MUMBAI: Two money lenders abducted a 63-year-old woman from Juhu after her son failed to repay Rs 80 lakh, and released her only after she signed documents acknowledging the debts. Although the incident happened last month, police arrested one of them on Monday and are now searching for his accomplice.According to the police, complainant Pinakini Bhansali alleged that her son Monil had borrowed large sums of money from various persons, including one Zafar Qureshi, at a 30 per cent interest rate and had pledged jewellery valued at around Rs 3 crore. She stated that despite repayment of about Rs 80 lakh, Qureshi continued threatening him. The unit 10 of the crime branch arrested Qureshi’s associate, Alfaz Firoz Kasam, on the charges of abduction, illegal money lending, extortion and criminal intimidation racket. Qureshi is on the run.Last month, on one occasion, she was forcibly made to sit inside a car in Santacruz West by Qureshi and his two associates and taken to a secluded place, where she was threatened and coerced to sign or give her thumb impression on stamp papers acknowledging liability of Rs 80 lakh. Qureshi threatened that her son’s life would be in danger if the amount demanded was not paid. The accused also shot a video of her signing the documents. He also threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed this to anyone and later allowed her to go. “He then started making threat calls to her,” said an officer. Afraid, she confided in her husband, who asked her to lodge an FIR.The city crime branch carried out a search of Qureshi as well as arrested Kasam’s house and claimed to have seized several original loan agreements, vehicle sale contracts and related documents involving large cash transactions between Qureshi and multiple persons. A mobile handset containing the coercion incident has also been seized.The Crime Branch has alleged Qureshi has been running an illegal money lending business without licence, lending money at exorbitant interest rates and recovering dues through threats and coercion with the help of his associates. Police also suspect Qureshi has targeted several others in a similar fashion.

MUMBAI: It took 35 years of tireless grassroots work in Shiv Sena for 58-year-old Bharati Pednekar to finally secure a ticket to contest the BMC elections.TOI accompanied Pednekar, who is the local shakha vibhag sanghatak, last Friday through the old mill heartland of Parel, from where she is contesting on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket. A mother of two sons, Pednekar’s political journey has run parallel to a life marked by struggle. She has been running a tiffin service for the past two decades, since her husband lost his job at Morarjee Mill after a fire shut it down. As she moves from door to door in Parel’s Kukka Sadan Rahivashi Sangh-flanked by her sons and party workers-Pednekar recalls that while this may be her first election as a candidate, campaigning is nothing new to her. “Since 1992, I have walked these same lanes with every Shiv Sena candidate asking for votes, but this time, asking for votes for myself hits different,” she says, adding how the tiffin service she runs was also a means for her to increase her reach within the locality. “I was born here and also married into a family in the same area. So, I know every corner of the locality and feel that I do deserve a chance to be elected,” she says. Apart from being confident of her prospects, Pednekar believes that the mill belt has remained a steadfast Shiv Sena stronghold over the years. Her ward includes the sprawling KEM Hospital complex, and if elected, she says improving citizens’ access to basic services there will be among her priorities. “Even today, people struggle to get the services they come here for,” she says, pointing at her intent to make the civic hospital more citizen-friendly. Walking alongside Pednekar are her party workers, like Pramila Adsul, who says she’s confident of their win in this ward. “There are candidates contesting the election whom we haven’t even seen in the past many years but have now come to the forefront to contest the municipal elections. People here have seen our party’s work and we are sure they will ensure our candidate wins,” said Adsul. Pednekar’s eldest son, Prathamesh, who is making all the arrangements when karyakartas go campaigning with his mother from one house to another, says it took her very long to get this chance. “My mother has worked for the party with no expectations. So, when the party decided to repose their faith in her this time and give her the ticket means everything to us.”

Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmarks, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, opened in green on Tuesday. While Nifty50 was above 25,850, BSE Sensex was up over 250 points. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,862.30, up 72 points or 0.28%. BSE Sensex was at 84,156.95, up 279 points or 0.33%.Analysts see a largely range-bound trend and stock-specific moves as the earnings season begins to unfold.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “Geopolitical developments and President Trump’s comments and actions will continue to influence markets. Trump’s weaponisation of tariffs has already impacted global trade and particularly countries which have been targeted with penal tariffs. Trump’s latest declaration that the US will impose 25% tariffs on countries doing trade with Iran clearly sends out the message that this policy of weaponisation of tariffs will continue.”“Apart from targeting other countries Trump is also targeting those who don’t toe his line at home. The charges leveled against the Fed chief Jerome Powell is an example of the fact that Trump will go against anyone who doesn’t fall in line. This unprecedented, unstable, unpredictable behaviour of the US president will continue to weigh on markets. From the Indian market perspective, the necessity of a US-India trade agreement was evident yesterday when the market bounced back sharply when the US ambassador Sergio Gor declared that the US is determined to have a trade agreement with India and the talks will resume as early as January 13th. In the near-term Q3 results will witness stock specific action.”US equities ended Monday on a strong note, with both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at record highs. Gains were led by technology stocks and retail major Walmart, as investors largely looked past concerns surrounding the US Justice Department’s criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.Asian markets followed suit, with shares rising close to record levels, supported by optimism around corporate earnings and improving regional growth prospects. The positive momentum reflected a broader shift in investor focus beyond US-centric risks.In currency markets, the dollar remained under pressure on Tuesday after the Trump administration initiated a criminal probe into Powell, an action that has reignited worries over the Federal Reserve’s independence and raised fresh questions about confidence in US assets.Foreign portfolio investors were net sellers of Indian equities to the tune of Rs 3,638 crore on Monday, while domestic institutional investors provided support by purchasing shares worth Rs 5,839 crore.(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)

Apple and Google have officially announced a new partnership, signalling a deeper collaboration between two of the most-influential tech companies. The iPhone maker confirmed it’s teaming up with Google to use Gemini models as the foundation for a smarter, more capable Siri arriving later this year. “After careful evaluation, we determined that Google’s technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models,” Apple said in a joint statement with Google. Amid this announcement, a dinner photo of Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has resurfaced online and is going viral. The image was originally taken years ago Palo Alto, many users also joked that the two leaders had been “cooking up” this collaboration for years.

Viral dinner photo of Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai

As soon as Apple and Google made the announcement that they are teaming up and that Gemini will power Siri, a dinner from 2017 featuring the two CEOs resurfaced online. The photo was taken at the Cheesecake Factory, where the two CEOs were seen chatting over dinner. While the viral photo added a lighthearted twist, the partnership itself reflects serious strategic intent. Apple has been seeking to bolster its AI offerings, and Google’s Gemini provides a ready solution. For Google, the deal ensures its AI technology reaches hundreds of millions of iPhone users worldwide.The multi-year deal will see Gemini and Google’s cloud infrastructure power not just Siri, but future Apple Intelligence features across the board. Apple insists everything will still run on its devices and Private Cloud Compute servers, keeping its privacy promises intact.

Google scores big as AI competition heats up

For Google, this is validation that its AI efforts are paying off. Alphabet’s stock jumped after the announcement, briefly pushing its market cap past $4 trillion and overtaking Apple as the world’s second-most valuable company. The search giant launched its Gemini 3 model in November, and CEO Sundar Pichai has been touting massive growth in Google Cloud, which signed more billion-dollar deals in Q3 2025 than the previous two years combined.Neither company disclosed financial terms, though earlier reports suggested Apple might shell out around $1 billion annually for the privilege.

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NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer will walk out to bat in the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday with history firmly within touching distance, as the India vice-captain stands on the verge of a massive personal milestone that underlines his growing stature in the format.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Iyer needs just 34 runs to etch his name into the record books, a feat that would place him among the quickest Indians to reach 3000 runs in ODI cricket and further highlight his transformation into one of India’s most reliable middle-order batters. Presently, the record for the fastest Indian to the landmark is held by Shikhar Dhawan, who achieved it in 72 innings, followed by Virat Kohli, who took 75 innings. Iyer, who has 2966 runs to his name, will reach the milestone in just 69 innings if he scores the required runs on Wednesday.

The right-hander marked his return to international cricket in style in the series opener on Sunday, scoring a fluent 49 off 47 balls as India successfully chased down a target of 301. It was a reassuring comeback after a frustrating injury layoff that began during the third ODI against Australia on October 25, 2025, forcing him to miss the home series against South Africa.Iyer worked his way back through the BCCI Centre of Excellence and proved his readiness with strong performances for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before reclaiming his place in the national side. Since making his ODI debut in 2017, Iyer has steadily evolved from a promising talent into a mainstay of India’s XI and a key member of the leadership group. Should he achieve the milestone in the second ODI, Iyer will also join West Indies great Viv Richards as the joint-fourth fastest batter overall to the mark, with the all-time record belonging to South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who reached it in just 57 innings.

Melbourne Stars are set to face Adelaide Strikers in Match 34 of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday, January 13. With the tournament entering a decisive phase, this clash carries significant implications for both sides, albeit for very different reasons.

The Stars have enjoyed a solid campaign so far, registering five victories from their eight outings to occupy third place on the points table. Their consistent performances have kept them firmly in the race for the playoffs, and they will be eager to build further momentum as the league stage nears its conclusion. Adding to their confidence is the fact that they have already beaten the Strikers once earlier this season, a result they will aim to replicate in front of their home crowd to consolidate a top-four finish.

For the Strikers, the scenario is far more challenging. Sitting sixth with just three wins from eight matches, their qualification hopes are hanging by a thread. To remain in contention, the Strikers must not only win their remaining fixtures but also significantly improve their net run rate. Any slip-up could effectively end their campaign, making this encounter a must-win contest for the visitors.

MS vs AS, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: January 13; 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 pm GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

MS vs AS, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 20 | Melbourne Stars won: 11 | Adelaide Strikers won: 09 | No result/Tied: 0

Melbourne Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The pitch at the MCG has offered a fair contest between bat and ball this season, keeping matches competitive without heavily favouring either side.

The ground’s vast boundaries ensure spinners are never out of the game, as batters are forced to take risks to clear the fence. Early in the innings, fast bowlers are likely to enjoy some assistance, with the pitch providing decent bounce and carry. Recent trends at the MCG also suggest that chasing teams have had a slight edge, as the large outfield allows batters to manage the required rate and build partnerships more patiently.

Squads

Melbourne Stars: Sam Harper (wk), Thomas Fraser Rogers, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Blake Macdonald, Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Mitchell Swepson, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Joe Clarke, Liam Hatcher, Hamish McKenzie

Adelaide Strikers: Alex Carey, Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Liam Scott, Jamie Overton, Mackenzie Harvey (wk), Harry Manenti, Hasan Ali, Cameron Boyce, Lloyd Pope, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jason Sangha, Henry Thornton

Also READ: BBL|15 – Chris Green sizzles as Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Renegades in rain-hit clash

MS vs AS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Melbourne Stars wins the toss and bowls first
• Adelaide Strikers’ powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Adelaide Strikers’ total score: 150-160

Case 2:

• Adelaide Strikers wins the toss and bowls first
• Melbourne Stars’ powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• Melbourne Stars’ total score: 170-180

Match result: Melbourne Stars to win the contest.

Also READ: Fastest to 28,000 – Here’s the breakdown of Virat Kohli’s international runs

The United States on Monday issued an advisory asking American citizens to “leave Iran now” amid massive unrest going on in Islamic Republic, warning that protests against the Khamenei regime across the country are “escalating” and could “turn violent”, leading to “arrests, injuries and severe disruptions” to daily life.In the advisory, the US embassy said that protests across Iran “may turn violent” as Iranian authorities step up security measures.“Protests across Iran are escalating and may turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries. Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages are ongoing,” the alert said.It added that the Iranian government has “restricted access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks.”The advisory also warned of travel disruptions, noting that several airlines have limited or cancelled flights to and from Iran. “Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending service until Friday, January 16,” it said.Urging immediate caution, the embassy advised US citizens to consider leaving Iran by land through Armenia and Turkey.“US citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Turkiye,” the alert added.“Leave Iran now. Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on US government help,” it said.For those unable to leave, the embassy advised finding a safe place and keeping essential supplies. “If you cannot leave, find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items,” it added.“Avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings,” the embassy said, urging citizens to follow local media updates and stay flexible with travel plans.The advisory also highlighted serious risks for US nationals, especially “dual citizens”. “US-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports. The Iranian government does not recognize dual nationality and will treat US-Iranian dual nationals solely as Iranian citizens,” it said.“US nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran,” the advisory said, adding that “showing a US passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone.”However, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also issued warning to America, and wrote on X: “Iran’s great nation showcased its resolve and identity to its enemies. This was a warning to US politicians to cease their deceptions and not rely on treacherous mercenaries.”The advisory comes amid reports of large demonstrations across several provinces, including Azerbaijan province and the central city of Arak. According to Iran’s state-run Press TV, crowds were seen waving flags and chanting slogans in support of Iran. The protests and counter-protests follow days of unrest linked to rising inflation, economic hardship and public anger over governance.At least 646 people have been killed and more than 10,000 individuals have been arrested and sent to prisons.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has taken a hard stance against the Khamenei-led regime, including moves to target countries doing business with Iran. He stepped up pressure by announcing a 25 per cent tariff with immediate effect.Trump said the tariffs would apply immediately. In a social media post, he wrote, “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.”

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday slammed the recently united Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, saying the January 15 Mumbai civic polls are a battle for the cousins’ survival, not for the Marathi people.Speaking at a rally in support of the Mahayuti alliance of BJP-Shiv Sena on the penultimate day of campaigning, Fadnavis emphasized that Mumbai is an inseparable part of Maharashtra and no one can attempt to divide it.At the Shivaji Park rally for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, Fadnavis showed old clips of Uddhav and Raj, who have joined hands for the civic polls after nearly two decades of rivalry, attacking each other in the past.Responding to Raj Thackeray’s remark that the civic election would be the last for Marathi people, Fadnavis retorted, “Your own survival is at stake.”“The (BMC) election is not about threat to Mumbai, Marathi speakers, but your own survival,” the BJP CM noted, referring to the Thackeray cousins, whose parties are pitted against the BJP-Shiv Sena combine to control India’s biggest and richest civic body with over Rs 74,000 crore budget.Fadnavis, once an ally of Uddhav Thackeray, said his focus is on installing a Mahayuti mayor in Mumbai and ensuring transparent civic governance.“We will transform the city,” he vowed, appealing to people to vote for the BJP and Shiv Sena in Thursday’s polls.Fadnavis said the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government (Nov 2019–June 2022) made Hindi compulsory from Classes 1 to 12 under the New Education Policy and scrapped the Dharavi redevelopment tender issued by his government before 2019.“When we came to power we realised that the tender of the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government was not proper. We allotted the work to Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DPR) in which the state government is a major stakeholder and Adani group is the developer,” he told the gathering.The mega project aims to transform Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, into a modern, planned township with permanent housing for residents, along with upgraded infrastructure and commercial spaces.He emphasized that Marathi is the only compulsory language in Maharashtra. “Under a three-language policy, one can learn any language of their choice, but Marathi is a compulsory language in Maharashtra,” the added.Fadnavis said the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which started operations last month, was proposed several years ago to decongest the Mumbai airport and was completed in five years.“We will construct a third airport (in Mumbai region) and also increase the capacity of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai,” he declared.Fadnavis said the Indian economy has been on a healthy growth trajectory since 2014, with the net worth of several companies increasing during this period.“Non-BJP-ruled states have also taken investment from Adani group companies,” he emphasised.The BJP leader slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray for imitating him in public and said at least his uncle (Raj Thackeray) does better mimicry.“He (Aaditya) must remember what condition his uncle’s party (MNS) is due to mimicry. Uddhav Thackeray wants me to have a debate with Aaditya Thackeray. I challenge Uddhav Thackeray to send Aaditya for debate tomorrow (Tuesday) which is the last date of campaign and our candidate Sheetal Gambhir will debate with him,” Fadnavis said.He asserted that the Mahayuti flag will fly atop the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, head of Shiv Sena, and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, a BJP ally, were also present at the rally.(With agency inputs)