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New Delhi: Rain is set to return as a concern in parts of India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing alerts for six states ahead of February 20, 2026. Strong winds and a possible drop in temperatures are expected as rainfall spreads across the country. Nationwide Overview After a brief spell of warmth, rainfall is set to begin in several states, potentially bringing a temporary chill in affected areas. Residents are advised to stay cautious, particularly in hilly regions such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, where localized weather updates are essential before travel. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the southeastern Bay of Bengal, adjoining parts of the East Indian Ocean, the southern Andaman Sea, Gulf of Mannar, the Comorin region, and off t...

New Delhi — India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is now under the lens of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) following massive flight cancellations in December 2025. The CCI has ordered a detailed investigation into the airline’s actions, which affected thousands of passengers and disrupted the domestic aviation market. Peak season cancellations raise concerns The CCI is concerned that the large-scale cancellations during a peak travel period caused significant inconvenience to passengers and negatively impacted the domestic aviation sector. The commission has instructed its Director General (DG) to conduct the probe and submit a report within 90 days, which will determine further action against the airline. Previous regulatory issues This investigation adds to IndiGo’s rece...

Noida, Uttar Pradesh: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case on Wednesday concerning the discharge of untreated sewage into the Yamuna River, after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) submitted a report flagging serious lapses in wastewater treatment in Noida. In its submission, the CPCB stated that untreated or partially treated sewage is being released into the Yamuna through the Kodli stormwater drain. The Noida Authority, however, told the court that it has treatment capacity exceeding the city’s sewage output and claims that 100% of wastewater is being processed. According to the Authority’s report, Noida has a total sewage treatment capacity of 411 MLD (million litres per day) against an estimated generation of 240 MLD. Officials said treated water is being suppli...

Balrampur, Feb 3:A disturbing case involving allegations of forced religious conversion, illegal confinement, and physical torture has come to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district. Based on a complaint filed by the victim, the police have registered a case against a woman and her relatives and initiated an investigation. The complainant, Bhupendra Pratap Chauhan, a resident of Pahlwara locality in Balrampur, alleged that he was trapped in a love relationship, held captive for months, subjected to physical abuse, and forcibly converted to another religion, including being made to undergo circumcision. According to the complaint, Bhupendra had been working in Dubai since 2019. In 2021, he came into contact with a woman named Rukhsar, a resident of Thalendi village under Bachhraw...

New Delhi: Domestic stock markets ended in steep decline today, marking the fourth consecutive day of losses, as U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed a bill proposing a 500% tariff on imports from India. The announcement sent shockwaves across financial markets. The BSE Sensex fell by 780.18 points (0.92%), closing at 84,180.96, while the NSE Nifty dropped 263.90 points (1.01%) to 25,876.85. This represents the largest single-day fall in the market since 8 December 2025. Over the past four days, the Sensex has lost over 1,500 points, with investors facing a total erosion of ₹7.19 lakh crore in market capitalization. The market capitalization of BSE-listed companies fell to ₹474 lakh crore during this period. Sectoral ImpactAmong Sensex stocks, TCS, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen ...

Ever since the premiere of Ekta Kapoor’s TV show ‘Naagin 7’, the series has been creating a buzz, with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary playing the lead role. Reports reveal that the actress is receiving a hefty sum for each episode, adding to her growing net worth. Priyanka Chahar Choudhary’s BackgroundPriyanka, a well-known television actress, gained widespread recognition through ‘Bigg Boss 16’, where her fearless and outspoken personality won hearts. She completed her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jaipur, and later graduated from Delhi University. Following her academic pursuits, she moved to Mumbai to pursue her dream of acting. Career HighlightsShe began her career as a model before transitioning to TV, appearing in shows like ‘Gathbandhan’, ‘Ye Hai Chahatein’, ‘Pariniti’, and ‘Uda...

Xiaomi’s sub-brand Redmi has officially launched its budget-friendly REDMI 15C 5G smartphone in India. Set to hit the market on 11 December 2025, the device comes packed with features designed for the mid-range segment, including a large display, long-lasting battery, and high-resolution cameras. The REDMI 15C 5G is available in Dusk Purple, Moonlight Blue, and Midnight Black. Pricing starts at ₹12,499 for the 4GB + 128GB model, ₹13,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant, and ₹15,499 for the 8GB + 128GB top-end model. The smartphone can be purchased via Amazon, Xiaomi’s official website, and offline retail stores starting 11 December. The smartphone features a 6.9-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of 810 nits. The display is T...

By Vinayak Luniya, Editor-in-Chief, SD News Agency Experiencing the music of a great artist is a journey that touches the soul. Kokila Kundu (Datta) embodies this journey — her music is not merely a profession, but a spiritual odyssey. From the depth of Indian classical music to the glitz of Bollywood, Kokila’s melodious voice has resonated not only across India but also around the globe. She is not just a singer but a dedicated mentor, shaping the next generation of musicians. Early Beginnings: A Childhood Steeped in Music Kokila’s musical journey began at the tender age of five. She learned Hindustani classical music under the guidance of Pandit Amiyo Ranjan Bandopadhyay, mastered Nazrul Geeti with Sukumar Mitra, and absorbed the nuances of Bengali modern songs under Jatileshwar...

In India, elections are not merely a political exercise—they are the grandest celebration of democracy. Voting empowers citizens to voice their aspirations and influence the direction of governance. During this period, the administration undertakes extensive measures to ensure fairness, security, and transparency—from preparing polling stations to conducting awareness campaigns. These efforts by the Election Commission strengthen public trust. Casting a vote is not just a right; it is a responsibility that helps shape the nation’s future. As the world’s largest democracy, India places ultimate authority in the hands of its people. Governments are chosen by citizens, and the Constitution assigns the responsibility of conducting elections to an autonomous Election Commission under Article...