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Weekly tarot horoscope reading for March 16 to March 22, 2026

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Weekly tarot horoscope reading for March 16 to March 22, 2026
Get ready for a new week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

The New Moon in Pisces this week is an eye-opener; specifically a third eye opener.

Expect to experience psychic phenomena, messages and events. It’s a week of woo!

Tune into your intuition, expand your mind, write down your dreams, scry, moon bathe, read your cards, ask for spirit messages and guidance, gaze into flame or incense smoke and see what feelings and ideas emerge from your heartspace.

Let’s use the tarot cards to see what message is ready for you to receive from beyond the veil. What will this New Moon awaken for you?

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Aries

March 21 to April 20

aries star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from The Empress (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Aries for this week: The Empress

Meaning: This is a loving, maternal, feminine and nurturing energy who is surrounding you with love from beyond, from the other side, from your ancestors and passed over loved ones. Can you feel them?

Their message is to say how loved you are, on this side of the veil as well as the other. Don’t doubt yourself, be hard on yourself, or second guess yourself. Act like a person who is supported, cheered on, encouraged and admired. Lean on the support of others, they are all here to help.

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
Your spirit message this week comes from the King of Swords (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Taurus for this week: King of Swords

Meaning: This is a masculine, older, sharp-minded, clever and worldly energy who is surrounding you with much-needed lessons, wisdom, insights and cunning ideas of how to overcome your issues. Do you feel super clear-eyed and minded right now? This is your King of Swords guide helping you to see what needs doing, and why, and how.

Their message is to ask you to plan ahead, lay down a strategy that gets you where you want to go, and walk the walk single-mindedly, even ruthlessly. Make this about you. Do what needs to be done.

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

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Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Gemini
Your spirit message this week comes from the Eight of Wands (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Gemini for this week: Eight of Wands

Meaning: This is a chorus of voices, maybe a collective of spirits or ancestors or a tribal kind of force or energy which is sending you many, many omens and signs right now. Maybe you keep on seeing angel numbers or repeat words or symbols?

Their message is to remind you that your Gemini superpower is communication. No one can weave words like you, and this is a gift. Use it. Make moves that no one can because no one else can manipulate a message or network in the skilful and persuasive way that you can. Talk yourself in or out of something. The power of words is yours.

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
Your spirit message this week comes from the Ace of Wands (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Cancer for this week: Ace of Wands

Meaning: This is a single-minded force or energy that is fiery, sparkling, exciting and motivating, and it serves to provoke a new beginning for you.

The message is to make a bold leap into the unknown this week, one inspired by excitement and optimism, that might not feel sensible or even feasible. But you must do it anyway. You may not land where you think, but you will land someplace new and interesting.

Travel, education, lifestyle change, new purpose, creative skill and career change are all on the table – see where your attention is drawn…

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

Leo

July 24 to August 23

leo star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from The Moon (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Leo for this week: The Moon

Meaning: This is a mysterious, feminine and lunar energy surrounding you with intrigue and illusion, challenging you to see and find your way through the mist to the truth you are seeking. You may feel there is more to something that what is shown. It’s a quest. A quest for truth and transparency.

Let the New Moon be a time to reflect, question, and validate the facts as they stand, and then ask for the answers they beg. The message for you now is to probe, dig, investigate and establish the whole truth. Powerful change will come from this mission.

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

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

virgo star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from The Star (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Virgo for this week: The Star

Meaning: This is a pure-hearted, truthful, authentic and stirring energy who is surrounding you with good fortune, luck, opportunity and possibility to help you manifest a dream come true. What do you wish for? Imagine this week you meet a genie with a lamp and are granted a wish. What would it be?

All the genie asks of you is to make your own overt, bold steps in your dream’s direction, and it will activate the help you need. Is that a good deal? If so, then take it, act on it, and manifest your most heartfelt desire – this kind of help doesn’t come around that often.

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

Libra

September 24 to October 23

libra star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from the Knight of Wands (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Libra for this week: Knight of Wands

Meaning: This is a swashbuckling, fun-loving, adventurous energy who is surrounding you with the urge and desire to head out into the world on a fresh adventure or quest. Can you feel the call of the wild?

Their message is to say it’s time to explore, experiment, expand and escape your comfort zones and patterns and routines. Throw caution to the wind and do something bold and fresh this week, then follow it up with something else. The spirit of adventure is visiting with you and won’t leave until you’ve had a good time!

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

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

scorpio star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from the Eight of Coins (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: Eight of Coins

Meaning: This is from someone who was incredibly hardworking, never had it easy, but kept going. Their resilience, courage and humble strength was an inspiration and example. This might be a passed loved one or an ancestor, or just a spirit guide drawn to you.

Their message is to say you are doing great, doing your best, and it’s working! It might not always feel that way but you mustn’t give up or quit. Keep putting one foot in front of the other this week because a piece of good fortune, a breakthrough, lies ahead for you — even though you might doubt it. Keep going. You’ve got this, Scorpio. Your guide is backing you.

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

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

sagittarius star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from the Six of Swords (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: Six of Swords

Meaning: This is a masculine, sharp-minded and clear-eyed spirit or energy who is reasoning with you to make the bold leap, exit or departure you’ve been mulling over for at least the last six months.

Their message is to say it’s time to make that move now. This is the window of opportunity. And it’s been such a long time coming that it won’t feel sad or hard, the grieving has already been done, the penny dropped long ago that your heart wasn’t in this. Just bring clarity to the situation now and follow through on what your heart is telling you.

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

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

capricorn star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from the Eight of Cups (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: Eight of Cups

Meaning: This is a nagging feeling in your heart that you’ve not fulfilled something, made a mistake, let an opportunity slip through your fingers. And you need to turn face and acknowledge whatever it is. Some unseen force keeps bringing it up for your attention.

Their message is to you should just say how it is, what you regret, let that be a part of your past story, and turn to the future feeling unburdened. You’re going to get a second chance, but you need to purge this old regret first. Once you do, the new shining glowing sparkling opportunity will show itself, and all will be forgotten!

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

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

AQUARIUS star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from the Nine of Wands (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Nine of Wands

Meaning: This is a masculine, strong, reassuring energy, a parental or nurturing force in your life or realm who would always encourage you — their spirit is walking with you now.

Their message is to tell you they are standing shoulder to shoulder with you, giving you all of their power and wisdom and resilience, so that you can tackle whatever it is that you’re dreading or worrying about. Now is the time to face it and unpick it and address it. You will be given all you need, good fortune will speed things along, the results will be positive, and it will be easier than you think. They’ve got your back, so stride forth with confidence.

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

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

pisces star sign
Your spirit message this week comes from The Tower (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Pisces for this week: The Tower

Meaning: This is a powerful unseen force that will move in and out of your life abruptly this week, likely taking away something painful, fading or false with it. This energy moves fast and with precision and force, almost like ripping off a plaster, provoking a moment of ouch! And then lasting relief and healing.

Their message is to say get ready for an unexpected event or revelation that collapses something you knew, deep down, was wrong. Your intuition is correct. Forces are at work to prove that to you, so don’t deny or suppress it. This is a good thing!

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

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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Gladiators fans call out scandal in first semi final tonight

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Gladiators fans call out scandal in first semi final tonight

Tonight’s episode was released early this morning on BBC iPlayer, meaning fans had the opportunity to watch it before it was broadcast at 7.15pm this evening.

Mo Robertson, one of the semi-finalists, required medical attention after a fall off Everest, one of the many challenges featured in the episode.

After being assessed, the 35-year-old from Swansea was ruled out for the rest of the competition.

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While fans wished Mo well, they were not happy when they saw that Finn Hatton, another semi-finalist from the Lake District, who had been competing against Mo, was then going up against his replacement, Tyler, a 35-year-old teacher from Wigan.

Tyler returned to the competition and only competed in two challenges tonight, as Mo’s departure came late in the episode.

Fans were frustrated when they saw Finn, 23, lose, as he had taken part in more rounds.

Tyler continued the competition with Mo’s points (which were higher than Finn’s at the time Mo left), with one fan saying on X: “Surely it’s not fair that Tyler only does 1 event and carries over Mo’s points #Gladiators”.

Fans say Gladiators is ‘unfair’ following ‘scandal’ in tonight’s episode

One fan said: “That’s a joke that. Tyler does one event then wins the eliminator.

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“Need to re-look at what happens when someone gets injured as you shouldn’t have someone completely fresh up against someone who has already done multiple events #gladiators”.

Another commented: “That men’s #Gladiators semi is one of the great scandals.

“Finn, gotta take it the court of arbitration for sport.”



This person agreed: “#gladiators @BBCOne – come on this was so unfair , Tyler came in basically full of beans all he had to do was the eliminator, need to look at the rules , Finn got screwed over here poor lad”.

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Someone who watched the episode earlier predicted the reaction the episode would get from other fans: “Watched Gladiators early again (quite like it being on IPlayer early!)- people are definitely not going to be happy on here in circa an hour #gladiators”.

Another commented: “Finn has really been stitched up in this semi final.

“How is it fair for an opponent to come in last minute play 1 round then the eliminator and win when Finn had to compete in 4 extra rounds #gladiators”.

Who is through to the Gladiators final?

Following tonight’s episode, the following components have made it through to the final:

  • Naomi – 40-year-old from Birmingham
  • Tyler – 35-year-old from Wigan

Ellie, a 37-year-old from Edinburgh, and Finn were sent home.

Who is your favourite Gladiator of this series? Let us know in the comments.

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The Other Bennet Sister full cast list for BBC series

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The Other Bennet Sister full cast list for BBC series

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Janice Hadlow, it stars Ella Bruccoleri as Mary, the middle sister of the Bennet family.

While the story will show some of the usual storylines from Pride & Prejudice, a greater focus will be given to what Mary gets up to.

A synopsis for the series reads: “While her sisters pursue romance and social triumph, Mary embarks on a very different path.

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“Leaving Longbourn behind, she travels to London to live with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, in their elegant home on Gracechurch Street.

“There, Mary begins a journey of self-discovery, stepping out of the shadows and into her own story.”

Sarah Quintrell wrote nine of the ten episodes in the series, with Maddie Dai penning the other.

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Discussing what drew her to the role of Mary, Ella Bruccoleri said: “Mary’s not your typical period drama heroine.

“She lives in a world where, particularly for women, appearance is everything, and she doesn’t understand that value system at all. Instead, she turns to literature that offers a different viewpoint.

“Her favourite book is Fordyce’s Sermons to Young Women, because it argues that women shouldn’t have to be beautiful — they should be intelligent and pious.”

Meanwhile, Sarah Quintrell shared that she was a fan of Hadlow’s book, and that she wanted to take the character she created and meld it with her own voice on screen.

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She added: “Watching my own children reach their teens reminded me how intense social hierarchies feel at that age, and that really informed how I approached Mary’s inner life.”

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The Other Bennet Sister full cast list

  • Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet
  • Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet
  • Richard E. Grant as Mr Bennet
  • Poppy Gilbert as Elizabeth Bennet
  • Maddie Close as Jane Bennet
  • Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Bennet
  • Molly Wright as Kitty Bennet
  • Victor Pilard as Fitzwilliam Darcy
  • Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner
  • Richard Coyle as Mr Gardiner
  • Reggie Absolom as George Gardiner
  • Roisin Bhalla as Marianne Gardiner
  • Jasmine Sharp as Rebecca Gardiner
  • Ryan Sampson as Mr Collins
  • Varada Sethu as Anne Baxter
  • Donal Finn as Mr Hayward
  • Daniel Thomas as Mr Fanshaw
  • Lucy Briers as Mrs Hill
  • Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley
  • Aaron Gill as John Sparrow
  • Claire Cage as Lady Lucas
  • Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Lucas
  • Lucinda Dryzek as Louisa Bingley
  • Aled Owens as Charles Bingley
  • Fergus Craig as Mr Hurst
  • Sean Carlsen as Sir William Lucas
  • Seraphina Beh as Miss Clarke
  • Laurie Davidson as Mr Ryder

Recommended reading :


When will The Other Bennet Sister be on TV?

The first episode of The Other Bennet Sister will air at 8pm on Sunday, March 15 on BBC One, with the second following immediately afterwards at 8.30pm.

The remaining eight episodes will air in the same pattern over the coming weeks.

Alternatively, the first five episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Sunday, March 15 with the remaining five releasing on the service on Sunday, March 29.

Will you be watching The Other Bennet Sister on BBC One? Let us know in the comments.

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Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after baby falls from property

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Woman arrested on suspicion of murder after baby falls from property

The Metropolitan Police said officers attended Horseferry Road in Westminster, central London, after reports on Saturday morning that a baby had fallen from a residential property.

The baby girl – aged 18 days – was taken to hospital and was pronounced dead.

A woman has been arrested (Image: Lucy North/PA)

A 43-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell said: “Our thoughts today are with the baby’s family.

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“The death of an infant is always an extremely tragic occurrence, and officers are making urgent inquiries around the circumstances.

“At this stage, we believe the incident occurred within a domestic context, but we are appealing for anybody with information to come forward.”

The police cordon covered most of Great Peter Street, which is just off Horseferry Road, on Saturday evening.

An officer in a blue forensics suit was seen in a grey van parked partway down the road, which was closed to traffic.

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Forensic investigators are at the scene (Image: Lucy North/PA)

Passers-by were diverted around the taped cordon.

Two forensics officers could be seen working in a third floor flat in the Peabody Estate.

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said the baby was treated at the scene before being taken to a major trauma centre.

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Woman compares cheapest to most expensive full English and is floored by result

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Manchester Evening News

Foodie Becca tried a variety of full English breakfast boxes from her local takeaways, with different price ranges, and the winner left her pleasantly surprised

There’s nothing quite like a full English breakfast. It’s filling, satisfying and offers a range of items to enjoy, making it difficult to tire of the meal.

Recently, a woman who shares candid food reviews sampled various full English breakfasts, ranging from budget-friendly to premium options available at her local takeaways. Becca set out to determine which would deliver the best taste, and it’s fair to say the findings of her latest review left her pleasantly surprised. In a TikTok video shared with her 589,000 followers, she explained: “Let’s start with the cheapest one… This is from a greasy spoon called Poppin’s Cafe.

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“This cost £4.95, we’ve got a piece of toast, a sausage, bacon and a fried egg.”

She began with the sausage, describing it as inexpensive and greasy with “a good amount of flavour”. Moving on to the toast, she noted it “didn’t travel well”.

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Becca then highlighted the thick-cut bacon before concluding it represented good value for money.

She gave this breakfast a rating of 5.5 out of 10.

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Moving onto the mid-range breakfast from her selection, this one was from Tesco cafe. The meal included three hash browns, two eggs, sausages, a generous portion of beans and some bacon as well – all for £11.40.

Sampling the food and offering her honest assessment, Becca remarked: “The hash browns needed a little longer in the fryer, it’s quite stodgy on the inside but I like how thick they are and they do have nice flavour.”

Taking a bite of the sausage, she commented: “Still quite fatty but I’m enjoying the pork flavours.”

She then noted the basic bacon which – to her preference – wasn’t cooked enough.

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When giving her verdict, Becca revealed: “Overall it’s not a bad breakfast, I think £11.40 is a bit steep for the quality you get. I’m going to give this a 6.5 out of 10.”

Finally, her last breakfast – the priciest one – was from Bills.

Upon examining her box, there were two sausages, two slices of black pudding, three tomato halves, baked beans, two slices of bread and “so much bacon”. There were also two eggs, with some mushroom concealed underneath and a total of five hash browns.

She disclosed: “This was £19.95… Looks like a pretty good sausage. Oh Bills that sausage is overcooked, hash browns are really good, I wouldn’t say the quality for me justifies such an exorbitantly priced breakfast.

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“I think the sausages are the biggest disappointment, that toast needed more time in the toaster. I’m going to give the most expensive one a 6 out of 10.”

After sampling all her breakfasts, Becca concluded the second meal – the mid-priced option from Tesco – was her favourite.

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Harrogate festival announces new arena for 2026 event

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Harrogate festival announces new arena for 2026 event

The Harrogate Food and Drink Festival will return to The Stray on June 27 and 28, featuring a packed programme of family-friendly entertainment including live music, a cookery theatre, and a variety of new attractions.

New for 2026’s festival, the ‘Sizzling Showdown’ Arena will host daily competitions and interactive shows, including a family dog show, chilli-eating challenge, and a ‘Foodie Olympics’.

Michael Johnston, festival director, said: “Part of what creates the vibrant, community-led atmosphere at our event is the wonderful mix of local acts and up-and-coming musicians that take to the stage each and every year.

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“It’s important to us that we deliver a diverse and exciting line-up that’s testament to the region’s wealth of talent while offering a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy.”

This year’s festival will also feature inflatable banana jousting, inviting friends and families to take part in light-hearted duels.

Both the Sizzling Showdown Arena and the jousting attraction are free for ticket holders.

The live music line-up kicks off on Saturday at 11am with Wil Forrester’s smooth saxophone covers, followed by the dance and music duo Old Time Rags at 12pm.

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Saturday’s programme also features vocalist Sienna Craven, The Johnny Storm Band, Gumbox, and headline act The UB40 Experience at 5.45pm.

The evening will close with Ibiza Sax Classics at 7.15pm.

Sunday’s highlights include Mackie, Scoble and Friends, the Leeds City Stompers, and the Danny Charles Band.

Headliners The Soul Shebang will perform their tribute to soul legends at 5.15pm, before Ibiza Sax returns to close the festival at 6.30pm.

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Early bird tickets are on sale now at harrogatefoodfestival.com.

Tickets are priced at £6.95 for adults, £4.95 for under-16s, and free for children under five.

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Savinho, Lewis, Stones – Man City injury news and return dates ahead of Real Madrid

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Manchester Evening News

Manchester City injury list as two new names added following Premier League draw with West Ham

Manchester City dropped more Premier League points on Saturday with a disappointing 1-1 draw at West Ham.

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Despite dominating the game for large periods, City could not fashion a victory and the draw means Pep Guardiola’s side are now nine points behind Arsenal in the race for the title.

The Blues now turn their attentions to the Champions League with Real Madrid in town on Tuesday. City were beaten 3-0 in the first leg of the last-16 tie so have a mountain to climb to reach the quarter-finals and have fresh injury issues to contend with.

Savinho and John Stones missed the trip to the London Stadium due to minor complaints. Here’s the injury latest from the Etihad.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

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Savinho

Injury: Hamstring

The winger was taken off at half time of the defeat to Real Madrid and while that was a tactical change, the Brazilian felt his hamstring and was deemed not fit enough to travel to West Ham. He is expected to be fit for the second leg against Real on Tuesday.

Potential return date: Real Madrid (H).

John Stones

Injury: Ankle.

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The England international has had an injury-hit campaign and has only recently returned to action. He felt his ankle in training so was left out of the West Ham game as a precaution. The England international started a week ago at Newcastle in the FA Cup and should be back in the squad for Tuesday, although there will be open training on Monday ahead of it where his injury status will become more clear.

Potential return date: Real Madrid (H).

Rico Lewis

Injury: Ankle.

Lewis has been absent in recent weeks with an ankle problem and is not yet fit enough to return to the squad. “Rico still has a little bit of swelling in the ankle,” said Guardiola ahead of the trip to West Ham.

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Potential return date: March.

Josko Gvardiol

Injury: Leg.

Gvardiol is a long-term absentee for City having fractured his leg in the January draw with Chelsea. The defender is in a race against the clock to be back before the end of the season and this summer’s World Cup.

Potential return date: May/June.

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Erling Haaland of Manchester City gestures during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)

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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.

Max Alleyne

Injury: Knock.

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Alleyne has not been in the squad since the victory over Salford in the FA Cup. He picked up a knock in that game but did feature in first-team training on Tuesday before the trip to Real Madrid.

Potential return date: March.

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Ankle.

It has been a frustrating season for Kovacic after suffering an ankle injury in October. The midfielder is back in training and was among the subs against West Ham.

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Former London’s Burning actor John Alford dies in prison

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Former London’s Burning actor John Alford dies in prison

Alford, 54, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years in January after he was found guilty of the assaults which occurred during a party at a friend’s home.

He died at HMP Bure in Norfolk on Friday, the Prison Service said.

London’s Burning star John Alford in 1993 (Image: John Stillwell/PA Wire)

The former actor, who appeared in the BBC drama Grange Hill, was convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl and charges of sexual assault and assault by penetration relating to a 15-year-old girl at a property in Hertfordshire on April 9 2022.

After Alford’s death was first reported by The Sun on Sunday, a Prison Service spokesman said: “John Shannon died in prison on March 13 2026.

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“As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

Jurors heard during the trial that the defendant, charged under his real name John Shannon, sexually assaulted the girls while they were drunk following a night out at the pub.

St Albans Crown Court heard that Alford bought some £250 worth of food, alcohol and cigarettes from a nearby petrol station, including a bottle of vodka which the victims subsequently drank.

He then had sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old girl in the garden of the home and later in a downstairs toilet, and inappropriately touched the 15-year-old girl as she lay half asleep on the living room sofa.

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Police received a third-party report from the 15-year-old girl’s mother outlining the allegations two days later, before the defendant was arrested.

The 15-year-old girl said in her evidence she had felt “absolutely sick” following the assault and had planned to keep the incident secret before having a “mental breakdown” to her friend’s mother on April 11.

Alford told jurors during the trial that all the allegations were “scandalous” and a “set-up”, and that there was no DNA evidence to support the assaults.

He said he had told police that the girls were “going to extort money” from him, and that he suffered from mental health issues including anxiety, depression and paranoia.

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Alford was previously convicted of supplying illicit drugs to former News of the World journalist Mazher Mahmood, who was known as the “fake sheikh”, following a trial in 1999, and was jailed for nine months.

Jurors heard he also received a payment of £500,000 from the news organisation in relation to allegations that his phone had been hacked.

Alford was convinced by Mahmood to meet a fake Arabian prince at London’s Savoy hotel in 1997 on the promise of receiving new acting roles and lucrative public appearances, before later being asked to source cocaine for the individual.

Former London’s Burning star John Alford outside Snaresbrook Magistrates Court in London, where he was convicted of one charge of supplying cocaine to News of the World investigative editor Mazher Mahmood, after he was secretly filmed handing cocaine and cannabis to a bogus Prince. Taken in 1999 (Image: Peter Jordan/PA Wire)

He later filed lawsuits against the News Of The World and its editors with claims that he was subjected to landline wire-taps, voicemail hacking and the wide-ranging theft of his personal data for use in their headline stories.

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Mahmood was jailed in 2016 for tampering with evidence in the collapsed drugs trial of pop star Tulisa Contostavlos, which led to Alford’s conviction being examined by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

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England restore some pride as France Six Nations epic offers Steve Borthwick blueprint

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England restore some pride as France Six Nations epic offers Steve Borthwick blueprint

The use of three locks in England’s pack improved their maul significantly, while Chessum had a huge impact in the loose; scoring from close-range, assisting Alex Coles with an inside pass, before intercepting Matthieu Jalibert at a pivotal moment, with England trailing by 11 points, and racing clear to score from 60 metres out.

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The mum who works with her three daughters

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Wales Online

The four women all work alongside each other and have done for many years

LIke most mums, Kelly Brown is proud of her kids, but she says she is “incredibly proud” to work alongside her three daughters – and all have incredibly valuable roles in the health sector. Hannah, 31, Laura, 37, and Lucy, 28, have followed in their mother’s footsteps all working at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

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And it didn’t start with Kelly, her mum, Gloria worked as a staff nurse at the former miner’s hospital in Caerphilly.

For over 20 years Kelly has worked in healthcare, supporting patients and families in Wales. For 16 years she was a health care support worker but for the last four years she has been helping those affected by cognitive impairment and dementia as a memory link worker,

Hannah has worked in the gynaecology department at UHW for 12 years as a health care support worker, winning a health hero award for supporting women through difficult experiences.

She said: “My role is all about providing compassionate, hands-on care and being there for patients when they need reassurance and kindness the most.”

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Her elder sister Laura has also been working at the same hospital for 12 years, starting as a health care support worker but since progressed into the role of patient flow co‑ordinator in the Emergency Unit. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

A big inspiration for Laura is her mum who she watched work hard as a health worker when she was growing up. Laura said: ““I’m so proud of the incredible women in my family.

“My mum inspires me every day with her passion for supporting patients with cognitive impairment and her dedication to going above and beyond for her patients.”

Kelly felt a similar inspiration when she was young as her mother, Gloria, worked as a staff nurse at the former miner’s hospital in Caerphilly. Sharing Gloria’s story with her daughters has “played a big part in encouraging” the family to pursue careers in healthcare.

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“I think it’s fair to say nursing runs in our blood,” Kelly said.

Lucy, the youngest of the three sisters, began her career with the seven years ago as a health care support worker in the neonatal intensive care unit and has now qualified as a registered nurse after completing a flexi nursing degree. She now cares for some of the most vulnerable babies while supporting the families.

She said: “As the youngest in the family, I grew up watching my mother and sisters be advocates for their patients and always going above and beyond for them. Seeing their compassion and dedication inspired me to follow the same path.

“We share the same commitment to caring for patients, and I’m proud to represent the health board alongside my mam and sisters.”

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Kelly said: “Working in the same organisation as my daughters makes me incredibly proud. We each play different roles within the Cardiff and Vale Health Board, but we share the same commitment to caring for others.

“Working here isn’t just a job – it’s something that means a great deal to our family. Caring for others has always been at the heart of what we do, and I feel privileged to continue doing that every day.”

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Five killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine as peace talks stall amid Middle East conflict | World News

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A blaze after strikes in the town of Brovary, Kyiv region. Pic: Reuters

At least five people have been killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine, with a further 18 wounded, officials have said.

Four of the deaths were in the Kyiv region, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia targeted energy infrastructure with around 430 drones and 68 missiles.

Mykola Kalashnyk, the head of the area’s regional administration, said 15 people were injured, with three of those in a critical condition.

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Smoke rises in Brovary. Pic: Reuters

Russia’s defence ministry said the nighttime attacks targeted energy and industrial facilities serving Ukraine’s armed forces, as well as military airfields.

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Another person was killed, and a further three wounded, when Russian-guided bombs hit a residential area in the city of Zaporizhzhia, authorities said.

A firefighter inspects debris in Zaporizhzhia. Pic: Reuters
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A firefighter inspects debris in Zaporizhzhia. Pic: Reuters

An injured resident receives first aid. Pic: Reuters
Image:
An injured resident receives first aid. Pic: Reuters

It comes as US-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are on hold, as Washington focuses on its military action in Iran.

While Moscow has condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, it has stopped short of offering military support to its longstanding ally – and stands to benefit from the conflict.

Russia is already profiting from the surge in global energy prices and may hope that the war in the Middle East will detract attention from Ukraine and force NATO allies to reduce military support for Kyiv.

Iran war latest: Trump calls on UK and China to send warships

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Mr Zelenskyy said in a social media post on Saturday that “Russia will try to exploit the war in the Middle East to cause even greater destruction here in Europe, in Ukraine”.

“We must be fully aware of the real level of the threat and prepare accordingly, namely: in Europe, we need to develop the production of air defense missiles – especially those capable of countering ballistic threats – as well as all other systems necessary to truly protect lives,” he wrote.

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