Rajasthan panchayat polls 2026: Rural voter turnout lags behind ULB elections; boycotts raise concerns

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:57 PM

Jaipur, Oct 23 (IANS) Rajasthan’s first phase of Panchayati Raj elections witnessed a voter turnout of 62.90 per cent by 6 p.m. on October 22, significantly lower than the 76.41 per cent recorded during the first phase of the Urban Local Body elections. While the figures reveal a gap in voter participation, political leaders from the BJP and Congress have offered contrasting assessments of the electoral mood as polling continues across the state.

Pakistan: In yet another honour killing, couple shot dead in Sindh

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:56 PM

Islamabad, Oct 23 (IANS) A couple who got married of their own choice were killed in a passenger coach on the National Highway near the VIG Gate in Sukkur district of Pakistan's Sindh province, with the police saying the killings were committed under the pretext of honour, local media reported on Friday.

Grace Harris could be costliest buy at WPL auction if UP Warriorz go for her: Aakash Chopra

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:55 PM

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Australia’s big-hitting batting all-rounder Grace Harris could walk away as the most expensive player at the WPL 2027 auction, with cash-rich UP Warriorz well placed to make a big play for her, said former India men’s batter Aakash Chopra.

India's smartphone shipments slump 20 pc in Q3 over high memory costs

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:53 PM

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) India’s smartphone shipments fell 20 per cent year‑on‑year in Q3 2026 to their lowest level in a decade as record‑high memory prices pushed device costs up and pulled down volumes for most brands, a report said on Friday.

Govt to hold open house on steel import issues on Oct 28

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:53 PM

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Ministry of Steel will conduct an Open House to discuss issues related to the import of steel on October 28, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

1st ODI: Jintimani Kalita handed debut as Zimbabwe ask India to bowl

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:52 PM

Vadodara, Oct 23 (IANS) Zimbabwe women have won the toss and are elected to bat first against India in the first ODI of the three-match series at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi on Friday.

EAM Jaishankar meets Azerbaijan Prez Aliyev in Baku, discusses strengthening ties

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:48 PM

Baku, Oct 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Friday, with discussions held on strengthening ties between the two nations.

Delhi Minister Sirsa urges NCR residents to keep polluting vehicles off roads amid poor air quality

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:46 PM

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Delhi Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, on Friday appealed to residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) to join the government's efforts in curbing the rising air pollution by keeping their polluting vehicles off the roads till the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-1) is in place in Delhi-NCR.

Godrej Properties clocks 62 pc drop in Q2 net profit at Rs 154 crore

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:42 PM

Mumbai, Oct 23 (IANS) Godrej Properties Limited on Friday reported a 62 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit to Rs 154 crore for the quarter ended September 2026 (Q2 FY27), compared to Rs 405 crore in the corresponding period last financial year (Q2 FY26).

Harmeet, Yashaswini assure historic medal for India at Asian TT Championships

IANS | October 23, 2026 1:41 PM

Tashkent, Oct 23 (IANS) India's Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade achieved a significant milestone when the duo assured a medal for India in the mixed doubles at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Tashkent on Friday.