NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday launched a broadside against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his “vote chori” after a study by the Karnataka government found out that majority respondents in the state believe that elections in India are conducted freely and fairly and that EVM’s deliver accurate results.BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla cited the study report and claimed that the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha gets a “reality check”, each time he blames the EVMs or the Election Commission after losing the election.“Rahul Gandhi blames the EVMs and the Election Commission after losing the election,” Poonawalla said.“In Karnataka, a survey revealed that people consider EVMs safe and trust them… Each time Rahul Gandhi blames the EVMs or the system, he gets a reality check,” he added.This comes a day after Karnataka government body conducted a a survey across all four administrative divisions in the state titled “Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Evaluation of Endline Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of Citizens”.A total of 5,100 respondents were surveyed across 102 assembly constituencies, covering all 34 election districts in Karnataka, representing rural, urban, and reserved constituencies across the state’s four divisions — Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi and Mysuru.The findings assume significance amid the Congress’ campaign against ‘vote chori’ (vote theft), led by top party leader Rahul Gandhi, targeting the ruling BJP-led government at the Centre and the Election Commission of India.Also, they come at a time the Karnataka government has proposed holding all the future panchayat and urban local body polls in the state using ballot paper, citing alleged erosion of public confidence in Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).According to the report, 91.31 per cent of respondents across divisions agreed that elections in India are conducted freely and fairly, including 6.76 per cent who expressed neutral views.“Confidence was strongest in Kalaburagi division, where 84.67 per cent agreed and 10.19 per cent strongly agreed, followed by Belagavi division with 69.62 per cent agreeing and 19.24 per cent strongly agreeing. Mysuru division also showed high confidence, with 72.08 per cent agreeing and 15.08 per cent strongly agreeing,” it said.The Bengaluru division reported the lowest level of strong agreement at 7.17 per cent, though a substantial 67.11 per cent still agreed, the study said adding “neutral opinions were highest in the Bengaluru division at 12.50 per cent, compared to lower proportions in other divisions.” Disagreement was marginally higher in the Bengaluru division, with 9.67 per cent disagreeing and 3.56 per cent strongly disagreeing, though it remained very low in Kalaburagi division.As per the study, a large majority of respondents across all divisions trust EVMs, with 69.39 per cent agreeing and 14.22 per cent strongly agreeing overall that EVMs deliver accurate results.“Trust was highest in Kalaburagi division, where 83.24 per cent agreed and 11.24 per cent strongly agreed, followed by Mysuru division with 70.67 per cent agreeing and 17.92 per cent strongly agreeing. The Belagavi division also showed strong confidence, with 63.90 per cent agreeing and 21.43 per cent strongly agreeing,” it added.The Bengaluru division reported the lowest strong agreement at 9.28 per cent, though 63.67 per cent still agreed, the report added.The study also highlighted concerns about the influence of money in elections, with 44.90 per cent respondents agreeing that it is increasing and 4.65 per cent strongly agreeing overall.

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Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan (Image credit: Instagram)

JAIPUR: Mumbai have their own Khan show — and it’s quickly becoming unmissable. Sarfaraz and Musheer Khan are giving the city’s storied domestic side a fresh jolt of swagger, skill and sparkle, looking every bit the kind of brothers who can shape matches — and seasons — together.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Regulars for Mumbai across formats, the siblings bring different strengths to the same cause. Musheer, the batting all-rounder, adds energy in the field and value with his left-arm orthodox spin. Batter Sarfaraz, meanwhile, is as dependable as they come and is also a safe catcher who lifts the group with his intensity and encouragement. There’s never a dull moment when the two are playing together.

In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (Elite Group C) in Jaipur, Mumbai have stayed on top with four straight wins and the Khan brothers have been central to that surge.Against Uttarakhand and then Goa, they underlined their impact with the bat. Sarfaraz’s blistering 157 off 75 balls against Goa — featuring 14 sixes — lit up the contest as Mumbai piled on a massive 444/8 and sealed an 87-run win. The innings has also reignited the familiar selection debate around Sarfaraz, a conversation that has only grown louder in recent months.

Speaking to TOI after the Goa match, Sarfaraz opened up about the bond he shares with his younger brother. “We’ve played together for years, so we understand each other’s game really well. We learn from each other’s successes and failures. Even though he’s much younger, Musheer’s guidance matters because he thinks differently. He’s street-smart and always gives his best,” Sarfaraz said.Sarfaraz, who had endured a lean patch in the Ranji Trophy, has responded with productive outings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and now the Vijay Hazare Trophy.Musheer, 20, has been equally steady, scoring runs and chipping in with wickets with his left-arm spin. “When we’re in the middle, we keep talking about how to handle a bowler or pace the innings. Musheer always tells me something or the other. Sometimes I get angry, but I never take his suggestions lightly. And I’ve also advised him when he wasn’t doing well,” Sarfaraz added.For now, the 28-year-old isn’t looking too far ahead. If anything, the mission seems simple: keep scoring, keep winning and keep the Khan show rolling.

(Representative AI image)

Asian markets kicked off the new year on a positive note on Friday, tracking gains in US futures and higher oil prices, with technology stocks leading the rally in Hong Kong.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index surged 2.2% to 26,189.79. Markets in Tokyo, Shanghai, Thailand and New Zealand remained closed for holidays.South Korea’s Kospi climbed 1.5% to 4,277.94, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.2% to 8,727.30. Taiwan’s Taiex rose 1.1%, and India’s Sensex added 0.1%.Chinese tech majors were among the top gainers.Alibaba jumped 3.2%, while Baidu rallied 7.5% after announcing plans to spin off its artificial intelligence chip unit, Kunlunxin. The unit is expected to list in Hong Kong in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.Asian equities have been supported by optimism that rapid adoption of artificial intelligence will drive demand for computer chips, data centres and related infrastructure. While manufacturing data across much of the region has remained weak, trade activity has shown resilience.“Exports from most countries have surged in recent months, and we think the near-term outlook for Asia’s export-oriented manufacturing sectors remains favorable,” Shivaan Tandon of Capital Economics said in a report, the Associated Press reported.US futures pointed higher, with S&P 500 futures up 0.5% and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gaining 0.3%.Earlier on Wednesday, Wall Street ended 2025 on a weaker note, marking a fourth straight session of losses. The S&P 500 fell 0.7% to 6,845.50, the Dow Jones slipped 0.6% to 48,063.29, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.8% to 23,241.99.Despite the late-year pullback, US markets posted strong annual gains. The S&P 500 rose 16.4% in 2025, setting 39 record highs during the year. The Nasdaq surged 20.4%, while the Dow ended 13% higher.Wall Street’s rally through 2025 was driven by enthusiasm around artificial intelligence, strong corporate earnings and three interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve. Investors are now betting the Fed will keep rates unchanged at its January meeting, AP reported.Silver rebounded 3.5% early Friday after plunging 9.4% on Wednesday. The metal gained more than 140% in 2025. Gold rose 1.1%, ending the year with a 63.7% gain.Oil prices also moved higher. US benchmark crude added 35 cents to $57.77 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 35 cents to $61.20 per barrel.

Gold’s intraday technical structure points toward stabilization after correction, supported by EMA alignment. (AI image)

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are likely to stabilize after a period of correction and investors can look to buy on dips, says Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst – Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities.Gold futures on MCX are trading near ₹1,35,690 after a phase of consolidation, with price action indicating base formation above key intraday supports. The market is showing early signs of stabilization after recent corrective moves, and technical indicators suggest that downside momentum is limited at current levels. The setup favors a buy-on-dips approach near ₹1,36,000, with clearly defined risk.Technical Setup:Price is trading close to the short-term EMA cluster, with EMA 8 attempting to turn upward and move above EMA 21. This indicates improving short-term momentum and the possibility of a trend reversal if prices sustain above ₹1,36,000.Gold is consolidating near the mid-Bollinger band after defending the lower band successfully. This structure suggests selling pressure is easing, and a move towards the upper band could unfold if buying emerges above support.Pivot Points (Previous Day):

Holding above the pivot support strengthens the bullish intraday bias.RSI is near 53, comfortably above the neutral zone, indicating improving momentum and scope for further upside without entering overbought territory.MACD is flattening after a negative phase, with histogram bars contracting. This suggests bearish momentum is fading and a positive crossover may develop on sustained buying.Intraday Trading View:

Bias: Bullish above ₹1,36,000; weakness only below ₹1,34,700.Conclusion:Gold’s intraday technical structure points toward stabilization after correction, supported by EMA alignment, RSI strength, and easing MACD pressure. Traders may look to initiate long positions near ₹1,36,000, keeping a strict stop-loss at ₹1,34,700 and targeting a move towards ₹1,38,000 during the session.Buy on Dips | Support: ₹1,36,000 | Target: ₹1,38,000(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

NEW DELHI: Student activist Umar Khalid, who has been in jail for nearly five years in connection with the Feb 2020 Delhi riots, has received a show of solidarity from New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, who wrote to him, saying, “we are all thinking of you”.The note, undated, was shared on X by Khalid’s partner Banojyotsna Lahiri on Thursday, after Mamdani was sworn in as mayor in a midnight ceremony.

In the handwritten note, Mamdani said: “Dear Umar, I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume oneself. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you.” TOI reached out to Mamdani’s office about the note; there was no response at the time of going to press.

Mamdani’s letter to Umar Khalid

Khalid, a former JNU student, was arrested in Sept 2020 and charged under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly conspiring to incite riots in Delhi, charges he has consistently denied. Khalid was granted temporary bail in Dec to attend his sister’s wedding.Khalid’s father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, told TOI that the family met Mamdani early Dec last year during a visit to the United States to meet Khalid’s sister. Ilyas said he had sought time from Mamdani to congratulate him on his appointment and ended up meeting him and his wife for around half an hour. “He gave us time exclusively and we discussed many things, including Umar’s incarceration. We hoped he would fulfil the promises he has made for the people of New York,” he said.“We also spoke about what has been happening to my son and the developments around his case. Mamdani said he follows it and has read Umar’s letters from jail,” he added.“This prolonged incarceration itself is unjust, and that is why it has attracted international attention,” Lahiri said.Ilyas said he also met Democrat Jamie Raskin of the US Congress separately. “He raised concerns over Umar’s arrest and extended support,” he said. “I told him the matter is currently before Supreme Court and the family is positive about a favourable outcome.” Raskin shared a photograph online with Ilyas and his wife.Raskin, along with three other US Congress members, wrote to India’s ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, on Dec 30, expressing concern over Khalid’s continued pre-trial detention. The lawmakers said Khalid has been denied bail for five years under UAPA, arguing that the “pre-trial treatment to which he has been subjected is punitive in and of itself”.

Australian cricket will witness an emotional farewell this week as Usman Khawaja confirmed that the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be the final appearance of his international career. The 39-year-old left-hander will bring the curtains down on a remarkable 15-year Test journey at the venue that launched his professional dream, closing a chapter defined by resilience, reinvention, and historic milestones.

From local dreams to the biggest stage for Usman Khawaja

Khawaja informed his teammates of the decision on Friday morning, choosing to step away after his 88th Test. His career began at the same ground in 2011, when an injury to Ricky Ponting opened the door for his debut. What followed was a path marked by patience and perseverance, as Khawaja accumulated over 6,000 Test runs and established himself as one of Australia’s most dependable top-order batters of the modern era.

Reflecting on his journey, Khawaja spoke emotionally about growing up near the SCG and dreaming of becoming a Test cricketer while watching his heroes from afar. That childhood ambition, forged in modest circumstances, eventually turned into a reality few could have imagined.

Breaking barriers and redefining identity

Born in Pakistan and raised in Australia, Khawaja made history as the country’s first Pakistan-born and first Muslim Test cricketer. Identified early for his sound technique and calm temperament, he progressed through the Australia Under-19 ranks before entering the senior side. Throughout his career, Khawaja embraced his identity, often speaking about representation and pride, and became an inspirational figure beyond the boundary ropes.

Khawaja’s international career was not without its challenges. After periods in and out of the Test side, he made a decisive move from New South Wales to Queensland in 2012. That shift proved transformative. He rebuilt his game in domestic cricket, captained Queensland to the Sheffield Shield title in the 2020–21 season, and surpassed 15,000 first-class runs overall—achievements that paved the way for a powerful international comeback.

Also READ: Michael Clarke makes bold retirement prediction for Australian great ahead of Sydney Ashes 2025-26 Test

Ashes redemption and career peak

The turning point arrived during the 2021–22 Ashes series, when Khawaja returned to the Test side and marked the moment with twin centuries at the SCG. He followed that up with prolific tours of Pakistan and England, culminating in a standout performance during the 2023 Ashes, where he finished as the leading run-scorer as Australia retained the urn. That same year, he was honoured as ICC Test Cricketer of the Year and Shane Warne Test Cricketer of the Year, and played a vital role in Australia’s World Test Championship triumph.

A look at Khawaja’s international career

Also READ: Matthew Hayden slams Australia coach after batting failures in Melbourne Test