LIVE updates: Top news headlines of today – 13 Feb 2025

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Washington on a two-day visit to hold high-stakes talks with President Donald Trump in the face of concerns in New Delhi over Washington's new "America First" trade agenda as well as its policy on immigration.

The prime minister will be hosted by the US President on Thursday in what would be the first bilateral talks between the two leaders after Trump assumed the presidency for a second term last month.

Earlier in the day, Trump upended three years of US policy toward Ukraine, saying that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war following a dramatic prisoner swap.

Trump said in a social media post that he and Putin held a lengthy phone call during which they committed to “work together, very closely” to bring the conflict to an end and would meet in person, including perhaps in each other's countries.

It was unclear how closely Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be involved. Although Trump held a phone call with him Wednesday, Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said, characterising it as a "good conversation."

Track this LIVE update page for other important developments throughout the day.

Feb 13, 2025 19:53 IST
President's rule imposed in Manipur
President's rule was imposed in Manipur on Thursday, four days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his position. Read more...



Feb 13, 2025 18:22 IST
Where has all the love gone? Romances missing from theatres this Valentine’s Day
It’s the season of red roses, hearts and chocolates but couples out on a movie date to rekindle their romance or perhaps begin one can pick only from a historical-actioner or a superhero film, unless they settle for a rerun of a nine-year-old film.
 
This Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Friday, only three new films would have released. There’s Vicky Kaushal’s historical action drama “Chhaava”, superhero film “Captain America: Brave New World” and scattered screenings of the latest in the Bridget Jones franchise. Read More...



Feb 13, 2025 16:59 IST
Adani Green Energy withdraws from USD 1 bn Sri Lanka power project
Adani Green Energy, the renewable arm of billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate, has withdrawn from two proposed wind power projects in Sri Lanka, following the Island nation's new government deciding to renegotiate tariffs.
 
"Adani Green Energy has conveyed its Board's decision to respectfully withdraw from further engagement in the renewable energy (RE) wind energy project and two transmission projects in Sri Lanka," the firm said in a statement.



Feb 13, 2025 15:30 IST
JPC report on Waqf Amendment Bill tabled in Lok Sabha amid opposition protests
The report of the Joint Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Thursday with Home Minister Amit Shah asserting the BJP has no objection to the opposition's dissent notes being included without redaction, and asked the speaker decide according to procedures.
 
When panel chairman Jagdambika Pal rose to table the report, opposition members shouted slogans which were countered by thumping of benches by the treasury side. The opposition members then staged a walkout, raising slogans against Pal. Read More...



Feb 13, 2025 15:11 IST
Samay Raina asked to appear in next five days by Maharashtra cyber cell, Mumbai cops
The Maharashtra Cyber Department and Mumbai Police have asked comedian Samay Raina to appear before them in the next five days in connection with the controversial remarks made by Ranveer Allahbadia on a web show, officials said on Thursday.
 
Raina is in the US and has sought more time to appear before the probing authorities, they said.
 
The cyber cell and the Mumbai police are conducting separate investigations in connection with social media influencer Allahbadia's remarks on Raina's YouTube show "India's Got Latent". Read More...



Feb 13, 2025 14:55 IST
New Income Tax bill introduced in LS; govt asks speaker to refer it to select committee
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday introduced the Income Tax Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha and urged Speaker Om Birla to refer it to a select committee of the House.
 
Opposition members opposed the Bill at the introduction stage but the House passed a motion by voice vote for its introduction.
 
While moving the Bill for introduction, Sitharaman urged Birla to refer the draft law to a select committee of the House, which will submit its report by the first day of the next session. Read More...



Feb 13, 2025 14:37 IST
BJP cannot win Bihar assembly polls, claims Lalu Prasad Yadav
RJD president Lalu Prasad on Thursday claimed that the BJP-led NDA will be defeated in the Bihar assembly polls, due later this year, notwithstanding the momentum gained by the saffron party after its victory in Delhi.
 
The former Bihar chief minister, whose party has the highest number of seats in the 243-strong assembly, was replying to journalists' queries about the impact of INDIA bloc partner Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) getting ousted from power in Delhi. Read More...



Feb 13, 2025 11:59 IST
Ranveer Allahbadia row: Mumbai Police record statements of 7 persons
The Mumbai Police have so far recorded the statements of seven persons, including social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, in connection with controversial comments made by Ranveer Allahbadia on YouTube show "India's Got Latent", officials said on Thursday. Read more...



Feb 13, 2025 11:59 IST
JPC report on Waqf Amendment Bill tabled in Rajya Sabha; opposition protests
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned briefly on Thursday amid uproar by opposition parties after tabling of the joint committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
 
The report was tabled by BJP member Medha Vishram Kulkarni, a member of the panel.
 
The tabling of the report was followed by uproar by members from the opposition benches.
 
The clamour continued as Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar tried to read out a message from the president. Read More...



Feb 13, 2025 11:57 IST
JPC report on Waqf Amendment Bill tabled in Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned briefly on Thursday amid uproar by opposition parties after tabling of the joint committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
 
The report was tabled by BJP member Medha Vishram Kulkarni, a member of the panel.



Feb 13, 2025 09:17 IST
Noted Hindustani classical vocalist Prabhakar Karekar passes away at 80
Mumbai: Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Prabhakar Karekar has passed away in Mumbai following a brief illness, his family said on Thursday. He was 80. Read more...