Latest news with #Hermit
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
3 earth signs will likely manifest luck tomorrow on June 4, says a tarot reader
As we step into a new month, a tarot reader reveals how 3 zodiac signs are likely to be affected on June 4 based on their tarot readings. Astrologer Neeraj Dhankher shares that the cosmic energy is gently aligning in favor of three water signs tomorrow. Keep reading to find out if you are on the lucky list. Also Read Horoscope Tomorrow, June 5, 2025, read predictions for all sun signs According to Neeraj, these signs are preparing for something deeper. referring to Taurus, who draws the Hermit tarot card. 'You are not missing out by taking a pause; you are making preparations for something deeper,' says Neeraj. This call to retreat from external noise may seem passive on the surface, but it paves the way for deeper emotional and spiritual clarity. Guided by the Star tarot card, the sign is invited to release confusion and trust the unfolding path. 'Hope quietly creeps into your heart. There is no need to hurry; just let understanding unfurl.', says Neeraj. This is a day of peace and soft renewal, a perfect space to reconnect with what matters. Tomorrow, you can expect movement, swift and possibly unexpected. With the Eight of Wands, there's a strong push forward. 'Trust whatever flows with the least effort. Sometimes the universe whispers to you through ease,' says Dhankher. Your strength tomorrow lies in momentum and a willingness to say yes to opportunities. If you're an Earth sign, June 4 might not feel overwhelmingly dramatic, but the day holds understated power. Whether you're pulling inward, grounding through hope, or leaping ahead, your tarot card invites you to trust what's already in motion. Choose sun sign to read horoscope
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
As drought threat looms, Los Alamos National Lab works to reduce its wildfire risk
Burned trunks from previous fires remain in the scrub oak brush and stands of aspens in the Jemez mountainside just overlooking portion of Los Alamos National Laboratory property. LANL leadership told media during a May 28 tour that they were taking steps to prepare and mitigate the risk of wildfires. (Courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory) As New Mexico water and fire managers prepare for increased drought and wildfire danger this summer, Los Alamos National Laboratory officials say the lab has taken steps to mitigate those threats on its campus. LANL provided a media tour mid-week to highlight those steps, but did not allow outside photography or recording. 'We're very proud of our preparedness efforts for wildfire,' said Deputy Laboratory Director of Operations Mark Davis from the floor of the Emergency Operations Center, as videos of the 2022 Cerro Pelado fire played across six screens on the wall. 'We want to show our efforts to communicate how our mitigation efforts will protect the lab, workforce, community and environment.' The state has identified the towns of Los Alamos and White Rock as high risk areas for wildfire threats, including LANL, which spans 36 square miles of mesas and canyons. The lab and surrounding town have been evacuated twice in the past 30 years due to fires. That included evacuations for two weeks during the Cerro Grande Fire in 2000, which burned 43,000 acres total, including 45 lab buildings and 7,500 acres of LANL property. Los Alamos evacuated for another 10 days during the 2011 Las Conchas fire, which burned more than 156,000 acres, though only one acre on the lab's property. In 2022, during the same time the Hermit's Peak-Calf Canyon fires raged, the Cerro Pelado fire, also caused by a controlled burn, sparked up and ultimately burned 45,000 acres, requiring the lab to move to remote work in preparation for an evacuation. In 2022, at the request of the Biden Administration, LANL released its Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Resilience Plan, which showed that increased wildfire presented the highest risks to equipment, electricity systems, onsite radioactive waste processing, buildings, water systems and communications systems. Critics say climate threats to the laboratory are compounding. LANL's proposed thinning is 'a slow job, but certainly necessary,' said Greg Mello, the executive director of nuclear nonproliferation nonprofit Los Alamos Study Group. But he said the hazards with climate change are stacking up. 'We just wish that the laboratory wasn't straining against every single environmental constraint that there is on that plateau,' Mello said. 'The laboratory is too big and trying to do too much in a place that was never appropriate for a laboratory of the present scale, let alone the additional laboratory facilities and staff that they envision.' The approximately 18,000 people employed at LANL work mostly in science and engineering, from modeling infectious diseases to increasing the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. 'Our missions are vital and critical to national security and they cannot fail,' Davis said. The Jemez wilderness bears scars from the Cerro Grande and Las Conchas fires. Large bald patches with skinny charred remains of the ponderosa pines stand among scrub oak brush replacing the once-forested area. Recent scattered rainstorms offered a small reprieve, but the area remains in Stage 1 fire restrictions — an elevated threat level that restricts all campfires or outdoor burning. Laboratory facilities are interspersed on the top of mesas to higher elevation ponderosa pine forests, separated by canyons and arroyos filled with brush. The lab is bordered by federally managed forests; San Ildefonso and Jemez Pueblos; and Santa Fe and Los Alamos County land. The patchwork of agencies has complicated firefighting and mitigation efforts in the past, said Jeff Dare, who leads the Emergency Operations Center, but Cerro Pelado offered a framework for more cooperation with members of county government and liaisons for surrounding federal agencies and tribal governments. The lab is part of the Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Response Agreement, which allocates additional resources such as helicopters and personnel to fight any wildfire that does appear, Dare said, adding: 'It protects the laboratory before it can get here.' The more recent focus has been trimming back the areas around lab buildings, roads and utility lines, said Richard Nieto, LANL's wildland fire program manager. Trimming has occurred on an estimated 12% to 15% of lab property. 'Hope is not a strategy,' Nieto said, adding that the area needs to better adapt to fires when they happen. 'This area was meant to burn; it's what we have to deal with, ecologically.' But overgrowth is a challenge. Much of the higher-elevation ponderosa forests sport 400 to 1,300 trees per acre, rather than the healthier 50 to 150 trees per acre, he said. Habitats for two endangered species and archeological sites also require consideration. Beyond trimming, the lab is working on developing plans for prescribed burns, but will take another three to five years to realize, he said. On the other side of lab property, fences looped with concertina wire and sporting signs warning of radiological hazards contain Area G. Vaguely merengue- shaped white tents — coated in fireproof material — stand amid the juniper and piñon scrub. Inside, under crisscrossed steel frames, stacked white containers on metal pallets contain legacy waste from the lab's work in the nuclear program. The facilities are geared to reducing fire concerns, said Gail Helm, the facility operations director for N3B, which is contracted to manage the 10-year $2 billion dollar cleanup of Cold War Era legacy waste. The tents include fire detection and suppression. Concrete barricades surround them to prevent vehicle accidents and potential fires. Under the Stage 1 fire restrictions, a water truck remains onsite at all times. To the west of Area G lies Technical Area 53, where the lab logs and stores new transuranic nuclear waste — such as gloves contaminated with plutonium — produced at the new plutonium pit production site. The waste is eventually disposed off-site at the Waste Isolation Pilot Project outside of Carlsbad. Thomas Vigil, the deputy group leader at the Chemical and Waste Facilities said LANL is doing 'its due diligence' to follow every protocol to keep the public and workers safe. 'This is my state, this is where we live,' he said. 'I live just down the road, and it's important to me.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Travel Daily News
05-05-2025
- Travel Daily News
How Tarot cards can help you plan your next trip
Tarot helps you make more connections while you travel. The Three of Cups may lead you to community gatherings. It may also lead you to a local festival while you are traveling. This card can often lead to new friendships on group tours when it appears in your reading. You can have a lot of fun and interest using Tarot cards on your next trip. These cards can do more than just predict romance or career changes. They can also help you plan meaningful trips. They are like a spiritual guide that shows you things other guidebooks miss. Benebell Wen, a tarot expert, says that you can consult the deck of cards like a travel book but with a spiritual perspective. This thoughtful method of planning trips is now used by many travelers. Tarot Cards as Travel Planning Tools? Most people book their trips without knowing the real reasons behind their choice. Tarot cards reveal the hidden reasons for your travel desires. The cards can tell you if you want adventure, escape, relaxation or excitement. The readings will help you to connect with your gut feeling about where you should go next. They are not meant to replace your maps and plans, but rather to work in conjunction with them. Tarot cards are also a great way to add a layer of confidence to upcoming journeys. Tarot cards can show you the significance you have chosen for your travel destination. They can boost your confidence if you are unsure about your decision. They reveal deeper reasons behind your trip than just the surface. You can plan trips that are important to you with tarot cards guidance. Tarot to Choose Your Destination If you're not sure where you should go next, try this simple exercise. First, shuffle your deck. Then, take a deep breathe and pull one card. Ask yourself, Where should I go next? Different cards suggest different types or experiences. If you drew a Hermit, you may crave a mountain cabin or meditative retreat. This card is about solitude and finding oneself. The Sun card suggests destinations that are bright and happy. Perhaps a sunny beach vacation or festival. If you've drawn the Fool, it's a sign to go somewhere new and unexpected. This card encourages you to take a leap of faith into the unknown. This approach is very personal. The cards are unique to you. When to Travel with Tarot Guided Travel The timing of your trip is just as important as the location. Tarot can be used to pinpoint the best time for you to travel based on external and personal circumstances. If you draw this card, then prepare to pack your bags. This card indicates that you will be able to make positive changes in the near future. If it's a Hanged Man, you may want to wait until you are more confident or the circumstances have improved. Some travelers align their trips with astrological season cards that correspond to specific cards. A trip during your 'season' can make you feel extra powerful! Tarot Cards can help you pack smartly. Tarot can also help you with packing if you are a packer who hates it. If you draw the Magician, pack items that can be used for multiple purposes. The multi-tool or convertible dress will come in handy. The Fool suggests that you pack light and buy as many things along the way that appeal to you. It basically shows how freedom comes from fewer bags. The Nine of Pentacles suggests that you should only indulge in a few small luxury items. Use Tarot Cards During Your Trip Bring a deck of cards with you! Every morning, choose a card and ask yourself, 'What do I want to focus on today?' This simple exercise sets your intentions for your adventures. If you've drawn the Lovers card, then today look for meaningful connections. If you draw the Hermit card, then perhaps go on a solo hike or visit a museum. Look around you to see how symbols from your cards appear. Patterns in architecture may reflect patterns on your cards. These synchronicities are magical and enhance your experience. Several compact decks fit nicely in luggage. The pocket Rider Waite-Smith fits easily into any bag. Wen also recommends The Wild Unknown Tarot and Voyager Tarot for travelers who wish to take them along on the trip. If you don't have cards you always can use online tarot from Tarotoo or other tarot reading sites. What Tarot cards are most meaningful? Certain cards appear frequently in travel readings. Each card has a special meaning. The Chariot is usually a sign that you'll have a successful trip. It could also mean you are able to handle travel hiccups with grace and ease. The Wheel of Fortune can bring you unexpected adventures and karmic experiences. The Star and Moon cards indicate emotional discoveries that are waiting for you abroad. You need to be ready for some deep realizations. The Two of Wands is a sign of expansive vision when it appears while you are planning your next big adventure. The Eight of Cups suggests that you leave something behind in order to grow. Travel often means stepping out of your comfort zone. The Six of Swords can bring mental clarity to transitions. It could also mean crossing water, either literally or metaphorically. Birth Card Shapes Your Travel style Did you know that your birth date can reveal your tarot card? This card will influence your natural travel style. If you were born under the Chariot, you probably enjoy road trips and active holidays. Movement is good for your soul. Temperance birth cards will guide you to places of balance and peace. It could be spiritual retreats or healing springs. By knowing your birth date, you can honor your natural preferences and avoid travel experiences that drain you. Tarot for Deeper Connections Tarot helps you make more connections while you travel. The Three of Cups may lead you to community gatherings. It may also lead you to a local festival while you are traveling. This card can often lead to new friendships on group tours when it appears in your reading. When the High Priestess appears, look for the soul of the location. Remember to approach these locations with an open heart and mind. The World Card reminds us that we are all connected and helps you embrace different cultures. Reflecting on your Journey Don't just scroll through your photos when you get home. Draw some cards! The closing spread is a great way to integrate your experiences. The Hierophant will reveal wisdom from your travels, which you can apply at home. Your judgment shows your transformation through your adventures. The World is a symbol of completion and integration. You've been transformed by your experience. Photo by Viva Luna Studios on Unsplash
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Books in brief: Hermit; Flower; Spring is the only Season
Hermit by Chris McQueer (Wildfire, £18.99) Following up his short story collections HWFG and Hings, Chris McQueer's debut novel Hermit charts teenage Jamie's descent into incel subculture. While McQueer brings a distinct, compassionate style to the narrative, the novel struggles to fully engage with the complexity of online radicalisation. By presenting Jamie as a largely innocent protagonist, pulled into inceldom almost by accident, the story risks flattening the more insidious dynamics of toxic online communities. Despite moments of tender insight, the novel's approach occasionally sidesteps the deeper, more uncomfortable truths about how hatred festers and spreads. McQueer offers a nuanced portrait of isolation, but ultimately pulls his punches when confronting the novel's central darkness: so many of the 'incels' you hear about on the news do not get a happy ending. Liz MacBride Flower by Ed Atkins (Fitzcarraldo, £12.99) The first thing you wonder after finishing Flower by the British artist Ed Atkins is whether it was written by a robot. The sequel to A Primer for Cadavers (2015) and Old Food (2019), this self-described 'anti-memoir' proceeds like ChatGPT malfunctioning. 'In speech my sentences will taper to wordless implore,' reads one word salad. All, however, is not what it seems: published to coincide with his retrospective at Tate Britain, Flower is an extension of Atkins's art, playing with artifice and authenticity. Here, two 'Ed Atkins' emerge: a 'real' one, who's grieving his father; and a 'fake', who claims to be 'cyborg'. Thus, in this satire on literature in the age of AI , the reader is given a glimpse of a future where some authors use software to write, while other writers don't even exist. Huw Nesbitt READ MORE [ Books in brief: William Alister Macdonald; A Visit from the Banshee; Waste Wars; The Carrion Crow; Vietdamned; Assembling Opens in new window ] Spring is the Only Season by Simon Barnes (Bloomsbury, £18.99) Simon Barnes 's career as a sportswriter gives him a unique edge as a wildlife writer – the winner-takes-all, high stakes energy of sport is remarkably similar to that of the natural world. This book illustrates aspects of spring in 23½ chapters, reflecting the degree change that transforms the seasonal countries of the northern hemisphere when winter's chill gives way to spring's glorious riot of birth and growth. It is a wonderfully entertaining discussion of the influence that plants and creatures of all stripes have had on art, literature, mythology and music for centuries. Barnes also considers the frighteningly serious impact of humans on the natural world and the changes he has noticed in his own lifetime. A real treasure of a book. Claire Looby
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
I was a prison governor for 10 years. This is why corruption is engulfing our criminal justice system
All is not well inside the last Hermit kingdom in public service. I'm referring to His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), a closed and secretive fiefdom that has acquired a reputation for security scandals and managerial incompetence that even high walls, literal and figurative, can't contain. Behind the austere perimeters of the prison side of business, another disgrace looms – corruption. I was a prison officer and governor for a decade in the 1990s. During this purple patch for the service, the men and women who wore the uniform largely did so with pride and either had years of 'jailcraft' experience to draw on or came to the landings from other walks of life with the requisite emotional maturity to conduct themselves properly. Was it a perfect institution? No. Indeed, the fundamental stressors of the job – working in an environment where anything bad could happen and often did remained. We employed racists and people who caused prisoners and their colleagues no end of difficulty by misusing their immense discretionary power. But these miscreants were in a distinct minority, and staff corruption was either deeply concealed or driven out by an esprit de corps that is so important and so badly missing from today's service. Outside Whitehall, nobody is blind to the multiple lurid stories that have emerged in recent months and years with an uncomfortably common theme: female staff being caught in sexually compromising situations with male prisoners. Jails are places saturated with risk and trauma. Officers and prisoners are locked away in an environment that is far from normal, where sexual predation, conditioning and coercion is baked into the fabric. But I think these recent stories are symptoms of a much larger and more worrying problem than was ever the case when I worked inside. Here is an emblematic example. In June 2024, a female prison officer at HMP Wandsworth (where I was head of security in the 1990s) gained global notoriety after a video filmed inside the prison showed her having sex with an inmate. The footage, which went viral online, led to her arrest. Linda De Sousa Abreu was jailed in January having pled guilty to misconduct in a public office. This officer had passed the HMPPS recruitment security vetting process despite having a publicly available OnlyFans account and being previously featured on the Channel 4 series Open House: The Great Sex Experiment. Neither of these activities is illegal, but only an imbecile would say they were compatible with a front-line security role near seasoned and manipulative criminals. Part of the footage was recovered from her body-worn camera. You couldn't make it up. De Sousa Abreu was hired as a result of a rushed process to get boots on wings denuded of staff as a result of utterly destructive Conservative austerity cuts that drove experience out and allowed in people patently unsuitable to the job. HMP Wandsworth, a major London prison, is falling apart in plain sight. Yet, it is a 20-minute cab ride from HMPPS Headquarters, where thousands of bureaucrats labour in roles that seem to make no difference to the abject state of our penal slums. On some occasions, up to 40 per cent of officers at Wandsworth were routinely unavailable for a workplace that was drowning in filth and drugs where staff could not routinely account for the whereabouts of prisoners. This sort of environment, where leadership and even basic supervision are absent, is ideal for illicit relationships to flourish. The state is not in charge at Wandsworth. When I was head of security there, we were the biggest gang in the jail. There was a sense of discipline in the organisation that is now sneered at and deprecated by the cartel of activist groups and academics that have far too much influence on prison operational policy. These long-dead attributes meant it was almost impossible for blatant abuses of power to occur. Order and control are foundational to prison safety and legitimacy. Where this has foundered, and we have hugely inexperienced youngsters badly selected, poorly trained and unsupervised all sorts of corruption will flourish. The rot extends far beyond prison officers too. Female prison psychologists and teachers have all been exposed in illicit affairs with prisoners. Male staff in female prisons have been jailed for relationships with particularly vulnerable women. Prisons without even elementary security screening processes allow both men and women in uniform and other staff corrupted by sophisticated and well-heeled offenders to run drugs and phones into prisons. The quantities of these items delivered to offenders, who should be doing rehabilitation, not lines of coke, simply cannot be explained by drone deliveries alone. The rampant drug economy flourishing in our prisons unopposed is the lubricant or by-product of much of the corruption we are now reading about. Prof John Podmore, who used to run the counter-corruption operation in the prison service, put it like this: 'Serious organised crime is increasingly well organised in prisons. Control over so many jails has been ceded to highly profitable criminal enterprises.' I feel for the thousands of decent and effective female staff who pull on a uniform every morning and who, on top of all the other stresses of the job, must endure the humiliation of being associated with a minority of their colleagues who have brought the service into such disrepute. I do not accept the formula the spinners at the Ministry of Justice increasingly rely on – that the number of staff being detected means that counter-corruption strategies are working. Something else is going on. Over a third of prison officers now have less than one year's experience in uniform. Many of these recruits will learn on the job as I did and become effective officers doing a vital job for society. But they won't have any of the experience and numbers of colleagues I had to lean on. Too many others will be unsuitable for a uniquely complex job and their immaturity will put them at risk to themselves and security. This law enforcement agency has lost its way. Ministers know this and are helpless to act. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
