The World Side

Smoke rises after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea August 9, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer

Aug 17 (Reuters) – Russian tourists took advantage of the heat and sun on Wednesday to enjoy a summer vacation in Crimea, saying they were not worried by blasts that rocked military bases earlier in the week.

Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has always been an important destination for holidaymakers.

Russia on Tuesday blamed saboteurs for orchestrating a series of explosions at an ammunition depot in Crimea. Last week blasts ripped through an air base, which Moscow at the time said was caused by an accident. read more

Tourists interviewed in the beach city of Sevastopol and the main train station in the Crimean capital Simferopol said they were focused

By Rajan Zed

Hindus are urging for a Diwali holiday in all 24 public school districts of Middlesex County. Schools have declared holidays around other religious days, so why not Diwali?

Although traditions vary, Diwali celebrations usually include families and friends gathering for worship at home shrines and visiting the temple. Additionally, there are feasts, the sharing of gifts, decorating hands with henna designs, fireworks, and the lighting of diyas — small lamps usually made from clay that symbolizes goodness and purity. Lighting them denotes triumph over darkness, connecting to the light. We also draw intricate, colorful designs called rangolis and place them around the home to honor the festival and welcome good luck.

Holidays of all major religions should be celebrated and honored, and no one should be penalized for practicing their faith.

Establishing a holiday on Diwali in all Middlesex County school districts will be a step in

Following last year’s premiere of “Candy Coated Christmas,” featuring Food Network star Ree Drummond, Discovery+ is getting even more into the scripted holiday spirit with two new Christmas movies from Food Network — and the first two ever from HGTV, Variety has learned exclusively.

The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned cable channels have just wrapped production on the four features, which include cameos from HGTV’s “Home Town” hosts Ben and Erin Napier and “Love It or List It’s” Hilary Farr, as well as Food Network stars Bobby Flay and Duff Goldman .

Titled “One Delicious Christmas,” “A Gingerbread Christmas,” “A Christmas Open House” and “Designing Christmas,” the four movies will all launch Friday, Nov. 11 exclusively on Discovery+.

Here are the official descriptions for the four new movies, with casts led by Katie Stevens, Jessica Szohr, Tiya Sircar and Vanessa