The Bank of Russia raised key interest rate from 9.5 per cent to 20 per cent today as the rouble value tumbled to an all-time low, with the Russian economy plummeting as the West’s sanctions began to bite. Vast queues have been seen outside cash machines in Russia, as fears rise of an economic collapse. … Read more
The last remaining and leading author of The Holy Blood Holy Grail, the controversial proponent of the theory that Jesus survived the crucifixion, married Mary Magdalene and their descendants lived on in southern France founding a secret monarchical bloodline connected to the Knights Templar, has died. Henry Lincoln, a former actor and scriptwriter of the … Read more
Isolated and paranoid, Putin has increasingly withdrawn from the usual wide array of advisers in the past two years to rely on a hardline group of military, security and spy service chiefs, whom he expects to carry out his orders. “He doesn’t ask for advice. He sets tasks and demands they are implemented,” according to … Read more
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukraine president, has exceeded expectations by standing courageously against the Russian onslaught. A former comedian and actor, he did not seem a natural war-time leader but in an impassioned and defiant video he said: “ ‘I am here. We will not lay down any weapons. We will defend our state, because our … Read more
The declaration to invade Ukraine was made at 9pm in Moscow by Putin last night. That puts a less-than-practical Neptune in the 6th house which rules armed forces, though there’s also a lucky Sun Jupiter conjunction. Unpredictable Uranus is in the 8th house of finances and costs; the high-risk Mars Pluto Mercury conjunction is … Read more
Ukraine’s rich and turbulent history stretches back into the beginnings of human civilization. During the 10th and 11th centuries, it became the largest and most powerful state in Europe and was, contrary to Putin’s claims, the precursor to Russia rather than the other way round. But because of its central location it has been invaded … Read more
Putin has wrong-footed Western leaders hoping to build political capital by brokering a retreat of Russian forces from Ukraine. He has ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, after recognising them as independent states. In doing so he appears to have ridden roughshod over his own advisers and ignored China’s reservations about destabilizing … Read more
The shock death of young music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards at 31 has brought a flood of tributes. He was still a teenager when he launched the youth broadcasting and production film channel SBTV to upload clips he had recorded of his friends performing on the estate where he lived in Acton, west London, which later … Read more
Charlie Chaplin, the Little Tramp, sometimes the Great Dictator, with the questionable sex life, is the focus of yet another film. The Real Charlie Chaplin sets out to lay bare his private life, with four of his children with his final wife Oona O’Neill sharing their experiences of him. Born probably 16 April … Read more
The indomitable Joan Collins sashayed through a glittering celebration of her 88th birthday and 20th wedding anniversary last night at Claridge’s in London surrounded by showbiz friends in full regalia. In an event-filled life she’s been married five times, mainly short-lived and ending badly, with one notable fling with Warren Beatty before settling with Hollywood … Read more