Top news of the day | February 9, 2026

SIR hearing highlights: Supreme Court orders extension of time for objections in West Bengal SIR by a week from Feb. 14

A Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N.V. Anjaria on Monday (February 9, 2026), ordered an extension of the time for objections by a week from February 14 in the West Bengal SIR case. 

Opposition mulling no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla

The Opposition parties are exploring if they should move a no-confidence motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker. This was discussed at a meeting of the INDIA bloc held by Congress president and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, sources told The Hindu.

Supreme Court requests Delhi HC to give Sengar appeal in custodial death case ‘out-of-turn’ hearing

The Supreme Court requested the Delhi High Court on Monday (February 9, 2026) to provide ‘out-of-turn’ hearing to an appeal filed by former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar challenging his conviction and 10-year sentence in the custodial death of the father of Unnao rape survivor.

India announces $175 million economic package to Seychelles

India on Monday (February 9, 2026) announced $175 million as development assistance to Seychelles after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with the island nation’s President Patrick Herminie. The two sides also agreed on a broad vision to expand cooperation in areas of sustainability, trade and economy and security.

Jana Nayagan producer to withdraw writ petition from Madras High Court

The producer of actor Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan has given a letter to the Madras High Court Registry for withdrawing a writ petition filed against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) since the production house had now agreed for a reference to the revising committee.

Thirupparankundram hill Dargah: Prayers only during festival days, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court, on Monday (February 9, 2026), refused to entertain a challenge to Madras High Court orders restricting the conduct of prayer, including namaz, at Nellithoppu area of the Sikkandar Badhusha Avuliya Dargah, located atop the Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, during Ramzan and Bakrid festival days alone.

In message to India, Jamaat chief says election will show ‘red card’ to forces of ‘hegemony’

In an indirect message to India, the leader of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party has said the upcoming election will show ‘red card’ to the ‘pro-hegemony’ forces in Bangladesh. Addressing an election rally in Dhaka on Sunday (February 8, 2026), Ameer of Jamaat-E-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said if elected to power, Jamaat will work for all sections of society and assured that student leader Nahid Islam will be an “important Minister” if the 11-party alliance that is led by Jamaat-e-Islami is elected to power.

Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s first woman PM

Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi won a landslide victory on Sunday (February 8, 2026) in a surprise snap election. Her ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partners won a two-thirds majority in the 465-seat House of Representatives. 

BWF unveil sweeping overhaul to reshape global badminton from 2027

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Monday (February 9, 2026) announced a major restructuring of the global calendar from 2027, unveiling an expanded World Tour, higher prize money and new competition formats aimed at accelerating the sport’s global growth.

T20 World Cup: Naqvi set to seek Sharif’s nod for India match after BCB asks to end boycott, says PCB source

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi is set to request his Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to withdraw the boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India after being requested to do so by his Bangladesh counterpart, a PCB source has revealed.