Top news of the day: February 13, 2026

BNP claims landslide victory in Bangladesh Election after 20 years

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), after 20-years, is set to stake a claim to form a government in Bangladesh by winning over 200 seats in the Bangladesh general elections. Tarique Rahman, son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is poised to become Bangladesh’s prime minister, revealed senior politicians in BNP. Mr. Rahman won in complete majority from Dhaka-17, and Bogura-6, a BNP stronghold.

PM Modi inaugurates Seva Teerth complex as new Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (February 13, 2026) inaugurated the Seva Teerth complex, which will house the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the National Security Council Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat. PM Modi unveiled the plaque of Seva Teerth at the new complex — the name inscribed in Devanagari script on the wall of the complex. Below it is the motto ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (citizen is akin to God). The PMO will shift from the South Block on Raisina Hill to Seva Teerth, bringing together the offices of the Cabinet Secretariat and the National Security Council Secretariat that were located at different places.

Reliance acquires U.S. license to import Venezuelan oil

Reliance Industries has acquired a general license from the U.S. to procure Venezuelan oil, sources privy of the development confirmed to The Hindu. The license would allow the privately-owned refiner to procure oil from the South American country being in compliance with relevant laws, the source confirmed. With this, Reliance, which operates the world’s largest single-site refining complex at Gujarat’s Jamnagar, would be joining multiple global refiners who have sought to buy Venezuelan oil. Since capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, the U.S. has eased sanctions on the South American nation’s energy industry to resume the flow of oil from the country that holds the world’s largest reserves.

Sensex crashes over 1,048.16 points on selling in metal, IT stocks; Nifty sinks 336 points

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty tumbled more than 1% on Friday (February 13, 2026) due to an across-the-board selloff, especially in metal, IT and commodity stocks, tracking sluggish global markets. In a volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 1,048.16 points, or 1.25%, to close at 82,626.76. During the day, the benchmark tanked 1,140.37 points, or 1.36%, to hit an intraday low of 82,534.55. The 50-share NSE Nifty plunged 336.10 points, or 1.30%, to settle at 25,471.10. In the intraday trade, it slumped 362.9 points, or 1.4%, to hit a low of 25,444.30.

Opposition MPs demand Hardeep Puri’s resignation over alleged links with Epstein

The Opposition MPs on Friday (February 13, 2026) staged a protest outside the Makar Dwar in the Parliament House complex while demanding the resignation of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who is under fire after Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi questioned his links with the infamous Jeffrey Epstein. MPs from across the Opposition parties held placards reading “Who’s grip, who’s choke” during the demonstration. This comes after Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday (February 11, 2026), claimed he has verified information linking Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to the recently released Epstein files by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Government can file FIR or move Privilege Motion, I will stand with farmers: Rahul Gandhi on criticism of U.S. trade deal

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (February 12, 2026) said the government could file cases or move a Privilege Motion against him, but he would continue to stand with farmers, as he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “anti-farmer” and of “selling” the country through the India-U.S. interim trade deal. “I stand with the farmers and won’t back an inch,” Mr. Gandhi said in a video that he posted on his X handle. Earlier in the day, Opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge protested within the Parliament complex against the trade deal as well as expressed solidarity with the general strike called by labour unions and farmers’ association.

Abhishek Banerjee rebuts FM Sitharaman, points to everyday GST burdens on poor

Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday (February 12, 2026) responded sharply to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remark that he had “twisted facts” in his recent speech, asserting that the Centre was ignoring the day-to-day tax burden faced by ordinary families. Answering the debate on the Union Budget, Ms. Sitharaman had accused Mr. Banerjee of twisting facts and also rejected allegations by Trinamool MPs that West Bengal did not find a mention in the Union Budget, stating that “it is a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation”. She also countered the Trinamool MP’s comment that GST has to be paid even after death, saying that there is no GST on funeral services and “maybe it’s the syndicate running in West Bengal, which will be charging cut money on death”.

Row erupts over distribution of unauthorised forms for ‘unmapped voters’ in Bengal

A row has erupted in West Bengal ahead of the closure of the SIR exercise following reports that unauthorised forms are being circulated to include unmapped voters who failed to submit required documents during enumeration. Alleged distribution of such forms in parts of Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas just days before the end of the hearing process has prompted the Election Commission to seek reports from district authorities, even as the Chief Electoral Officer said that no such form was issued by the poll panel.

Manipur violence: SC orders CBI to file status report on sexual assault cases after lawyer claims lack of information on probe

The Supreme Court on Friday (February 13, 2026) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report detailing whether the agency has compiled sufficient evidence to “bring home the guilt” to persons accused of various heinous offences, including the sexual assault and gangrape of women during the sectarian violence that rocked Manipur in May 2023. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the CBI must share copies of the chargesheets of the cases with the victims or their families as dictated by the law.

Nagaland Deputy CM appeals for peace amid violence on the outskirts of Dimapur

Yanthungo Patton, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, expressed his concern over incidents of violence and arson in Maova village, located on the outskirts of Dimapur. Earlier on Friday (February 13, 2026), arson and clashes were reported between Naga-Kuki villages on the outskirts of Dimapur. Police sources told The Hindu that the incident has nothing to do with the Manipur issue and appears to be a “local issue”. Mr. Patton wrote in a post on X, “Any act that disrupts peace and endangers lives and property is a matter of serious concern”. He also appealed for peace and requested people to maintain calm and restraint. He wrote, “I urge all those involved to remain calm, exercise restraint, and allow lawful and constructive processes to address any grievances.”

Mukhtar Ansari associate Shoaib ‘Bobby’ Kidwai shot dead on Lucknow–Ayodhya highway

A history-sheeter associated with slain gangster Mukhtar Ansari, named Shoaib Kidwai alias Bobby, was shot dead in broad daylight in Barabanki on Friday (February 13, 2026) afternoon. The incident took place near the Aseni turn on the Lucknow–Ayodhya highway under Barabanki district’s Kotwali police station. The deceased, who faces multiple cases, was travelling in a sedan car from Lucknow to Barabanki when motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted his vehicle shortly after it descended from the highway.

Kremlin says Vladimir Medinsky to lead Russian delegation at Ukraine peace talks in Geneva from February 17

​​The ‌next round of ​Ukraine peace ⁠talks between ‌Russia, Ukraine ‌and ‌the ⁠United ⁠States will be held in ​Geneva ‌on February 17 and February 18, Russian ‌news agencies reported, ​citing Kremlin spokesman ⁠Dmitry Peskov. “The next round of talks on the Ukrainian settlement will be held in the same trilateral Russia-U.S.-Ukraine format, on February 17-18 in Geneva,” the RIA Novosti news agency cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.

U.K. terrorism ban on Palestine Action group unlawful, court rules after appeal

Britain’s ban on ​pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist ‌organisation was ruled unlawful by London’s High ​Court on Friday (February 13, 2026), though the ⁠ban will temporarily remain in place and the government said it would appeal the decision. Palestine Action was ‌proscribed in July, having increasingly targeted Israel-linked defence companies – particularly Elbit Systems – in ‌Britain with “direct action”, often blocking entrances ‌or ⁠spraying red paint.

Zimbabwe stuns Australia, wins by 23 runs

In one of the biggest upsets of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, Zimbabwe stunned Australia by 23 runs in Colombo on Friday (February 13, 2026). Man-of-the-Match Blessing Muzarabani’s four for 17 proved decisive as the mighty Australians fell short. The win takes Zimbabwe to second place in Group B, having won both their games so far. Australia is behind in third while Sri Lanka currently leads the table. Chasing a target of 170, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals to lose steam against Zimbabwe. Australian openers Josh Inglis (8) and stand-in captain Travis Head (17) had scored 13 runs in 1.1 overs when pacer Blessing Muzarabani struck a telling blow by removing Inglis.

T20 World Cup 2026 | Siddique takes fifer as UAE restrict Canada to 150/7

Senior pacer Junaid Siddique took five wickets to headline a disciplined bowling effort from the United Arab Emirates as they restricted Canada to a below-par 150 for 7 in their T20 World Cup match here on Friday. Opting to bat, Canada were jolted early as pacers Siddique (5/35) and Muhammad Jawadullah ripped through the top order inside the first four overs. Siddique set the tone with a superb opening spell, fetching two wickets before claiming three scalps at the death.

Published – February 13, 2026 06:31 pm IST