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<h1 data-aos="fade-down" id="daily-dose">Daily-Dose</h1>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" data-aos-anchor-placement="top-bottom" id="contents">Contents</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-vox">From Vox</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Congress Must Act Now to Provide an Economic Bridge to the Coronavirus Vaccine</strong> - Unprecedented legislative action this past spring helped to stave off a Great Depression-style coronavirus downturn. The House and Senate need to act again. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/congress-must-act-now-to-provide-an-economic-bridge-to-the-coronavirus-vaccine">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>William Barrs Break with Donald Trump</strong> - The Attorney General is, at long last, defending American democracy. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/william-barrs-break-with-donald-trump">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Trumps Election-Fraud Bluster Finds an Audience</strong> - If his goal is to retain the Presidency, the effort is a historic failure. But Trump has proved able to build a significant following for his claims. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/donald-trumps-election-fraud-bluster-finds-an-audience">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Donald Trump, George Wallace, and the Influence of Losers</strong> - The outgoing President may find himself stunned by the speed at which former loyalists distance themselves. But his ideological imprint on the G.O.P. is likely to remain. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/donald-trump-george-wallace-and-the-influence-of-losers">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Atul Gawande on Coronavirus Vaccines and Prospects for Ending the Pandemic</strong> - The New Yorker staff writer, now a member of President-elect Bidens COVID-19 advisory board, discusses when a vaccine might be ready for distribution, who should receive it, and whether eradicating the virus is possible. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-new-yorker-interview/atul-gawande-on-coronavirus-vaccines-and-prospects-for-ending-the-pandemic">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-vox">From Vox</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>A less miserable winter</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="a snowy, abstract sky" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NcRoYsA108mvQYo9nUSwFtUVbUo=/750x0:5250x3375/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68470145/GettyImages_1176555074.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Winter, even in 2020, doesnt have to be the worst. | Getty Images/EyeEm
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Tips on how to keep houseplants alive, pick up a hobby, exercise indoors, bake bread, and more.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="YUOjDB">
Winter is never the easiest<strong> </strong>time. Its cold. Its dark. Its icy and snowy and windy. It puts the “season” in “seasonal affective disorder.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Myh806">
And this winter, the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, is extra complicated. The end of the pandemic <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/11/30/21726327/moderna-covid-19-vaccine-results">might be in sight</a>, but were <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/11/12/21560902/covid-19-risk-hospitalizations-chart-texas-illinois">not there yet</a>, not by a long shot. So we know that we wont have all the things to look forward to that we once had: gatherings at home with family and friends, bundling up for a night out at a restaurant or bar, the relief of running on a treadmill at the gym while the streets outside are slick and dangerous. Its going to be rough; some might even call it miserable.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="5MOQeK">
Wed like to help you make it <em>less</em> miserable. Vox has brought together some of our coziest minds — and tapped the experts — to help you figure out how to navigate this winter. Join us as we roll out tips on how to pick up a new (indoor) hobby, how to bake magical bread, and how to keep your houseplants from calling it quits. Well be checking with people who know how to deal with small-space living and long, dark winters. We hope itll help make things less terrible — maybe even a little joyful.
</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="9t2aB7"/>
<h1 id="vwSZyH">
<a href="https://www.vox.com/21507101/houseplants-alive-winter-pandemic-garden">How to keep your houseplants (and yourself) less miserable this winter</a> by Umair Irfan
</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="a illustration of many leaves and greens with a tiny pair of eyes in the darkness" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DjMeQ-zQD2v56xCWfdwACdBZpN4=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22148668/_PLANTS.jpg"/> <cite>Sarah Lawrence for Vox</cite>
</figure>
<h1 id="hzsx15">
<a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/21742395/winter-survival-scandinavia-norway-pandemic-seasonal-affective-disorder-darkness">A Scandinavian local explains how to make it through winter</a>, by Melinda Fakuade
</h1>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="A small, cozy house in a wintry landscape" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PDfjJWp9R7ArKO3vvZCHY4EL7Ss=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22148677/_NORWAY.jpg"/> <cite>Sarah Lawrence for Vox</cite>
</figure></li>
<li><strong>A Scandinavian local explains how to make it through winter</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="A small, cozy house in a wintery landscape" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KiEEXZxaw92fuebG5yQ1Iuf_1ws=/1249x0:5000x2813/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68470137/_NORWAY.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
In Norway, getting through the long, dark winter is a lifestyle. | Sarah Lawrence for Vox
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Hygge, a culture of coziness that has taken over the self-care space, is Scandinavias specialty.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="3lvCLB">
<em>Winter will suck. We gathered some of Voxs coziest minds to help you </em><a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22154095/winter-tips-hacks-less-miserable"><em>make it suck less</em></a><em>.</em>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="VOWL6q">
Ida Skibenes, a 32-year-old born and raised in Norway, resides in Bergen, where by <a href="https://www.tripsavvy.com/weather-in-bergen-1626874">December</a>, there is an average of six hours of daylight per day. Shorter days mean more time spent inside, sheltering from the cold. But as a result, Scandinavians are familiar with the business of creating bearable winters for themselves, bringing small joys to where despair might typically occur.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="SBJwG9">
Seasonal depression affects around <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder#:~:text=The%20individual%20must%20experience%20seasonal,in%20women%20than%20in%20men.">10 million Americans</a>, and winter may be even more difficult to manage for many as the pandemic continues on, and forces us to spend more time <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/21514367/coronavirus-covid-19-home-renovation-schooling-peloton">at home.</a> We could use some Norwegian advice — <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/1/15/21063670/hygge-self-care-domestic-cozy-marketing-brands-haus">“hygge,”</a> a culture of coziness that has taken over the self-care space, is Scandinavias specialty. Theyve mastered and perfected the art of making winter less miserable. Skibenes spoke to Vox about how she survives winter, and her methods to combat feelings of isolation that come with the colder months of the year.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="pKKmg6">
<strong>Tell me a little bit about your relationship with cold winters over the course of your life. Do you like winter? Do you not like winter?</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Tq96Qz">
I think growing up here you get used to it. You kind of dont have a choice. Of course, some people will travel south, especially the older generation who will leave for Spain or Italy for a month or two when it gets really cold and really dark. But most of us just deal with it. We are used to having many months in a row where we dont really see that much sun or daylight.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="YPLm72">
When its at its darkest, I think most people will struggle a little, maybe feel a little more tired. Especially if you work in an office and you dont have the chance to step outside and get some sunlight on your face. It can be pretty hard because its dark when you leave in the morning and then its dark when you get home.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="AlHDnL">
<strong>I struggle with how early it gets dark even in New York. Do you have any tips to combat that difficulty?</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="BEseCW">
In some ways, [Ive experienced it.] Especially with feeling more tired than in the summer months. That might be the hardest part. But Im a full winter girl, so I kind of appreciate the dark. I think its cozier to get up in the morning when its dark outside.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="6lEd71">
I think that the most important thing you can do is keep your sleeping rhythm the same. Try to, if you have the chance during your day, get out and get some sun. If its only for like ten minutes, I think it can make a huge difference. We also have really bad weather, especially in November and December. It can be very tempting to just stay inside and just hunker down and wait for it to pass, but I think its really important to get that fresh air and just move around a little.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="BGCffd">
In Norway, we are very much professionals when it comes to making things cozy. Lighting candles and being under a blanket on a couch and playing games, so thats in our blood I think.
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Aerial shot of snow on rooftops in Bergen, Norway." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Pl72snYJkThOOL4DFFH4BhuN7zk=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22145433/GettyImages_1083346292__1_.jpg"/> <cite>Corbis via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>
A winter scene in Bergen, Norway, where Skibenes resides.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="tJ8nPc">
<strong>I actually wanted to ask you about that. Ive read that the Scandinavian culture of coziness is called hygge. Can you tell me more about that?</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="uovCFm">
I think Norway may be most explicit about it. We go all in. I think maybe its the way that weve kind of learned to survive through hard winters for a long time. We find a lot of comfort in just doing the really small things to make your home a bit more cozy and just lighten the mood. And a lot of us have grown up staying in family cabins — thats a thing, where we would go to a cabin up in the mountains or by the sea or somewhere else.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="7DCdn2">
Thats a peak level of coziness when you get to the cabin and you light the candles and play games and eat a lot of food. How it got that way, Im not sure, but its just become this thing that most of us do, just a way of surviving those long months.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="yP8dIM">
<strong>So its kind of like this culture of togetherness and warmth; its kind of like a purposeful escape from the dreariness of winter.</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="EBF7FS">
I think its interesting because we as a people here in Norway, were generally quite cold. We like to keep our distance from people. On the news now with Covid-19, they [say] “What did Norway do right? What did they do that we didnt do?” And I think that often they miss the point of us being people that really, generally dont like being around people that much.
</p>
<div class="c-float-left">
<aside id="WutxBd">
<q>“For most of us, especially from 30 years and up, we only like being comfortable, and warm is more important than looking good”</q>
</aside>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="wrIlhG">
We kind of just stay with the people we know and the people we love, and we dont socialize that much with people we dont know. Especially now during the winter months, we dont really go that much outside anyways, so I think its easier for us to socially distance than other people. I think thats a part of the coziness culture as well, that we have this kind of small group. Maybe its just a partner or maybe its a couple of friends or maybe its just a couple of family members that youre really close with, and thats your flock.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="IpnEtA">
<strong>What about the way that Norwegian people prep for the cold in the way they get dressed? Is there anything clothing-wise that you would recommend to Americans who want to make their winter less miserable or cozier?</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lcKtLH">
We use a lot of wool. From top to bottom. Immediately, as soon as we hit the end of September, start of October, thats when we get our wool game on. If youre going to survive winter either in Norway or anywhere else where its cold, thats the thing to do.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="jeJqJ7">
Its important for us to stay warm throughout the day, because if you get cold then youll be cold for the rest of the day and youll be miserable. Especially socks and hats. If youre warm on your feet and warm on your head, then youre basically covered. Layering and always wool. The first layer is always wool.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="N1YIlo">
<strong>When it gets really cold like December and January, I always have a million layers on. But I always feel like I look so bulky. I imagine that in Norway, people find a way to look more chic about it.</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="PTajig">
Some of us try — especially the younger generation. I dont know how they do it, but they look flawless. But for most of us, especially from 30 years and up, we only like being comfortable, and warm is more important than looking good.
</p>
<div class="c-float-right">
<aside id="8awKgP">
<q>“I think that often they miss the point of us being people that really, generally dont like being around people that much”</q>
</aside>
</div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="JEYiUP">
<strong>And is there any way that Norwegians approach winter skin care or beauty or self-care habits that you would recommend to Americans?</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="KbjyOX">
Moisturize. Im terrible at skincare in general, but moisturizing is number one. LOccitane has this really <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516588&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.loccitane.com%2Fen-us%2Fshea-butter-ultra-rich-comforting-cream-01CV050K18.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1Q9hjxSt0dHD_xhJE8e6nby79wQj0_ueaw_b0jfNSZPIk59iw6awnSBfs&amp;referrer=vox.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vox.com%2Fthe-goods%2F21742395%2Fwinter-survival-scandinavia-norway-pandemic-seasonal-affective-disorder-darkness" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">awesome face cream </a>that I would recommend to anyone who has to live through the cold months because it really helps keep your face moisturized throughout the day.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="4RScWQ">
<strong>Is anything else, winter tip wise, that you want to add that our readers should know about how you get through the winter, whether its physically or emotionally, and how a Scandinavian view informs it?</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="0u6VMe">
People will react to dark and colder months in different ways, and I think just embracing whatever youre feeling [is important.] Telling yourself that its okay if youre more tired, its okay if you dont want to go outside, and its okay if you feel less energized and dont want to socialize much, or anything that youre feeling. Just embrace what youre going through, because it is hard when its so dark all the time, and maybe your sleeping rhythm is a bit off and your eating rhythm is a bit off. Be a bit more aware of self-care.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="3Y83iP">
Of course, right now its hard to not isolate. So keep in touch with your friends, and if you have a partner, talk to your partner about how youre doing. Just embrace the time that youre in.
</p>
<aside id="qq2rKx">
<div>
</div>
</aside></li>
<li><strong>How to keep your houseplants (and yourself) less miserable this winter</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="a illustration of many leaves and greens with a tiny pair of eyes in the darkness" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jsm7p2bAP936TJ3pnny_UIvYs7g=/470x0:4317x2885/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68470138/_PLANTS.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
If your home is green inside, the outside might not feel so bad. But how do you keep plants alive in winter? | Sarah Lawrence for Vox
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
A very basic guide to indoor winter gardening, according to experts.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="oECXQA">
<em>Winter will suck. We gathered some of Voxs coziest minds to help you </em><a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22154095/winter-tips-hacks-less-miserable"><em>make it suck less</em></a><em>.</em>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="UB9ooJ">
So youve acquired a houseplant during the Covid-19 pandemic. Or several. Or <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/04/15/people-are-mass-purchasing-plants-during-quarantine/">dozens</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="A7Flku">
Youre certainly not alone. Next to cultivating sourdough, gardening has become one of the most <a href="https://wtop.com/lifestyle/2020/08/another-quarantine-must-have-houseplants-says-the-sill-ceo/">popular Covid-19 pandemic hobbies</a> across the United States as people spend more time at home, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-05-30/why-plant-sales-are-soaring-even-at-nurseries-closed-due-to-coronavirus">overwhelming plant nurseries</a> that are still trying to maintain social distancing precautions.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="LLPtC6">
“I can tell you that we have seen worldwide interest in gardening that has approximately doubled in terms of individual participation from 2019 to 2020,” said Dave Whitinger, executive director of the National Gardening Association, in an email. “The number of website visitors to <a href="http://garden.org/">garden.org</a> is twice as high as last year, and most of the gardening companies we have spoken with have reported approximately the same thing. The gardening companies I have spoken to have all told me they have completely sold out their inventory this year.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="mtH73g">
With so many restrictions on going outside, it seems natural to want to bring some of the outdoors inside (or at least close by). Plants bring us numerous benefits. Beyond the obvious aesthetics, your pothos plants, African violets, and succulents can<a href="https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/30/1/article-p55.xml"> relieve stress</a> and<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140901090735.htm"> boost productivity</a>. (Their air-cleaning benefits, however, are a<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/03/indoor-plants-clean-air-best-none-them/584509/"> bit more questionable</a>.)
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="pXzFWi">
But now as we head into the winter, when cooler outdoor air becomes less hospitable to fingers and fronds alike, first-time gardeners are facing the challenge of nurturing their new charges through one of the toughest times of year.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="GrDaWP">
To find out more, I called up experts at the<a href="https://www.usbg.gov/"> United States Botanic Garden</a> in Washington, DC. Its the oldest continuously operating botanic garden in the US and turns 200 this year. It contains nearly 29,000 square feet of indoor growing space, in addition to five acres of outdoor gardens. Its<a href="https://www.usbg.gov/plant-collections"> 65,000-plant collection</a> includes<a href="https://www.usbg.gov/plants/chocolate-plant"> chocolate plants</a>, orchids, the endangered <a href="https://www.usbg.gov/plants/ma%CA%BBo-hau-hele-or-aloalo">aloalo</a> flower, and the crown jewels, two<a href="https://www.usbg.gov/corpse-flowers-us-botanic-garden"> 8-foot-tall flowers</a> that look like deformed penises and smell like rotting corpses. I figured they would know a thing or two about keeping fussy plants alive.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lvS4Kz">
Whether your thumbs are barely turning green or youre an aspiring<a href="https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/12/30/21031913/how-to-keep-houseplants-alive-masterclass-plants-swiss-cheese-millennials-plantfluencer"> plantfluencer</a>, heres what to know about keeping your plants (and maybe yourself) happy and healthy through the cold months.
</p>
<h3 id="Am2iQ7">
Plants can prepare for winter, but they may need your help
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="6HRtQE">
The first step in getting your household foliage to survive the winter is to do some homework. That can involve doing some research in a<a href="https://garden.org/plants/view/78237/Moth-Orchid-Phalaenopsis/"> plant database</a> to learn more about the ideal conditions for your plant, like temperatures, sunlight, and soil. You can also look up the<a href="https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/"> US Department of Agriculture hardiness zone</a> you live in, which can help determine which of your plants can survive the winter outdoors and which need the warmth of your home.
</p>
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“Getting a little bit of background of the plants is probably one of the most critical things for winter care,” said Angela Weber-Hetrick, the gardens and grounds supervisor at the US Botanic Garden. “Tropical needs are a lot different than your hardy plants, or Zone 7a, which is what we are here in the DC area.”
</p>
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Plants themselves are quite varied, so its difficult to come up with broad recommendations for every bit of greenery. Weber-Hetrick explained that there are plants that do winter prep of their own. Many plants, but particularly perennials that experience winters in the wild, can go dormant when the season changes. Thats when the plant stops growing actively. Its leaves and stems may even fall off, but the root structure is still alive. (A general way to test whether a <a href="https://planethouseplant.com/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead/">plant is alive </a>is to bend the stem. If its pliable, its alive, but if its brittle, its probably dead.)
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="The World Deserts exhibit at the US Botanic Garden in Washington, DC." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uvxCFEn106CfE-5AJAqIwQ6R-iQ=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22144831/World_Deserts_at_U.S._Botanic_Garden.jpg"/> <cite>Devin Dotson/US Botanic Garden</cite>
<figcaption>
The World Deserts exhibit, filled with succulents, grasses, shrubs, and other flowering plants, at the US Botanic Garden in Washington, DC.
</figcaption>
</figure>
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The signs of dormancy can be subtle in houseplants. It can be as simple as their growth slowing. But not every piece of vegetation hunkers down for the season. <a href="https://succulentsbox.com/blogs/blog/succulent-dormancy-101">Succulents</a> like aloe go dormant in the summer while other succulents like agave go dormant in the winter, for example.
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When it comes to plants that go dormant in the winter, its all the more critical for them to be at their healthiest as the days get shorter.
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“In fall, theyre starting to store up all their carbohydrates, and really what they are trying to do is basically store as much energy as they can to make it through the winter,” Weber-Hetrick said.
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Tropical plants, like philodendron, cane, and bamboo, also respond to shorter days with less growth, thereby consuming less water and fertilizer. And other species may need some trimming to get rid of dead branches or decaying leaves. “Sometimes it needs a good pruning, a good haircut, before going into the winter months,” Weber-Hetrick said.
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But regardless of the species, once winter begins, you, the plant owner, become the gatekeeper for almost everything that a plant needs to survive if its kept indoors. So its on you to figure out what your garden needs.
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<h3 id="7VpaTk">
Keep a close eye on your greenery and establish a routine
</h3>
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Every home has its own <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/sunday-review/vive-le-terroir.html">terroir</a>, and general plant care guidelines may be too vague for your porch, windowsill, or hanging basket. Thats why your own observations are crucial.
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“You can kind of listen to your plants in terms of just kind of looking at them,” said Chelsea McKinley, a plant health specialist at the US Botanic Garden. “If it seems like theyre drying out more frequently and theyre putting out more growth, then thats a sign that theyre ready for more water and maybe for some light fertilizing.”
</p>
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Throughout the winter, here are some of the key things to observe on roots, stems, leaves, and buds to help your plants thrive.
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<strong>Pests:</strong> Make sure there arent any stowaways on plants you bring inside, and keep an eye out for any critters that could harm them, like aphids and mealybugs. Check the undersides of leaves for even tinier pests like spider mites. “They usually cause a silvering or yellowing of the leaves,” McKinley said. “Those you might need a magnifying glass to see.”
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If you are repotting or moving plants to a different container, make sure the new vessel is sterile. Use a mild bleach solution and rinse thoroughly to prevent bacterial or fungal infections.
</p>
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<strong>Light:</strong> Plants depend on photosynthesis, the process by which they use light, carbon dioxide, and water to make sugar and oxygen. With the sun going down earlier, every photon is precious. Some plants can cope with less light, but others may need the assistance of a growing lamp. Check to make sure what kind of lighting your plant needs and ensure your lighting source is adequate, especially if its a supplemental source. “You just want to make sure that lightbulb is fairly bright and has both red and blue wavelengths in the spectrum,” McKinley said. If you are just relying on sunlight, the optimal position can change through the winter, so be prepared to move your plants.
</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="The Tropics exhibit at the US Botanic Garden in Washington, DC." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1Q__UZREG--veLTgPaQd3VsBp9s=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22144845/Tropics_house_at_U.S._Botanic_Garden__1_.jpg"/> <cite>Devin Dotson/US Botanic Garden</cite>
<figcaption>
Light shines through the Tropics exhibit at the US Botanic Garden in Washington, DC.
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="KEjzL3">
<strong>Temperature:</strong> As it gets cold outside, it becomes more important to maintain warmth inside. Though some plants like <a href="https://www.usbg.gov/orchids-focus-exhibit">orchids</a> prefer a bit of a nighttime drop in temperature, most prefer steady conditions, so avoid placing them in drafty areas.
</p>
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<strong>Water:</strong> Both too much and too little water can be harmful. That can manifest as wilting or yellowing leaves. But rather than waiting for a plant to show signs of distress, one sign that a plant may be ready to water is if the top centimeter or two of soil is dry.
</p>
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“When you do water, make sure the entire root bulb gets really wet,” McKinley said. “You want about 10 percent of the water you put into the pot to come out the bottom of the pot.” This helps flush out salt in the root structure. But make sure the water drains away and that the plant doesnt remain sitting in water.
</p>
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Some chemicals in tap water can also be harmful to plants, leading to problems like yellowing leaves. You can use distilled water or leave some water out for 24 hours to allow residual chlorine to evaporate out.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="xTuGxk">
<strong>Humidity:</strong> Running the furnace in the winter can dry out the air in your home. And as dry, heated air parches your throat, it can desiccate plants as well. A humidifier can help reduce these effects. So can misting plants with a spray bottle. Maintaining proper humidity can also reduce the need for watering. But make sure to wipe down leaves after misting since tap water can leave behind mineral deposits as it evaporates. A wipe will also remove household dust that can block sunlight.
</p>
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Balancing all of these elements may be tricky at first, but over time, it should get easier to establish a plant care rhythm and routine. “Plants love consistency,” Weber-Hetrick said.
</p>
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If youre looking for inspiration, you can also explore the<a href="https://www.usbg.gov/take-virtual-tour"> US Botanic Garden virtually</a>. And while were all housebound this winter with our aloes, begonias, and cacti, know that its totally okay to <a href="https://news.psu.edu/story/141343/2008/08/25/research/probing-question-does-talking-plants-help-them-grow">talk to your plants</a>; just be cautious if they start talking back.
</p>
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</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Olympics | Surfing and breakdancing among four sports to win Paris 2024 spot</strong> - Skateboarding and sports climbing are the other two events</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Champions League | Defeats hurt, but my way is to always fight, says Buffon</strong> - The Juventus icon talks about dealing with failure and what keeps him going.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Aus vs Ind | Green in good touch</strong> - Umesh and Ashwin put up a fine show.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Formula One | Mercedes fined for pitstop bungle</strong> - Mercedes mistakenly put tyres reserved for teammate Valtteri Bottas onto Russells car after both pitted when the safety car was deployed.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Aus vs Ind | Jadeja may miss first Test</strong> - Concussion rule mandates 7-10 days rest.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Battered fields, shattered dreams</strong> - Coastal and Rayalaseema districts in the State bore the brunt of Cyclone Nivar that inflicted extensive crop loss; enumeration is under way for quick disbursal of aid to affected farmers</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Three months of toil swept away by a flood</strong> - 19,000 tonnes of tomato crop suffers damage in Chittoor district</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Modi backs Macron in fight against terror</strong> - PM calls up French leader amid spate of knife attacks</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Hopes on liberal government aid</strong> - Cyclone flattens crops in over 1.27 lakh hectares in Nellore and Prakasam districts</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>NCP, BJP trade charges over Sharad Pawars stand on farm laws</strong> - Letters reportedly written by NCP chief when he was Union agriculture minister are in circulation</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Brexit: Trade talks have reached critical stage</strong> - The UK says it is still working for a deal, but the EUs mood is described as “gloomy”.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU</strong> - Time is running out for the UK and EU to strike a deal - what is happening now?</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Ikea scraps traditional catalogue after 70 years</strong> - The end of the catalogue is “emotional but rational” as fewer people are reading it, the company says.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Coronavirus France: Elderly woman fined for lockdown form error</strong> - A woman aged 73 with dementia is fined for having the wrong date on her lockdown exemption form.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Brexit: Will the borders be ready?</strong> - With one month to go until the end of transition, we look at the challenges to come on the UKs borders.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>New report reveals Apples roadmap for when each Mac will move to Apple Silicon</strong> - High-end Macs could have as many as 32 performance cores to the M1s four. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1728122">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Cyberpunk 2077 is equal parts beautiful and messy</strong> - 20 hours in, Night City is a majestic masterpiece with a lot of rough edges. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1727962">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Rudy Giuliani hospitalized with COVID-19 in latest Trump-sphere infection</strong> - At least 40 others in Trumps inner circle have been infected since September. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1728110">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Despite the pandemic, SpaceX is crushing its annual launch record</strong> - The Block 5 variant has been a true workhorse. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1727956">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>This Arizona college student has taken over 60 driverless Waymo rides</strong> - Human drivers are pretty safe, making it hard to prove driverless tech is safer. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1725934">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>How does a redditor get karma when they dont deserve it?</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Piece of cake
</p>
</div>
<!-- SC_ON -->
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Cherbotsky"> /u/Cherbotsky </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8c3n1/how_does_a_redditor_get_karma_when_they_dont/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8c3n1/how_does_a_redditor_get_karma_when_they_dont/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Thats a Bug</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
<strong>Scientist: Dick Bug</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Other Scientist: no
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
<strong>Scientist: Penis Beetle</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Other Scientist: no
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
<strong>Scientist: Cock Roach</strong>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Other Scientist: fine whatever
</p>
</div>
<!-- SC_ON -->
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/nyperfox"> /u/nyperfox </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8it2s/thats_a_bug/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8it2s/thats_a_bug/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>An Arab family residing in Europe was considering putting their grandfather (Abdullah) in a nursing home. All the Arab Facilities were completely full, so they had to put him in an Italian one. After a few weeks there, they came to visit their Grandfather.</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“How do you like it here?” asked the grandson. “Its wonderful! Everyone here is so courteous and respectful,” answered grandpa. “Were so happy for you,” said the Grandson. “We were worried that this was the wrong place for you, since youre a little different from everyone.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“Oh, no! Let me tell you about how wonderfully they treat the residents here,” Abdullah said, with a big smile on his face. “Theres a musician herehes 85 years old. He hasnt played the violin in 20 years, and everyone still calls him Maestro! There is a judge in herehes 90 years old. He hasnt been on the bench in 25 years, and everyone still calls him Your Honor! Theres a dentist here too95 years old. He hasnt fixed a tooth for 30 years, and everyone still calls him Doctor!”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“And MeI havent had sex for 35 years, and they still call me The Fucking Arab.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
[apologies for the racism; if its any consolation, am partly arab, so, yeahjust trying to laugh at myself whenever I can… cheers.]
</p>
</div>
<!-- SC_ON -->
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/throughmethroughyou"> /u/throughmethroughyou </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k81pk5/an_arab_family_residing_in_europe_was_considering/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k81pk5/an_arab_family_residing_in_europe_was_considering/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>The first time I had sex, it was in my parents bedroom. My girlfriend giggled nervously and moaned, “This is a bit awkward.” I grunted…</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“Just ignore them!”
</p>
</div>
<!-- SC_ON -->
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/honolulu_oahu_mod"> /u/honolulu_oahu_mod </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8emhf/the_first_time_i_had_sex_it_was_in_my_parents/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8emhf/the_first_time_i_had_sex_it_was_in_my_parents/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>The cheating wife</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
A guy thought his wife was cheating on him.So he waited for her to leave that night and jumped in a cab to follow her. By following her he found out she was working in a whorehouse. The guy says to the cabbie, “Wanna make a $ 100?” The cabbie says, “Sure, what do I have to do?”. The guy replied that all the cabbie has to do was go inside the whorehouse and grab his wife and put her in the back of the cab and take them home. So the cabbie goes in. A couple of minutes later the whore house gets kicked open, and the cabbie is dragging this woman out who is kicking, biting, punching, and fighting all the way to the cab. The cabbie opens the door to the cab, throws the girl inside, and tells the man, “Here, hold her!!” The man looks down at the girl and says to the cabbie, “THIS AINT MY WIFE”. The cabbie replied, “I KNOW, ITS MINE; IM GOING BACK IN FOR YOURS!!”.
</p>
</div>
<!-- SC_ON -->
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/sidtheslothy23"> /u/sidtheslothy23 </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8j7zl/the_cheating_wife/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/k8j7zl/the_cheating_wife/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
</ul>
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