Venus ‘to provoke rise in immorality’

The alignment of Earth with the planetary god of love and beauty Venus will lead to a surge in sexual crimes and melt away morality, Indian astrologers predict.

Faced with the astronomical feat last seen in 1882, Indian brides may no longer prize virginity and Hindu ascetics may soon discard the age-old practice of celibacy as nonsense.

The emotional cataclysm which will follow could sink stock markets, topple governments or at least mar relations between spouses.