NEW DELHI: Escalating its confrontation with the BJP-led NDA government, the Congress on Tuesday moved a no-confidence notice against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging repeated instances of blatantly partisan conduct during the ongoing Budget session, including the denial of speaking time to leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and the suspension of MPs.Congress’s no-confidence motion, signed by 118 opposition MPs, was moved for disallowing the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi from speaking in the House, for not initiating action against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, for making unsubstantiated charges against women MPs of the Congress and for the suspension of eight opposition MPs.“Notice of a resolution for the removal of Om Birla from the office of Speaker Lok Sabha, in terms of the provisions of Article 94(c) of the Constitution of India, has been given because of the blatantly partisan manner in which he has been conducting the business of the Lok Sabha. On several occasions, leaders of opposition parties have just not been allowed to speak, which is their basic democratic right in Parliament,” the motion moved by Congress said.In a social media post on X, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said that the opposition has taken such a step in “extraordinary circumstances.”“The opposition has placed its faith in constitutional propriety. While holding the Hon’ble Speaker in personal regard, we are pained and anguished by the consistent denial of opportunities to Opposition MPs to raise issues of public importance,” Tagore said.“After many years, a no-confidence notice against the Speaker has been moved – an extraordinary step born out of extraordinary circumstances,” he added.The motion received the support of 118 MPs, including the support of Samajwadi Party and DMK. However, another INDIA bloc partner TMC has not yet declared its position.Why nowDuring the Budget session, Parliament witnessed major showdowns between the opposition and the ruling party. It began after Speaker Om Birla stopped Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from quoting from an article which referenced an unpublished memoir of former Army chief General MM Naravane. During the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, the House descended into chaos after Rahul refused to move on and repeatedly tried to quote excerpts from the memoir on 2020 Galwan Vally clash with China.Additionally, Birla also suspended eight Congress MPs over repeated disruptions of the House.On February 4, Birla had also advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to come to the House to deliver his much-anticipated speech, after he claimed to have received information that some Congress MPs could rush to the Prime Minister’s seat in the House and “resort to an unprecedented incident”.Rahul Gandhi, however, refuted Birla’s claims and maintained that PM Modi avoided attending the House because of the issues he was raising.“The issue began a few days ago when the Naravane book came up. The government did not want me to discuss it and therefore stalled the House,” Rahul said.“The fact is very clear, the Prime Minister was afraid to come to the House, not because of the members, but because of what I was saying. He is still afraid because he cannot face the truth,” he added.Claims and counterclaimsEarlier on Monday, a group of women MPs from the Congress also shot off a strongly worded letter to Om Birla, accusing him of making “false and defamatory allegations” against them.“We write this letter with deep anguish and a strong sense of constitutional responsibility. It is extremely unfortunate that you, as the Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, have been forced by the ruling party to make false, baseless, and defamatory allegations against women Members of Parliament belonging to the Opposition,” the letter read.This was countered by a letter from the women parliamentarians of BJP to Birla which alleged that Congress MPs crossed parliamentary limits.The BJP MPs wrote to Speaker Birla alleging that Opposition women MPs “surrounded the Prime Minister’s seat” and later aggressively approached the Speaker’s chamber on February 4.They urged the Speaker to take “the strongest possible action” against the MPs involved in the alleged incident.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also shared a video of the stand-off that unfolded in Lok Sabha on February 4. Rijiju slammed the grand-old-party for ‘egging on’ its women MPs to block the alley where the Prime Minister would have walked into the House, saying that the BJP lawmakers displayed maturity and restraint, else this could have led the House into complete bedlam.In the video, two or three ministers, including Ashwini Vaishnaw, Giriraj Singh and other MPs, are seen pleading and persuading the women lawmakers to go back to their seats and refrain from such unparliamentary behaviour, but the latter remained unrelenting and stood firm with banners and posters.What is article 94(C)In the Constitution, Article 94(C) deals with the procedure of moving a no-confidence motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker.“A member holding office as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House” the Constitution states.“Provided that no resolution for the purpose of clause (c) shall be moved unless at least fourteen days’ notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution,” it further states.How it worksAccording to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, any member of the House can seek the removal of the Speaker. Under chapter 18 of the rulebook, the member must submit a written notice, along with the full text of the resolution, to the secretary-general of the House.Once a notice is received, a motion seeking leave to move the resolution is entered in the List of Business in the name of the member who submitted the notice. The date for taking up this motion is fixed by the Chair — usually the Deputy Speaker, as the Speaker cannot preside over the House when a motion for his removal is taken up.The Chair then places the motion before the House and asks whether leave should be granted to take it up. After the motion is placed before the House, at least 50 members must rise in support of it. If this threshold is not met, the motion fails and the member who moved it is informed accordingly.If the motion is accepted, it is then put to a vote. The voting can be conducted through a voice vote, division of votes, or other prescribed means.Will the motion be accepted?Even after 118 opposition MPs signatures, it would still depend on the Deputy Speaker of the House on whether the motion will see the light of day.For a resolution to be admissible, it must meet specific conditions laid down in the rules. The resolution should be specific with respect to the charges, clearly stating the allegations without ambiguity.It must also be clearly and precisely expressed, leaving no scope for vague or loosely worded claims. Further, the resolution must not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations or defamatory statements, ensuring that it remains factual, restrained and confined strictly to the stated charges.Does the opposition have numbers?The motion appears more symbolic and a case of political posturing, as the removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker requires an effective majority — a majority of the present strength of the House, excluding vacant seats.Even if the motion is moved, it appears to be an uphill battle for the opposition as it lacks the requisite numbers in the 543-member House. In the 18th Lok Sabha, the BJP-led NDA enjoys a comfortable majority with 293 seats. In contrast, the INDIA bloc holds 238 seats, falling short of the numbers required.However, if the motion is discussed in the House, it will give the opposition a chance to place its charges against Speaker Birla on record.Has it happened before?While rare, such motions have historically been used to question the moral authority of the Chair rather than to unseat it.This is not the first time the opposition has decided to move a no-confidence motion against the presiding officer of Parliament. Earlier in 2024, the opposition moved a similar motion against then Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.However, Deputy Chairman Harivansh dismissed the motion, terming it an act of impropriety that was severely flawed and drawn in haste to mar the reputation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.At least 60 opposition members had signed the notice seeking the removal of Vice-President Dhankhar from his post on December 10.History also records at least three instances since Independence when a no-confidence motion was moved to remove the Speaker. The first was against the first Lok Sabha Speaker, GV Mavalankar, in 1954, after MP Vigneshwar Misra alleged that the Speaker was not impartial.In 1966, opposition MPs moved a motion against Speaker Sardar Hukum Singh, with Madhu Limaye leading the charge and Deputy Speaker S V Krishnamoorthy Rao in the Chair.The third motion was moved on April 15, 1987, for the removal of Speaker Balram Jakhar by CPI(M) MP Somnath Chatterjee, with Deputy Speaker Thambi Durai presiding. This motion was axed by the House.

Netherlands’ captain Scott Edwards, left and Netherlands’ Bas de Leede walks out of the field after their win over Namibia during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Namibia and Netherlands in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

NEW DELHI: A couple of days ago in Colombo, the Netherlands saw the game being taken away from their grasp against Pakistan in the last few balls, but on Tuesday, Dutch all-rounder Bas de Leede made sure there were no hiccups this time and led his team to their first victory of the T20 World Cup as they registered a thumping seven-wicket win over Namibia.Bas, whose father Tim de Leede also played for the Netherlands and had dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in the 2003 ODI World Cup for his first international wicket, showed his all-round prowess at Delhi’s Firoz Shah Kotla Ground to keep his team alive in the tournament.

After restricting Namibia to 156 for 8, Bas de Leede steered the Netherlands home with twelve balls to spare. De Leede stayed unbeaten on 72 off 48 balls.De Leede got ample support from Colin Ackermann, who scored 32 off 28 balls, and opener Michael Levitt, who made 28 off 15 balls. His 70-run stand with Ackermann for the third wicket proved to be the game-changing partnership.Meanwhile, taking a cue from the Netherlands, Namibia also began their attack with spin and found success straightaway as Max O’Dowd was caught at long-on by the Namibian captain off left-arm orthodox Bernard Scholtz’s quicker back-of-a-length delivery in the third over of the innings.Left-arm pacer Ruben Trumpelmann removed Michael Levitt on the third ball of the sixth over, but the 22-year-old batter had inflicted enough damage with his 15-ball 28-run innings as the Dutch finished the powerplay at 50 for 2.Ackermann was dropped on 13 by Steenkamp in the 10th over. The Netherlands still needed 80 runs in the final half of their innings, and Ackermann’s wicket would have put them under pressure, but Steenkamp could not hold on to a regulation catch at deep square leg.After being put in to bat, Namibia had a slow start. Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck opened the innings as the Netherlands began with off-spinner Aryan Dutt. The lanky spinner had Steenkamp stranded halfway down the track as the right-handed batter was stumped by Dutch skipper Scott Edwards in the third over.The Dutch bowlers made full use of the conditions and bowled four overs of spin in the powerplay as the Namibia Eagles could score only 40 runs in the first six overs, hitting just three boundaries and four sixes.Jan Frylinck’s innings never took off and came to an unceremonious end when he was caught by Edwards off Logan van Beek’s bowling as Namibia were left reeling at 65 for 2 after 10 overs.It was only after captain Gerhard Erasmus joined left-hander Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton in the middle that Namibia’s run rate received a boost as they scored 29 runs in the next two overs to take the total to 94 for 2 in 12 overs.However, Erasmus, who scored 18 off 9 balls, was caught at midwicket in the 13th over. Loftie-Eaton, who made 42 off 38 balls, followed soon after, and Namibia were reduced to 107 for 4 in the 15th over.Namibia were left without the hitting prowess of Ruben Trumpelmann in the final few balls of their innings, as a poor call from Dylan Leicher led to Trumpelmann being run out for 9.

Namibia finished on 156 for 8 in 20 overs, aided in part by some ordinary captaincy from Scott Edwards, as none of the four successful Dutch bowlers completed their full quota. Aryan Dutt took one wicket while conceding just 13 runs in his three overs, while Logan van Beek and Bas de Leede picked up two wickets each.Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton was the top scorer for Namibia with 42, while opener Jan Frylinck scored 30 off 26 balls.Brief scoresNamibia: 156/8 in 20 overs (Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton 42, Jan Frylinck 30; Logan van Beek 2/13, Bas de Leede 2/20).Netherlands: 159/3 in 18 overs (Bas de Leede not out 72, Colin Ackermann 32).

Gold continued to fall on Tuesday, reaching Rs 1.57 lakh per 10 grams in futures trade, as investors booked profits amid muted global gains. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold for April delivery eased, falling Rs 677, or 0.43%, to Rs 1,57,389 per 10 grams after gaining 1.7% the day before. Market analysts said a stronger US dollar weighed on sentiment, limiting upside in domestic bullion prices. The dollar index rose 0.09 per cent to 96.90, pressuring global markets. Here’s how much gold costs in your city today:

Gold price in Ahmedabad today

The price of 24K gold in Ahmedabad is Rs 15,796 per gram. 22K gold costs Rs 14,480 per gram, while 18K gold is priced at Rs 11,849 per gram.

Gold price in Bangalore today

The price of 24K gold in Bangalore is Rs 15,791 per gram. 22K gold costs Rs 14,475 per gram, and 18K gold is Rs 11,844 per gram.

Gold price in Bhubaneswar today

The price of 24K gold in Bhubaneswar is Rs 15,791 per gram. 22K gold is Rs 14,475 per gram, and 18K gold is Rs 11,844 per gram.

Gold price in Chennai today

The price of 24K gold in Chennai is Rs 15,906 per gram. 22K gold costs Rs 14,580 per gram, and 18K gold is Rs 12,530 per gram.

Gold price in Delhi today

The price of 24K gold in Delhi is Rs 15,806 per gram. 22K gold costs Rs 14,490 per gram, and 18K gold is Rs 11,859 per gram.

Gold price in Hyderabad today

The price of 24K gold in Hyderabad is Rs 15,791 per gram. 22K gold is Rs 14,475 per gram, and 18K gold costs Rs 11,844 per gram.

Gold price in Jaipur today

The price of 24K gold in Jaipur is Rs 15,806 per gram. 22K gold costs Rs 14,490 per gram, and 18K gold is Rs 11,859 per gram.

Gold price in Kanpur today

The price of 24K gold in Kanpur is Rs 15,806 per gram. 22K gold is Rs 14,490 per gram, and 18K gold costs Rs 11,859 per gram.

Gold price in Kolkata today

The price of 24K gold in Kolkata is Rs 15,791 per gram. 22K gold costs Rs 14,475 per gram, and 18K gold is Rs 11,844 per gram.

Gold price in Mumbai today

The price of 24K gold in Mumbai is Rs 15,791 per gram. 22K gold is Rs 14,475 per gram, and 18K gold costs Rs 11,844 per gram.

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Indian exporters are hoping that the country’s goods and services outflows could touch $1 trillion in 2026-27, supported by the recently signed trade agreements with the United States and the European Union. The anticipated surge comes as the US has reduced tariffs on Indian products from 50% to 18%, opening the door for more orders across sectors.“Orders have begun coming in for chemicals, shoes and marine products. We expect more orders to come in the next 10-15 days. India’s exports in FY27 could rise to $1,000 billion,” S C Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) told ET.The US-India trade pact, expected to be implemented soon, and the EU deal, likely to take effect by year-end and are seen as key drivers for growth. Under the first phase of the bilateral agreement with the US, reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods will fall from 25% to 18%. Washington has also revoked the 25% tariffs imposed earlier due to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil imports, which the US claimed was fueling Moscow’s “war machine” in Ukraine.Ramesh Juneja, chairman of the Council for Leather Exports, noted India’s current limited share in the US market. “We have only 3% share in the US while China has 35% share, but China has a higher tariff of 34%. We expect orders to come in but we don’t have that much capacity,” he told ET. The council expects India’s leather and footwear exports, currently at Rs 18,000 crore, to rise by 30% in the first year and by another 50% subsequently, supported by expected foreign investment.During the April-December period, exports of goods and services stood at $634.26 billion, marking a 4.3% year-on-year increase. Manu Gupta, chairman of the Toy Association of India, pointed out that two-thirds of global toy transactions occur in the US. Labour-intensive handmade toys, such as stuffed and wooden items requiring manual finishing, could benefit most from the tariff reductions.Despite the tariff cuts, exporters have flagged the need for clarity on implementation timelines and provisions related to oil purchases. These issues are scheduled for discussion in a meeting with commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday, as the country moves to finalise its trade arrangements with both the US and the EU.

The BCCI’s 2025-26 central contracts announcement on February 9, 2026, has set a new benchmark for rewarding performance, with Jemimah Rodrigues claiming her rightful place among India’s elite. While the roster celebrates the heroes of India’s first-ever World Cup title, it also sends a stern message regarding fitness and availability, as seen in the high-profile omissions of several established stars.

Jemimah Rodrigues joins Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana in elite Grade A tier

Rodrigues has officially ascended to Grade A, joining the upper echelon of Indian cricket alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and star all-rounder Deepti Sharma. This promotion is a direct reward for her stunning turnaround in form that anchored India’s successful ODI World Cup 2025 run.

Rodrigues was the tournament’s tactical heartbeat, most notably smashing a semi-final century that knocked out the perennial favorites, Australia. By elevating her to the INR 50 lakh bracket, the BCCI has recognized her transition into a senior leader and a big-match player alongside Harmanpreet and Smriti. Her promotion headlines a broader shift in the squad hierarchy, where consistent impact on the world stage, specifically her 300+ tournament runs, has been prioritized over historical seniority.

Shreyanka Patil and Pooja Vastrakar faces omission from BCCI central contracts 2025-26

In perhaps the most debated move of the cycle, star off-spinner Shreyanka Patil and pace-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar have been excluded from the central contract list entirely. Both held Grade C retainers last year but spent nearly 14 months combined in rehabilitation following multiple injuries.

Despite Patil’s recent heroics in the WPL, the BCCI has opted for a cautious ‘fitness-first’ approach. This policy showcased a new era of accountability, where players are expected to meet minimum match-count criteria, specifically 10 T20Is or 8 ODIs, to automatically qualify for a retainer. While Patil has already been recalled for the upcoming Australia series, her omission serves as a reminder that the Board is prioritizing sustained availability.

Also WATCH: World champions Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. back Men’s team with special wishes before T20 WC 2026

7 new entrants earn maiden BCCI contracts including Pratika Rawal

The 2025-26 cycle marks a generational transition, with seven players earning their first-ever central contracts following India’s global success. The list is dominated by World Cup breakout stars and U19 graduates who have fast-tracked their way into the senior setup.

• Pratika Rawal & Kranti Gaud: Secure Grade B and C spots respectively after Rawal’s 300-run World Cup tally and Gaud’s match-winning bowling in England.
• Sree Charani: The ‘mystery spinner’ enters Grade C after finishing as India’s second-highest wicket-taker during the World Cup.
• G Kamalini & Vaishnavi Sharma: The U19 T20 World Cup-winning duo has been rewarded for their successful senior international debuts in late 2025.
• Kashvee Gautam & Tejal Hasabnis: Both have been pooled into Grade C as the BCCI looks to build a wider developmental pool.

Core retainers hold their ground in Grades B and C

Beyond the new promotions and omissions, the BCCI has maintained a core group of ‘strategic regulars’ who provide the team with its backbone. Renuka Singh Thakur, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh all retain their Grade B status, serving as the primary power-hitters and pace spearheads for the side. In Grade C, several consistent performers like Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy and Amanjot Kaur continue their stay, ensuring depth across all formats.

Notably, Yastika Bhatia has been retained in Grade C despite her ongoing knee surgery rehab, signaling the board’s long-term trust in her wicketkeeping-batting abilities. This group represents the bridge between the veteran Grade A stars and the fresh U19 graduates, forming the 21-member pool that will lead India‘s defense of their titles in 2026.

Full BCCI women’s central contracts 2025–26

Also READ: From MVP to Purple Cap: Full List of WPL 2026 Award Winners and Prize Money

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Actor Sonu Sood has come forward to support Rajpal Yadav who is now going through a very hard time. Rajpal has surrendered in a cheque-bounce case and is lodged in Tihar Jail. When Sonu heard this news he shared a long message asking the whole film industry to stand with Rajpal. He also said he will cast Rajpal in his next movie. Sonu said this in a very warm way.Sonu Sood wrote on Instagram, “Rajpal Yadav is a gifted actor who has given years of unforgettable work to our industry.” He said that life becomes unfair sometimes. He said this is because timing can be brutal, not because the person lacks talent.

Sonu’s message talks about unity and dignity

Sonu’s message explained why the film industry should not leave Rajpal alone. The actor wrote, “He will be part of my film, and I believe this is the moment for all of us… producers, directors, colleagues to stand together.” He said giving him a small signing amount is not charity. He said it is dignity. He wrote, “A small signing amount, adjustable against future work, is not charity, it’s dignity.”Sonu added that when someone from the industry is struggling, they should be reminded that he is not alone. He wrote, “This is how we show we are more than just an industry.” Sonu’s message touched many people because it felt honest and simple.

How the loan case brought Rajpal into trouble

Rajpal Yadav’s case started many years ago. In 2010, he took a loan of Rs 5 crore from a company in Delhi. He took the money to make his directorial film ‘Ata Pata Laapata’. The movie did not do well. Because of this, Rajpal could not repay the loan fully. He and his wife gave cheques. These cheques bounced. After this, the lender went to court. Over the years, the amount kept increasing. Reports say that the loan now stands near Rs 9 crore. Rajpal made some payments but could not clear the full amount. The court finally ordered him to surrender and he obeyed the order and went to Tihar Jail.See More: Rajpal Yadav makes an emotional statement before surrendering himself in Tihar jail in cheque bounce case: ‘Mere paas paise nai hai’

Rajpal Yadav’s emotional words in court

Before he surrendered, Rajpal made a very emotional statement in court. He said, “Sir, what should I do? I don’t have any money. I don’t see any other solution.” The court then asked him if he had asked friends in the industry for help. Rajpal replied, “Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain. There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own.”Rajpal still has movies waitingfor him once he is out. He has films like Bhooth Bangla and Welcome to the Jungle lined up. Rajpal was last seen in ‘Baby John’.

Looking to explore abroad without breaking the bank? Rail passes could be your most pocket-friendly ticket!More and more Indian travellers are swaping their flight tickets for rail passes, as they move to explore Europe and East Asia. A recent 2025 data reviewed by ET shows a clear shift in how Indians are moving abroad, with train travel emerging as a key part of their itineraries. India now ranks as the second-largest market for the Swiss Travel Pass and fourth for Eurail tickets by share. About half of Rail Europe’s Indian demand comes from Eurail passes, while the remainder is for point-to-point travel. A spokesperson cited by the financial daily said that India has been among the top long-haul and strategic source markets for rail passes, alongside other countries such as US and Australia. Rising travel costs have accelerated this trend. With the euro surpassing Rs 100 and the Swiss franc crossing Rs 110, Indian travellers are seeking options that offer financial predictability. “The Indian market is demonstrating a clear preference for products that offer predictable costs and the freedom to adapt plans mid-journey,” an Eurail spokesperson told ET. Eurail passes cover more than 30 European countries. Families are increasingly jumping on the trend. Eurail reported an 8% year-on-year rise in child pass sales from 2023 to 2025. “This may be indicative of more families with young children considering travelling by train within Europe,” the company said. Switzerland remains a standout destination. The Swiss Travel Pass served over half a million passengers globally in 2025, with Indian travellers second only to those from the US. The Switzerland Travel System reported “double-digit growth” from India over the past three years and expects the trend to continue. The pass offers bundled mobility, combining rail travel with free or discounted access to hundreds of museums, cable cars, mountain railways, and tourist sites, including Glacier 3000 and St Moritz. Travel patterns are also changing. Traditionally, Indian tourists preferred summer holidays, but the Switzerland Travel System has noticed “significant demand” in the autumn-winter months. Multi-country trips combining Switzerland with France and Italy are on the rise. India’s outbound travel continues to grow, with 8.39 million Indians travelling abroad in July–September 2025, up 6.9% from the previous year. Europe and the US remain popular, while better air connectivity is also boosting travel to Asia-Pacific destinations. Japan exemplifies this rail-driven travel expansion. Indian arrivals hit 315,100 in 2025, up 35.2% year-on-year and nearly 80% higher than in 2019. Although Tokyo remained the most visited city, interest in regional destinations is also growing. Usage of the Kyushu Rail Pass has nearly tripled since 2018. “Although Tokyo and Osaka remain the most popular destinations, the number of Indian travellers visiting regional areas such as Kyushu is gradually increasing,” a spokesperson at Japan Railways Company said. “As the number of visits to Japan rises, we expect a greater flow of tourists into regional areas.” However, industry observers have flagged that dietary issues continue to be a challenge in parts of Asia, even as travellers explore beyond traditional routes.