Home Blog Page 9

Daily Horoscope: Astrology Forecast: May 27…

0

“Daily Horoscope: Astrology Forecast: May 27…”

Are you ready for a week of introspection, creativity, and expression? Then you’ll want to read this article to prepare for this week’s astrological energy!

As May draws to close, celestial energies converge in a poignant dance, offering us a moment of reflection and introspection. On May 30th, we find ourselves under the spell of the Last Quarter Moon in Pisces, a transit that invites us to delve into the depths of our emotions and embrace the mystical realms of the subconscious.

During this lunar phase, expect to feel a heightened sense of intuition and emotional sensitivity. Pisces, the compassionate and empathetic sign represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, encourages us to explore the intricacies of our inner world. Under the influence of the Last Quarter Moon, our dreams may become more vivid, and our intuition may guide us toward profound insights.

It’s a time for gentle introspection and soul-searching as we confront any lingering emotions or unresolved issues bubbling beneath the surface. The Piscean energy of this transit urges us to release any pent-up emotions with compassion and forgiveness, allowing ourselves to heal and move forward.

Engage in activities that nourish your soul and foster a sense of connection with the universe. Whether it’s through meditation, creative expression, or acts of kindness towards others, embrace the spiritual dimensions of life and allow yourself to be guided by the wisdom of your inner voice.

However, amidst the ethereal beauty of the Last Quarter Moon in Pisces, it’s important to remain grounded and discerning. While we may be drawn to the dreamy allure of escapism, it’s essential to stay anchored in reality and approach any challenges with clarity and resolve.

Avoid falling into the trap of self-pity or martyrdom, recognizing that true healing comes from within and requires strength and resilience. Instead, channel the compassionate energy of Pisces into acts of self-love and self-care, nurturing your spirit and honoring your emotions with tenderness and grace.

May 27th – June 2nd is a Week to Look Within and Express Yourself

As the Last Quarter Moon in Pisces casts its gentle glow upon us, embrace this opportunity to delve into the depths of your soul and awaken to the magic that lies within.

Trust in the guidance of your intuition and allow yourself to be carried by the currents of emotion, knowing that beneath the surface, a world of beauty and wisdom awaits.

Planetary Locations During This Week

  • The Sun: Gemini (May 20, 2024 – June 20, 2024)
  • Mercury: Taurus (May 15, 2024 – June 3, 2024)
  • Venus: Gemini (May 23, 2024 – June 17, 2024)
  • Mars: Aries (April 30, 2024 – June 9, 2024)
  • Jupiter: Gemini (May 25, 2024 – June 9, 2025)
  • Saturn: Pisces (March 7, 2023 – May 24, 2025)
  • Uranus: Taurus (Until April 25, 2026)
  • Neptune: Pisces (Until March 30, 2025)
  • Pluto: Aquarius (January 20, 2024 – September 1, 2024)

Daily Astrology Snapshots

Monday, May 27

Sun

Gemini – The Gemini Sun heightens mental awareness, focus, and creativity. Practice stimulating activities that allow you to express yourself creatively today.

Moon

Aquarius – When the Moon is in Aquarius, you feel more eccentric and individual, embracing your unique personality. Express yourself as honestly and genuinely as you can.

Astrological Aspect

Mercury in Taurus sextile Saturn in Pisces – This transit brings heightened mental clarity and discipline, facilitating structured communication and focused thinking. Engage in tasks that require attention to detail, long-term planning, and strategic decision-making, as this transit favors methodical approaches and responsible communication.

Avoid impulsive actions or hasty decisions, as Mercury sextile Saturn encourages patience and thoroughness over quick fixes or shortcuts.

Tuesday, May 28

Sun

Gemini

Moon

Aquarius

Astrological Aspect

Aquarius Moon trine Gemini Sun – During a Moon trine Gemini transit, expect heightened curiosity and sociability, fostering engaging conversations and intellectual exploration.

Engage in activities that stimulate your mind, such as reading, learning, or socializing with diverse groups, as this transit supports adaptability and mental agility. Avoid getting scattered or overly superficial in your interactions.

Wednesday, May 29

Sun

Gemini

Moon

Aquarius

Astrological Aspect

Aquarius Moon square Uranus in Taurus – Expect emotional volatility and unexpected disruptions, potentially leading to sudden changes in mood or circumstances.

Ground yourself through calming activities like meditation or spending time in nature, as this transit may provoke restlessness and impulsivity. Avoid making rash decisions or reacting impulsively to emotional triggers.

Thursday, May 30

Sun

Gemini

Moon

Pisces – The Moon is in dreamy Pisces today, enriching your inner world, fantasies, and imagination. Express yourself creatively to bring your imagination to life and release any heavy emotions.

Astrological Aspect

Last Quarter Moon in Pisces – This transit signals a heightened sense of intuition and emotional sensitivity, prompting reflection on spiritual matters and subconscious patterns.

Engage in activities that nurture your soul, such as meditation, creative expression, or acts of compassion, as this transit encourages inner healing and connection with the unseen realms. Avoid indulging in escapism or becoming overwhelmed by fantasy.

Friday, May 31

Sun

Gemini

Moon

Pisces

Astrological Aspect

Mercury in Taurus conjunct Uranus in Taurus – Expect flashes of insight and sudden breakthroughs in communication, leading to innovative ideas and unconventional thinking.

Embrace spontaneity and intellectual exploration, engaging in brainstorming sessions or seeking out stimulating conversations. This transit favors experimentation and thinking outside the box. Avoid rigid thinking or resistance to change.

Saturday, June 1

Sun

Gemini

Moon

Aries – The Aries Moon brings passion and excitement, encouraging you to follow your passion. Be creative and explore ideas that make you feel enthusiastic about life.

Astrological Aspect

Aries Moon sextile Venus in Gemini – You may experience heightened emotional harmony and a desire for affectionate connections, fostering loving and pleasurable interactions with others.

Engage in activities that nurture your relationships and bring joy to your heart, such as spending quality time with loved ones, indulging in self-care rituals, or appreciating art and beauty. Avoid overly indulgent behavior or seeking validation through material possessions.

Sunday, June 2

Sun

Gemini

Moon

Aries

Astrological Aspect

Mercury in Taurus sextile Neptune in Pisces – Expect heightened intuition and imaginative thinking, facilitating creativity and spiritual insight.

Engage in activities that stimulate your imagination and foster compassionate communication, such as journaling, artistic pursuits, or empathetic conversations. Avoid becoming overly idealistic or prone to confusion.

Next, join astrologer Terence Guardino for this week’s video astrology forecast.

Daily Horoscope: Your June 2024 Tarotscopes…

0

“Daily Horoscope: Your June 2024 Tarotscopes…”

What does June really have in store for you?

For starters, Moon events will bring high energy and intrigue to our month. The New Moon in Gemini on the 6th will spark new ideas and fresh energy, while the Full Moon in Capricorn on the 21st will foster productivity and grounded spirits so that we can properly pursue those ideas.

Additionally, an abundance of soft, nurturing, and emotionally-centered Cancer energy will pop up throughout the month in excess (with Venus and Mercury entering the sign of the crab on the 17th and Cancer season itself coming through on the 20th).

What does it all mean for you? Well, it will depend, of course, on your own individual energy and life circumstances. That’s why we check in with the Tarot (with one Major Arcana and one Minor Arcana card each) to see how this energy will manifest for you this month.

Looking for more? Check out our free 3-card interactive Tarot reading right now for more insights!

Your June 2024 Tarotscope

Aries

The World & Ace of Cups (Reversed)

Aries is looking ahead at the bigger picture, but it comes at a minor, temporary cost.

The World shows you looking brightly and beyond at life itself, what the Universe has to offer, and the potential that you truly seek. This is a time of seeking fulfillment and completion.

With the Ace of Cups reversed here as well, you may also, as a result, have a heightened awareness of all the ways in which you are not emotionally or intuitively fulfilled, and this can cause some temporary discomfort while you get your ducks in a row.

However, this time of contemplation, planning, and expansion can still be fruitful, no matter how many growing pains accompany it.

Taurus

Strength (Reversed) & 5 of Cups (Reversed)

Taurus, this month is all about healing and finding yourself again.

After some time of loss and disappointments, the 5 of Cups reversed urges you to finally pick up the pieces and tread forward.

Of course, Strength reversed acknowledges that this may not be an easy or overnight process, and you’ll at times feel more disconnected from yourself than ever.

As a result, this month will require honesty, self-forgiveness, and patience. You are meant to come out of it stronger, more healed, and reconnected with the heart—but you’ll have to trust yourself to carry yourself there first.

Gemini

Judgement (Reversed) & 8 of Swords

Gemini had a difficult May with indecision and overthinking abound.

Unfortunately, this month is not so different, with the 8 of Swords hinting at self-sabotage within the mind and Judgement reversed, pointing to a larger feeling of mental and intuitive disconnect.

At this point, you may have a hard time identifying the solutions to this because it’s become unclear what even the root problems might be now as well.

You aren’t going to be able to logic your way out of this one, Gemini. Finding quiet, meditation, identifying stillness, and appreciating any moments of softness or gentleness — that will be your key to finding the light at the end of the tunnel here.

Cancer

The Emperor & King of Wands (Reversed)

Cancer is wrestling with authority — what it means to be a leader and how they want to be one too.

The Emperor shows you stepping up to the plate and trying to take control of your own life. You want to be calling the shots and making the decisions now, confidently owning your journey.

However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as King of Wands reversed energy can point to headbutting with existing egos and authority surrounding you, or perhaps even some occasional wavering self-confidence for some Cancerians.

Whatever the trouble may be, take this as a month to aim for the moon but not necessarily land on perfection. You do not need to be a perfect leader right now — only be willing to try on those shoes.

Leo

The Lovers & 2 of Wands (Reversed)

Leo, this is a month of going within, connecting with the heart, and then also connecting with others.

The Lovers spotlights your commitments and connections, emphasizing that this month really is about solidifying those bonds and deepening existing affections.

As a result, the 2 of Wands reversed indicates that June isn’t really about expanding to something new, spontaneous, or random. You may hit roadblocks if you try pursuing something different, as the Universe wants you to focus on what you already have for now.

Virgo

The Star (Reversed) & 8 of Wands (Reversed)

Virgo is slowing down this month, like it or not.

The 8 of Wands reversed demands slowness and steadying the pace, as rushing into anything this June will likely lead to a crash and burn (whether with relationships, career, or anything else).

Additionally, The Star reminds you that you can’t even rush something like a fresh start, the healing process, or a creative venture. When it’s time to slow down and rest, it’s time to slow down and rest — period. (Because, yes, healing is work, too!).

How will you embrace a slower-paced month, Virgo? What steps will you take to align intentionally with this energy?

Libra

The Hanged Man & 5 of Swords

Libra is known as the peacekeeper of the zodiac, but this month is not one for mediating.

The 5 of Swords points to trouble in paradise, with competitive energy flaring high and miscommunications and mind games muddying the waters of conversation.

As a result, you seem to be retreating in your plans of action with The Hanged Man, now taking some time to pause, look at your surroundings observingly, and pay close attention to the truths that people reveal about themselves.

Watch and wait, Libra. The time for action will come again later.

Scorpio

The Hierophant & 3 of Cups (Reversed)

Scorpio is finding their own spiritual path and structure even when no one else will catch their vibe.

The Hierophant is a card of spiritual resourcefulness, stability, and finding routine and foundation in your life. This month, you’re also willing to take on a more confident, leading energy in your decisions and the roles you play in your communities.

Despite this, others may not always be on board, with the 3 of Cups reversed hinting that this month may feel lonelier and others may be more self-absorbed with their own issues.

During this time of mismatched energy and misalignment, you’re still capable of aligning your energy with what you seek.

Sagittarius

The Sun (Reversed) & 8 of Pentacles

Sagittarius doesn’t quite feel like they’re “there” yet with where they want to be, but that isn’t stopping them from making headway this June.

The Sun reversed indicates that Sagittarius isn’t close to their dreams and goals just yet (and also points to some restlessness and feelings of being unfulfilled or something just being “off”).

However, the 8 of Pentacles also indicates that you’re making material progress, slowly but steadily, particularly with your career, finances, and home goals.

Sometimes the motivation you need is that reminder of what is missing, and this month is a perfect recipe of energy to ensure that you’ll go after it.

Capricorn

The Fool & King of Cups

Capricorn is opening themselves up to a world of new possibilities, and it’s all looking quite lovely!

The Fool notes that this month is a time of new opportunities, fresh starts, and seeing the world through an open-minded lens. Now is not the time to cling to the old ways but to trust and fall straight into the unknown.

After all, the King of Cups points out that you’re still a mature, intuitive, and experienced being at heart, no matter what new obstacles and unfamiliar open doors you face.

Even when it feels hard to trust others or even the Universe to guide you to the right place, know that you can trust yourself, Capricorn.

Aquarius

Wheel of Fortune (Reversed) & 5 of Wands

Aquarius will hit roadblock after roadblock this month, uncertain as to where all this chaos is suddenly coming from.

The thing is, though, that the Wheel of Fortune reversed and the 5 of Wands aren’t forms of chaos and conflict that can be solved with logic, reasoning, or predicting the “right” solutions.

These are cards of social disorder, incohesive misfortune, and self-doubt muddying your ability to see and trust clearly.

Your key to success this month will be frequently slowing down, remaining patient, and letting big waves of confusion crash over you without feeling the need to surf that unpredictable tide as it comes. At the end of the day, it will always retreat back to where it came, and you’ll find peace again.

Pisces

The Chariot & 10 of Pentacles

Pisces, this is your month for the taking!

The Chariot and the 10 of Pentacles are both fortuitous cards of long-term success, achieving your goals, and setting your future up for abundant prosperity.

More than just being cards of material stability, though, they’re also cards of self-awareness, feeling connected to your long-term visions, and the self-confidence required in order to go after them.

This is a solid month for attaining these things, reaching for them, and trusting that you’re capable of sustaining that kind of prosperity in your life—and that you’re worthy of it all, too.

Your Master Guide to This June 2024

Now that your Tarotscope has opened up one world of insight, it’s time to zoom back out to another.

In other words, this more personal guidance and illumination that the Tarot can offer should absolutely be taken into consideration as you proceed. 

However, there are other resources to take into account as you plan for your month ahead:

Related article: How to Embrace Change Using the Tarot

Daily Horoscope: All About Gemini Love…

0

“Daily Horoscope: All About Gemini Love…”

Gemini season is here, and we’re ready to talk all about Gemini love compatibility.

Geminis are the social butterflies of the zodiac, charming those around them with their energetic nature. Today, we’ll examine this sign’s most compatible and least compatible signs.

About the Gemini Zodiac Sign

Geminis are ruled by the element of Air, the element of intelligence. They are also ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication.

When these two aspects are joined, you’ll find an individual who has lots of thoughts and ideas to share with those around them. This speaks to Gemini’s adaptability, quickly bouncing from one topic to another without compunction, and the way they can jump into or out of any conversation with ease.

Symbolically, Geminis are represented by the symbol of the twins, which denote a duality to their nature.

This does not, however, mean that Geminis are two-faced, as many people are quick to claim. It simply means that they are changeable, and their mood is likely to shift many times throughout the day. Geminis are a complex, Mutable sign that demands independence and respect.

When looking at astrological compatibility, it’s important to remember that each person has many signs and aspects within their chart that affect compatibility. So, even if your Sun signs aren’t considered the most compatible, it’s still possible to vibrate with someone on an intimate, connected level.

Now, let’s take a look at the personality traits that make social Geminis so wonderful when it comes to relationships.

Gemini Relationship Traits

Positive Traits:

  • Energetic
  • Social
  • Lively
  • Charming
  • Intelligent
  • Thoughtful
  • Flexible
  • Clever
  • Funny
  • Outgoing
  • Unpredictable

Negative Traits:

  • Moody
  • Impulsive
  • Flaky
  • Inconsistent
  • Irritable

When it comes to relationships, what stirs the Gemini heart?

Geminis can’t stand boredom, so they need a partner who can match their energy and lust for discovery but also one who’s confident enough in themselves to give them the freedom and independence to do their own thing.

As a Gemini, your infectious personality gives you ample opportunity to meet and make new connections whenever you choose. Still, you lose interest quickly, which can seem callous and flaky when you are trying to make a romantic approach. Being very transparent about expectations upfront can really help you not let people down if they want a commitment sooner than you do.

It’s said that Geminis don’t want to settle down, but you do have a side that is looking to find your other half. It’s not that you can’t commit. It’s that you need to be sure they won’t try to harness you into a predictable routine.

If they share your desire to keep improving yourself, you’ll have a fulfilling relationship in front of you.

While every Gemini may not display these traits on a regular basis, they tend to be palpable for most Geminis. Their charm and quick wit make them so fun to be around.

Now, let’s move on to Gemini compatibility and examine the signs that set Gemini’s world ablaze with passion.

While any two signs can learn to get along, there are some signs that just naturally gravitate toward each other. In fact, elements seem to play a big part in astrological compatibility in that signs ruled by the same element seem to vibrate on similar levels.

Most Compatible Signs With Gemini

Other astrological pairings can create a harmonious, wonderful relationship; however, these couplings seem to bring the most dynamic, enjoyable results.

1. Libra

Libra is a fellow Air sign that shares Gemini’s tendency toward sociability, intelligence, and a natural curiosity about the world. When a Libra and a Gemini pair up, you can expect conversations that last for hours and hours.

As a bonus, these signs share a love for art, culture, and eccentricity. This can certainly be a match made in heaven.

2. Aquarius

Aquarius and Gemini resonate on a similar intellectual frequency. Aquarius’ rebellious side can help Gemini step out of their comfort zone and try new things.

When these two come together, you can expect many friendly encounters and adventures and perhaps a foray into humanitarian work – thanks to Aquarius’ deep desire to change the world for the better.

3. Aries

Air feeds Fire, meaning that the airy nature of Gemini helps the fiery passion of Aries really shine. These two inspire each other toward greatness, sharing a passion for creativity and self-expression.

A Gemini/Aries combination may dive deep into their artistic centers and enjoy creating things with one another. The drive and motivation of Aries will inspire Gemini to follow their bliss.

4. Leo

Adventurous Leo may share the Gemini passion for traveling, and would love to take on challenges and draw inspiration from visiting different countries together. Their dynamic nature would also spark an interesting sex life.

Least Compatible Signs With Gemini

While these pairs can certainly make it work, they may see more challenges than other signs when beginning a relationship with a Gemini.

1. Pisces

Pisces is ruled by Water, an emotional element that doesn’t always flow with the cool breeze of Air signs. A Gemini may seem callous to Pisces, as they are not as connected to their emotional center, preferring to think things through rather than follow their feelings.

To Gemini, a Pisces may seem overly emotional and sensitive. This relationship requires a deep understanding and willingness to try to be accepting of one another.

2. Cancer

It shouldn’t be a surprise that free-spirit Air signs struggle with unpredictable, emotional Water signs. Cancer is quite loving and keen on making a long-term match, but they can be very co-dependent, relying on their partner to give them confidence and make decisions for them.

A Cancer/Gemini pairing may be tough because of personal disagreements.

Gemini is easygoing, but over time, this could become a burden. Geminis want to feel inspired by their partner, not tied down.

3. Virgo

Virgo and Gemini are the two signs ruled by communicative Mercury, which may seem like the perfect pair. However, while these two signs do tend to approach life in similar ways, they also tend to solve their problems from very different standpoints.

Geminis have a hard time making decisions, and they like to mull over their options. On the other hand, Virgos are perfectionists who like to make their moves quickly. Gemini may come across as flighty or undependable to the responsible, steadfast Virgo.

4. Scorpio

Gemini’s natural tendencies toward sociability and extroverted nature can clash harshly with Scorpio’s private, solitary nature. Scorpio holds their feelings close to their chest, while Gemini is prone to sharing each idea that pops into their head.

Gemini may feel as though Scorpio is withholding in this union, while Scorpio may find Gemini’s wildly social approach to life intimidating or even scary.

What Happens With Gemini & Gemini?

When two Geminis get together, anything can happen. You may enjoy a dynamic, communicative union that focuses on sharing and appreciating one another’s ideas. However, the varying moods of the Gemini personality may interfere with timing: one of you might feel like sharing while the other feels like retreating into their own inner world.

While this love pairing may enjoy deep, lively conversations, they may have a hard time committing to one another. If both Geminis can maintain patience and understanding, this can be a lovely union filled with brilliant ideas and a flair for excitement and adventure.

Learn about Gemini’s compatibility with Taurus, Capricorn, and Sagittarius.

Celebrating the Intellectual Gemini

Even if you and your Gemini aren’t meant to be, you can still appreciate their incredible company and celebrate them for who they are. And remember, just because your own Sun sign isn’t listed as one of the most compatible signs with Gemini, it doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed.

To truly understand your union, you will need to contact an experienced astrologer who can run a relationship synastry chart for each partner. This chart compares each person’s unique natal chart simultaneously, identifying the planets that may be in harmony or tension with one another.

For example, the 7th house rules partnerships and will tell you how you communicate and feel about being in a relationship. If you have Scorpio in your 7th house (hypothetically), you’ll need a partner who appreciates brutal honesty.

Interested in learning more? Find out how compatible you and your partner are with a Love Compatibility Calculator!

AFC East: Jets Acquire To The Extend Pro-Bowl Running Back

0

“AFC East: Jets Acquire To The Extend Pro-Bowl Running Back”

The AFC East is home to two playoff-hopeful teams for the 2024 season. Which are the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. The New England Patriots and New York Jets also populate the division but the Pats are in a rebuild mode. The Jets could rebound next season, but that will be predicated on quarterback Aaron Rodgers being healthy.

Extend Pro-Bowl Running Back

Despite a 7-10 season in 2023 for the Jets, they have been plenty busy signing free agents to help bolster their team on both sides of the ball. Some notable additions have been offensive tackle Tyron Smith and wide receiver Mike Williams. The team has now added perennial pass rusher Haason Reddick, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Trade: Eagles are sending edge-rusher Haason Reddick to the New York Jets for a conditional 2026 third-round pick that could be a second, sources tell ESPN.

The 2026 pick becomes a 2nd if Reddick has 67.5% playtime this season and has 10 or more sacks. If not, it’s a 2023 third pic.twitter.com/AcjiqZE2L4

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 29, 2024

AFC East News: Jets Acquire Star Pass

Reddick comes over from the Philadelphia Eagles and will replace Bryce Huff, who left the Jets for the Eagles. It appears both teams decided to swap pass rushers. The Jets have sent a conditional third-round pick, which could become a second.

Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a play during the first quarter. in the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on January 07, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey….

Reddick is a monster addition

Reddick is a monster addition to an already stout Jets defense. In his last season, Reddick secured 11 sacks (2021), 16 sacks (2022), and 11 sacks (2023).

The Jets’ defense already has star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who is one of the best at his current position. Adding Reddick should make the defensive unit that much scarier.

The Jets aren’t the only AFC East team that made a big signing today. As the Miami Dolphins have also announced a new extension for Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The Dolphins announced that they have signed Mostert to a new two-year deal worth a max of $9.075 million. This will keep Mostert with the team through the 2025 season.

Most integral parts of the Dolphins offense in 2023

Mostert became one of the most integral parts of the Dolphins offense in 2023. Not only did he set a career-high in touchdowns and rushing yards. With 1,012 rushing yards and 18 TDs, but he led the league with 21 total TDs (18 rushing, 3 receiving).

Mostert was elected to the Pro Bowl and should be a stalwart part of the offensive attack for the Dolphins in 2024 as well. Mostert and a healthy Devon Achane could be the best RB tandem next season.

The AFC East has been a battle between the Bills and Dolphins the past few seasons. But with the Jets making massive additions to their team, there could be a three-way race for the divisional crown come January. Again, this all depends on Rodgers being healthy, but he has had plenty of time to heal from his torn Achilles.

Off The Menu: Hilton Celebrates The Best Webby Award

0

“Off The Menu: Hilton Celebrates The Best Webby Award”

Hilton is proud to announce that its innovative culinary series, “Off the Menu,”. Has been honored with a Webby Award for its outstanding digital presence and unique engagement with audiences worldwide. Celebrated for its exceptional portrayal of culinary arts and hospitality. The series was recognized in the category of. “Best Video – Travel & Lifestyle (Series & Channels).”

Webby Award for its outstanding digital presence

“Off the Menu” invites viewers into the kitchens of exceptional Hilton properties in sought-after destinations, offering an intimate look at the passion and creativity behind Hilton’s culinary experiences. Season 2 has been especially praised for its compelling storytelling. The spotlight it shines on the unique talents of Hilton’s team members.

The Webby Awards are international awards presented annually. By the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences to honor excellence on the internet. Hilton’s win for its culinary series, ‘Off the Menu,’ is a testament to Hilton’s innovative approach to both food and beverage and consumer storytelling. As travelers seek out once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. Hilton remains at the forefront, offering exceptional culinary experiences that are both memorable and sustainable.

Season 2 Highlights:

  • Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa:
    Chef de Cuisine Deni Srdoč, Croatia’s youngest Michelin-starred chef. Demonstrates how locally sourced ingredients are integral to creating sustainable and luxurious dining experiences.
  • Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort: Executive Chef Mauricio Lopez shares his journey balancing life as a chef, father, and husband, highlighting his personal growth and culinary innovation.
  • Conrad Koh Samui: Executive Sous Chef Aphichat “Tun” Amatmontri. A disciplined chef and a devoted family man blends his passion for modern Thai cuisine. With sustainable, organic farming, sharing his mindful journey to living with intention.

Season 2 of Off the Menu continues its culinary journey around the globe with additional episodes featuring Conrad Washington DC, Chef Jeiw Urapanthamat of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok and Chef Juan Suarez of Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

Hilton extends its gratitude to its dedicated team members and chefs featured in “Off the Menu,” whose stories inspire both the series and its viewers. The series is not only a testament to Hilton’s commitment to innovation. But also its ongoing dedication to elevating the teams that create exceptional stay experiences for guests around the world.

Team members are the heart of any stay at Hilton and are why the hospitality leader. The first hospitality company to receive this honor, and the No. 1 Best Place to Work in the U.S. Hilton has been recognized as a Great Place to Work for the past nine years. Ranking in more than 60 countries. And recognized with over 460 Great Place to Work awards from around the world since 2016.

For more details on “Off the Menu” and to watch the award-winning series, please visit: youtube.com/hilton.

About Hilton and the off the menu Webby Award

Hilton is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands. Comprising more than 7,500 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality. Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history. Was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace. By Great Place to Work and Fortune. Recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years.

Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience. Including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors. The more than 180 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy.

Daily Horoscope: Where is Gemini in Your Birth Chart?

0

“Daily Horoscope: Where is Gemini in Your Birth Chart?”

Gemini season will finally be taking us out of the Earthy sign of the Bull — in other words, the Sun has moved out of Taurus and into Mutable Gemini!

Witty, intelligent, and curious, Gemini brings a sociable and enthusiastic spirit to our astrological landscape. Whether it’s through cracking open a book on a foreign topic or calling up an old friend for a long chat, there are many ways to channel Gemini energy into your life.

However, whether or not you yourself are a Gemini Sun sign, each of us has a little Gemini within us in our birth chart.

What do your Gemini placements mean for you?

Exploring Gemini: The Twins

Coming after grounded and reliable Taurus, Gemini is the third zodiac sign in our 12 sign cycle. Gemini teaches us more about our connection with the mind and communication (whereas Taurus explores sensuality and physical matters).

Gemini sports a Mutable quality, being easily changeable, prone to flexibility, and lighthearted, free-spiritedness. As an Air sign, Gemini is even more prone than its other Mutable peers to being sociable, outgoing, slightly flighty, and unpredictable.

So, yes, there is a little bit of mischief embedded in the heart of a Gemini!

However, while Geminis can be known for being a bit chaotic and hard to read at times, they’re also likely the first to make you feel included in a foreign group setting or initiate an interesting conversation.

At the end of the day, their pursuit of knowledge and fun can make any seemingly humdrum task the next exciting big event!

The Impact of Gemini Season

Gemini season, just like all other zodiac seasons revolving around the Sun, will last for around a month. 

If you felt too rooted down and restricted by the Earthy Taurus season, now is the time to take flight, get a little weird, and ask big questions. Gemini is a curious sign at heart, and its energy can prompt us to flights of fancy. You might wish to take up new areas of study or initiate exciting new relationships.

You can best see how Gemini season will affect you by noting where Gemini is in your natal chart.

As the signs align, you will be able to really take advantage of its intellectual and curious capabilities wherever it is in your birth chart!

Make sure to read this next: What to Expect During Gemini Season (& It Isn’t What You Think)

Gemini in Your Birth Chart: The Planets

First, check to see where the witty twins land in the planets of your birth chart. These can have a major impact on the core pieces of your personality and who you are as a person!

Sun, Moon, & Rising in Gemini

Any of these placements can lead to an extremely prominent Gemini energy within you.

The Sun, representing the ego and a core piece of the self, would reflect Gemini energy in multiple facets of life.

With this placement, your core personality is built around three pillars:

  • Communication
  • Variety
  • Intellect

Spoken communication is key to who you are, and diving into intellectual pursuits helps feed your need for stimulating conversation. When things get boring, you like to switch it up. Variety keeps you running smoothly.

Your personality is magnetic, and you have a unique ability to connect with others, no matter their background.

The Moon, governing emotion and your inner world, allows you to connect with Gemini in the emotional space.

When your Moon is in Gemini, you will generally have high self-confidence and a desire to impress others. This can work well in many social circles but can leave a Gemini Moon believing that their worth is only based on whether they are cool or not.

Boredom is your biggest fear, and opening up will be a struggle for you, but when you connect… you connect.

With a Gemini Rising, the traits are projected outwards, making it a noticeable part of who you are to others around you.

You appear talkative, open-minded, socially aware, and inviting. This is a placement where the Gemini charm really shines, Gemini Ascendants attract people through their striking physical features and attractive energy. Those who first meet you will be drawn in by your contagious energy. They get the impression that you are genuine and bright, if not a bit scattered.

Mercury in Gemini

If you have a Gemini Mercury, you are truly blessed with the gift of gab! This placement is known as holding an essential dignity, as Mercury rules over Gemini.

You are a skilled communicator with a genuine desire to listen, listen, and share. This placement makes great teachers and journalists and, in general, enhances your life wherever there is a pressing need for a strong speaker.

Venus in Gemini

Venus in Gemini highlights the typical qualities of Gemini but in love and relationships.

With this placement, you can be eager to connect with many but have difficulty finding deep emotional intimacy in stricter commitments. However, with time and enough excitement within the right connection, you can make any relationship a permanent roller coaster of fun.

Mars in Gemini

With Mars in Gemini, the energy of the twins is prominent with your drive and ambition.

As the planet of will and passion, Mars shows us how we pursue things. With Mars in Gemini, you have to really be interested in what you’re going after, or else you’ll have no fuel in your tank.

While your energy may seem scattered and unpredictable externally, it is merely that you can only genuinely pursue what you find truly intellectually engaging.

Jupiter in Gemini

As the planet of expansion, luck, and opportunity, it’s with Jupiter in Gemini that you use the power of the twins to your advantage.

You may find positive luck and opportunities for growth in areas where you have the ability to learn and communicate. With Jupiter in Gemini, you are encouraged to use your versatility and intellect to create positive momentum in your life.

Saturn in Gemini

Saturn can seem like a bit of a party pooper, putting a damper on some of the best qualities of any sign.

So, with Saturn in Gemini, you can actually see where you might find difficulty and limitation. Themes of communication and lessons from difficult discussions may boomerang around you again and again. But once those lessons are learned, this placement can also be one of the strongest assets in honing your communicative capabilities.

Uranus in Gemini

Older folks (spanning most of the 1940s) may have Uranus in Gemini, born fittingly when computers were first built and significant technological advancements were made.

This generation is filled with Renaissance people who are good at many things instead of being the master of one.

Curiosity and knowledge are at the forefront of this group. If you’re part of this group, you’re one of these people who can innovate and invent, especially if those advancements help us communicate and create bridges for discussion.

Neptune & Pluto in Gemini

Neptune and Pluto were last in Gemini in the 1800s and very early 1900s, making this a fairly unlikely placement for those in the present day. However, this generation would be focused on making waves through communication and intellectual advancements!

Chiron in Gemini

Chiron shows us where we hold some of the deepest wounds.

With Chiron in Gemini, you may actually have a soft spot for expressing yourself and discovering knowledge. Perhaps you were made to feel inadequate in these areas, but in truth, it is typically just that you have an unconventional way of communicating and processing information.

Gemini in Your Birth Chart: The Houses

Even if you have no planets in Gemini, you can still see where the twins’ energy lands in your chart through your houses!

One of your natal houses should fall in Gemini (depending on the house system, some may have more than one; and some may have none).

Gemini in the 1st House

If your 1st house is in Gemini, the qualities of this unpredictable and outgoing sign are projected outwards.

Even if you don’t feel like a Gemini internally, others tend to see you as someone who exudes intellectual and communicative competence. As a result, you can be the life of the party and the one who seems to run the discussion of any group conversation.

Gemini in the 2nd House

If your 2nd house is in Gemini, you are inventive and adaptable when it comes to making income.

As the 2nd house rules over assets, you can use the innovative qualities of Gemini to your advantage when it comes to finding streams of financial income. You may feel inclined to juggle multiple sources of making money because of this.

Gemini in the 3rd House

If your 3rd house is in Gemini, your gift of gab is especially highlighted as it is emphasized in the house that Gemini actually rules over!

You may be especially adept at sharing your message and more highly sociable than most. Of course, communication is important to you, but if you’re not careful, you can also just as easily find yourself in the center of drama or a heated debate.

Gemini in the 4th House

If your 4th house is in Gemini, your foundations and sense of home will be structured around the qualities of Gemini.

This can be a bit of a difficult placement as it can make home and personal foundations more unpredictable and unconventional than most. Still, it also can give you the ability to find a home in nontraditional settings and circumstances.

Gemini in the 5th House

If your 5th house is in Gemini, the qualities of the twins can come out in love and with your hobbies. There may be a dramatic flair to how you choose to express yourself, and you may even feel called toward the spotlight.

In love, you’ll want a partner who can keep up with your fast pace and love for intellectual stimulation.

Gemini in the 6th House

If your 6th house is in Gemini, you can take an intellectual and innovative approach to health and wellness, as well as how you choose to serve others.

With Gemini in the 6th house, you could feel dedicated to using communicative capabilities to serve wider communities. However, you might also find that your relationship with your body and how you maintain it can be a little unpredictable, as you can get bored easily with too much routine.

Gemini in the 7th House

If your 7th house is in Gemini, you may find it difficult to settle down immediately. Commitment to one person or thing does not come easily to this placement.

However, if you can find a close circle of friends or a partner who understands your desire for change and creates new waves semi-frequently, you’ll be able to create a fun and exciting environment in all of your relationships.

Gemini in the 8th House

With the 8th house in Gemini, all things superficial lose meaning to you

As the 8th house is the house of inheritances and the occult, you can often seek out unconventional methods of acquiring finances, as well as find comfort in delving into strange topics or nontraditional fields of knowledge.

Gemini in the 9th House

If your 9th house is in Gemini, you may feel especially called to communicate and learn within foreign territory.

Different cultures and languages may especially appeal to you, whether or not you physically travel to them. Additionally, discovering different life philosophies and spiritual teachings can be particularly interesting to Gemini in the 9th house.

Gemini in the 10th House

If your 10th house is in Gemini, you express the traits of the twins in your career and professional life.

Sometimes, it can be difficult for Gemini in the 10th house to settle down on just one career path. A fast-paced, changing work environment is most desirable, especially if it allows you to exercise your self-expression skills and teach you things while on the job.

Gemini in the 11th House

The 11th house in Gemini highlights this sign’s adaptable and innovative qualities in an equally communication-focused house.

Using your strong networking skills is highly encouraged to find community as you branch out to many different areas of life and create a variety of connections.

Gemini in the 12th House

If your 12th house is in Gemini, you may have a harder time thinking before you speak.

With the dreamy and otherworldly qualities of the 12th house at play, you’re more inclined than other Gemini house placements to say whatever is on your mind at the moment and can have difficulty expressing yourself properly even though you very much want to.

Embracing the Gemini Within

All zodiac signs are within us in one way or another, including Gemini! Use Gemini season to tap into your Gemini energy now that you know where your energy falls within the sign of the twins and how it affects you on a more intimate level.

If you’re a Gemini, follow your horoscope. For everyone, use the astrology calendar to keep track of when Gemini season starts and ends and where other transits may be impacting this special season.

What The Knights Of The Tarot Mean? Astrology Answers

0

“What The Knights Of The Tarot Mean? Astrology Answers”

For many readers, the court cards are the trickiest aspect of the Tarot to master. The Major Arcana gets a lot of attention, dealing as they do with big transformations and important choices —and the minor pips, with their everyday insights, make for compelling narrative arcs within their respective suits.

But the court cards, with their faces, elements, and distinctly human personalities, can often feel out of reach, confusing, or unsettling.

What to do with these sixteen cards, which seem to tackle experience, insight, balance, discovery, resourcing, expansion, adventure, artistry, leadership, boundaries, and so much more, all at the same time? How can we work with them, and how can we harness their skills for our own purposes?

Sometimes, it can be helpful to grab your own deck and work with the cards alone, building personal insights that help you understand how to utilize that energy. Let’s look closely at Knights

What Are the Knights in Tarot?

Knights can also be called adolescents, explorers, travelers, witches, apprentices, seekers, or velocity. And are often seen as a bit more experienced than their younger counterparts, the Pages.

Not brand new but not yet masters of their element, Knights are adventurous, enthusiastic, and eager to prove themselves. They bring questing energy to everything they do, ready to go out into the world and experience all it has to offer.

Each Knight has a goal, something they want to accomplish. But that idea may not yet be fully formed or completely thought out. There is joy in raw, expansive expression, and Knights are deeply present in each moment, taking pleasure and satisfaction in every step of the process.

What The Knights Of The Tarot Mean Astrology Answers 2

Concerned With Ddoing Something Perfectly

Like Pages, Knights aren’t necessarily concerned with doing something perfectly the first time. But the stakes can be higher with their choices.

With high risk comes the potential for high rewards, and Knights often urge us to consider how we are balancing an element within our own lives. Too much of an element, and we may lose focus, but too little, and we may lack conviction. We see stubbornness and obsessive behaviors in these figures sometimes. Tendency to put the entire self into an idea, ambition, emotion, or dream without necessarily being open to other possibilities. 

When we combine this energy with the four different suits or elements. We can dig deeper into how these energies overlap and tangle together.

The Knight of Wands:

  1. The Knight of Wands is charismatic, passionate, and inspiring, often bringing other people into their bold ideas and ready to show the world everything that they can do. 
  2. The Knight of Swords
  3. The Knight of Swords is clever, insightful, and extremely logical, able to see the threads that tie things together and solve problems quick as a flash. Yet if they get too focused on a particular perspective. They can shun all others, refusing to see beyond their own views.
  4. The Knight of Cups
  5. The Knight of Cups is romantic, artistic, and idealistic.

They wear their heart on their sleeve and are eager to connect with others.

The Knight of Pentacles

The Knight of Pentacles is responsible, patient, and devoted to their cause. Pressing on with consistency and determination — yet they can get set in their ways. Missing the beauty of the path or ignoring possibilities for growth in their fixation on the final goal.

Each of these figures brings boldness, fortitude, and passion to their element. When they appear in readings, Knights often ask us to take a chance, pay attention to what we’re working towards, and balance our sense of pride with long-term objectives. 

Grab your favorite Tarot deck and pull out all four Knights to harness your inner Knight. Lay them out and spend time with them as a group, then individually. What do these cards activate and invite within you? How can they inspire, challenge, question, interrogate, and discover? Where might they lead if you were willing to follow? What characteristics do these Knights share, and where do they differ? If two of these Knights were in conversation, what might they talk about?

What The Knights Of The Tarot Mean Astrology Answers

Tarot: Knights can be complex figures, and if you’ve been reading for some time, you may already have a Knight that you identify with strongly, a Knight that encourages you to try something new, a Knight that signifies caution, or a Knight that trips you up when it comes forward in readings.

Considering what they have in common

Pull all four Knights out of your deck and look at them side by side, considering what they have in common and where they diverge. Which ones feel comfortable for you, and which ones challenge you? Do you see yourself in any of these figures? Do you recognize people you know? If you like, take some time to journal about each of these cards or all four Knights, and consider which aspects of each one stand out to you. How do you define these characters? What do they mean to you?

Keep the Knights out of your deck as you pull cards for this spread. If you like, put them at the top of your reading space as a reminder to harness a spirit of courage, power, strength, and care.

A Tarot Spread for Tackling Adventure

Card One: Something to pursue: What are you ready to explore? What is challenging you, beckoning you, capturing your attention? Where do you feel momentum building, and what will you do about it?

<strong&gt;Tarot Card Two: Something to rememberWhat have you learned from previous experiences that you can apply to your current dreams and ambitions? How is your intuition buzzing? What wisdom is emerging from your heart and mind?

Card Three: More of this: What needs to expand? What can you channel more inspiration, resources, insights, or collaborative energy into?

Card Four: Less of this: What is out of balance? What is taking over? Where have you gotten carried away or distracted?

I highly recommend journaling through each of these prompts with your spread. Where are you being invited to grow, change, and experience something different? How do you want to prove yourself? Which doors are opening that you’ve chosen to walk through? What is manifesting, and how can you be present in the expression of a particular dream?

MacRumors iPadOS 18 Will Include The New Calculator App

0
ipad users rejoice ipados 18 will finally include a calculator app.jpg
ipad users rejoice ipados 18 will finally include a calculator app.jpg

Did you hear the big iPad news today? No, not that news! Sources have told MacRumors that iPadOS 18 will include the longest-awaited feature of the iPad: a Calculator app. It’s expected to be part of the iPadOS 18 unveiling at WWDC on June 10.

Apple’s plans with the Calculator app have been making the rounds lately. AppleInsider reported last week that the company plans a major overhaul for the Calculator in macOS 15 with an iOS-inspired redesign. A new history tape feature, support for the new Math Notes feature in the Notes app, and more. The new iPadOS 18 Calculator is probably the same as the one rumored for macOS 15. So we assume it will have similar features. Since M-series Macs can run iPad apps, it makes sense that Apple is merely developing a new Calculator for iPadOS 18 and bringing it over to macOS 15.

MacRumors iPadOS 18 Will Include The New Calculator App

The new iPad Calculator will be available for all iPads on the iPadOS 18 compatibility list. While that list is not yet available, a MacRumors report. From February stated that iPads that are on the iPadOS 17 compatibility list will also work with iPadOS 18 except for iPads that have an A10 or A10X Fusion chip. Those iPads were released between 2017 and 2019.

The Calculator was not part of the iPad’s original release in 2011, so for the past 14 years. Users have had to rely on third-party calculators such as PCalc ($9.99), Calzy ($4.99), or Calcbot 2 (free with in-app purchases). It seems unlikely that the new iPad Calculator will be on par with the feature set of these third-party apps. But for users who need to perform relatively basic math functions, it’ll be a handy tool to have (finally). Read: Why the iPad has no calculator

Apple will hold its “Let Loose” event on May 7 where it is expected to unveil new iPad Air and Pro models, and likely a new Apple Pencil. You can catch up on the iPad Air and iPad Pro rumors before the event. But calculator fans will need to wait another month for the WWDC keynote.

The Largest Case Of Deforestation: Industrial Palm Oil In Indonesia

0

“The Largest Case Of Deforestation: Industrial Palm Oil In Indonesia”

The deforestation appears to be illegal, activists say, citing the irregularities surrounding the permits associated with the concession.

JAKARTA — The largest case of deforestation for industrial palm oil in Indonesia is happening within a concession on a tiny island off the coast of southern Borneo. According to satellite analysis by technology consultancy TheTreeMap.

Data from TheTreeMap, available at forest monitoring platform Nusantara Atlas. Show that 15,822 hectares (39,097 acres) of new plantations were established in the concession on the island of Laut. Part of Kotabaru district in South Kalimantan province, in 2022 and 2023.

Latest Palm Oil Deforester In Indonesia

The concession has been linked to palm oil company PT Multi Sarana Agro Mandiri (MSAM). Part of the Jhonlin Group owned by influential tycoon Andi Syamsudin Arsyad, popularly known as Haji Isam.

  • The biggest deforestation hotspot for palm oil in Indonesia is located on a small island off the southern Borneo coast, new data show.
  • Up to 10,650 hectares (26,317 acres) of forest — one-sixth the size of Jakarta. Were cleared from 2022-2023 inside the concession of PT Multi Sarana Agro Mandiri (MSAM), part of the influential Jhonlin Group.
  • Activists say the company’s operations may be illegal, given the questionable process through which it obtained its permits.
  • However, law enforcers have ignored calls to investigate, and previous efforts by journalists to expose the group’s business practices have led to their criminal prosecution on hate speech charges.

Indonesia’s biggest green NGO Palm Oil

To make way for these new plantations, up to 10,650 hectares (26,317 acres) of forest. One-sixth the size of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta — were cleared during that period. This makes the concession the single biggest site of deforestation for palm oil in Indonesia, according to TheTreeMap.

The Largest Case Of Deforestation Industrial Palm Oil In Indonesia 5

The figure is significant for an island as small as Laut, said Jefri Raharja, campaign manager with the South Kalimantan chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), Indonesia’s biggest green NGO.

At 202,400 hectares (500,100 acres). Laut is just three times the size of Jakarta and is barely noticeable on maps. Dwarfed as it is by the main island of Borneo. Much of Laut is still forested, according to Jefri. With a mountain called Sebatung standing proud in the middle of the island.

Loss of forest on the island will undermine its water catchment areas, Jefri said.

“So the potential of environmental destruction there is very high, particularly on water resources,” he said. “Because it’s a small island, it has little groundwater [reserves].”

The Largest Case Of Deforestation Industrial Palm Oil In Indonesia

‘Not in line with laws and regulations’

Amid the deforestation, there are questions over the legality of concession holder MSAM’s operations on the island. A large chunk of its concession, 8,610 hectares (21,276 acres), overlaps with a logging concession held by Inhutani, a state-owned forestry company.

In September 2015, Inhutani sent a letter to MSAM to demand it stop clearing and planting oil palms in the overlapping areas, according to a 2023 report by the Indonesian NGO Sawit Watch, which monitors the palm oil industry, and the Indrayana Centre for Government, Constitution, and Society (INTEGRITY), a law firm.

MSAM ignored the letter, according to the report, and sued Inhutani over the concession boundaries in December 2015. A court in Jakarta rejected the lawsuit in June 2016.

It was during this period, between 2016 and 2017, that the Jhonlin Group reportedly bought MSAM. Under the new ownership, the company struck an agreement with Inhutani in June 2017 on joint management of the overlapping area.

Local authorities in Kotabaru

Local authorities in Kotabaru weren’t convinced about the arrangement. However, and in November 2017 sent a letter to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry questioning the legal status of the agreement. The ministry confirmed that “the cooperation agreement … is not in line with laws and regulations,” according to the 2023 report.

Sawit Watch director Achmad Surambo said this should have been reason enough for law enforcers to launch an investigation into the matter at the time and for the government to evaluate MSAM’s operations. However, the company continued to operate as usual. Prompting Sawit Watch to file a report with the national anticorruption agency, the KPK, in January 2022.

The Largest Case Of Deforestation Industrial Palm Oil In Indonesia 1

Irregular permitting process

Surambo said the agreement with Inhutani allows MSAM to continue to cultivating oil palms in the previously disputed part if its concession. But because this area is also technically part of Inhutani’s logging concession. That means it’s officially designated as a forest area. Under a 2013 law, this makes it strictly off-limits to oil palm planting.

To be allowed to establish an deforestation oil palm plantation in a forest area. The area must first be rezoned as non-forest area. This is done by obtaining what’s known as a forest release decree from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. After that, the company still has to acquire a right-to-cultivate permit, or HGU, from the land ministry.

We suspect that there are corrupt practices behind it

In MSAM’s case, it hadn’t obtained the decree from the environment ministry before signing the agreement with Inhutani, Surambo said. And it still didn’t have the decree when it obtained an HGU from the land ministry in September 2018, he added.

“While the environment ministry now says it has issued a forest release decree. The process was not normal because it was preceded by the issuance of HGU license in forest area,” Surambo told Mongabay.

By reporting the matter to the KPK. Surambo said he hoped an investigation would be launched into potential corruption. Allowing MSAM to operate an oil palm plantation inside a forest area before it was rezoned.

Alleging that KPK officials

However, Sawit Watch never received any update from the KPK, despite repeated attempts to get information from the law enforcement agency. In April 2023, Sawit Watch filed a complaint with the KPK’s supervisory board. Alleging that KPK officials had acted unprofessionally by failing to follow up on the NGO’s report and not providing any updates.

On Jan. 23 this year, the supervisory board finally ruled that the officer in charge of accepting report submissions from the public. Leonita Gillian Patricia Ajawaile, had breached the agency’s ethics code by not providing an update to Sawit Watch. The board ordered Leonita to apologize to Sawit Watch, but there still hasn’t been any update on its report.

“Once the ruling arrived from the KPK’s supervisory board on the ethic code violation. There should have been corrective measures,” Surambo said. “The KPK should have replied to our letter asking for an update.”

The Largest Case Of Deforestation Industrial Palm Oil In Indonesia

Pattern of persecution

With deforestation continuing to spread within MSAM’s concession — a concession whose legality remains in questioned. Surambo said the government should evaluate the company. He noted the government had established a task force to audit palm oil companies in April 2023. Aimed at scrutinizing their permits, production and concession size, among other details.

Given the irregularities surrounding its concession, MSAM should be a target of the task force’s audit, Surambo said.

“For this new deforestation, the question is whether it has a permit or not,” he said.

Mongabay reached out to PT Jhonlin Agro Raya (JAR). The plantation arm of the Jhonlin Group, for comment. But didn’t receive a response.

Police against a reporter named Muhammad Yusuf

Jefri of Walhi said there was a history of the group filing criminal charges against individuals exposing its business practices. In 2018, MSAM filed a complaint with the police against a reporter named Muhammad Yusuf. Over at least 23 online news reports about the land conflict between the company and Inhutani. As well as covering farmers accusing the firm of bulldozing their crops to make way for its oil palms.

MSAM said in its complaint that the news reports had harmed the company’s reputation. Police arrested Yusuf on charges of hate speech and defamation. Under a controversial law widely used to silence critics of the government and of big businesses. Yusuf died of a heart attack after more than a month in custody.

In May 2020, police arrested another local journalist, Diananta Putra Sumedi, on similar charges. Diananta had published an online article quoting Indigenous Dayak villagers complaining about alleged land grabbing by JAR. A source in the story later denied the quotes attributed to him.

Despite this, the police insisted the criminal investigation would continue. In August 2020, a court convicted Diananta of hate speech and sentenced him to three and a half months in prison.

10 Best Underrated Travel Destinations For Your New Vacations

0

“10 Best Underrated Travel Destinations For Your New Vacations”

If you’re looking for your next travel adventure but are sick of the crowded tourist hotspots, this article is for you. In the era of Instagram-fuelled mass tourism, there’s something exciting – and brag-worthy – about venturing off the beaten path. From secluded beach paradises to underappreciated historical sites, here are the top 10 underrated travel destinations waiting for you to explore.

Why Opt for the Road Less Traveled

Before jumping into our list of underrated travel destinations, let’s understand why these hidden gems can present a richer and more authentic travel experience.

Hidden gems
  • Less Crowded: Tired of standing in queues, battling crowds, and waiting long periods to get the perfect shot? Lesser-known destinations are typically less crowded, providing a more relaxed, stress-free vacation.
  • Authentic Experiences: Visiting less popular places lets you experience the local culture in a more authentic and unfiltered way. You’ll likely interact more with locals and have access to traditional foods and customs not always available in tourist-saturated locations.
  • Cost-Effective: Often, lesser-known destinations are more cost-effective. Everything from accommodation, food, transport, and attractions are usually cheaper than in mainstream tourist spots.
  • Contribution to Sustainable Tourism: Choosing less crowded destinations can contribute to the distribution of travelers and, consequently, the impacts of tourism more evenly. This can be useful in over-pressured locations and can contribute to the development of places that benefit from increased tourism.
Now lets delve into the top hidden gems you should consider for your next vacation

Now, let’s Travel into the top hidden gems you should consider for your next vacation.

1. Travel to Comoros, Indian Ocean

If you’re a beach lover, the Comoros archipelago should top your list. Nestled between Mozambique and Madagascar, Comoros promises undiscovered sand beaches, coral reefs, and a rich blend of Arabic, French, and African culture, all untouched by mass tourism.

2. Bhutan, Asia

The Kingdom of Bhutan, tucked away in the Eastern Himalayas, is another underrated gem. The country’s commitment to sustainable tourism and well-preserved traditions make it a unique destination for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

3. Faroe Islands, North Atlantic

These self-governing Danish islands boast breathtaking landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and bird watching opportunities. With their wild and remote charm, the Faroe Islands cater perfectly to adventurers and nature photographers.

4. Travel to Malawi, Africa

Despite its exquisite beauty, Malawi remains largely uncommercialized. Here, you’ll find the stunning Lake Malawi, majestic mountains, wildlife, and friendly locals ready to share their infectious smiles and culture.

5. Albania, Europe

If you’re looking for an underrated European destination, look no further than Albania. It has everything from turquoise beaches, ancient sites, delectable Mediterranean cuisine, to warm and welcoming locals.

6. Guyana, South America

As South America’s only English-speaking country, Guyana is a melting pot of cultures with its diverse Creole society, and it’s an unspoiled paradise for ecotourism.

7. Georgia, Eurasia

With snow-capped mountains, antique churches, vineyards, and a cuisine that will win over any foodie, Georgia is a fantastic destination off the traditional tourist radar.

8. Uzbekistan, Central Asia

Uzbekistan offers a rich history with Silk Road cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, dazzling with magnificent Islamic architecture. Toss in the world-renowned Uzbek hospitality, and you’ve got a winning vacation destination.

9. Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Varied landscapes, icebergs, lighthouses, and opportunities for whale and puffin-watching, these northeastern Canadian provinces have it all for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

10. Moldova, Europe

Between Romania and Ukraine lies the least-visited country in Europe: Moldova. It presents enormous opportunities for wine lovers, untouched medieval history, and unique experiences of rural life.

A Few Handy Tips for Traveling to Lesser Known Destinations

A Few Handy Tips to Travel Lesser-Known Destinations

  1. Research Thoroughly: Ensure to do solid groundwork in terms of research. Look for local customs, etiquettes, and dialects along with information about getting around, accommodation, food, and safety.
  2. Travel Insurance: Ensure to get travel insurance to cover medical emergencies, travel disruptions, or any unforeseen events.
  3. Trust Local Expertise: Once there, rely on local recommendations for food, sightseeing, shopping, and more. Nobody knows the place better than the locals.
  4. Stay Flexible: Remember things might not always work as planned, so maintain a flexible itinerary.

Conclusion:

Breaking away from clichéd travel itineraries is rewarding. Not only do you get to dabble in unique cultural experiences, but also enjoy scenic beauties minus the thronging crowds. The underrated travel destinations we’ve listed above are just a fraction of what this wonderful world has to offer. So, pack your spirit of adventure and start exploring these hidden gems for your next vacations!

Remember, as the famous travel quote advises us, “Take only memories, leave only footprints.”

10FansLike
18FollowersFollow
19FollowersFollow
15SubscribersSubscribe

Recent Posts