“The proposed changes aim to create a forward-looking, mixed-use destination that contributes to the vibrancy of London Bridge City, with ground-floor cafes, shops, and restaurants to generate employment opportunities and increase tourism footfall,” Gensler says on its website.
The Italian prime minister and leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, Giorgia Meloni, has made fostering ties with foreign leaders a central part of her political strategy. A few years before winning Italy’s 2022 general elections, she started cultivating ties with the US and European conservative world as part of a broader political rebranding effort aimed at projecting a more moderate image at home and gaining legitimacy abroad.
She subsequently became a familiar face within Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (Maga) movement. Meloni shares similar views to Maga on migration, sovereignty and national identity. She also aligns with the movement on a constellation of other themes ranging from fighting against “wokeism” and defending the traditional family to the rejection of liberalism, globalism and environmentalism.
After Trump was elected as US president for the second time in late 2024, Meloni’s ties with the American far-right suddenly became a matter of foreign policy. But her relationship with Trump has turned out to be a more demanding balancing act than Meloni may have anticipated. And now their alliance – at least for the time being – appears to be over.
On April 13 Meloni described Trump’s recent social media attack on Pope Leo, who had criticised the US and Israel’s war on Iran, as “unacceptable”. This prompted a rebuke from Trump, who said Meloni “lacked courage” for not joining the war. The conditions for this breakdown have been in place for some time.
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Trump and Meloni’s alliance
Trump and Meloni’s shared far-right traits should not hide some key differences between the two leaders. In foreign policy, Meloni has adopted a pro-Nato position and is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. These positions have aided Meloni in what has been called her quest for “respectability”, but they clash with Trump’s lack of support for Ukraine and belligerent position towards Nato.
Politically, Meloni has also faced constraints that have moderated her leadership. Externally, the EU’s institutional and financial straitjacket has required Meloni to work collaboratively with the bloc. This requirement has limited Meloni’s room for manoeuvre in her dealings with Trump and clashes with the US president’s rejection of multilateralism.
Internally, the logic of coalition politics – in particular the moderating presence of the pro-European Forza Italia party in her government – and the fact that centrist voters represent a decisive constituency in Italy have both acted as a further centripetal force on Meloni’s agenda.
Despite these divergences, Meloni’s ideological closeness to Trump did initially translate into diplomatic gains that helped boost her profile with fellow EU leaders. She was the first EU leader to meet with Trump after the imposition of his global trade tariff regime in 2025.
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Meloni also managed to organise a trilateral meeting in Rome with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the US vice-president, J.D. Vance. Following the meting, Vance called Meloni a “bridge” between the two sides of the Atlantic.
Still, beyond the legitimacy gains for Meloni and her party, the material advantages Italy has extracted from her relationship with Trump have been limited. Italy was not spared trade tariffs, for instance. Nor did it manage to obtain a discount on Trump’s demand for Nato members to raise military spending to 5% of their GDP.
People celebrate the results of the recent judicial reform referendum in Palermo, Italy, on March 23. Lara Sirignano / EPA
The scarcity of tangible policy gains from her ties with Trump may be one reason for Meloni’s decision to distance herself from the US president. But Italian domestic politics are another important factor.
The indirect effects of Trump’s policies are likely to have played a key role in the recent defeat Meloni suffered in a referendum on judicial reform. This referendum, which came one month into Trump’s war in Iran, morphed into a vote on the Meloni government.
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The Iran war has caused energy prices across Europe to rise and has generated fears among Italians of possible security repercussions. With a recent survey indicating 79% of Italians now hold a negative opinion on Trump, it seems that voters used the referendum to signal their discontent to Meloni ahead of general elections in 2027.
Opposition parties, both on the left and right, hailed the result as a sign that voters are looking for change. And Roberto Vannacci, a former general turned politician, is capitalising on voters’ increased unease with the impact of Trump’s policies. He has criticised Meloni for what he sees as her Washington-first alignment and soft approach to key far-right issues.
Trump’s attack on the Pope – indefensible for Meloni as someone who has defined herself as a Christian and whose party draws on a vast Catholic electorate – gave the Italian prime minister the exit she needed to signal her distance from Trump’s recent actions to voters.
Meloni’s agenda remains far-right in its orientation, aligning with Trump’s in many ways from identity politics and migration to his stance on the green transition. How these ideological similarities are received by Italian voters over the coming year is likely to play a crucial role in determining Meloni’s political future.
The road was closed between the A67 Crathorne turnoff, near Yarm, and the Parkway Interchange, which connects the A19 to the A174 in Middlesbrough.
The woman was travelling northbound, in a blue VW Golf, when she collided with a white lorry.
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A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “A 24-year-old woman was taken to James Cook University Hospital with a head injury.”
A picture from the scene shows traffic being diverted through Yarm off the A19, with cars also being reversed backwards on the northbound side.
Further images seen by The Northern Echo shows several 999 vehicles on the road beside a HGV, which is partly off the carriageway.
At the time, National Highways said: “The A19 in North Yorkshire is closed northbound between the A67 (Crathorne) and A174 (near Middlesbrough) due to a serious collision involving a lorry and a car.
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“All emergency services including North Yorkshire Police are on scene. National Highways Traffic Officers and contractors are also assisting with traffic management.”
The road has since reopened and Cleveland Police are calling for witnesses to come forward.
Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage are asked to call 101 quoting reference SE26077144.
Get ready for a new week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
A very busy week cosmically with Uranus moving into Gemini, a Full Moon in Scorpio, a new calendar month and Mercury moving into Taurus.
All this action is likely to stir things up a bit, heighten sensitivities, unlock truths that have been buried deeply for a long time, and create a little bit of interesting chaos in your relationships and own selfhood.
Be gentle and patient with yourself, and other folk. Let your mind and heart be open to new ideas and insights, but take a pause before reacting. Let everything settle down a bit before you analyse too closely, get some emotional distance.
The tarot cards are here to help us through! Let’s see what guiding light will pull you through the chaos and towards the clarity you need.
Or, come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Queen of Wands (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aries for this week: Queen of Wands
Meaning: Be proactive, be on the front foot, be a pest! Ask questions, badger them a bit, put pressure on, validate and proof-check the answers.
Sometimes it’s best to let folk have space to formulate a response, sometimes they need to know (and feel) that you care, are paying close attention and will follow up on what they say. Basically, you’re no mug. This is a week to lean in and show you’re listening well and ready to challenge what is wrong.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Seven of Swords (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Taurus for this week: Seven of Swords
Meaning: The real villain (the one pulling the strings) is about to show their true face, so get ready. Don’t take things at face value, look closer when your instincts kick in — instincts are always protective, they surge when you need to defend yourself and step back.
Once you see the truth of things, and the scales fall from your eyes, take positive action. Put up a boundary or a block so this situation is contained and you’re out of it for good!
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by The Magician (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Gemini for this week: The Magician
Meaning: Difficulties often end up as ‘art’ for you, and you create and express yourself creatively when you’re struggling or wounded or shown a hard truth.
Your best work actually arises this way, so let your boundless creativity protect, soothe and comfort you through any unwelcome events or revelations. In fact, later on, you’ll be glad of all this because what you’re going to invent is going to blow everyone away!
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Eight of Cups (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Cancer for this week: Eight of Cups
Meaning: Accept whatever isn’t working, isn’t rewarding, isn’t happening for you. Write it off. No more excuses, delays, second chances. Just write it off.
Why? Because the Eight of Cups promises that better openings lie ahead and will become visible when you’ve removed the current obstacles blocking your gaze. When you let go of the negativity in your realm, that energy will clear. Stop trying to fix it and let it be what it is (by itself). As soon as you do, a new invitation or opportunity will emerge – a better one.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Knight of Wands (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Leo for this week: Knight of Wands
Meaning: Just go with the flow, ride the waves, and act on your instincts (they won’t guide you far wrong). Don’t overthink things or paralyse yourself with too many options or ideas. Feel something, do something, move on to the next thing.
Keep it simple and fun, look for the humour and lightheartedness, accept kindnesses. In fact, you will come through it all swimmingly. After all, you don’t mind a bit of drama!
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Five of Wands (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Virgo for this week: Five of Wands
Meaning: Face the storm head on. You are strong, stoic, shrewd and forceful. You know your rights, your values, and your powers. You are a realist and a practical can-do action person and that combination can overcome whatever glitches life has in store.
Argue back, fight your corner, stick up for yourself, and notice the undercurrent too. Notice what’s really driving this and put your clever mind to finding a ‘fix’ at that level. You can resolve a longstanding issue this week.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Queen of Coins (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Libra for this week: Queen of Coins
Meaning: A calm and safe harbour amidst stormy seas – that’s how you think of yourself. A port for other sailors who are feeling overwhelmed by life’s blizzards and storms.
You can provide solace, comfort, understanding and shrewd advice too, because you’re diplomatic and smart. And the favours and personal credit you build up by doing this, this week, will set you in store for return favours and goodwill all year long. And you’ll enjoy doing it, as you kind of enjoy solving other folks’ problems.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by The World (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: The World
Meaning: You are being moved from a situation that’s reaching a natural conclusion and end towards a new beginning that will create your next chapter in life. This is a powerful pivot, don’t try to resist it or cling to the sides… let life sweep you out to the middle!
Travel may be involved, or connections overseas. Also a new ambition or role that feeds directly on from something you’ve already achieved or undertaken. And whatever it is, it has huge potential to become the pinnacle or culmination of your life’s work so far. This is a week to notice endings and new beginnings and accelerate them.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by The Hierophant (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: The Hierophant
Meaning: Time to activate your inner philosopher and wise sage. There’s one dormant in every Sagittarian, just awaiting your ‘bat signal’. The way through this week is by examining and elevating the information so you can see patterns, root causes and linkages between past, present and even the future.
Let your mind go matrix on this stuff! What you fathom out will be illuminating and will also help others. Be the one who sees it all. Feast on the chaos.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Three of Cups (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: Three of Cups
Meaning: Enjoy yourself! Simply have a good time, because you’ve already done all the prep, all the hard work, and all the streamlining and automation so your life’s ‘machine’ can keep on running even if there’s the odd spanner in the works.
It’s at times like this that you need to reward yourself for all of this foresight and effort by not overreacting and stressing (like everyone else). Simply kick back, chill out, and ride the wave until normal service is resumed and everyone’s back in business. Take a little vacay.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Page of Cups (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Page of Cups
Meaning: Look after your inner child, the little one who gets hurt or confused by stormy weather. Be patient with your feelings, let them emerge (don’t squash them back down) and sit with yourself to process what’s going on, why you feel as you do, and what you can do to help yourself.
Seek kind people and their soothing company. Play simple games or pastimes that let your mind unwind without too much work. Take deep rest, early nights feeling cosy, peaceful mornings with a good ritual to nourish you as the day begins. Treat yourself a little like a precious child.
Your route from chaos to clarity this week is signalled by the Five of Coins (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Pisces for this week: Five of Coins
Meaning: Talk about it. Mention it all. Get things off your chest. Share the heavy stuff. Don’t isolate yourself or keep your problems under your hat. Folk can offer empathy, sympathy and comfort, maybe even good advice and solutions.
Everything you’ve encountered has been encountered before, you just need to find the right ‘play book’ for dealing with it, learning from others’ experience and mistakes. Use your network, lean on folk, get support and advice, and share your worries. It’ll all be okay.
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.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
Braunstone Community Primary School – dancing/comedy
World Wings – dancers
Mr Cherry – strongman
Who are the 8 acts performing on Britain’s Got Talent tonight?
With the pre-recorded auditions complete, it is now time for the live semi-finals, the first of which airs on ITV1 and ITVX tonight (Saturday, April 25).
The eight acts performing in tonight’s first live BGT semi-final are:
Anastasiia and Salsa
Celtic Beat
Christy Coysh
Fraser Penman
Matty Juniosa
Nancy Tilley
Paul Nunnari
The Rafikiz
What does the winner of BGT get?
The semi-finalists will all be competing for a spot in the final, which will take place on Saturday, May 30.
The winner of BGT takes home a £250,000 cash prize and also gets the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
There will be five semi-finals in 2026.
When is Britain’s Got Talent on tonight?
The first live semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent 2026 will air on ITV1 and ITVX from 7pm tonight (Saturday, April 25).
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Having already impressed the judges during auditions, each act must now push their claim for a spot in the Grand Finale.
There will also be a special guest performance from the cast of I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical.
Who has been your favourite act on Britain’s Got Talent 2026? Let us know in the comments below.
They had already beaten Mikel Arteta’s side last weekend in a 2-1 thriller at the Etihad Stadium, with Rayan Cherki and Haaland on target to bring them to within three points of the north London club. Southampton, who dumped Arsenal out of this competition in the last round, are aiming to become the first non-Premier League outfit to win the oldest trophy in football for 46 years.
Spencerbeck House in Ormesby will be carefully taken down over the coming months by Beyond Housing, which has appointed MGL Demolition to carry out the work.
The 10-storey building has been empty since September 2023, and its removal is expected to be complete by January 8, 2027.
Ben Briggs, regeneration manager at Beyond Housing, said: “The start of demolition at Spencerbeck House is an important milestone.
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“This building has stood empty for some time and, while it has provided some recent community benefit through training exercises for emergency services, we are now pleased to be moving ahead with the demolition.”
Work began on April 20 and will begin with site set-up and the removal of internal fixtures and fittings to maximise recycling before the structure itself comes down.
Mr Briggs said: “MGL Demolition is a trusted and experienced contractor, and we are committed to ensuring these works are carried out safely, responsibly, and with as little disruption to local people as possible.
“We will continue to keep residents informed throughout the demolition programme.
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“Following demolition, we will be looking to repurpose the site for community use, a consultation will be held in the coming months so residents can have their say on the proposals.”
Originally built in 1972, Spencerbeck House has stood empty since September 2023.
The building will be wrapped in protective sheeting during demolition and water cannons will be used to suppress dust as far as possible.
Mark Davison, head of MGL Demolition, said: “We are pleased to be working with Beyond Housing on the demolition of Spencerbeck House and to begin this phase of the programme.
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“As a vacant high-rise structure, this is a complex demolition that requires careful planning, strong safety controls and close coordination with all stakeholders.”
Mr Davison said: “The works will be carried out in a phased and controlled manner, with a strong focus on safety, recycling and minimising disruption to local residents.
“We are committed to delivering the project safely and responsibly and will continue to work closely with Beyond Housing to keep residents informed as works progress.”
The site will operate from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and from 8am to 3.30pm on Fridays.
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Residents with questions about the demolition are encouraged to contact Chris Little, contracts manager at MGL Demolition.
Mikel Arteta’s side were largely lacklustre in attack and had to survive some nervy moments at the other end, including one big chance missed by Yoane Wissa. However, Arsenal held on to bounce back from consecutive league defeats to Bournemouth and Man City and keep themselves right in the title race.
After being evacuated from the venue, along with other members of the administration, the president wrote on Truth Social that it was “quite an evening” and said he recommended the annual dinner continue as planned.
“The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we “LET THE SHOW GO ON” but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement,” Trump wrote around 9:20 p.m.
“Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”
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Shortly after appetizers were served, a person fired several gunshots near the security checkpoint of the event, sending the entire ballroom into temporary lockdown. Journalists took cover underneath tables, including The Independent reporters.
One U.S. Secret Service agent was reportedly shot, but their condition is currently unknown.
Secret Service members demanded the president take cover after a person opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (AP)
What happened
Shortly after the appetizers were served, dinner attendees heard several gunshots ring out.
Reporters from The Independent, who were seated at a table in the back of the ballroom, said they heard approximately five gunshots before watching agents draw their firearms. Upon realizing what was happening, guests took cover underneath tables.
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Secret Service swarmed the banquet hall, yelling at the president to get out of the way and demanding that people duck.
The president and first lady were swiftly removed from the scene.
One woman, who was seated at a table with reporters, began crying, saying the incident was the scariest thing she had ever experienced, according to The Independent’s John Bowden.
Wolf Blitzer, a long-time CNN journalist, said he saw “the shooter was clearly on the ground.”
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Other members of the Trump administration who were in attendance, including Vice President JD Vance, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was one of the Trump administration members who was rushed out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday evening (Reuters)
The president immediately returned to the White House to prepare to give an official statement from the briefing room.
Trump’s appearance at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner marked the first time he was attending the annual event that raises money for the White House Correspondents’ Association since he became president in 2016.
Members of the media take cover after a shooter opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (Reuters)
Who is the shooter?
No information is currently known about the suspected shooter.
The FBI confirmed it had taken the person suspected of opening fire into custody.
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The person reportedly began shooting near the security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
One Secret Service agent was shot, three people familiar with the matter told CNN. The bullet allegedly struck the agent’s protective gear. The agent was taken to a nearby hospital. Their condition is currently known.
An ambulance awaits White House Correspondents’ dinner attendees after a shooter opened fire at the annual event (Reuters)
How did a gun get inside the premises?
It’s unclear at this time how a firearm entered the Washington Hilton Hotel at this time.
The person opened fire near the security clearance area.
Here’s what the stars have in store for your day (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
After an electric shift as Uranus enters Gemini, the atmosphere is buzzing with fresh ideas and a restless urge to try something new.
But with the Moon moving into Virgo and the Sun still in steadfast Taurus, practicality and clarity are key.
All in all, it’s a day for sorting, refining, and grounding inspiration into action.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Sunday April 26, 2026.
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Aries
March 21 to April 20
Uranus entering Gemini for the long haul inspires a lively chapter lasting until 2033, when your mind becomes a lightning rod for bright ideas. Conversations sizzle, technology fascinates, and interest leads you down captivating paths. Expect sudden insights, unusual learning opportunities, and connections with people who think differently. Do stay flexible!
Get ready for an active financial adventure lasting for around seven years. Your sense of value, income, and personal talents enters a period of experimentation and clever reinvention. Expect surprising opportunities involving technology, communication, or learning new skills. Money may arrive through unusual channels, or through ideas you once considered hobbies.
Uranus arrives in your sign and begins an electrifying era lasting until 2033. Think of it as a long cosmic brainstorming session with lots of surprises. Your identity, style, and outlook can evolve in novel ways. You may experiment with new interests, technologies, friendships, or ideas. Change comes swiftly, yet it’s liberating. It’s time to be unapologetically yourself.
An engaging chapter begins that lasts for seven years or so. It may feel like an electric current flowing through your inner world. Old worries, habits, or secret stories may shift, often through deeper understandings or unusual dreams. Uranus’s presence could also stir memories, that have been deeply seated within you. But look to embrace not avoid these, Cancer.
A fresh cycle begins in earnest and affects your social world, which might feel like a social experiment at times. Friendships shift, new alliances appear, and interesting people may enter your orbit. Uranus moving into Gemini over the coming year’s thrives on cooperation and creativity. Your leadership qualities shine brightest when you welcome new viewpoints.
Uranus entering Gemini begins a surprising career chapter lasting until 2033. Think of it as a possibility to improve your professional mindset. Roles, ambitions, or key goals may change in unanticipated ways. Technology, communication, and ingenious ideas become powerful tools. A path you never considered might look intriguing, so stay on board and learn to adapt.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
You’re stepping into a zesty chapter that lasts for the next seven years with Uranus’s help. Travel, learning, and expansive new ideas beckon. You’ll explore unfamiliar subjects, cultures, or philosophies that stretch perspectives. Conversations become doorways to discovery. You will encounter opportunities around teaching, writing, or sharing knowledge.
Get ready for a life-changing financial and emotional chapter for seven years. Shared resources, investments, and deep commitments may evolve in new way, a time of change around trust and power issues. Fresh opportunities can influence partnerships, money, or support systems. Ready for a major shift? It could become an empowering breakthrough.
As Uranus enters Gemini, prepare for an interesting partnership adventure lasting for many years. Relationships, collaborations, and agreements may evolve in surprising ways. New people may enter your orbit with unusual ideas and energising outlooks. Long-standing relationships might reinvent themselves – if you embrace new options and honest dialogue.
Prepare to refresh the gears of your daily life. Work routines, habits, and health patterns may evolve in clever and charming ways. New technologies, skills, or working methods might change how you organise your time. Uranus moving into Gemini means experimentation is better than a fixed schedule. Small changes lead to big improvements in work and wellbeing.
Uranus moves into Gemini and sparks a creative renaissance that lasts for seven years. Inspiration arrives like lightning from all kinds of places. Hobbies, romance, artistic projects, and playful adventures all gain a lively twist. Expect unusual ideas, smart collaborations, and bursts of enthusiasm. Your natural thirst and appreciation of originality will be amplified.
Your living space, family dynamics, or feeling of belonging may evolve in fresh and interesting ways. Moves, renovations, unusual housemates, or new ways of working from home may show up. As Uranus enters Gemini, it rewards flexibility, inventive thinking, and refreshing changes. But this planet will also push you to release what holds you back.
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