Sally Brampton, the well-liked and respected founding editor of British Elle magazine, and later a newspaper agony aunt, has died by walking into the sea. She wrote about her lifelong depression, which at times became incapacitating, in her memoir ‘Shoot the Damn Dog.’ Born 15 July 1955 in Brunei, where her father worked for Shell, … Read more
Rodrigo Duterte, the surprise new President elect of the Philipines has been described as a misogynist, loud-mouthed bigot like Trump. In reality he’s a much harder figure, reputedly using death squads to target criminals during his time as Mayor of Davao, earning him the nickname The Punisher. Born 28 March 1945 he’s a Sun Aries … Read more
Nicola Sturgeon was sworn in to the new session of the Scottish Parliament just after 9.30am this morning (anyone with an exact time, gratefully received). This gives the confident, upbeat Earth Grand Trine of Venus Mercury (Sun) in Taurus trine Pluto trine Jupiter – so could be good for business. Though, of course, it forms … Read more
Mordecai Vananu, the Israeli nuclear technician who leaked details of Israel’s nuclear programme in the 1980s and spent 18 years in prison, has again been placed under arrest. Known in Israel as a traitor, he’s regarded internationally as a heroic whistleblower. He had intended to join his new bride in Norway, theology professor Kristin Joachimsen. … Read more
Sadiq Khan was sworn in as Mayor of London at 11.49am this morning, May 7th. This puts the expansive, confident and business-oriented Earth Grand Trine centre stage with the Taurus Sun Venus Mercury (and Moon) in the 10th trine Jupiter North Node in the 2nd trine Pluto at the end of the 5th house. It … Read more
Sadiq Khan has won the London Mayoral election to replace Boris Johnson. Born 8 October 1970, he’s a former solicitor, a Labour MP since 2005, member of Gordon Brown’s Cabinet and Ed Miliband’s and he’ll be London’s first Muslim mayor. He’s a centre left social democrat and voted for same-sex marriage, though he was criticised … Read more
Enda Kenny has cobbled together a government finally 70 days after the election. It’ll be a minority government and he was sworn in at 14.22 this afternoon 6 May 2016. That gives a 9th house New Moon, Venus and Mercury in Taurus which suggests a focus on international matters, education and communication. It has the … Read more
There’s been a row rumbling about anti-semitism in the Labour party, the left-wing UK main opposition, which has now erupted with an MP and a prominent senior member suspended as a result. Traditionally Labour has been pro-Palestinian which has led it in the past to share platforms with Hamas and Hezbollah, militant organisations who grew … Read more
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Russian oligarch who spent 10 years in a Russian jail after saying he would run against Putin, is now ensconced in London. The invasion of the Crimea made him break his promise to himself and his family not to re-enter politics. He says he is the anti-Putin and wants to replace him … Read more
Jack Nicholson, multi-award winning actor and star of some of Hollywood’s most iconic movies – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Chinatown, The Shining, A Few Good Men, Terms of Endearment – was 79 yesterday. It’s all the more astonishing since he’s led a riotous life with only one marriage but numerous relationships and has … Read more