Tonya Harding survived a fairly brutal childhood being forced to skate from 3 onwards by her pushy and neglectful mother. She went on to become US champion, performing moves never accomplished before and escaped into an abusive marriage. Her career ended when her by-then ex-husband’s friend attacked her main rival Nancy Kerrigan … Read more
Clementine (Clemmie), wife of Winston Churchill, was the great unsung heroine of his triumphant efforts in World War 11. He said openly he could not have done it without her. Far from being a submissive mouse, she was not only his emotional rock but was involved in some of the most crucial … Read more
Misha Glenny is steeped in the ways of a dangerous world. His book McMafia has been turned into a rip-roaring, quality BBC series but this isn’t fiction. He’s an investigative reporter and his thesis is that organised crime is a greater threat to the world than terrorism and now accounts for 15 … Read more
Ahmed Tamimi is a 16 year old Palestinian girl who was arrested for slapping an Israeli soldier (in full protective battle kit) after he and his colleagues had parked on her family’s land, fired a rubber bullet into her 14 year old cousin’s face and fired tear gas into their house. She … Read more
Paris ‘famous for being famous’ Hilton, American socialite, model, singer, actress, own-brand promoter and media celeb, has ventured for the third time into betrothal. Twice promised before, never married. She’s the great granddaughter of the Hilton Hotels founder and has been a regular tabloid headline since her teens, with a sex-tape scandal, … Read more
Protests in Iran are gaining a surprise momentum, driven largely by poor workers, in contrast to the 2009 demonstrations by educated liberals. What started as economic gripes against the President Rouhani’s policies has turned into vociferous criticism of the ruling clerics, corruption amongst the elite and the monies being spent on foreign incursions … Read more
Frances McDormand is about to delight in another of her trenchant performances in the upcoming Three Billboards, described by the Times as ‘angry, funny, foul-mouthed, prone to startling acts of violence’. She is that rarity, a character actress who can be a starring lead. Her long career is littered with awards, but most … Read more
Apart from some blips, the UK is maintaining a remarkably upbeat mood despite all the Project Fear prophecies of doom. A couple of zippy, confident Pluto transits to two separate Jupiter midpoints from February to mid-July, returning over the New Year and throughout 2019, should make for good news. Plus a ‘lucky break’ upsurge … Read more
The USA is due for a dose of reality as tr Saturn in Capricorn starts to opposes the USA Venus and Jupiter in Cancer in Jan/Feb, July/Aug and Oct/Nov 2018. They’ll feel unloved or at a loss, with their enthusiasm and confidence dented. Both Venus and Jupiter have financial implications though the … Read more
The tumultuous Uranus square Pluto is waning fast, which has made for a series of rolling upheavals, rebellions and uncertainties since 2012. To be replaced by an approaching Saturn Pluto conjunction in Capricorn which won’t come into exact aspect until 2019 but the effect will be felt, of a more battened down and … Read more