October 21: Who and what made news today? Here's a quick wrap before you hit the hay

UPDATED: Oct 21, 2025 21:57 IST

As the day winds down, here’s a quick look at the stories making headlines. A second video has added new twists to the mysterious death of a former Punjab DGP’s son. Afghanistan hit back at Pakistan’s “illogical” India proxy claims, asserting independent foreign ties.

In the US, the Trump administration clarified exemptions to the contentious USD 100,000 H-1B visa fee, offering relief to Indian techies and students. The Asia Cup trophy tussle deepened as ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi asked the BCCI to send a player to collect it. And in Bihar, cracks in the Mahagathbandhan widened with allies set to clash for a dozen seats ahead of polls.

Here is a quick wrap of the top news of the day. Tune in before signing off for today.

Death of Punjab ex-DGP's son gets more intriguing as second video emerges

The son of a former senior Punjab police officer, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his Panchkula home in August, had accused his father of having an affair with his wife and even plotting his murder in a video just days before his death. Read here

Ties with India independent: Afghanistan slams Pak's illogical proxy war claims

Afghanistan’s Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid has firmly rejected Pakistan’s allegations linking India to regional tensions, calling them “unfounded, illogical, and unacceptable.” He said that Kabul maintains its foreign relations independently and will strengthen ties with India in line with its national interests. Read more

US clarifies on H-1B visa fee, big relief for students, techies

In a significant development for Indian professionals and students in the US, the Donald Trump administration has clarified exemptions to the controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee introduced via a presidential proclamation in September. Read more

Send a player to collect Asia Cup: Adamant Mohsin Naqvi responds to BCCI letter

The deadlock over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy, which has yet to reach champions India, continues as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has refused to part with it despite a fresh letter from the BCCI. In the latest development, Naqvi—who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister and PCB chairman—has urged the BCCI to organise a presentation ceremony in India and send a player to collect the trophy directly from him, rather than expecting it to be sent across borders. Read more

Fireworks in Mahagathbandhan, allies to clash in 12 Bihar seats

With the Grand Alliance in Bihar failing to reach a consensus, an analysis of the candidate lists shows that there is likely to be direct contests on 11 seats within the bloc, exposing the conflict within the opposition. The disarray in the opposition ranks, coming a fortnight before the first phase of the Bihar polls, has invited jabs from the NDA and Chirag Paswan. Read more

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