NEW DELHI: The governing NDA is set to further strengthen its tally in the Upper House after biennial polls for 37 seats in Rajya Sabha on March 16, but the fate of prominent retiring members such as Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Congress), Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A), Tiruchi Siva (DMK) and Priyanka Chaturvedi (Sena UBT) will depend on how their respective parties coordinate with their alliance partners.BJP-led NDA’s tally is expected to cross 130 with the advantage of at least four additional members in Rajya Sabha, whose current strength is 243 with one vacancy each in Jharkhand and West Bengal.The states where seats will be vacant in April are Maharashtra (7 seats), Tamil Nadu (6 ), West Bengal (5), Bihar (5 ), Odisha (4), Assam (3), Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Haryana (2 each), and Himachal Pradesh (1).NDA has govts in six – Maharashtra, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Assam – of the 10 states where seats will be vacant due to members retiring, giving it a clear advantage. The opposition alliance has govts in Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.In Maharashtra, since the governing coalition, Mahayuti, is expected to secure six seats as against one by opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, it’s advantage NDA in the state.On the other hand, MVA will see a lot of political maneuvering as the alliance will have to choose between the candidates of Sena UBT and NCP(SP). In case NCP(SP) sticks with Pawar, it is to be seen whether NCP extends his support to him amid talks of a merger of the factions. Despite not having the numbers, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule didn’t rule out the possibility of nominating her father, claiming that a MVA meeting would be held soon to finalise a name.The seven Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra whose terms are set to expire on April 2 are Pawar, Fauzia Khan (NCP-SP), Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad (BJP), Dhairyasheel Patil (BJP), Athawale, Chaturvedi and Rajani Patil (Congress).In Bihar, polls will be held for five seats, three of which are held by governing NDA, including two by JDU.RJD, the principal opposition party in the state, has only 25 MLAs, leaving the combined strength of the alliance (Congress and the Left) at 35 – five less than the number it would require to retain an RS berth. In this scenario, it would be extremely difficult for RJD to repeat MP and former Union minister Prem Ch-and Gupta in the Upper House.In West Bengal, the governing Trinamool Congress is expected to win four of the five RS seats while the opposition BJP may secure one.

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.

Hardik Pandya, left, celebrates with captain Suryakumar Yadav the wicket of Netherlands’ Michael Levitt during the T20 World Cup cricket match between India and Netherlands in Ahmedabad, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo)

TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: It’s been four games and four wins but India are yet to have a complete performance with the bat in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Unlike the appetisers served in the bilateral which preceded the multi-nation tournament, the main course has fallen far short of expectations. The Men in Blue have had different heroes bail them out of precarious situations in all four games but it could well become a tight position in the Super 8 stage. Suryakumar Yadav vs USA, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya vs Namibia, Ishan again vs Pakistan and now Shivam Dube’s firepower at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.The opening has been the biggest concern as the World No.1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma is yet to score a run in the tournament. It exposed Tilak Varma early, and his newfound obsession of farming strike without showing any intent has sucked momentum from the innings. Surya’s watchful start has further allowed opponents to apply a choke in the middle overs, meaning the lower order does most of the heavy lifting.Ishan has been India’s primary aggressor, but after he walked off in the fifth over of the innings, the Netherlands gained significant control when Tilak combined with Surya in the middle overs. Together the duo faced 28 deliveries and scored only 30 runs. There was an early reprieve for the Indian captain and the fluency was far from ideal against an attack which stuck to their plans and was very disciplined in front of a capacity crowd.The boundaries had dried up and a sense of desperation was creeping in, prompting an immediate move. Tilak was back after scoring 31 off 27 and Surya found the fielder in the deep ending his knock at 34 off 28 balls. When the runs dried up, Dube, the gladiator, took matters into his own hands and was impeccable with his shot selection. There was a cautious effort by the opposition to mix pace but Dube was not falling in the trap. He seemed to be reading it well off the hand and his approach wasn’t premeditated. The ball was hit where it was supposed to be hit, and there were no half-measures.With six sixes and four boundaries, he injected much needed urgency into the innings and even when Hardik was going at run-a-ball at the other end, Dube’s approach kept India on course of a big total. The partnership between the two raced to 76 off just 35 balls, doing significant damage control for the cautiousness exhibited by the earlier right-left pair of Surya and Tilak in the innings.Chasing 194 runs on a pitch that offered something for bowlers was always going to be a daunting task for the Netherlands. They managed well against the new ball pairing of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh but had no response for Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery spinner, India’s trump card in the tournament, picked three wickets in as many overs – two of those coming off consecutive deliveries, as the Netherlands batter looked clueless when he unzipped his bag of tricks.In their last group game, Surya used as many as seven bowlers – even giving an over to Abhishek Sharma – to ensure everyone is warmed up for the big game against South Africa on February 22. Lower-ranked teams have exposed the Indian batters’ weakness on multiple occasions in the last couple of weeks and the defending champions will want to resolve this before hitting the business end of the tournament.Gerhard Erasmus, Aryan Dutt, Salman Agha, Saim Ayub and Usman Tariq have given enough cues for the teams set to face India in the Super 8. Aiden Markram (South Africa), Roston Chase (West Indies) and Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) will be eagerly waiting for Surya & Co.Brief scoresIndia 193/6 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 66, Suryakumar Yadav 34; Logan van Beek 3/56, Aryan Dutt 2/19)Netherlands 176/7 in 20 overs (Bas de Leede 33, Zach Lion-Cachet 26; Varun Chakravarthy 3/14, Shivam Dube 35/2)

Kyrie Irving shares ACL update (Image via NBA)

As he continues to recuperate from knee surgery in March, Kyrie Irving, a standout for the Dallas Mavericks, will miss the rest of the season, his agent informed ESPN’s Shams Charania. Irving hasn’t played this season since undergoing surgery in March to repair a ruptured left ACL. Anticipated to return for the 2026–2027 season is the nine-time All-Star. Considering that the Mavs are in full tank mode, it is hardly a major surprise. However, the 33-year-old will not play this season as he continues to recover from the ACL tear he sustained in March, according to a press release from the organization.

Kyrie Irving shares emotional message as Mavericks star confirms season-ending recovery decision

Officially, Kyrie Irving will miss the season. Shetellia Riley Irving, his agent, informed Charania: “This is about Kyrie being 1,000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season,” Irving said in that release:“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one.. I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows…”He continued:“And I wanted to send a huge shoutout to ALL of my brothers and sisters out there who’ve torn their ACL or gotten injured doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!”For the rest of the season, Irving will continue his recuperation under the guidance of the Mavericks’ performance and medical staff.

Mavericks struggle without Kyrie Irving as Dallas shifts focus toward rebuilding phase

Irving and the team reached a three-year, $119 million contract in June 2025 while he continues to recuperate. For the rest of this season, he will continue in rehab under the care of the Mavs’ performance and medical staff. However, he has already missed the last 20 games of the previous campaign due to a knee injury. Since the 15-year veteran joined the team in the 2022–2023 season, the Mavericks are 75–53 when Irving is in the lineup. On the other hand, they are only 42-75 when Irving is not present.The Mavericks have a 19-35 record going into the post-All-Star break stretch of their schedule, which puts them fourth in the Southwest Division. Dallas announced its plan to rebuild earlier this month with the trade of Anthony Davis, who was sold to the Washington Wizards in a nine-player blockbuster.

TimesofIndia.com in Colombo: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has hit back at former Pakistan captain and batting legend Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi, who have claimed that the country’s cricket is currently in its “darkest period” and said players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi should no longer be considered for the shortest format.“Criticism is something we can’t control. Every individual has his own opinion; they are free to have it,” Shadab told reporters after Pakistan’s thumping 102-run win over Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.Shadab had a poor outing against India, where he managed only 14 runs and gave away 17 runs in the only over he bowled.

“Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab. Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” Mohammad Yousuf wrote on X on Sunday.

However, against Namibia in a must-win game for Pakistan, Shadab redeemed himself. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 36 off 22 balls and picked up three crucial wickets.“I feel that since I have made a comeback, I bowled one bad over, and because of that there is so much criticism. I don’t try to justify it. I can’t control these things. It was a bad day and a bad over. It’s T20 cricket; you can go for runs and take wickets as well. I don’t ponder too much about the criticism,” he said.Yousuf, who served as the men’s team batting coach for a period of three months between March and June 2025 before resigning from the role, was scathing in his remarks.“Unless we remove political influence and personal agendas from Pakistan cricket, we cannot return to the team we once were. This is the darkest period in our cricketing history, and my heart bleeds for it. Incompetent individuals must be removed from office and from the team,” Yousuf wrote on social media platform X on Monday.Yousuf was not alone. Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi has called for senior players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan to be dropped from Pakistan’s final group-stage game against Namibia.“If it were up to me to make a decision, I would drop Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab. I would bench them all,” Shahid Afridi said on a panel show for Samaa TV.“They are all senior players who, in my opinion, have a responsibility to perform. You lose matches. But nobody loses like this. Nobody loses in such a one-sided manner. My point is, this is the Pakistan team; you have to fight. We have also played cricket; we have lost many times, but I don’t recall us ever playing or losing in this specific way. We have lost, but we fought,” Afridi added.Shadab took a swipe at the legends without taking any names and cited the 2021 T20 World Cup example, when Babar Azam-led Pakistan thrashed India by ten wickets in Dubai. It remains the only time Pakistan have defeated India in World Cups.“Our ex-cricketers have their own opinions. They have done well for Pakistan, and at the end of the day, they have also never defeated India in the World Cup. We were the ones who defeated India in the 2021 World Cup. In World Cups, we have beaten India only once. Yes, they are legends, but they have never done anything remarkable against India in the World Cup,” he said.Shadab also credited India batter Ishan Kishan, who scored a breathtaking 77 off 40 balls on Sunday in Colombo.“In a high-pressure match, it is all about how you get the start. India started well. They have a player, Ishan Kishan, who was in good form, and he played an excellent innings,” he said.“We are talking too much about one match. Yes, the obvious goal was to win that match against India as well. At the end of the day, our main aim is to win the World Cup. We are trusting our process, and we will get the results,” he added.Pakistan will start their Super Eight campaign against New Zealand at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 21. The Salman Ali Agha-led team will then play their remaining two fixtures against England on February 24 and Sri Lanka on February 28 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

IT secretary S Krishnan (ANI image)

NEW DELHI: IT secretary S Krishnan on Wednesday said that exhibitors at the AI Impact Summit must not display items that do not belong to them, as a controversy continued over a Chinese-made robotic dog showcased by Galgotias University.“Exhibitors must not display items that are not their,” Krishnan said, amid questions over the display of the robot at the summit venue in New Delhi, news agency PTI reported. The controversy erupted during the AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam after a robotic dog exhibited by the university under the name “Orion” was identified as the Unitree Go2, a commercially available quadruped robot manufactured by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics and sold in India for around Rs 2–3 lakh.The summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is positioned as a flagship event to showcase India’s advancements in artificial intelligence. The display drew criticism as the machine was alleged to have been presented as an in-house innovation at an event focused on promoting domestic AI capabilities.Government sources earlier said that the university was asked to vacate its stall following the row, and its pavilion’s power supply was reportedly cut off after it was directed to leave the expo.In a press statement issued after being asked to vacate the premises, the university expressed regret over the confusion and said it arose because Professor Neha Singh, who was managing the stall, was unaware of the product’s technical origins.“We at Galgotias University wish to apologise profusely for the confusion created at the recent AI Summit. One of our representatives, manning the pavilion, was ill-informed. She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorised to speak to the press… Understanding the organisers’ sentiment we have vacated the premises,” the statement read.The issue escalated after Professor Singh, while presenting the robot to DD News, said, “We are the first private university investing more than 350 crore rupees in artificial intelligence… So Orion has been developed by the Center of Excellences and as you can see, it can take all shapes and sizes.” She also described the robot as capable of surveillance and monitoring tasks.Her remarks triggered scrutiny after observers recognised the machine as an off-the-shelf product sold globally by Unitree Robotics.In an earlier clarification, the university said it had neither built nor claimed to have built the robotic dog, and that its objective was to help students learn using globally available technologies.“Let us be clear – Galgotias has not built this robodog, neither have we claimed. But what we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer, and manufacture such technologies right here in Bharat,” it said.Professor Singh later said the controversy stemmed from a lack of clarity in communication and that the university had introduced the robot to inspire students, not to claim manufacturing credit.

NEW DELHI: Unruly flyers beware, India has now decided to adopt a “no/zero tolerance policy” towards them with immediate effect to “ensure the safety of aircraft/persons/property and to maintain good order & discipline on board.” The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has come out with draft rules for handling such passengers in aircraft.The big change proposed by DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai is that airlines will now have to establish procedures to “deal with unruly passengers while at airport or on-board the aircraft. The SOP will need to be communicated throughout the organisation and especially to all employees who are in direct contact with passengers, both on the ground and on the aircraft.”“All airlines shall establish mechanism to detect and report unruly passenger behaviour at check-in, in the lounges, at the boarding gate or any other place in the terminal building or at the airside in order to prevent such passengers from boarding. Such cases shall be reported immediately with law enforcement agency at the aerodrome,” it says.“The home ministry may provide to DGCA and to airlines, a list of individuals identified as national security threats for inclusion in the No-Fly List. Such cases will not be covered by appeal provisions as provided under (rules). Further, National Security threats list provided by Ministry of Home Affairs shall be shared with the airlines. However, this list will not be a part of published No Fly List. Separately, law enforcement agencies may take action in accordance with applicable law under their jurisdiction,” the draft says. Such people will be barred till the time the home ministry deems them to be a national security risk.The regulator has also struck a balance between ensuring passenger rights and giving powers of reporting unruly behaviour to airlines. “Unruly behaviour could be the result of an event of unsatisfactory service/condition or effect of a series of such events that build up. Airline staff should observe early signs of potential unruly behaviour. Airlines shall focus and act on these early signs, rather than dealing exclusively with escalated events. At no stage, the airline staff/crew member shall show discourteous behaviour during redressal of genuine passenger rights,” the draft says.The draft proposes that the no fly rules apply to “all passengers during the period of air travel to/from India”. This means as opposed to being applicable to Indian carriers and airports, the rules will apply to unruly passengers travelling foreign airlines as well on flights to and from India if those carriers report the matter.India no fly rules categories unruly behavior into four levels with restriction on flying for upto a lifetime.

Mani Shankar Aiyar (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Wednesday doubled down on his recent remarks in which he described himself as a “Gandhian”, a “Nehruvian” and a “Rajivian”, but not a “Rahulian”. The sidelined leader said that he is not a “Rahulian” because Rahul Gandhi is “far too much younger” than him and “far too distant” in his political life.

Speaking to PTI, Aiyar said, “I recently said that ‘I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajivian, but I am not a Rahulian’.”Explaining why he described himself as a “Gandhian”, Aiyar said, “I was six-year-old and my brother was four when Mahatma Gandhi picked us up in his arms and said ‘ye mere aankhon ke suraj aur chand hain’.” “From there, I became a ‘Gandhivaadi’.”On his identification with India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, he said, “As for Nehru, I was six when he became the prime minister, and I was 23 when he ceased being one, so my entire growing-up years were steeped in the Nehruvian ethos; that is why I also regard myself as a Nehruvian.”Aiyar said he considers himself a “Rajivian” because of his association with former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. “I call myself a Rajivian because it was he, although two years younger than me, who astonished me by bringing me into the PMO and by doing the things he did… I could not believe it. That is how I became a Rajivian,” he said.He also clarified that he did not describe himself as an “Indiravian” as he “totally disapproved” of Indira Gandhi “converting our democracy into a tyranny by declaring an Emergency, albeit for only 18 months”.Referring to his comment on Rahul Gandhi, Aiyar said, “How can one expect me to be a ‘Rahulian’ when the boy is about 30 years younger than me, and I haven’t had an opportunity to work with him? That is why I cannot be a ‘Rahulian’ because he is far too much younger than me and far too distant from me in his political life.”The remarks come amid strained ties between Aiyar and the Congress leadership. The controversy began after he praised the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in Kerala and expressed confidence that the chief minister would continue in office.Speaking at an international seminar in Thiruvananthapuram, Aiyar had said, “So, in the presence of the chief minister, who I am sure will be the next chief minister, I renew my plea that to reinforce Kerala as the best Panchayati Raj state in the country, state laws should be amended based on practical experience, Thomas Isaac’s insights, the five-volume report I chaired and the note on district planning by V Ramachandran circulated by the Planning Commission when it truly supported Panchayati Raj.”The Congress distanced itself from his remarks. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said that Aiyar “has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years” and that he speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity.Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the people of Kerala would bring the Congress-led United Democratic Front back to power in the state.

NEW DELHI: Calls for a rethink of Bihar’s decade-old liquor ban have resurfaced within the ruling alliance, with NDA allies urging chief minister Nitish Kumar to review the policy. Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said the principle of prohibition was not flawed but its implementation had gone awry. “We have been saying for a long time that the liquor policy is not wrong, and prohibition should be implemented. However, there are flaws in its implementation,” he said.“In our state, the enforcement officers catch those very people, while those who do large-scale smuggling are being let off after taking money. Nitish Kumar should take action. Prohibition is causing significant financial losses to the Bihar government, and Nitish Kumar should address this,” Manjhi told ANI“Prohibition is causing significant financial losses to the Bihar government, and Nitish Kumar should address this,” Manjhi said, urging stricter action against corruption in enforcement.The ban, introduced in 2016 when Nitish Kumar was heading the Mahagathbandhan government, has led to more than 8.43 lakh cases and nearly 12.8 lakh arrests, as per an earlier report by TOI. Yet concerns over revenue have intensified. Before prohibition, Bihar earned over Rs 3,000 crore annually from liquor sales. With fresh welfare commitments likely to cost upwards of Rs 28,000 crore — including direct cash transfers to women, higher pensions and electricity subsidies — the state’s stretched finances have prompted murmurs within the NDA about whether the ban is sustainable. Bihar’s fiscal deficit stood at 9.2% of GSDP last year.Rashtriya Lok Morcha MLA Madhav Anand, also an NDA ally, called in the Assembly for a “detailed review” of the law. “It is 10 years since the prohibition law was enacted… An assessment should be made as to what we have gained and lost in the last ten years,” he said, claiming liquor remained available through home delivery and that drug use among youths had risen.