BY Sarmind SafiNov 23, 2023

Like any popular rock band, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree went on a two-week tour, stopping in towns all over West Virginia, and had managers, security, roadies, and even a few groupies. After being cut down from the Monongahela National Forest on November 1st, the 63-foot Norway spruce was placed on a specially constructed tractor-trailer and driven 19 times in a fortnight. On November 17, the tree will be formally delivered to the US Capitol. On November 28, there will be a tree lighting ceremony on the US Capitol's West Lawn. “We’re so proud here in Randolph County to have the forest headquarters in Elkins,” Robbie Morris, the executive director for the Randolph County Development Authority said. “I think it’s appropriate that the kickoff of the tour happened here.” The obvious starting point for the tree's statewide tour is Elkins, West Virginia, home of the Monongahela National Forest headquarters. The tree was escorted through the middle of town by several high school bands before stopping at the Elkins Train Depot, drawing a throng of well-wishers from the picturesque mountain community. Visitors are urged to sign a large banner that is hung over the tree and fastened to the tractor trailer at each location. Hundreds of people, including West Virginia celebrity Mark Bowe, host of the Discovery Plus series Barnwood Builders, enjoyed the various informational booths and festivities surrounding the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. “I wanted to be here with the national tree so it can go from the people’s land to the people’s house and I want everybody to know that this tree came from West Virginia and that’s nowhere near Richmond," Bowe said sarcastically. Without a stop at the West Virginia Capitol Building in Charleston, the tour wouldn't have been complete. With marching bands, live music, amazing decorations, and even a makeshift skating rink set up on the Capitol steps, the city and state went all out. “I came around the corner and told my mom I’m so excited since I’m a Hallmark fanatic,” Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Queen Sophia Wigal recalled. “It looked like a Hallmark movie so I was really excited.” The people of the Mountain State showed evident pride in their state and gathered in sizable crowds at each stop along the tour.“West Virginians are very proud people,” remarked Robbie Morris. “The fact that the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will sit on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for countless amounts of people to see throughout the holiday season makes me overwhelmed with pride.” Read Also: Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Anticipated As TSA Prepares For Busy Season! The Italian Train Group FS Will Launch A New “Night Train Like Hotel”: Rome To Dolomites Chinese And US Presidents Have Come To A Common Ground Regarding Tourism Facilitation!

BY Sarmind SafiOct 10, 2023

Several flights going in and out of Tel Aviv have been canceled since Israel declared war on Gaza, Hamas, and the Palestinian Resistance. CNN  has issued a statement that American Airlines will be suspending all flights till Friday while monitoring the situation closely. The President of the Allied Pilots Association ordered a “do not fly” to a union of 15,000 American Airlines pilots. Ed Sicher has said that Israel’s current instability and call for war has made it incumbent that “it is not prudent or appropriate to knowingly put our flight crews and passengers in harm’s way by maintaining flights into a war zone.” He has warned pilots not to accept assignments to fly into Israel, urging air personnel to take “extreme caution” as issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. Delta Airlines is canceling flights to and fro Tel Aviv for the entire month. They have, however, made a statement that they will “work with the U.S. government as needed to assist with the repatriation of U.S. citizens who want to return home.” The US Embassy in Israel issued a security update on Monday that it will “closely monitor the dynamic security situation” in the region. Ben Gurion International Airport will stay open, but some flights have been reduced or suspended. US carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Israel.” "We might cancel flights to places where we don't have a lot of Israelis to help other Israelis in other places," AFP reported of a spokeswoman. El Al has reported that they are operating "in accordance with the instructions of the Israeli security forces." Some of the other airlines that have canceled flights to Israel are Air Canada, Air France, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Finland’s Finnair, Dutch carrier KLM, Germany’s Lufthansa, Norwegian Air, Portugal’s TAP, Polish carrier LOT, Ryanair and United Airlines. Read Also: Flair Airlines Review: This Is How I Feel About Flair Airlines! Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures! Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines!

BY Sarmind SafiDec 5, 2023

The people of Norway have sent a Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square. Every year since 1947 it has been a tradition of Norway to send Britain a Christmas tree in order to commemorate their support during the Second World War. The Norwegian spruce is nearly 20 meters high and is around 70 years old. It has been chosen to be the "queen of the forest" from the woodlands of Oslo. It was felled in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Patricia McAllister, who described the spruce saying it was "spectacular". Every year, the selected tree is brought to the UK by a sea route which then ends up getting delivered by a lorry. The Christmas lights will be draped vertically in traditional Norwegian style. The energy efficient bulbs will be switched on during a ceremony on Thursday 7 December. Ms McAllister helped fell the Christmas tree in Oslo. "It was astonishing, spectacular, emotional: especially when the tree was hoisted [from where it's been for] the last 70 years," she said. "It really is a spectacular tree. It's stunning." She further added. Few of the previous Christmas trees that were sent From Norway, were not so warmly received. They would sometimes be of the opinion that they were either "sparse" or "anemic". However, the Norwegian foresters who take care of these trees described the chosen tree to be the "queen of the forest". Every year The Poetry Society commissions a poem based on the Oslo Christmas Tree. This year poem is set to be called "T for Tree" written by Isabel Galleymore. It is composed mainly for children and it will be read during the tree-lighting ceremony. The spruce will stay in Trafalgar Square until the 5th of January when it will be composted and chipped. Read Also: Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol Ghana Is Ready To Host The Rest Of The World: Ghana Tourism Authority On Christmas Concerts Excited For Christmas? Leicester Square’s Glittering Christmas Market Is Returning To London From Nov 8