File photo of Juan Pedro Benali of NorthEast United. (Image: X)

On the eve of NorthEast United FC’s Indian Super League (ISL) opener against East Bengal FC, head coach Juan Pedro Benali struck a deeply emotional yet clear-headed note, calling on fans to rally behind their teams while keeping the bigger picture of Indian football in mind.“It’s easy to criticise on social media. Buy the tickets to watch your team, be it NorthEast United FC, East Bengal FC or Kerala Blasters FC, make people feel that football is important,” he said, before adding, “Rather than sitting at home and criticising, not watching the games, come to the stadiums.”

The 56-year-old Spaniard emphasised that even small acts of support can make a meaningful difference, urging fans to go the extra mile for their clubs and the sport.“We know it is a difficult moment, but support your team. Just for that Rs 100, Rs 200 or Rs 50 (match ticket price), it’s money. The sacrifice that you make by travelling to watch the game, be it 10, 20, 50, or 80 km, is a sacrifice. But when you make that sacrifice, you earn the right to criticise, and you can say, I helped my club,” Benali added.While acknowledging the frustrations surrounding Indian football, Benali made it clear that fans are fully entitled to express their views — but insisted that criticism should be matched with action.“The national team is not doing well, because of this, that… I understand. It’s your right (to voice your opinion). Do it, but also help. Rs 200 for each game. Go to the FanCode, pay Rs 299 for the season pass. Buy the subscription to watch NorthEast United FC (Team Pass). That’s what we’re asking from the fans. That’s the support. That’s the help. This is where the clubs can feel that they have (supporting) hands, and not the fans who only talk,” he said.In a call for unity during what he described as a challenging phase, Benali urged supporters to stand by their teams regardless of results or circumstances.“It is not a moment to say NorthEast will not do well or go to the second division. No, it is a moment to be with everyone, regardless of the results. Be with your team, your players,” he added.He signed off with a broader appeal, urging the entire Indian football ecosystem to come together as one.“This is the real moment to be a family. This is the real moment to be an Indian football family, all together. The clubs, the players, the fans. This is the moment to show the world that even if 10 per cent of the Indian population loves football, that’s 150 million people. But let’s be together,” Benali said.Dream Sports-owned FanCode is the official broadcaster of the ISL, having come onboard after a bid of Rs 8.62 crore. They further sub-licensed the TV broadcast rights to Sony Sports Network.

Former Kansas City Chiefs player Darron Lee’s disturbing domestic violence history comes back into focus amid murder charge.(Image via GoFundMe, Getty Images)

Darron Lee, the former New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs’ player, had a lot going on in his career when he decided to distance himself from the league in 2020.While Darron Lee faces first degree murder charges for allegedly brutally killing his girlfriend, Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo, a domestic violence case against him has resurfaced as it paints a horrifying picture of what went down.

Darron Lee’s serious domestic violence charges resurface amid the alleged murder of his girlfriend

According to NBC 4, Darron Lee was accused of physically violent against an unnamed woman whom he had assaulted at night on 3rd April, 2023.Later in the morning, when the victim asked Darron Lee to leave her bedroom, it resulted in an altercation where, as per police reports, he “threw her against the wall and to the ground”.As per NBC 4, when the young woman was on the ground, Darron Lee allegedly punched her several times and pulled her hair.Two women who were also at the same house later came up to rescue the victim and a police complaint was filed against the former NFL player, Darron Lee.While a warrant for his arrest was issued when he failed to appear in court in June 2023, it is not publicly known what happened to the domestic violence charges against him.Unfortunately, this was not the first time that the former New York Jets player was accused of domestic violence. In 2022, another woman filed a case against him after he “picked her up by the neck and threw her to the ground”.While it has been a few years since these horrific crimes, Darron Lee’s recent alleged crime has sparked shockwaves across the league.Once a promising player who won the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 has now turned into an alleged murderer.

What happened to Darron Lee’s girlfriend?

For the unversed, on 5th February, Darron Lee’s girlfriend, Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo, was found dead by authorities.While Darron Lee tried to maintain his innocence by claiming that she tripped in the bathroom, authorities soon found serious injuries on her body.This included bite marks on her thigh, stab wounds to her stomach and serious head injuries.At this point in time, Darron Lee has been denied bail and is all set to appear for his preliminary hearing on 9th March.

Speculation around the relationship status of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna has once again taken centre stage on social media.A video showing Vijay’s Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad lit up with decorative lights has gone viral, prompting fresh chatter about an impending wedding on February 24. The development comes at a time when rumours suggest the two may be planning an intimate ceremony in Udaipur. However, the actors have not issued any official statement regarding the claims.

Unverified wedding card circulates online

Fueling the speculation further, an alleged wedding invitation of the rumoured couple has been widely shared across platforms. The invite claims that the ceremony is scheduled for February 26, with a reception to follow in Hyderabad on March 4.The invitation reads, “I’m writing to share some special news and to invite you to be part of a huge moment. With the love and blessings of our families, Rashmika and I will be getting married on 26.02.26 in a small and intimate ceremony.”It further states, “As we begin this new chapter—celebrating and creating memories around our union—it would truly mean a lot to us to celebrate with those who have been a part of our journeys. Your presence and blessings would make this occasion even more special for us. We warmly invite you to join us and bless us at our Wedding Reception.”The note concludes with, “We look forward to celebrating together. Warm regards, Vijay (on behalf of Rashmika & myself).”Despite the detailed wording, the authenticity of the invite remains unverified.

Long-standing dating speculation

Vijay and Rashmika, who shared screen space in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade, have been linked for years. Their off-screen camaraderie, frequent holidays and social media interactions have often added fuel to relationship rumours.While they have consistently maintained that they are “just friends,” Rashmika has previously described Vijay as a “blessing” in her life, acknowledging his support during emotionally challenging times. As the videos and invite continue to circulate, fans remain eager for clarity, but for now, the actors are yet to confirm any wedding plans.

KALYANI: Jammu and Kashmir stand on the brink of history. They have ample reason to believe they can make their maiden Ranji Trophy final as Bengal dug their own grave on Day Three of the Ranji semifinal at the Bengal Cricket Academy (BCA) ground here on Tuesday.Bengal batters made a complete mess of the situation even after managing a 26-run first-innings lead after bowling out the visitors for 302 at the lunch break on Tuesday.

However, what followed was beyond the credible. In a blink-and-miss second session of play, Bengal were reduced to 77/6 in 20 overs at tea. The hosts lost their remaining four wickets in the next 5.1 overs in the last session to be all out for 99, their lowest total against J&K in first-class cricket. In a swift change of script, J&K came out to bat in their second essay needing just 126 runs for a memorable win.An unbroken 31-run third-wicket stand between Vanshaj Sharma (9*) and Shubham Pundir (22*) saw J&K through the day at 43/2, just 83 runs away from their dream final.The day, however, began differently as Bengal’s one-man bowling army Mohammed Shami continued to fire, picking up all the five remaining J&K wickets to finish with a career-best haul of eight for 90 in 22.1 overs. The former India pacer bowled 9.1 overs in all, spread over two spells on the third day morning handing over Bengal the vital lead. Then came the twist in the tale.J&K’s star pacer Auqib Nabi began the demolition job from the first over. Bengal opener Sudip Chatterjee had a ‘pair’ when he became Nabi’s first victim in the fourth ball of their innings. Left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar provided the biggest jolt by having Bengal’s in-form batter Sudip Gharami caught in front in the next over.Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran once again came a cropper in knockout games when Nabi dismissed him for five as Bengal were reduced to seven for three in the fifth over. After veteran Anushtup Majumder was dismissed LBW in the next over off Yudhvir Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal tried to steady things by stitching together a 35-run fourth-wicket stand. But the duo departed in quick succession.Nabi (4-36) and Kumar (4-27) shared the spoils while Yudhvir got 2-29.

A shocking exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 has left the Australian men’s cricket team in a state of crisis, with their absence from the Super 8s now threatening to ripple all the way to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. On February 18, 2026, following a rain-induced elimination in Pallekele, reports surfaced that the ‘Kangaroos’ are no longer guaranteed a spot in cricket’s historic Olympic return.  The group-stage collapse, marked by a ‘groin crisis’ for captain Mitchell Marsh and a failure to utilize Steve Smith, has turned a once-certain qualification into a high-stakes waiting game

Australia’s Los Angeles Olympic 2028 direct entry at high risk after heartbreaking exit from T20 World Cup 2026

According to reports from The Age and India Today, Australia’s failure to reach the Super 8s has put their direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 in serious jeopardy. The ICC has proposed that the T20I world rankings at the conclusion of this World Cup will determine the automatic qualifiers for the exclusive six-team Olympic event.

Phillip Pope, author of a 2007 Cricket Australia report on Olympic inclusion, told The Age: “Those of us who spent 20 years against the odds getting cricket back into the Olympic program for the first time in over a century would regard it as mismanagement of epic proportions for Australia to fail to qualify for the world’s largest sports event in global sport’s biggest market.” Because the rankings cut-off is reportedly tied to the final standings of this tournament, Australia’s inability to gain further points has turned a once-certain qualification into a desperate waiting game.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting explains the reason behind Australia’s shocking T20 World Cup 2026 exit

Australia’s LA Olympics 2028 path gets complicated as THIS team holds the key after T20 World Cup shock

In a dramatic twist, New Zealand now holds the key to Australia’s Olympic dreams, as the two nations battle for the single automatic qualification spot reserved for the Oceania region. As per The Age, ranking calculations suggest that if the Black Caps venture to the semi-finals or beyond, they will likely overtake Australia in the standings to secure that direct ticket.

This would force Australia into a “dog-eat-dog” global qualification tournament against multiple other second-ranked regional teams for the very last place in LA. The situation is particularly frustrating for Steve Smith, who was left on the sidelines during Australia’s elimination despite recently stating: “My main goal is to get in the team when the Olympics is rolling around… That’d be pretty cool.” Selector Tony Dodemaide confirmed Smith was seen only as “cover” for the top order, even as the team’s Olympic hopes began to slip away.

Also READ: Fans react as Australia faces elimination from T20 World Cup 2026 after rain washes Ireland vs Zimbabwe clash in Pallekele

Mumbai: The state cultural department has sanctioned Rs 15 crore to set up a World Heritage Desk to undertake in-depth research, documentation, and conservation of more than 1,000 ancient rock carvings (geoglyphs) found along the Konkan coastline and plateau region, said cultural minister Ashish Shelar. It has sanctioned another Rs 50 lakh for a research centre under Mumbai University in Malvan for the study of four forts — Sindhdurg, Padmadurg, Rajkot and Sarjekot — in Sindhudurg district.Shelar said a proposal was submitted to the government seeking nomination of Konkan’s petroglyphs to UNESCO, for securing international recognition for this invaluable heritage. “These rock carvings in Konkan are considered extremely significant for understanding the lifestyle, culture, and the biological and social heritage of prehistoric human societies,” said Shelar.The World Heritage Desk will function from 2026 to 2029 to undertake extensive research, identify new sites and systematically document these findings. As part of this initiative, two dedicated branches will be established in Mumbai and Ratnagiri, Shelar said. “The Mumbai branch will focus on studying international research literature, creating a comprehensive database, developing criteria in accordance with UNESCO standards, and undertaking academic research and documentation. The Ratnagiri branch will conduct extensive field surveys, GPS-based mapping, drone-assisted documentation of the petroglyphs, collection of local folklore, and public awareness initiatives. The project will also include scientific research to determine the antiquity of these carvings and establish the period of their creation,” he said.The project will entail expenditure on skilled manpower, scientific testing, specialised equipment, transportation and other related requirements.The implementation of the project was entrusted to the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Mumbai, Shelar said. He added a documentary film will also be produced on the petroglyphs.

Pakistan’s bowler Shaheen Afridi during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Bangladesh and Pakistan, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

In a match Pakistan had to win to stay in contention for the Super 8s of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the Pakistan men’s cricket team left fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi out of the playing XI.Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat against Namibia in their group match at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Wednesday.The side led by Salman Ali Agha made two changes from the team that lost to India on Sunday. Shaheen and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed were left out, with Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay coming into the XI.

Pakistan need a win in their final league match to secure qualification for the Super 8s. Pressure on the team increased after a 61-run loss to India, adding to defeats in the Asia Cup and recent editions of the tournament.FOLLOW LIVESenior players Babar Azam and Shaheen have faced criticism for their performances. Shaheen has struggled for control, while Babar has continued to find spin challenging. Pakistan entered the match needing a win to avoid elimination.Namibia, already out of contention, aim to finish their campaign on a positive note. Their tournament has been affected by inconsistent bowling, including a dip in form from Ruben Trumpelmann, and modest batting returns from captain Gerhard Erasmus. Pakistan confirmed two changes, with Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay replacing Shaheen and Abrar. Namibia also made two changes, bringing in Alexander Busing-Volschenk for Dylan Leicher and Jack Brassell for Max Heingo.Against India, Shaheen bowled two overs and conceded 31 runs, taking the wicket of Axar Patel with the final ball of the innings. Across three matches in the tournament, the 25-year-old has bowled nine overs, given away 101 runs and taken three wickets at an economy rate of 11.22. He has also appeared to lose pace, now bowling mostly around 85 mph.

Why some people sneeze when they look at the sun

For a lot of people, going outside into the bright sun makes them feel warm or clear. For some, it makes them sneeze out of nowhere. Doctors and scientists have been trying to figure out this strange reaction for decades. A person walks from a dark room into daylight, looks up at the sky, and suddenly sneezes, sometimes more than once. It happens quickly, without warning, and disappears just as fast. The reaction is not linked to allergies, dust, or illness. It happens even when the nose feels completely clear.This condition is known in medical science as the photic sneeze reflex. It affects a significant portion of the population across the world. Despite being harmless, it has attracted attention because it shows how closely different parts of the human nervous system are connected. Researchers studying this reflex have found that it is not random and not psychological. Instead, it has to do with genetics and how nerves in the brain and face talk to each other.Researchers have been writing about the reflex for more than 70 years. Studies over time have shown that it often runs in families, which suggests that it is genetic. Recent research has provided neurological insights, demonstrating how intense light can inadvertently activate the same nerve pathways that induce sneezing.Knowing how this reflex works does more than just explain a strange habit. It helps scientists figure out how sensory signals work together in the brain. It also has practical importance. Sneezing caused by sudden light exposure has been linked to safety concerns for pilots, drivers, and people working in high-risk environments. What seems like a small quirk of the body is, in fact, a window into how human reflexes work.

What is the photic sneeze reflex

The photic sneeze reflex is a condition in which exposure to bright light, especially sunlight, triggers involuntary sneezing. The word “photic” refers to light. This reflex usually occurs when a person moves suddenly from a darker area into bright light.According to a study published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica, the reflex is inherited and follows an autosomal dominant genetic pattern, meaning it can be passed from just one parent to a child.Researchers estimate that between 18% and 35% of people experience this reflex at least occasionally.

Why bright light can cause sneezing

Sneezing is controlled by the trigeminal nerve, which handles sensation in the face, including the nose. Vision, on the other hand, is controlled by the optic nerve. These two nerves are located close to each other in the brain.A neurological study published in Neurology explains that when bright light activates the optic nerve, the signal may unintentionally spread to nearby nerve pathways. This spillover can activate the trigeminal nerve, which then sends a false signal to the brain that the nose is irritated, triggering a sneeze.This process happens automatically. The person does not control it and cannot stop it once the signal is triggered.

Genetic link confirmed by research

A study published in the Journal of Medical Genetics examined individuals with and without the reflex, revealing significant familial patterns that indicate a genetic aetiology rather than an environmental one.Subsequent genetic research published in the American Journal of Human Genetics formally categorised the condition and introduced the term ACHOO syndrome, delineating its hereditary characteristics and uniform symptoms.

How common is this reflex

The reflex appears across different age groups and populations. It does not indicate any medical problem. People who have it are otherwise healthy. People sneeze at different times and with different amounts of force. Some people only sneeze once, while others may sneeze several times.Research indicates that the reflex typically manifests in childhood and persists throughout one’s lifetime.

Is the photic sneeze reflex dangerous

Scientists, on the other hand, have raised safety concerns. A sneeze that comes out of nowhere can make it hard to see and focus for a short time.A neurological review published in Frontiers in Neurology talks about involuntary reflexes that happen when different senses overlap. It also says that sneezing caused by light could be dangerous when doing things that require constant visual attention, like flying or driving.Because of this, awareness of the reflex is considered important in certain professions.

What scientists have learned from this reflex

The photic sneeze reflex demonstrates that the human nervous system is not always distinctly categorised. One sense can affect another. Researchers have learned more about how reflexes form and how genetic traits affect neural wiring thanks to this insight.The reflex is a normal part of how humans work, even though it may seem strange. It is still being looked at as part of a larger study on how the brain processes sensory information and how neurological traits are passed down through families.