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Iran-US war live: Drone downed near US embassy in Baghdad after Trump urges Tehran to ‘get smart’ and sign deal

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Iran-US war live: Drone downed near US embassy in Baghdad after Trump urges Tehran to ‘get smart’ and sign deal

Briefing: What we know on 61st day of Iran war

    1. President Donald Trump has reportedly told his aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran, choosing sustained economic pressure over further strikes or withdrawal.
    2. Oil prices rose on news there was no end in sight to blockade
    3. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies before Congress on war
    4. Trump claimed Iran has informed the U.S. it was “in a State of Collapse”, though this has not been confirmed by Tehran.
    5. A public spat between Donald Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz erupted after the latter said the U.S. was being “humiliated” by Iran
    6. The United Arab Emirates has quit Opec after nearly 60 years, weakening the group and signaling a major shift in global oil politics and regional alliances.
    7. Former US officials have criticized the lack of transparency over the deadly Minab school strike in Iran, calling the Pentagon’s silence “highly unusual”

Maroosha Muzaffar29 April 2026 05:45

Watch: Trump claims King Charles would have probably helped with military strikes against Iran

Trump claims King Charles would have probably helped with military strikes against Iran

Rachel Dobkin30 April 2026 00:52

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Major revelation from Hegseth testimony was price tag of Iran war

One of the biggest revelations to emerge from Wednesday’s congressional hearing was that the war in Iran has so far cost an estimated $25 billion.

“Approximately, of this day, we’re spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury,” Jules Hurst, a Pentagon budget official, told the hearing.

Most of that has been spent on munitions, he said.

(Reuters)

Rhian Lubin30 April 2026 00:00

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ICYMI: Trump posts extraordinary picture holding assault rifle in new threat to Iran

President Donald Trump issued an astonishing new threat against Iran Wednesday, posting a mocked-up picture of himself brandishing an assault rifle with the strapline: “No more Mr Nice Guy!”

“Iran can’t get their act together,” the President wrote on Truth Social. “They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!”

The threat was accompanied by a meme of Trump, stood against a Middle Eastern backdrop of explosions devastating a hillside, wearing a dark suit and sunglasses and holding the heavy-duty firearm.

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Donald Trump says Iran 'better get their act together' in latest bizarre post on Truth Social
Donald Trump says Iran ‘better get their act together’ in latest bizarre post on Truth Social (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Rhian Lubin29 April 2026 22:45

Trump claims King Charles ‘probably would’ve helped’ US with Iran

President Donald Trump has claimed that King Charles “probably would have helped us” in Iran as he launched another attack on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO.

“The King loves his country, and he’s a great king, and he’s a great friend of mine. And I think if that it were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran,” Trump said.

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Rhian Lubin29 April 2026 22:00

Pictured: Hegseth grilled by lawmakers for six 6

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was grilled by lawmakers for six hours, mostly about the war in Iran.

(Getty)
(Getty)
(Getty)
(Getty)

Rhian Lubin29 April 2026 21:15

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Hearing is adjoured

The hearing is now adjourned after nearly six hours.

Rhian Lubin29 April 2026 20:54

Trump gives rambling answer on whether Ukraine or Iran war will end first

As Hegseth was testifying, Trump appeared to confuse the two countries as he turned an Oval Office meeting to honor the Artemis II lunar mission crew into a wide-ranging media session with reporters.

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After four minutes of remarks to honor the NASA crew that traveled to the Moon for the first time since the Nixon administration, the president immediately launched into a question-and-answer session in which he told reporters a recent conversation with Russian president Vladimir Putin had focused on the Ukraine and Iran wars.

“I talked about Ukraine, and I talked a little bit about Iran. I talked about few different subjects, mostly about Ukraine, and we had a very good conversation. I think we’re going to come up with a solution relatively quickly,” he said Wednesday.

Rhian Lubin, Andrew Feinberg29 April 2026 20:37

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Second Republican shares concern over Hegseth’s firing of top Army official

A second Republican questioned Pete Hegseth’s firing of Gen. Randy George, one of the top U.S. military officials.

Reps. Austin Scott of Georgia and Don Bacon of Nebraska both expressed their concern over George’s ousting.

“I do want you to know I disagree with the firing of General George,” Scott said. “I’ve sent you a letter. I hope you’ll look forward to seeing the responses on that.”

Rhian Lubin29 April 2026 20:05

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Democrat quizzes Hegseth on gas prices: ‘You can’t answer this basic question’

Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire asks Hegseth if he knows what the average price of gas was on February 28, at the start of the war, compared to now.

“Do you know what the average cost of a gallon of gas was in this country on February 28?” Goodlander asked.

“Well, it depends on where you live. If you live in California, it’s 8 bucks and 83 cents,” he replied.

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“I gotta say, Mr. Hegseth, you said you’ve got a crack economic team that’s looking at the impacts of this war on the American taxpayer. And you can’t answer this basic question… that should shock the conscience of every American.”

Rhian Lubin29 April 2026 19:57

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How King Charles charmed the US while taking digs at Trump

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How King Charles charmed the US while taking digs at Trump

King Charles’s speech to the US Congress – only the second such address by a British monarch – demonstrates how much both the US and the UK have changed in the last three decades.

The first speech was in May 1991 during his mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s, third state visit to the US. The underlying purpose of both speeches was the same: to stress the enduring links between Britain and the US. But the circumstances in which they were delivered were very different.

The late queen’s speech came in the wake of joint action by US and British forces, along with other allies, to eject Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi troops from Kuwait. She referenced this in her speech as a concrete example of the strength of the Anglo-American alliance.

In 2026, the UK has pointedly refused to join the US-Israeli attack on Iran, angering President Donald Trump. Charles’s speech adroitly inverted the moral of this apparent diplomatic rift, suggesting that tensions in the past had always been overcome. Referring to the revolution of 1776 he noted: “Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong for it”, because ultimately “our nations are in fact instinctively like-minded”.

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A speech like this, voiced by the monarch, can serve at least two useful purposes. The first is to portray things that are, at heart, profoundly political, as being somehow above politics. The second is to place the transitory difficulties of day-to-day diplomacy within the much longer-term perspective of a dynasty that traces its lineage back to the Norman Conquest.

These two elements featured in how both Elizabeth II and Charles’s speeches depicted the Anglo-American alliance. The latter was the basis of a joke by the king, who referred to the actions of the Founding Fathers “250 years ago, or, as we say in the United Kingdom, just the other day”.

Charles’s speech was beautifully crafted and delivered with a degree of warmth and conviction that was always beyond the range of his mother’s public oratory. That, in itself, was almost an implicit reproach to the president’s own rambling, undisciplined public pronouncements.

And in more than one way the address was pitched over the head of Trump. The lack of any immediate pushback from the president suggests that the subtlety of some of the messaging eluded him. But in a more significant sense, it was an appeal to causes that still resonate with much of the American political class if not with the Trump administration itself.

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King Charles’s speech was only the second time a reigning British monarch has addressed the US Congress.
Luke Johnson/EPA-EFE

Charles stressed the value of Nato and the importance of “the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people”. He made a sly reference to his proud association with the Royal Navy – an institution that has been the subject of some disparagement by Trump in recent weeks.

He emphasised the importance of protecting the environment, although couched in a Trumpian language of profit and loss: “We ignore at our peril the fact that these natural systems – in other words, Nature’s own economy – provide the foundation for our prosperity and our national security.”

Perhaps his most pointed remarks – and those that generated the loudest applause from some (although not all) in the hall – were directed at the US itself. He described Congress as “this citadel of democracy created to represent the voice of all American people”. He mentioned the role of Magna Carta in laying the foundation for the constitutional principle that “executive power is subject to checks and balances”. Trump’s opponents clearly enjoyed that.

Saving the special relationship

State visits by British monarchs to the US have been relatively rare, and state visits to London by US presidents are even rarer. Trump is unique in having made two. This in itself is a mark of the desperate attempts by British governments, both Tory and Labour, to find ways of managing relations with his administration. This desperation was also apparent in Keir Starmer’s reckless decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to Washington.

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The king’s speech pushed in interesting ways at the boundaries of what a British monarch might be expected to have said in Trump’s America. Yet some of the sentiments in his mother’s 1991 address to Congress – considered uncontroversial at the time – could no longer be expressed without the risk of offending the current administration.

Queen Elizabeth noted: “Some people believe that power grows from the barrel of a gun. So it can, but history shows us that it never grows well nor for very long. Force, in the end, is sterile.”

That may be a lesson Trump will have to learn the hard way. But for the moment, he and his immediate circle seem to have an unwavering belief in the primacy of kinetic force, and have little interest in the objective Charles described of stemming “the beating of ploughshares into swords”.

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The queen also commended “the rich ethnic diversity of both our societies”. Charles spoke instead about interfaith understanding. This is not quite the same thing – but is certainly more compatible with the Trump administration’s disturbingly relaxed approach to the rise of white-supremacist politics.

Perhaps the saddest feature of a comparison of the two speeches is the queen’s proud boast in 1991 that “Britain is at the heart of a growing movement towards greater cohesion within Europe, and within the European Community in particular”. If the US has changed since 1991, so has Britain. It would be nice to think that one day the monarch might give an equally generous speech about shared history and values in front of the UK’s European neighbours.

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Derek Thompson set to return to Casualty for brief stint

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Derek Thompson set to return to Casualty for brief stint

Thompson, 78, played the character of Charlie Fairhead from the show’s beginning in 1986 up until 2024, making him the longest-serving cast member.

Charlie retired from Holby City ED after surviving a near-death experience when he was stabbed by a patient trying to steal medical supplies from the hospital.

The Sun reports that Thompson will be returning for a brief appearance and has begun filming scenes.

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A source told the publication: “Fans will be delighted to see Charlie.

“The character was never killed off and the door was left open for a return.

“Viewers will have to wait to see how Charlie’s storyline pans out.

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“But it is an appearance rather than a permanent return to the cast.”

Charlie’s comeback could coincide with Casualty’s upcoming 40th anniversary, which is due to take place in September.

Newsquest have contacted the BBC, who have declined to comment.

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Derek Thompson’s time on Casualty

Thompson was involved in some huge storylines on Casualty over the years, including a will-they-won’t-they relationship with Duffy (Cathy Shipton) that spanned over 30 years.

Towards the end of his time on the show, the character also supported Duffy through her heartbreaking battle with vascular dementia ahead of her death.

Other dramatic episodes saw Charlie shot in the chest, held hostage by an armed man, and even run over by an ambulance on his wedding day.

When it was announced that Charlie would be leaving Casualty, Thompson took the time to pay tribute to Pete Salt, the real nurse who inspired his character.

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He said: “The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years.

“Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse – Pete Salt.

“Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to bring to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and sound judgement that we all see and love in Pete and I want to say thanks to Pete and everyone else over that time who has inspired me in bringing this character to life.”

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Would you be happy to see Derek Thompson return to Casualty? Let us know in the comments.

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Iran-US war latest: Oil prices leap as Trump weighs military options over Strait of Hormuz

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Iran-US war latest: Oil prices leap as Trump weighs military options over Strait of Hormuz

Trump reshares post that says ‘storm is coming’

Donald Trump has reshared an image on Truth Social bearing the message “The Storm is Coming,” alongside the phrase “Nothing can stop what is coming”.

In a separate post, he cited a Harvard Harris poll, which allegedly claimed that a strong majority of Americans supported his stance on stopping Iran’s nuclear program.

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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar30 April 2026 06:00

Oil prices soar past $123 a barrel

Oil prices rose today on a report the US is ‌considering potential military action against Iran to break the deadlock in negotiations to end the war, increasing concerns of more supply disruptions to already curtailed Middle East exports.

Brent crude futures for June rose $5.27, or 4.5 per cent, to $123.30 a barrel after gaining 6.1 per cent in the previous session.

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The June contract, which ​has increased for a ninth day, expires today and the more active July contract was at $113.10, up $2.66, or 2.4 per cent, ​after gaining 5.8 per cent in the previous session.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar30 April 2026 05:40

Trump summoned oil and gas execs to White House as Americans pay the highest price at the pump in four years

President Donald Trump and his top officials met with oil and gas executives, including Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, at the White House on Tuesday.

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The meeting, reported by Axios on Wednesday, addressed the energy fallout of the Iran war and other topics.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar30 April 2026 05:28

US war in Iran has cost $25bn so far

Donald Trump’s war in Iran has cost the US military $25bn so far, a senior Pentagon official ​said on ⁠Wednesday, providing the first official estimate of the price tag for the conflict.

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Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the ​comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.

Hurst did not detail ​what that cost estimate included and whether it took into account the projected costs of rebuilding and repairing ⁠base infrastructure in the Middle East damaged in the conflict.

Defence secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that the cost was justified given the US goal of ensuring Iran will ​not have a nuclear weapon.

“What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay?” Hegseth asked.

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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar30 April 2026 05:00

Iran’s highly enriched uranium ‘likely still at Isfahan site’

The majority of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is likely still at its Isfahan nuclear complex, which was bombarded by airstrikes last year and faced less intense attacks in this year’s US-Israeli war, the UN nuclear agency’s leader said.

Rafael Grossi said that the International Atomic Energy Agency has satellite images showing the effects of the latest US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran and that “we continue to get information.

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“IAEA inspections ended at Isfahan when Israel last June launched a 12-day war that saw the US bomb three Iranian nuclear sites.

The UN nuclear watchdog believes a large percentage of Iran’s highly enriched uranium “was stored there in June 2025 when the 12-day war broke out, and it has been there ever since,” Grossi said.

“We haven’t been able to inspect or to reject that the material is there and that the seals — the IAEA seals — remain there,” he said. “I hope we’ll be able to do that, so what I tell you is our best estimate.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar30 April 2026 04:40

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US central command leader to brief Trump on new Iran military options

US president Donald Trump ⁠is slated to receive a briefing ⁠on ​new ⁠plans for ⁠potential ​military action in ⁠Iran ‌on Thursday from the ‌leader of ‌the US ⁠Central Command, Brad Cooper, Axios reported.

On Wednesday, Trump discussed how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long US blockade of Iran’s ports with oil companies, as he urged Tehran to “get smart soon” and sign a deal.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar30 April 2026 04:14

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Iranian parliamentary speaker mocks Trump admin as oil prices soar

Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has mocked the Trump administration as oil prices soar.

Ghalibaf wrote in an X post early Thursday morning, local time, that US President Donald Trump was getting “junk advice” from people like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who pushes the “blockade theory and cranked oil up to $120+”.

After the US and Israel began striking Iran about two months ago, Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, and the US subsequently imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

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Ghalibaf suggested oil prices will reach $140 in the conflict, writing, “Next stop:140. The issue isn’t the theory, it’s the mindset.”

Rachel Dobkin30 April 2026 03:50

‘Strait of Trump’ image shared by president

US President Donald Trump has shared an image on social media, depicting a map of the Strait of Hormuz with the words, “Strait of Trump” across the vital oil passageway.

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Trump posted the image on Truth Social Wednesday night, local time, as Washington and Tehran remain at an impasse in negotiations.

After the US and Israel began striking Iran about two months ago, Tehran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, and the US subsequently imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Rachel Dobkin30 April 2026 03:20

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US military shares promo-style video of its naval blockade against Iran

Rachel Dobkin30 April 2026 02:50

US aircraft carrier to return home after deployment in Middle East: report

The USS Ford aircraft carrier will return home after it was deployed in the Middle East, helping with President Donald Trump’s war against Iran, according to a new report.

The aircraft carrier, which is the largest in the world, will leave the Middle East in the next few days and return to its home port in Virginia by mid-May, two US officials told the Associated Press.

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Rachel Dobkin30 April 2026 02:20

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New leukaemia treatment could boost survival and quality of life

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Wales Online

The treatment allows children and young people to have significantly less intensive chemotherapy

A gentler treatment for children whose leukaemia has come back could boost survival and quality of life, a Great Ormond Street study has found. The new regime slashes the need for intensive chemotherapy and eliminates deaths linked to treatment in children with relapsed leukaemia.

Led by doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh), the study found children and young people with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) can be treated safely with significantly less intensive chemotherapy. The UKALL Rel2020 study, published in the journal Leukemia, involved youngsters having less intensive chemotherapy before moving on to blinatumomab, a targeted immunotherapy that tells the immune system to attack leukaemia cells.

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Some 188 children and young people aged one to 24 were included in the study, taken from 25 UK paediatric cancer centres between 2020 and 2024. The new approach achieved remission rates of 92% while long-term survival (82% after three years) was comparable to children on more intensive traditional treatment plans.

No patients died during the early phase of treatment, which experts said represents a big leap forward in care. ALL is the most common childhood cancer, with around 400 new cases each year in the UK.

Although cure rates for newly diagnosed disease are high, the cancer coming back remains an issue. Dr David O’Connor, consultant in paediatric haematology at Gosh, said of the study: “This approach marks a major step forward in developing kinder treatments for children with relapsed cancer.

“The early phase of treatment has traditionally carried significant risks. By using lower-intensity chemotherapy and moving rapidly to blinatumomab, we were able to eliminate treatment-related deaths without compromising effectiveness.”

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Romyn Winters was two when her parents noticed that she was unable to walk properly. Her parents, Lisa and John, from Dunbar in East Lothian in Scotland, said in a statement: “We were on holiday in Yorkshire when we noticed Romyn’s leg was starting to look weak and she was crawling instead of walking, and then she started to get more unwell and stopped eating.”

In October 2018, tests confirmed Romyn had ALL and she was taken to NHS Lothian for treatment. Her parents said: “Romyn had chemotherapy which had harsh side effects that made her sick. Unfortunately, within 18 months following treatment, she had relapsed.

“We were offered a bone marrow transplant or to try blinatumomab with a lower dose of chemotherapy. By this time Romyn was seven and we weighed up the options and what her future might look like. Blinatumomab sounded scary as it was unknown, but we thought it would give us more options if she didn’t respond to the treatment, and hopefully she’d recover more quickly as it sounded less severe than the stronger chemotherapy.

“Dr Baird and her team supported us really well and kept us informed every step of the way. After a few expected side effects to begin with in hospital, Romyn was coping well and was able to have blinatumomab at home via her pump in a backpack. Within days, she was back playing on the trampoline with her brothers which was great to see.

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“Romyn is now off treatment and recovering well thanks to the blinatumomab being easier for her to tolerate. Since having her chemo port removed, she’s been able to take part in new childhood hobbies like her friends.

“We went on holiday to Tenerife and she learnt to swim in a week – we now can’t keep her away from a swimming pool.”

According to Gosh, the clinical trial differs from others because it was delivered as routine NHS care, making the results more representative of real-world patients.

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‘Jewish people are asking for the basic right to live, worship and walk their streets without fear’

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Daily Mirror

‘Britain prides itself on tolerance – right now that promise is being tested and it must not be allowed to fail’

Atrocities must stop

Two Jewish men stabbed close to a ­synagogue in broad daylight.

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Ambulances firebombed. A community left fearing for their safety. What happened in Golders Green is no longer isolated outrage. It is part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on Jewish people that has no place in Britain.

Counter-terror police are investigating, and a suspect is in custody. But arrests alone will not restore confidence or safety. Keir Starmer is right to call it an anti-Semitic attack. Now his government must act with urgency.

Jewish people are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for something basic – the right to live, worship and walk their streets without fear. Britain prides itself on tolerance. Right now, that promise is being tested, and it must not be allowed to fail.

Shut it, Don

There is a reason private conversations between world leaders stay private. Discretion and respect are not optional – they are the bedrock of diplomacy.

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True to form, Donald Trump trampled all over them. At a White House dinner, he ­casually claimed King Charles backed his hardline stance on Iran, suggesting the King agreed with him more than he agrees with himself.

It was as absurd as it was inappropriate. No such endorsement was ever given. But this is what Trump does. When his position is shaky, he drags others in to bolster it. The King should not be used as a political prop. And Britain should not be spoken for without consent.

Total champs

Mason Mount funded a once-in-a-lifetime experience for seriously ill kids with his Wishes United FC, hammering Jamie Redknapp’s celebrity mascots team 32-2.

His young team have endured things no child should ever have to. For two days, none of that mattered.bNever mind the World Cup, the match of the year has already been played.

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Horoscope today: Your daily guide for Thursday, April 30, 2026

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Horoscope today: Your daily guide for Sunday, April 5, 2026

Aries 0904 470 1141 (65p per minute)*

Taurus 0904 470 1142 (65p per minute)*

Gemini 0904 470 1143 (65p per minute)*

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Cancer 0904 470 1144 (65p per minute)*

Leo 0904 470 1145 (65p per minute)*

Virgo 0904 470 1146 (65p per minute)*

Libra 0904 470 1147 (65p per minute)*

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Scorpio 0904 470 1148 (65p per minute)*

Sagittarius 0904 470 1149 (65p per minute)*

Capricorn 0904 470 1150 (65p per minute)*

Aquarius 0904 470 1151 (65p per minute)*

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Pisces 0904 470 1152 (65p per minute)*

*Astro line horoscopes are updated every Thursday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and will last approximately five minutes. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. Service provided by Spoke. Customer service: 0333 202 3390

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UK dog owners issued May bank holiday weekend warning

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UK dog owners issued May bank holiday weekend warning

Planning on getting out and about with your four-legged friend? Well, you’ve been warned.

Several instances could put pets at risk during long walks, garden gatherings and days out near lakes or rivers.

As warmer weather encourages more time outdoors, Darren Beale, CEO of Years, the fresh dog food brand, says the long weekend can create a “perfect storm” for dogs.

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“Bank holidays usually mean longer walks, busier parks, BBQs, garden time and trips to lakes or beaches,” says Darren.

“That is great for dogs, but it also increases the chance of them eating, drinking or stepping on something they shouldn’t.”

Bank holiday risks dog owners should watch for:

Lakes, ponds and stagnant water

Dogs should not be allowed to drink from stagnant water, ponds, canals or lakes, especially in warmer weather.

Some water can contain bacteria, parasites or blue-green algae, which can be dangerous.

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“Always take fresh water with you on walks,” says Darren.

“If your dog is thirsty, they are much more likely to drink from puddles, lakes or standing water before you can stop them.”

Long walks in warmer weather

Owners planning longer bank holiday walks should avoid the hottest part of the day and watch for signs of overheating.

“Dogs do not always know when to stop,” Darren explains.

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“Heavy panting, slowing down, drooling or seeming disoriented can all be warning signs.

“Shorter, shaded walks are often safer than pushing for a big route in warm weather.”



BBQ scraps and picnic food

Cooked bones, skewers, onions, corn on the cob, fatty scraps and dropped food can all cause problems for dogs.

“Bank holiday food is one of the easiest risks to overlook,” says Darren.

“Dogs will scavenge if they get the chance, so BBQ areas, picnic blankets and bins need to be kept out of reach.”

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Grass seeds and sharp debris

After walks through long grass, fields, or parks, owners should check paws, ears, and coats for grass seeds, thorns, or sharp debris.

“Grass seeds can lodge in paws, ears or skin and sometimes need veterinary treatment,” Darren says.

“A quick check after a walk can prevent a small irritation from becoming a bigger issue.”

Garden chemicals and compost

Compost, mulch, fertilisers and slug pellets can all be dangerous if eaten, particularly during spring when gardens are being refreshed.

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“Dogs are drawn to strong smells, so compost and garden products can be tempting,” says Darren.

“Anything used in the garden should be stored securely and kept well away from pets.”



Darren’s bank holiday safety checklist for dog owners

  • Take fresh water on every walk
  • Avoid letting dogs drink from lakes, ponds or stagnant water
  • Walk earlier or later in the day if it is warm
  • Keep BBQ food, skewers and bins out of reach
  • Check paws, ears and coats after walks
  • Store compost, fertilisers and slug pellets securely
  • Keep dogs supervised around unfamiliar gardens, lakes and picnic spots

“Most bank holiday risks are avoidable,” Darren adds.

“The key is planning ahead and seeing the day from your dog’s perspective.

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“What smells interesting, what looks edible, and what might they run towards before you have time to react?”

What are you doing this weekend? Let us know in the comments

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It Turns Out You Should Moo As You Poo To Cure Constipation

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It Turns Out You Should Moo As You Poo To Cure Constipation

Some people like to look out at a star-studded sky and marvel at how many others might be gazing up with them, unaware they’re sharing the beauty of nature together.

Me? Well, when I’m on the tube, I sometimes look around and think “statistically, one in seven of you people are constipated.”

If the NHS numbers are anything to go by, backed-up Brits are in dire need of a little loo advice. Thankfully, pelvic floor expert Heather Foord revealed to Femail that one gut-clearing secret is surprisingly easy.

What is it?

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The Core Restore Co pelvic floor specialist says that mooing while you’re pooing might make the job go faster (yes, really).

She recommends we “start by breathing in deeply so that your belly relaxes and gets big. As you exhale, let your belly relax back.”

“Repeat this breath (with the belly growing big as you inhale) five times. Now, make an ‘Mmmmm’ sound. This action helps your waist widen and creates pressure to help the bowel movement,” she added.

Then, “Bulge your belly out (really let it go) by saying the ‘Ooooo’ sound. This helps your anal sphincter open. Keep going with the ‘Mmmm’ and ‘Oooo’ to continue generating pressure.′

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Bizarre as it might sound, Foord isn’t alone. Pelvic physiotherapist Elaine Miller wrote in the medical blog Evidently Cochrane that “Leaning on the elbows and making a “moo” (or other) sound reduces the urge to strain.”

So, er… why?

As Miller said, it helps to reduce the amount of straining involved when evacuating your bowels as the pressure comes more from your stomach than by bearing down.

That’s a good move, because “Straining increases your intra-abdominal pressure and causes congestion of the soft tissues. So, you are more likely to develop piles, prolapse or vaginal varicose veins.”

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To make this even easier, try “Raising the feet so that the hips are flexed beyond 90 degrees. [This] straightens out where the colon and rectum join and allows poo to pass more easily.”

So there we have it; squat and moo for the best number two of your life. Bodies are wild, aren’t they?

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“Shocked and disgusted” Murdered banker’s family slam award for cop who lied during death probe

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Daily Record

“Crass, tactless and completely tone deaf” is how slain Alistair Wilson’s son described an award for the officer who lied to the dead banker’s wife.

The family of murdered banker Alistair Wilson have slammed an award given to a senior police officer previously found to have lied to them about the arrest of a suspect.

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Detective Chief Supt Paul Livingstone won the “Contribution to Policing” prize at a two day conference of senior investigating officers (SIO’s) from across Scotland earlier this month.

The accolade said Livingston has delivered an “exceptional and nationally significant” contribution to policing, transformative leadership. operational excellence and “unwavering commitment” to justice. It also described him as setting the benchmark for investigative standards.

However the award has angered Alistair’s family who have made several recent complaints about Police Scotland’s handling of the murder investigation, including the one upheld against DCS Livingstone.

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Andrew Wilson, who as only four at the time of his fathers’ death, said: “As a family we are shocked and disgusted to learn that DCS Paul Livingstone has won an award for his ‘Contribution to Policing’.

“To read quotes that he has an ‘unwavering commitment to justice’ and that he was ‘setting the benchmark for investigative standards’ is crass, tactless and completely tone deaf.”

Alistair, a business manager at the Bank of Scotland, was shot dead on the doorstep of his home in the seaside town of Nairn, in November, 2004 and the case remains unsolved more than 21 years later.

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The family were told that an arrest of a suspect was to take place on May 15, 2023 only to learn it had been halted on the instructions of senior police officers and the Crown Office.

Alistair’s widow Veronica then complained that DCS Livingstone, who is head of major crime, lied to her at a meeting in Glasgow nine days later when he said he wasn’t aware that an arrest date had been set.

A subsequent investigation by Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department (PSD) found DCS Livingstone was ‘incorrect’ and Veronica’s complaint that he had lied was upheld in March 2024.

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In November that year Veronica was then told in a phone call that a misconduct finding had been made against DCS Livingstone, though she was not given any further information.

Police Scotland had been ordered to review Veronica’s complaint against DCS Livingston by watchdog body PIRC after she was unhappy with an earlier investigation.

The second probe found against Mr Livingston after it received an audio recording of a meeting from April, 2023, appearing to show him being told about the planned arrest on May 15.

Last August the Wilson family hit out at reports that DCS Livingstone was being considered for promotion

Andrew, who is now 26 and works as an engineer, added:” Paul Livingstone is a senior Police Officer who has not only lied to us on multiple occasions, but has also lied to Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department to cover up his actions.

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“It took Police Scotland about 18 months to finally discipline him for these lies.

“In the subsequent 18 months it appears the senior leadership of Police Scotland has tried to put him on promotion courses and now they have nominated him for an award.

“Integrity is supposed to be at the heart of everything Police Scotland do. It appears that does not apply to Senior Police Officers. It appears they are promoted and rewarded for being dishonest.”

Andrew continued:”The award raises further integrity issues around which senior leader must have nominated Paul Livingstone for the award, knowing he had recently been disciplined for lying.

” It appears the award occurred at a recent SIO’s conference that Chief Constable Jo Farrell and DCS Paul Livingstone were both speaking at.

“Surely the Chief Constable must have known that DCS Paul Livingstone was recently disciplined for dishonesty when presenting him with an award.”

A letter in March 2024 from Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston confirming the finding against DCS Livingstone said:”On 24 May, 2023 he was incorrect when he told you that he was not aware that 15 May had been set as the date of the arrest.

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“Please accept my sincere apologies in relation to this. “I recognise that incidents such as those severely impact the trust and confidence members of the public have in the police.”

Police Scotland also issued an ‘unreserved apology’ in relation to two other complains which were upheld.

ACC Houston found there had been a disregard for Veronica’s ” emotional well being” over the progress of the case and a failure to provide a further update on why the arrest had not taken place.

On the evening he was murdered Veronica Wilson had answered the door to a mystery man who asked for Alistair by name.

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Alistair, then 30, went to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the name ‘Paul’ on it.

He went back inside his house briefly, before returning to the door, where he was shot dead. The gun used to kill him, a

German pocket pistol from the 1930s, was found in a nearby drain ten days later.

At the time of the murder Alistair had been getting his his two young sons, including Andrew, ready for bed.

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In September 2024 the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain announced that his murder was to be reinvestigated.

The Wilson’s have a number of other complaints ongoing over the conduct of senior officers and the murder investigation.

The SIO conference earlier this month under the theme “Cracking Complexity in Serious Crime Investigations” involved more than 120 police officers and staff as well as 50 delegates from across the UK.

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An SIO is the lead investigator in cases of murder and other serious crimes.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At the recent Police Scotland SIOs’ Conference, Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone was presented with an award which recognised his exceptional contribution to policing, distinguished by transformative leadership, operational excellence and unwavering commitment to justice.

“As Head of Major Crime, he has led the most serious homicide investigations, securing justice for victims and ensuring safer communities in Scotland.

“His most significant national contribution has been the transformation of Disaster Victim Identification into one of the strongest capabilities in UK policing.

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“Our thoughts remain with the family of Alistair Wilson.”

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Full Moon in Scorpio, May 2026: Your star sign’s tarot horoscope

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Full Moon in Scorpio, May 2026: Your star sign's tarot horoscope
All will be revealed (Picture: Getty Images)

This intense Full Moon, in Scorpio on May 1, exposes secrets, desires and emotional blind spots.

Full Moons are always illuminating phases of truth and self reflection, and Scorpio is a fearless analyst and probe to whatever lies hidden beneath the surface (albeit not for much longer).

Expect to receive new information, a new level of self awareness, a secret revealed in its full glory, or a revelation that hits you in the heart.

None of this is necessarily positive or negative. Truth is neutral because it has many facets, can impact differently on different folk over time, and doesn’t serve any master.

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This tarot horoscope will reveal the unavoidable truth heading to you this Full Moon, and how you can use it to build a stronger platform for a successful month ahead.

Looking for deeper insight?

My truthful direct tarot reading lets you ask any 3 questions and get an answer within 24 hours. 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

aries star sign
This needs to be aired (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Aries for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Five of Wands

Meaning: Something said in anger or frustration strikes a chord. It’s not just passion or rage that has unleashed this honesty, it’s a need for it to be out there and said, so don’t gloss over it or push it back down. Pay attention, acknowledge it, and then sit a while before you respond. Let this sink in.

It’s likely that this truth will reveal the real root cause of a long-standing, low level simmering tension or feud between you and someone, and now you know it, you can tackle it. Maybe an apology is due, or a better offer, or a revelation of why you did what you did. Up to you how to handle it, but you can handle it, and better now, because you know what’s behind it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

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Taurus

April 21 to May 21

taurus star sign
You’re not alone (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Taurus for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Five of Coins

Meaning: We all love and lose. We all regret, bear guilt and shame for things we’ve said and done. It’s part of the human condition and experience. But these emotions can get very heavy when kept under wraps or buried beneath a façade.

This Full Moon, you will let them out, you will let them surface, you will turn your gaze to what you’ve pushed down in your psyche and you will probably cry, wallow and vent. And this is good! Others can empathise, others have been through it too, others have support and advice to offer, or just a patient, compassionate shoulder to cry on. Release what burdens you emotionally. You can put it down and walk on lighter, happier.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

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Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Gemini
You can only control your own reaction (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Gemini for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Eight of Swords

Meaning: The unavoidable truth revealed by this powerful Full Moon is that you have overthought yourself into a corner. You have assumed and analysed and projected onto others so much that you’ve lost sight of the real issue or facts underneath all your (albeit fascinating) theories and hypotheses.

So, cut away all the assumption. Go back to the bare facts. And just be there. No more spiralling. No more projecting motives or actions or emotions onto other people. Only invest in what you did, said or thought. This will be like going on holiday, a total rest and relief from the weight and pressure you pile on your overworked mind. Simply, take a break from overthinking. Get a hobby, read a book, listen to music!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

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Cancer

June 22 to July 23

cancer star sign
It’s nowhere near as tough as you fear (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Cancer for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Nine of Wands

Meaning: You’ve decide that something necessary is too difficult to do right now, and have abandoned the project. But that is the wrong move, and, deep down, you know it. The Nine of Wands wants you to look in the mirror this Full Moon and reassure yourself you can do this, you’ve got this, you are capable and available to tackle this ‘thing’.

If you do that, and then take some necessary steps, I promise things will go a lot better, easier and faster than you dread or fear right now. The Universe is backing you up. Don’t talk yourself out of action, don’t retreat back to your comfort zone without overcoming this issue. This is the time to rise, act, and prove your mettle. You can do this.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

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Leo

July 24 to August 23

leo star sign
Is your heart really in this? (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Leo for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Page of Swords

Meaning: The truth you don’t wish to see, but have evidence all around you to prove it, is that you can be fickle and you can blow hot and cold, which does have an impact on your relationships, roles and outcomes. When you’re 100% into something, you’re unstoppable — truly. A motivated Leo is a force! But a distracted, 60%, ‘hedging bets’ or wishing for better Leo… well, that Leo can cause problems.

The only thing you need to do is take this on board and slim down your priorities or commitments, in terms of volume and time spent or promised. You know you love new news, so don’t over-commit to long-term projects or situations that you already suspect will bore you pretty soon. Manage yourself better and you can achieve everything on your list!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

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Virgo

August 24 to September 23

virgo star sign
A welcome end (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Virgo for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Six of Swords

Meaning: The Six of Swords is a departure card. This Full Moon, you will accept and maybe even activate an ending, exit or withdrawal that has, honestly, been a long time coming. Consequently, it’s not really even a sad event. You know, in your bones, this is over, it has run its course, reached a natural conclusion.

All you need to do is clarify and confirm it openly. Folk won’t be surprised or even upset. Maybe everyone is hoping you, with your sharp mind and practicality, will be the one to turn off the lights and close the door. Come around to realising it’s the right time.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

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Libra

September 24 to October 23

libra star sign
Get the popcorn out… and the tissues (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Libra for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Eight of Wands

Meaning: Scorpio is your neighbour on the zodiac wheel, which is why its Full Moon has a bearing on you. Being the most diplomatic sign makes you the mediator right now, because so many folk are uncovering secrets that impact them. You do enjoy others’ drama, so pull up a chair and watch the show. You also offer comfort and wise counsel, so do your bit for those you love and like.

This Full Moon will bring you both entertainment and the chance to do good for those around you, so I think you’ll have fun this week — and rack up some good karma credit if you exercise your tact, diplomacy and charm. People need you to help smooth ruffled feathers and furrowed brows. Do your magic, Libra!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

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Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

scorpio star sign
Let them see behind that tough exterior (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Scorpio for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Six of Coins

Meaning: Why have you been hiding your kindness and generosity towards someone? Sometimes you deliberately project a mean and moody exterior that isn’t really reflective of the big softie you truly are underneath. Do you not want other folk taking advantage of you? Or maybe avoiding jealousy from others who have not received such kindness from you?

Whatever the reason, I think the cat will be out of the bag this Full Moon! And that’s a good thing, so people can celebrate your good nature and helpfulness, can realise who you really are, and come to rely on and trust you in the future. Let your good deeds speak for themselves, let your positivity and care towards others lead the way and be seen. Stop pretending to be such a villain, Scorpio! We know the truth.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

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Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

sagittarius star sign
You know what they say about doors closing (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Sagittarius for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Nine of Cups

Meaning: Something you really, really wanted is not going to pan out, and you’ve tried really hard to pretend you’re not bothered… but you are, and that’s okay. You need to grieve this setback or loss, and you need to name and release that feeling of disappointment.

There will be other chances. There are a lot more fish in the sea. Chalk this one up to experience, chat about it this Full Moon and tell your story. I have a funny feeling that, within 10 days, a new and even better opportunity will, as a result, swing into view!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

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Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

capricorn star sign
It’s okay not to have all the answers (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Capricorn for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Two of Wands

Meaning: The truth is, Capricorn, you are not sure. Certainty and clarity are BFFs of yours, and when they wander off, you hide it so others won’t know or sense your vulnerability. And, sure enough, they soon return and on we go.

But, this time, you need to say you don’t know, aren’t sure, feel confused, need more time — or however you position it. Clarity can’t be forced. It requires a combination of knowledge, intuition, and reflection, that takes time (maybe as much as a fortnight here). Give yourself permission, space and peace to do that mental homework. It will be worth it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

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Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

AQUARIUS star sign
Let it all out (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Aquarius for the Full Moon in Scorpio: Ten of Cups

Meaning: Just tell them how much they mean to you, Aquarius! The Ten of Cups shows that the secret in play this Full Moon is the depth and intensity of your true feelings, and you think you’re hiding it well but… folk can see it! And it’s a lovely thing too, so just be open and honest and tell them what they mean to you.

I think the feeling is very much reciprocated. I think you will find this is a memorable week marked by falling (deeper) in love or enjoying a spiritual bond or a close friendship or family tie. You deserve and desire love, don’t hide it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

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Pisces

February 20 to March 20

pisces star sign
Be their shoulder to cry on (Picture: Getty/Metro)

Tarot card for Pisces for the Full Moon in Scorpio: King of Cups

Meaning: Your job this week is to be the counsellor and confidant to a great many folk affected by this striking, secret-revealing Full Moon. The King of Cups describes your powerful emotional intelligence, ability to ‘get’ people, and also to know just how they need handling. You do this naturally, it’s a god-given gift.

Draw closer wherever you sense stress, vulnerability, or need for attention. Do what feels right. Offer comfort and compassion, that might be all that is needed. Most folk don’t want advice or highfalutin words when they’re upset, they just want a quiet presence, to know they’re heard and valued and understood. Share your magic.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

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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.

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