An Australian judge fined X Corp. 650,000 Australian dollars (U.S. $465,000) on Thursday (May 21, 2026) for failing to provide information to an online safety watchdog in 2023 about how it tackled child sexual exploitation content. Federal Court Justice Michael Wheelahan also ordered the
Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te said on Thursday (May 21, 2026) that he would be "happy" to talk to U.S. President Donald Trump, a conversation that would break more than four decades of diplomatic protocol and risk angering China. Mr. Trump told reporters on Wednesday (May 20
Dileep Raj dies after cardiac arrest: Experts warn why relying completely on smartwatches for diagnosis is not safeKannada actor Dileep Raj’s death on May 13 has sparked concerns about over-reliance on wearable health devices. Published on: May 21
Mother documents how strangers in France reacted to her fancy Indian looks: 'I am your Devdas, you are my Paro'Pavitra Kaur's video shows her outfits and the enthusiastic reactions of strangers in France – compliments range from movie references to heartfelt exchanges. Published on: May 21
Parents’ wholesome reaction to son's Google job announcement wins hearts. WatchThe video resonated with many social media users, who flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages and emotional reactions. Updated on: May 21, 2026 4:47 PM IST By Bhavya Sukheja Share via Copy link A
Spectator by Seema Goswami: The great gasping
In more innocent times, the arrival of winter – signaled by that early-morning or late-night nip in the air – was something to be celebrated. In my childhood home, it meant that the razais, sweaters, coats, etc that had been packed away with mothballs would be disinterred ceremonially and laid out in the afternoon sunshine to get an ‘airing'. My favourite activity as a child used to be to roll around on my mother's velvet jackets to enjoy the luxurious feel of the fabric.
These days, however, the arrival of winter (especially in Delhi where I now live) has become something to be dreaded rather than celebrated – given that it brings eye-watering (quite literally) levels of pollution with it. So, preparing for the winter has taken on a slightly desperate edge as we deal with apocalyptic levels of bad air. Sure, we still spend time sunning our shawls and overcoats so that they lose that slightly musty odour, but along with that there is a military-style effort to save ourselves from the foul air that we are forced to breathe at this time of year.
There are some lucky people who have the time and resources to plan what I like to call an aircation (ie, a vacation to a place that has breathable air). And sometimes, I am fortunate enough to be of their number, escaping for a week/fortnight to a nice hill station or beach either in India or abroad. But the thing about aircations is that – much like vacations – they come to an end sooner rather than later. And one fine day, you find yourself back at home, breathing in the same noxious air that you had escaped from.
So, what's a girl to do? Well, let me count the ways.
First up, invest in good air purifiers. Over the last few years I have built up quite a collection, and I now have them running in every room of the house. But before the air pollution season starts, I make sure to clean the filters thoroughly and replace the ones that have clearly given up the ghost. It is not feasible to stay indoors all the time, but I find that my asthma gets less aggravated the longer I spend huddled next to my air purifiers. So, it makes sense to spend good money on these, rather than endless visits to the doctor.
The other thing that has become an essential in the Delhi winter is the nebuliser. Even if you are a completely healthy adult, you will experience some breathing problems during this season. And the problems will be even worse when it comes to young children and older adults in your household. So, it makes sense to have a nebuliser at home, ready to do service the moment anyone at home begins to find it hard to breathe.
One other way of trying to improve the air in your home is to buy some plants that are most effective at purifying indoor air. Spider plant and snake plant are supposed to be the best at this. Others that can do the same trick are money plant, peace lily, or even the areca palm.
Of course, there is no guarantee that these tips will keep you well all winter. But, at least, it won't be for lack of trying.
From HT Brunch, November 1, 2025
Follow us on www.instagram.com/htbrunch
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Arrogant Man Refuses To Take Part In Varmala As ‘Innocent’ Bride Waits Calmly Man accused of raping girl found innocent Two courts block deportation of Indian-origin man found innocent after 43 years in jail Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law cannot be a tool to harass innocent persons Indian-origin man found innocent after 43 years in jail but now faces deportation Maoists allege killing of innocent tribals in Bastar India makes e-arrival card mandatory for international travellers Parineeti Chopra And Raghav Chadha Announce Arrival Of Baby Boy - Check Post Maithili Thakur Pays Tribute To Late Folk Legend Sharda Sinha Upon Arrival Semenyo scores again - who are winners and losers of his arrival
Calcutta HC grants Abhishek Banerjee relief in inciting speech case till July 31The Calcutta high court on Thursday granted protection from coercive police action to Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee until July 31 in the inciting speech case Published on: May 21
49 minutes ago
The Secrets Revealed in SpaceX’s IPO FilingDocuments related to SpaceX’s initial public offering show the company is unprofitable and CEO Elon Musk controls 85% of the vote. Updated on: May 21, 2026 2:56 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link SpaceX’s IPO filing sheds light on the finances and
49 minutes ago
Google has launched Gemini Omni, a multimodal AI model focused on cinematic video generation and conversational editing. The platform can create videos using text, images, audio and video prompts with improved realism and context awareness. Google is positioning Omni as its next big push in
49 minutes ago
Bengaluru techie builds ‘I GOT FIRED’ button amid AI layoff fears: ‘One click makes company codebase public’The images showed several labelled buttons, including “Gaslight Them,” “Decode Corporate BS,” and a red-highlighted option reading “I GOT FIRED.” Updated on: May 21
49 minutes ago
A controversial video allegedly filmed near Kedarnath Temple has gone viral on social media, triggering outrage among devotees and netizens over the behaviour of some pilgrims during the sacred Char Dham Yatra. The viral clip shows a group of men sitting and relaxing inside a tented accommodation
49 minutes ago
What your Dog’s birthdate says about their personality, according to a tarot expertJust like humans carry energetic blueprints, animals also have unique vibrations. In tarot, every birthdate can be connected to a Major Arcana energy. Read on. Updated on: May 21
49 minutes ago
Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi recently had a fun encounter with popular Punjabi singer Sukhbir in Goa. Taking to his social media account, Rakesh Bedi shared his surprise meet with the legendary Punjabi singer on his social media account, and reflected on their fun camaraderie
49 minutes ago
Textbooks for students have been printed in time for the reopening of schools in Kerala on June 1, Director of General Education N.S.K. Umesh said. Mr. Umesh was responding to fresh reports of delays in printing and binding of textbooks in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (May 19, 2026)
50 minutes ago
The recently amended National Anti-Doping Act is set to be modified again to criminalise the trafficking and distribution of prohibited substances to athletes, with suppliers facing jail terms of up to five years. The proposed changes also target medical practitioners who knowingly prescribe banned
50 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Building a smarter home? Start with these reliable smart door locks with fingerprint, Wi-Fi, and camera featuresStill carrying spare keys or checking your door twice before leaving?
49 minutes ago
The World Cup expands with more teams and games. This raises questions about quality and player fatigue. FIFA believes this growth makes the sport global. New teams debut, offering dream opportunities. Concerns exist about player health and the value of scarcity
50 minutes ago
The Longest Internet Blackout in History Is Crippling Iran’s EconomyThe government’s shutdown has been in place for nearly three months, threatening millions of jobs. Published on: May 21, 2026 5:05 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Iranians are enduring the longest and most intense internet
49 minutes ago
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa was held to a draw by Romanian Deac Bogdan-Daniel, while France’s Alireza Firouzja decided to finally call it quits in the sixth round of the Super Chess Classic, part of the Grand Chess Tour. Firouzja, who played two games despite an ankle injury
50 minutes ago
Pelé was 17 when Brazil found their World Cup soul; 12 years later they owned The Jules Rimet trophy foreverAs the 2026 World Cup approaches, memories of Pelé's impact on Brazil's football loom large. His stunning debut in 1958 to securing Jules Rimet Trophy in 1970. Updated on: May 21
50 minutes ago
Thomas Tuchel has already started contacting the England hopefuls who have not made the cut. It's the call any player dreads - because even in today's club-centric landscape, representing your country at a World Cup remains the pinnacle. Tuchel's squad will be made public on Friday
49 minutes ago
Luxury today looks very different from what it did a decade ago. For millennials and Gen Z, aspirational living is no longer centred around accumulation or ownership. Instead, it is increasingly shaped by experiences that feel immersive, emotionally rewarding and culturally meaningful
49 minutes ago
Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has brought the spotlight on a deeply personal psychological experience that affects millions: imposter syndrome. In a candid revelation at a summit in Bengaluru, the RCB star admitted, “You constantly feel like you’re never good enough – that imposter
50 minutes ago
Hindustan Unilever said it has permitted partial work-from-home arrangements and accelerated electric vehicle adoption as part of broader efforts aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity and fuel conservation, NDTV Profit learnt exclusively
49 minutes ago
Mumbaikars are set to get a peek into the world of TV show FriendsThe FRIENDS Experience, an immersive museum dedicated to the 1990s sitcom, is debuting in Mumbai on June 12-13 Published on: May 21, 2026 4:39 PM IST By HT Correspondent Share via Copy link Fans of the hit 1990s sitcom Friends in
50 minutes ago
Indian rupee recovered 61 paise on Thursday to open at 96.25 against the US dollar. On Wednesday, the rupee fell to a record low at 96.95, before recovering slightly to settle at 96.86 by the day’s end. In a major structural intervention to stabilise domestic financial markets
50 minutes ago
As India swelters under an intense heat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued repeated warnings of heat wave to severe heat wave conditions across large parts of northwest, central, and eastern India. Temperatures have soared above 45°C in several regions, with Delhi, Rajasthan
50 minutes ago
Are you feeling lonely? Know what prolonged isolation does to your brain and bodyAlways spacing out or feeling disconnected, even in a room full of people? Find out the ramifications loneliness can have on your health. Updated on: May 21, 2026 2:10 PM IST By Adrija Dey Share via Copy link The
3 hours ago
Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party?Abhijeet Dipke is a 30-year-old Indian political communication strategist and founder of the Cockroach Janata Party. Updated on: May 21, 2026 12:26 PM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link There’s a new political outfit
3 hours ago
Chip giant Nvidia on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) posted record quarterly revenue of $81.6 billion, blowing past Wall Street forecasts as insatiable demand for its artificial intelligence hardware powered another blockbuster quarter. The results for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, ending April 26
3 hours ago
Manifesting a BMW at 26 to buying it: Bengaluru techie's viral video captures parents' pure joyThe Bengaluru techie posted a video which captures what his parents thought about him buying a BMW. Updated on: May 21, 2026 12:16 PM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link A heartwarming video of a
3 hours ago
“Mexican authorities arrested the municipal president of Atlatlahucan and five other political figures in an investigation into corruption and organised crime in central Morelos state,” special prosecutor Ulises Lara said in a video message late on Wednesday
3 hours ago
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity as soon as Thursday (May 21, 2026), two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as pressure grows from parts of his political base to increase oversight of new AI models
3 hours ago
