.”
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