Snakes are among the most misunderstood animals in human surroundings. For many people, the fear begins not with an actual encounter, but with the uncertainty of where a snake could be hiding and why it might appear near a home at all. In reality, snakes do not seek out humans. They are quiet and careful animals that spend most of their lives trying to stay out of sight and save energy. But snake sightings are becoming more common near homes, gardens, construction sites, and farms in cities, towns, and rural areas.This rise in encounters is often linked to changing landscapes, seasonal weather patterns, and the availability of shelter and food. Snakes respond strongly to temperature. Extreme heat and cold influence where they rest, hunt, and hide. Human environments unintentionally provide many of the conditions snakes look for, such as shade, moisture, warmth, and small prey like rodents and frogs.Understanding where snakes prefer to take shelter, how weather affects their movement, and what attracts them to gardens can help reduce surprise encounters. It also helps people do things that will keep them safe and working. Families can reduce the risks and let snakes stay in the ecosystem without any problems by learning how they act instead of being afraid of them.

The most common places snakes like to hide

Snakes like places where they can hide from predators, the temperature stays the same, and they can easily get to food. They don’t stay in open spaces for very long. They stay hidden by using both natural and man-made cover.Rock piles, thick bushes, tall grass, fallen logs, wood stacks, debris piles, and abandoned burrows made by rodents are all common places to hide. Snakes can hide in urban and semi-urban areas under concrete slabs, in drains, under stairs, or along boundary walls that have cracks and gaps.The weather is a big factor in these choices. When it’s hot outside, snakes look for cooler places to stay so they don’t get too hot. Preferred shelters include underground burrows, shaded corners of gardens, compost pits, and places near water sources. Basements, crawl spaces, garages, and areas under floors stay cooler than the ground outside and may attract snakes in the summer.In colder weather, the shelter pattern changes. Snakes move toward insulated spaces that protect them from falling temperatures. They retreat deeper underground into burrows, rock crevices, gaps under foundations, and unused drainage lines. Brumation is a time when many species stop moving around and stay hidden for weeks or months until things get better. These shelters help them stay alive during cold spells without having to move around all the time.

Why snakes seek shelter in human spaces

Snakes do not enter homes or gardens by intention. They are drawn in by conditions that match their basic survival needs.One of the main reasons is the presence of food. Rodents, lizards, frogs, and insects thrive near human settlements, especially where waste is poorly managed or vegetation is overgrown. Snakes follow this prey.Shelter is another factor. Construction activity, deforestation, and land clearing destroy natural hiding spots. As a result, snakes adapt by using alternative shelters such as sheds, storage areas, unused rooms, and stacked materials near houses.Changes in temperature throughout the year also affect movement. When it’s hot outside, snakes go to places that are shady and wet. When it’s cold outside, they move toward warmer, more protected areas. Homes, garages, and gardens often provide both, making them safe places to stay during bad weather without meaning to.The amount of water available is also important. Leaking pipes, garden ponds, water tanks, and open drains draw in both prey animals and snakes, especially when it’s dry.

Common places where snakes like to hide

Piles of wood or debris

Compost heaps and leaf litter

Long grass and dense vegetation

Under rocks and garden containers

Hollow spaces in walls and foundations

Water sources and irrigation systems

How to snake-proof your home and garden

Snake-proofing does not mean sealing a space completely. It means making it less likely for snakes to come in the first place.Trim your plants and don’t let your lawn get too big. Get rid of piles of trash, extra wood, and building materials. Store firewood off the ground and away from walls.Fill in cracks in walls, floors, and foundations. Put a fine mesh over drains, vents, and other openings that are close to the ground. Make sure the doors fit tightly, and there are no gaps under them.Keep your home clean and keep food waste safe to keep rodents away. Stop water from sitting still and fix leaking pipes. In gardens, cut back on thick ground cover close to the house and keep the edges clear.Extra caution is helpful during bad weather. Check shaded storage areas often in the summer. In the winter, check basements, garages, and crawl spaces that stay warm and don’t get disturbed.

Understanding snake behaviour reduces risk

Snakes are very important for keeping pests under control and the environment in balance. Most snake bites happen when the snake is scared, cornered, or stepped on by accident. People can stay away from those situations if they know where they hide and why they move.Households can greatly cut down on unwanted encounters by taking care of their shelter, food sources, and seasonal risks. Being aware, not afraid, is still the best way to live safely with wildlife.

In many cultures, houseplants are treated as more than decorative items. These are believed to attract luck, and prosperity. Among these, succulents hold a special place in both Vastu and Feng Shui. Succulents are known for their resilience and longevity and their presence adds to the overall wellbeing and reduces stress along with purifying air.

Bringing succulents into your home isn’t just about beauty or decor. These are also a symbol of resilience, luck and prosperity. While the “good luck” they bring isn’t guaranteed, these plants can improve the environment and boost wellbeing. With proper care and right placement (according to traditions like Feng Shui or Vastu), these plants can bring positive energy to your space. Let’s have a look at five succulents that are believed to bring prosperity and good luck.

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A little protectiveness in the relationship can feel flattering, but excessive jealousy – ike constantly checking your phone, grilling about your friends from the opposite gender, or sulking over social media likes on your post – is toxic behaviour one should not ignore. It stems from insecurity, not love, and escalates into control. In healthy relationships are based on trust.

“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another,and feeling with the heart of another…”-Alfred AdlerEmpathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another person. In simple words, it is like putting yourself in someone’s shoes and seeing the world from their perspective. Empathy involves listening, understanding and responding with compassion. It plays a crucial role in both- personal and professional relationships. It is a powerful tool to resolve conflicts. In the mediation process, the mediator should be empathetic, which means the mediator should have the ability to listen, to understand and to respond with compassion. It allows them to connect with the parties, understand their emotions, providing environment of trust. With this practice, the mediator helps parties to move towards the resolution of disputes more effectively. Specifically, in family matters, this skill is crucial to deal with the emotional breakdown of the parties. Otherwise, emotional reactions can derail the process. Advocate Chhaya Golatgaonkar, Mediation Expert, Founder & Director at Advocate CSG & Associates, shares a few case studies to frame a picture of this.

Case-1.:

A husband and wife approached me with the intention of filing a divorce petition. Both were emotionally exhausted, deeply hurt, and firmly convinced that separation was the only solution. Their stories reflected years of unresolved conflicts and a complete breakdown of communication. I initiated the process through individual and joint sessions, providing each party a safe and non-judgmental space to express their anger, grief, fear, love and sense of loss. These sessions revealed that beneath the demand for divorce, there are emotional wounds, misunderstandings, and insecurities. The focus of the session was on empathetic listening, validating emotions without the blame game. After 10 sessions, the conversation shifted from accusations to underlying needs and expectations. Finally, through 19 sessions, facilitation for communication and helping in understanding each other’s emotional needs resulted in reconciliation. The couple decided not to proceed with the divorce. Instead, they chose to work on their relationship and wanted to give them a chance.

This case reaffirmed that, even in high-conflict situations in family matters where there is emotional crisis, empathetic mediation can transform the situation into understanding and prevent irreversible decisions, allowing families the opportunity to reconcile rather than divorce.

Case-2.:

A couple approached me. They had been in matrimonial litigation with multiple cases pending before different courts for over 10 years. The situation of the parties was worse due to a long-term legal battle, an emotional crisis, child (10yrs old) was suffering, the wife was suffering from anxiety. In the mediation process, individual sessions were conducted to understand emotional distress. The wife’s anxiety and emotional vulnerability were acknowledged, and the need for psychological intervention was sensitively discussed. Joint mediation sessions subsequently facilitated structured communication. As a result of the mediation process, the wife agreed to seek appropriate medical and psychological treatment, and both parties agreed to withdraw their cases against each other. Husband agreed to give permanent alimony for both wife and child.This case underlines the importance of empathy as a tool of mediation in high-conflict family matters. Parties resolved their conflicts, obtained a decree of divorce by mutual consent, thereby concluding a decade-long litigation.The above two cases explain well that the mediation process in family matters aims to resolve conflicts amicably. Empathy, as a tool of mediation, is strengthening the Mediator and Mediation process. The practice of empathy is the key to emotional crisis in family matters. Mediation is the bridge between law and human emotions. Mediation is not merely an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) technique but is a transformative process that helps in balancing emotions, healing relationships, avoids litigation.

In the quiet by-lanes of Hukkeri, a small town hugging the Karnataka-Maharashtra border in Belagavi district, something profoundly beautiful unfolded on February 8, 2026 – a wedding that warmed hearts far beyond its simple rituals. It wasn’t just a celebration of love between Somashekar Pujeri and his bride, Poonam. It was a testament to the unbreakable bonds of humanity, woven by a retired KSRTC driver named Mehboob Hasan Naikwadi and his wife Noor Jahan, who stood proudly at the wedding, their faces glowing with the quiet joy of parents watching their child step into a new chapter.It was 20 years ago, when Shivanand Kadayya Pujeri, a close friend of Mehboob’s, and his wife died untimely in a road accident. The Pujeris leeft behind their two young boys – Somashekar and his younger brother Vasant. When no close relatives of the Pujeris came forward to claim the two young boys, Mehboob and his wife Noor Jahan decided to adopt the Hindu boys. With five children of their own already filling their modest house – four sons and a daughter, they opened their hearts and home to the orphans. Being a Muslim and raising the two Hindu boys as their own children is something that surprises many people, but for the Naikwadi couple, humanity is above all religion. “I feel that all human beings are the same. Both these children have grown up in our house like our children,” Mehboob told The Federal.Fast forward two decades, and those boys have now grown into fine young men. Somashekar, is now a BSc graduate working at an aviation company in Belagavi. When he turned of marriageable age, Mr and Mrs Naikwadis started looking for a suitable match for him, considering it as their parental duty. The Naikwadis, true to their parental spirit, travelled with friends to Tanwad, a village in Gadhinglaj taluk in Maharashtra. Their they finalised the alliance for Somashekar with Poonam, who hails from a Veerashaiva Lingayat family.And on Februaty 8, Somashekhar and Poonam’s wedding was performed following the Veerashaiva Lingayat traditions. Basavaprabhu Vantamuri, who is the Belagavi district president of the Karnataka District Farmers’ Association, praised the Naikwadi couple for being a role model for the society at a time when there are apparent religious tensions, reported The Federal.Meanwhile, Mehboob, now in his 70s with little to his name beyond memories and a lifetime of hard work, believes he just did his duty as a human. “I do not think there is anything special in what my wife and I have done. I believe that all the people in this country are brothers and sisters. I am happy that these children grew up in my house, got educated, and found jobs on their own. I will leave this world, satisfied that I have done my job,” he told reporters in Hukkeri, reported The Hindu.In a world where hate and religious discrimination are easy to spread, the Naikwadi couple are an inspiration to many and a true example of humanity shining even in the darkest of times.What are your views on this heartwarming incident? Tell us in the comment section below.

New York has faced one of the longest sub-zero weather stretches over the past 6 decades. Due to the long and extreme weather conditions of New York, several people lost their lives, urging them to stay indoors as reported by the BBC. In view of this, Industrialist Anand Mahindra also shared his experience of extreme cold in New York. New York authorities have issued a s severe cold warning, with Anand Mahindra sharing the harsh reality of the city. He shared his views and glimpses through X (formerly Twitter).

Anand Mahindra shares glimpses of extreme climatic conditions of New York

On 7 February 2026, Anand Mahindra shared a glimpse of extreme cold weather in New York. Stating, ‘ I’m in New York, and I must admit my timing could have been better…’. The temperature was 14 degrees Fahrenheit when New York issued its first-ever extreme cold warning. He compares the cold weather to Alaska, saying, ‘Colder than most of Alaska’.The picture shared of his car a few days after the snowstorm reveals how extreme the weather conditions have been still in the same position and snow intact. He shares and quotes the scene as to a ‘cold snap’ symbolising how New York is feeling right now. This marks the chilling yet disturbing experience. Due to the prolonged cold, New York has drawn attention to how extreme weather may strain and cause broader challenges with severe climatic conditions. Raised alarms over icy roadways, frozen water piper and difficult travel conditions, which ultimately can disrupt travel and most importantly, survival. As reported, many lost their lives due to extreme weather conditions, too.

Mixed social media reactions to chilling and unsettling weather

The ‘cold snap’ led many social media users to react in mixed reactions. One user commented, ‘ That car isn’t just a vehicle anymore. It’s a time capsule of the moment the city stood still’ With other users commenting on how brutal New York winters look like. Comments say it all…‘That image is stunning and unsettling at the same time.’‘Welcome NYC Brutal Winter!’Some users even compared the harsh winter conditions with Boston which comments to be colder than New York. ‘Boston is colder than NYC. ‘With some users commented on concerns for him and urges to take care and ‘stay warm’‘NYC really feels like an icebox right now, Alaska who? Stay warm out there!’

The real estate industry is affected by a combination of economic, financial, and demographic influences. Understanding the trends which are about to occur in the market can help everyone make the best decisions. While no single metric guarantees perfect predictions, certain indicators have consistently shown strong correlations with market trends.

A real estate market boom occurs when property prices, demand, and sales activity rise sharply over a sustained period. It is usually driven by strong economic growth, easy financing, and limited supply. Conversely, a market bust happens when prices fall, demand weakens, and inventory rises, often triggered by high interest rates, oversupply, or economic slowdown. Both cycles are natural in real estate but can have significant financial implications.

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Airports are usually built far from city centres, carefully designed to keep aircraft and everyday traffic well apart. Runways rarely intersect with roads, pedestrians, or neighbourhoods, and strict security ensures clear separation at all times. But in Gibraltar, that’s not the case. Here, the international airport’s active runway cuts directly across the main road into the city, forcing cars and pedestrians to stop every time a plane lands or takes off, turning a routine arrival into a remarkable travel experience. Many visitors to Gibraltar get their first surprise moments after landing, not while disembarking the aircraft, but minutes later, when they find themselves walking across the very runway they just arrived on.

Yes, in Gibraltar, crossing the international airport’s active runway is a perfectly normal part of entering the city. It’s one of the destination’s most unusual, and unforgettable, travel experiences.

Walking across an active runway

Gibraltar’s airport sits between the sea and the Rock, leaving little room for expansion. As a result, the runway cuts straight across Winston Churchill Avenue, the main road connecting Gibraltar to Spain. When a plane is about to land or take off, traffic lights turn red, barriers come down, and cars, cyclists, and pedestrians wait patiently as aircraft roll past—much like a railway crossing. For many travellers, the moment is surreal. One minute you’re collecting your bags; the next, you’re standing on a runway watching jets taxi just metres away. Unsurprisingly, the area near air traffic control has become a popular photo and video spot—but it remains a fully operational airfield. Read more: Japan visa from India: What not to do, according to a traveller whose application was rejected twice

How to cross the runway safely

To manage the constant mix of aviation and road traffic, RAF Gibraltar has issued clear guidance for visitors crossing the runway:

An airport that literally stops traffic

At just 1.5 kilometres long, the runway at Gibraltar International Airport is one of the most distinctive in the world. Every aircraft movement temporarily halts all road traffic between Gibraltar and Spain, making it one of the very few airports globally where aviation and everyday city life intersect so directly.

A challenge even for experienced pilots

The airport is also known as one of Europe’s most challenging landing spots. Strong crosswinds and turbulence, caused by the nearby Rock of Gibraltar, mean that only specially trained and highly experienced pilots are authorised to operate flights here. For passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike, each landing is a spectacle.

Civilian and military operations

Adding to its uniqueness, the runway is jointly used by commercial airlines and the Royal Air Force. Military aircraft regularly operate here, underlining Gibraltar’s strategic location at the entrance to the Mediterranean. The mix of civilian travel and military aviation gives the airport a rare dual-purpose role. Read more: Anand Mahindra asks how to make this spot in Mumbai more visited; here’s why it caught his attention

Views you don’t forget

Flights into Gibraltar offer dramatic scenery: the deep blue Mediterranean on one side, Spain on another, and the towering limestone Rock rising sharply beside the runway. Many travellers consider the approach alone reason enough to add Gibraltar to their travel list.

Did you know?

The airport was built on land that originally served as Gibraltar’s horse racing trackIt opened in 1942 as RAF North Front during World War IIFew cities blur the line between everyday life and aviation quite like Gibraltar—where crossing a runway isn’t a security breach, but just another part of the commute.

Every woman has heard it at least once during a talking stage interrogation.

“He has a sister. Cue the collective sigh of relief.

Cause sir, somewhere between checking his Spotify playlists and analysing how he texts, discovering that a man grew up with a sister feels like uncovering a hidden green flag. But is this just social media folklore, or is there actual science behind the theory that men with sisters are better at dating?

Turns out, it is not entirely a delusion.

The sister effect is apparently real

Multiple studies on family dynamics suggest that boys who grow up with sisters often develop stronger emotional intelligence. Researchers have found measurable differences in communication ability and empathy levels among men raised alongside sisters compared to those who were not.

On average, men with sisters demonstrate significantly stronger communication skills and higher emotional awareness. Translation: they are more likely to understand why “I am fine” does not actually mean fine.

Growing up in a mixed-gender sibling environment means navigating different emotional landscapes from an early age. Disagreements over clothes, music, privacy, or bathroom time turn into accidental masterclasses in perspective-taking.

It is less about memorising how to impress women and more about learning how to listen.

Built-in conflict training

Siblings fight. That is universal. But brothers with sisters often report being better at compromise and emotional regulation later in life.

Studies suggest they are more comfortable handling disagreements in romantic relationships. Instead of viewing conflict as a threat to ego, they are more likely to see it as something to work through.

Why? Because growing up with a sister usually means you have already survived heated arguments over borrowed chargers and misunderstood tone.

That early exposure can translate into healthier adult relationships, where shutting down or storming off is replaced with conversation.

Reduced awkwardness around women

There is also the intimidation factor.

For men who grow up without sisters, early interactions with girls can sometimes feel like entering a foreign country without a phrasebook. Social awkwardness thrives in unfamiliarity.

Men with sisters, however, often report feeling less nervous around women. They have already spent years in proximity to female perspectives, moods, and everyday realities.

They understand that women are not mythical creatures who communicate exclusively through cryptic signals. They are people.

That baseline familiarity can reduce the performative anxiety that sometimes shows up in dating scenarios.

The respect factor

One of the most significant impacts is how men with sisters tend to view women.

Frequent interaction with a sister can foster a deeper understanding of women as individuals rather than abstract romantic goals. It shifts perception away from pedestalising or stereotyping.

Instead of seeing women as mysterious prizes to decode, they are more likely to recognise them as complex humans with boundaries, opinions, and autonomy.

That shift alone can dramatically improve dating dynamics.

Practical knowledge that actually matters

Then there is the everyday awareness.

Men who grow up with sisters often pick up practical knowledge that others may miss. They might understand menstrual cycles, know that heavily scented products are often disliked, or simply grasp why certain jokes are not funny.

It is not revolutionary. It is just exposure.

And in modern dating culture, that exposure reads as emotional competence.

The green flag narrative

On social media, having a sister has quietly become shorthand for emotional maturity.

It signals that a man may have had early lessons in empathy, compromise, and communication. It suggests he might already know how to be nurturing, supportive, and considerate.

Of course, this is not a guaranteed personality upgrade.

The quality of the sibling relationship matters. A hostile dynamic does not magically produce emotional growth. And plenty of men without sisters are emotionally intelligent, respectful partners.

Family structure influences development, but it does not determine destiny.

So, does it really improve the dating game?

In many cases, yes.

Having a sister can function as an early emotional training ground. It can sharpen communication skills, reduce awkwardness, improve conflict resolution, and foster respect. But it is not a cheat code.

At the end of the day, dating success still depends on self-awareness, effort, and the willingness to grow. A sister might provide the blueprint. What a man does with it is entirely up to him.

Still, the next time someone casually mentions, “He has a sister,” it might not just be small talk.

It might be data.

Ira is a short, old name with a calm presence. In Indian tradition, it is linked to the earth and mindful speech. The name feels gentle but steady, which makes it work well for every stage of life. Its simplicity is its biggest strength. Easy to pronounce, easy to remember, and never loud, Ira fits today’s preference for quiet confidence.