Winters

Russian gardening media are advising people to prepare their geraniums (pelargoniums) for winter no later than October 15. The piece outlines three simple steps said to keep the plants bright through the cold months. Advice like this circulates widely each autumn as gardeners bring potted plants indoors before frost.

Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson is making headlines after speaking candidly about her falls on the trails, describing them as a matter of 'mental blocks' rather than bad luck. Her comments, reported by Norra Skåne, are drawing attention in Sweden, where interest in her form and preparation remains high among winter sports followers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Kyiv will intensify its attacks on Russian oil refineries, citing Moscow's strategy of targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the winter months. The escalation aims to undercut Russia's ability to fund and fuel its war effort while retaliating for strikes on Ukrainian power supplies as cold weather sets in.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to Kyiv as Ukraine braces for what officials warn could be the hardest winter of the war with Russia. The visit underscores Germany's continued support for Kyiv and comes amid concerns over strikes on energy infrastructure, heating supplies and the strain on civilians during the coming months.

A gardening column from the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin argues that autumn, not spring, is the ideal season for planting. Cooler air and still-warm soil help roots establish before winter, setting plants up for stronger growth in spring. The piece is part of seasonal advice coverage as gardeners turn to fall planting tasks.

Gardening experts are reminding homeowners that fall is the ideal season to re-seed fescue lawns. The advice, published by a Master Gardener columnist, points to cooler autumn temperatures as the best window for establishing new fescue grass before winter, helping lawns recover from summer stress and fill in thin or bare patches.

A powerful nor'easter has struck Ocean City, on the New Jersey shore, bringing rising coastal flooding and prompting continued updates as conditions develop. Residents and observers are following the latest forecasts, with flooding still worsening along the coast as the storm pushes water onshore.

Chelsea are reportedly considering a January approach for a Barcelona player, according to Yahoo Sports. The report does not name the player, but it places Chelsea among clubs monitoring Barcelona talent ahead of the winter transfer window. Barcelona's ongoing financial pressures have made several of its stars subjects of constant transfer speculation.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking residents to keep their decorative pumpkins indoors rather than leaving them on porches or lawns. Fallen or displayed pumpkins can attract bears, deer and other wildlife into neighborhoods, creating conflicts that endanger both animals and people as the animals seek easy food sources before winter.

Volunteers are working to clear invasive ivy as the threat of El Niño-driven storms approaches. English ivy and similar vines can damage trees and destabilize soil, raising concerns that heavy winter rains could knock down infested trees or trigger erosion and landslides. The effort, covered by KSBY News, highlights growing local pushback against invasive species before severe weather arrives.

RetailReady, a startup from Y Combinator's Winter 2024 batch, is hiring for an implementations position. The company, which works on technology for the retail and logistics sector, has published an open role on its jobs page as it scales its team. Interest so far is modest, with the listing circulating mainly among people tracking startup hiring.