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Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Home Depot boycott: What triggered the massive movement against Walmart rival?
Home Depot is facing calls for a massive customer boycott after the company quietly went back to removing a section from its website that celebrated the company's efforts towards diversity, equity, and inclusion. This comes soon after the federal government's crackdown on DEI programs across the country. The now removed DEI Page, which duly existed in March carried the lines, "We strive to ensure that our company culture maintains a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment so that we can attract and retain the best employees, amplify their unique experiences and ideas, and strengthen the communities where we operate," according to an Independent UK report. ALSO READ | Walmart hit by four food recalls in two months: Which products are affected? The section championed DEI efforts of Home Depot, and showcased various initiatives they had undertaken to highlight the same. According to a Retail Brew report, Home Depot has now replaced its DEI page with a 'WeAreTHD' page that simply nullifies any mention of the words 'diversity, equity, and inclusion." Netizens took to social media to talk about the issue. A Blue Sky user, Greg Morosoff took to social media to say, "Well, look at that. Home Depot seems to have done away with DEI also. They say some corporo babble, but, nothing about DEI. Another reason to boycott everything publicly traded, like, Home Depot. #TheAlliedForces Another Blue Sky user said, "Lorie Kellogg, said, 'Well, we all know that [home improvement competitor] Lowe's is a blue company and Home Depot's a red company, so here we go.' However, there were users who praised Home Depot too. A user, who claimed to be an employee there, said, 'there's an entire app on the phones we're given to work around the store with that takes you to a browser page describing what DEI means and what DEI benefits Home Depot offers.'
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Is a Blood Moon good luck or bad luck? 6 things to avoid or pursue for total lunar eclipse
Is a lunar eclipse, or Blood Moon, a sign of good luck or bad? It depends who you ask. The Inca believed a jaguar was attacking the moon goddess, while Wiccans see it as a time for growth and manifestation. Christians, however, might view it as a warning of the end times. Throughout history, different cultures and religions have attached various meanings to the celestial event, shaping how people react when it lights up the sky. Here's a quick dive into its history, along with a list of things to avoid and pursue — just in case you want to harness some positive energy. More: What time is the lunar eclipse tonight? See full timeline, peak viewing time in Texas The Blood Moon holds different meanings across various religions and cultures. Some view it as a sign of good luck, while others see it as an omen of bad luck. Inca Civilization: The Inca interpreted the deep red color of a lunar eclipse, or "blood moon," as a jaguar attacking and devouring the moon, according to Independent UK. Fearing the jaguar might turn its attention to Earth, the people would shout, shake their spears, and make their dogs bark and howl, hoping to drive the creature away. Ancient Mesopotamia: A lunar eclipse was seen as a direct assault on the king. Due to their ability to predict eclipses, they would appoint a proxy king for the duration. This expendable individual would act as the monarch while the real king hid. After the eclipse passed, the proxy would disappear, and the true king would return to the throne. Hindu Folklore: The demon Rahu drank the elixir of immortality, and the sun and moon deities decapitated him. However, his head remained immortal. Seeking revenge, Rahu's head chases the sun and moon to devour them. If he catches them, an eclipse occurs as Rahu swallows the moon, which reappears from his severed neck. Many Hindus now observe the event by praying, taking ritual baths, and refraining from eating. Christianity: In the Bible, the Blood Moon is often linked to the end times and the wrath of God. Some interpretations also associate lunar eclipses with the crucifixion of Jesus. Paganism & Wicca: It is believed that the veil between the earthly and spiritual realms is thinnest during a Blood Moon, making it a powerful time for spiritual practices. Indigenous beliefs: Some Native American tribes see the Blood Moon as a time for reflection, renewal, and storytelling. Others believe that a red moon signifies the moon is deprived of love and care, interpreting it as a celestial call for affection. Islam: Muslims may observe the event with special prayers, known as Salat al-Khusuf (Eclipse Prayer). Many cultures and traditions hold specific beliefs about what should or shouldn't be done during a lunar eclipse. Here are some common practices: Protect food and water – In Hindu tradition, food and water are often covered, and cleansing rituals are performed, according to India Times. Tulsi leaves are added to food and water to ward off negative energy and ensure food remains pure. Some also fast for the duration. Avoid working if pregnant: Those pregnant are advised to rest and refrain from household work to protect their unborn child. Collecting eclipse water – Some believe that water gathered during the eclipse carries unique energy, making it useful for spiritual or cleansing purposes. Meditation and reflection – The eclipse is considered a powerful time for introspection, making it an ideal moment for meditation, setting intentions, or letting go of negative energy. Charging crystals – Many spiritual practitioners place their crystals under the moonlight during an eclipse to cleanse and recharge them. Taking a lunar eclipse bath – A ritual bath infused with herbs, salts or essential oils is thought to purify the body and spirit, helping individuals align with the transformative energy of the eclipse. Choose a clear container with a lid – This helps keep the water pure and uncontaminated. Fill the container with fresh water and secure the lid tightly. Place it outside at the start of the eclipse – Position it where it will be directly exposed to the moonlight. Set an intention – While the water absorbs the energy of the eclipse, focus on what you hope to manifest or release. Retrieve the water after the eclipse ends – Store it in a cool, dark place for later use. Eclipse water can be used for drinking, watering plants, or offering to pets when a boost of positive energy is needed. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Is the lunar eclipse good luck or bad? Superstitions, myths and rituals
Ya Libnan
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Fox News grills Tulsi Gabbard over Kremlin ‘celebrating' Trump-Zelensky spat
File: Tulsi Gabbard , Director of US National Intelligence was quoted as saying during the Senate confirmation hearing ' Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 'is not the enemy of the United States,' as insurgents seized Syria's largest city Aleppo . Gabbard was known as a prolific peddler of Russian propaganda even before assuming her new role. According to the Independent UK website, In almost every foreign conflict in which Russia had a hand, Gabbard backed Moscow and railed against the US. Former Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton described Gabbard as a Russian asset in 2016 Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declined to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview Sunday, reserving her ire for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders instead. Gabbard—who has faced intense scrutiny for expressing sympathy for Russia and meeting with Putin ally and former Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad—repeatedly shifted the conversation away from Putin on Fox News Sunday as she was hammered on the Kremlin 'celebrating' the fallout last week between Trump and Zelensky in the White House. '[Zelensky] has said that he wants to end this war, but he will only accept an end, apparently, that leads to what he views as Ukraine's victory—even if it comes at an incredibly high cost of potentially World War III or even a nuclear war,' Gabbard told host Shannon Bream. But Zelensky never made such a statement Bream challenged Gabbard on Putin's track record of breaking peace agreements, but the national intelligence chief dismissed the question. 'Of course, both sides are going to have their arguments and their interests that they are fighting for,' she said. Gabbard again dodged Bream when the host pointed out that Russian officials, including former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, responded triumphantly to Trump's contentious meeting with Zelensky in the Oval Office Friday. 'What do you make of Russia celebrating and saying what the U.S. is doing lines up with their vision?' Bream asked. 'They're going to say what their position is,' Gabbard replied. 'What we should pay attention to here in the United States of America is the American people, so many people across the country, celebrating the strong leadership that President Trump and Vice President Vance demonstrated in the Oval Office.' Gabbard lambasted European leaders who had condemned Trump's meeting with Zelensky. 'I think those who are criticizing [Trump]'s efforts in this way are showing that they are not committed to peace,' she said. 'There's something fundamentally deeper here that shows a huge difference in divergence between the values that President Trump and Vice President Vance are fighting for—the values that are enshrined in our Constitution, the interests of the American people in our peace and freedom and national security—versus those of many of these European countries who are coming to Zelensky side as he walked out of the White House,' she added. Bream cut in, asking, 'Certainly those [values] are not things that you would say that Russia or Putin celebrates or bestows on his own people?' But Gabbard only spared two sentences to acknowledge the lack of freedom in Russia. 'That's correct. I would not make that claim, and it's clear that that's not the case, nor does President Trump,' she said. 'But that's not really what we're talking about here,' she continued. 'We're talking about many of these European countries and Zelensky himself, who claim to be standing and fighting for the cause of freedom and democracy, when we actually look at what's happening in reality in these countries, as well as with Zelensky government in Ukraine, is the exact opposite.' FOX NEWS
