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Delhi’s air pollution 15 times WHO limit; city reels under ‘severe’ pollution
After people burst firecrackers across Delhi on Deepavali night, openly flouting an existing ban allowing only green firecrackers from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., overall air pollution in Delhi on Tuesday (October 21, 2025) morning was about 15 times the limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), according to official data. People burst firecrackers on Monday (October 20, 2025) night before and after the 8p.m. to 10 p.m. window across the city and firecrackers other than green firecrackers were available in the city before Deepavali.
H-1B fee of $100,000 won’t apply to status change or extension cases: USCIS
The $100,000 fee imposed by the Trump administration on new H-1B visa petitions will not apply to applicants seeking a “change of status” or “extension of stay”, according to fresh guidelines. Issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Monday (October 20, 2025), the guidelines clarified the exemptions to President Donald Trump’s September 19 proclamation, ‘Restriction on entry of certain nonimmigrant workers’, which will raise the fee for new H1-B visas to a steep $100,000 (approx ₹88 lakhs).
Bihar Assembly polls: Prashant Kishor alleges three candidates of his party withdrew under BJP’s ‘pressure’
Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor on Tuesday alleged that three candidates of his Jan Suraaj Party in the Bihar elections withdrew their nominations under “pressure” from the BJP. Addressing a press conference, Mr. Kishor alleged that the ruling NDA was so scared of losing the elections that it was threatening Opposition candidates to withdraw from the race. “Democracy is being murdered. There has been no such precedent in the country,” he alleged, urging the Election Commission to ensure the security of the candidates.
FIR against ex-Punjab DGP, his wife in connection with their son’s death
The Haryana Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Mohammad Mustafa, the former Director General of Police (DGP) for Punjab (Human Rights), his wife Razia Sultana, a former PWD Minister, and two additional individuals. They face allegations of murder and criminal conspiracy related to the mysterious death of their son, Aqil Akhtar.
Sabarimala gold row: SIT submits interim report to Kerala High Court
The special investigation team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities that led to reduction in the weight of gold-clad copper coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple in 4.5 kg since 2019 submitted an interim report to the Kerala High Court on Tuesday.The report was submitted in a sealed cover by S. Sasidharan, SP, to whom the High Court had entrusted the probe earlier this month.
Three women booked for offering namaz inside Shaniwar wada in Pune after video goes viral
A case has been registered against three unidentified women after a video showing them offering namaz on the premises of Pune’s historic Shaniwar wada went viral on social media, sparking protests by BJP MP Medha Kulkarni and members of other organisations. According to the Pune City Police, the FIR has been filed under provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Rules, 1959, for allegedly violating restrictions applicable to protected monuments.
U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance arrives in Israel to shore up fragile ceasefire in Gaza
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Israel on Tuesday to shore up the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza that has teetered over the past few days following a burst of deadly violence and questions over how to move forward with the plan for cementing a long-term peace.
Trump brushed aside MEA’s attempts at denial: Congress after U.S. President repeats ‘Russian oil import’ claims
Taking a swipe at the government, the Congress on Tuesday said the matter of India’s imports of oil from Russia has been raised by U.S. President Donald Trump thrice in the past five days, and he has “brushed aside” the MEA’s attempts at denial of any conversation in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised stopping Russian oil imports.
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