Gill Gives Blunt Verdict After ODI Series Loss Against NZ: "Disappointed"

Indian cricket team skipper Shubman Gill expressed his disappointment after his side's ODI series loss against New Zealand on Sunday. Star batter Virat Kohli slammed a sensational century but it was not enough as India slumped to a 41-run loss against New Zealand in the 3rd ODI match in Indore. Batting first, New Zealand posted a mammoth total of 337/8 thanks to tons from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. In reply, Kohli played a brilliant knock and was even supported by Nitish Kumar Reddy as well as Harshit Rana but it was not enough. Following the series loss, Gill said that he was disappointed with how the team played and added that there were many areas that they need to look back and reflect on.

"After the first match, coming here 1-1, the way we played - disappointed. There are areas we need to look back, reflect and do better. (On the positives) The way Virat is batting is always is a plus. The way Harshit has batted in this series, batting at No. 8 is not easy," he said at the post-match presentation.

"The way he stepped up and the way the fast bowlers bowled in this series was good as well. Keeping the World Cup in mind, we want to give him (Nitish Reddy) opportunities and we want to give him enough overs and see what kind of combinations work for us and what kind of deliveries work for him," he added.

Coming to the match,  Kohli's magnificent, combative century, forged with trademark resolve under mounting pressure, proved heartbreakingly insufficient as India slumped to their first-ever bilateral ODI series defeat at home against New Zealand, losing the decider by 41 runs.

Kohli's 124 off 108 balls was a study in controlled aggression and steely temperament. The chase master shouldered the responsibility almost single-handedly, counter-punching a disciplined New Zealand attack with crisp drives, well-judged pulls and calculated risks over the ropes.

As wickets tumbled regularly at the other end, Kohli dug in, refusing to let the chase drift away, but once he fell late in the innings, India's resistance finally collapsed at 296 in 46 overs while chasing a stiff 338.

The defeat not only handed New Zealand a 2-1 series win but also marked a historic first -- India had never before lost a home ODI series to the Kiwis.

It was a sobering evening for the hosts, made more poignant by the fact that one of their finest modern-day batters had delivered a near-perfect response to adversity.

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell's second consecutive hundred and Glenn Phillips' blistering century powered New Zealand to a competitive 337 for eight despite early jolts from India's pace attack.

Mitchell (137) and Phillips (106) stitched together a 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket that turned the innings on its head.

(With PTI inputs)

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Mumbai-Based Comedian Flags E-Challan Scam, Exposes Fake Site That Looks Real

A Mumbai-based comedian has shared an incident when he, almost, fell victim to a 'sophisticated' e-challan scam, where fraudsters created a fake portal mimicking the official Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) website. The comedian, whose name is Shridhar V, posted screenshots on X (formerly Twitter), which showed a message about a pending challan.

The fake portal, designed to look authentic, tricked the comedian into entering personal and financial details. The scammers aimed at stealing sensitive information and money.

The screenshot showed a text message for a fake speeding challan. Notably, the message was from a normal 10-digit number. He clicked on the link, and the URL of this page was 'echallan.pasvahan.icu', but the 'echallan.parivahan.gov.in'. The spelling or parivahan was also wrong on the fake portal as it was 'pasvahan'.

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See the post here:

Who says Indians are not innovative? Look at the sophistication of this scam 😱 I almost entered my card details before googling the domain. Insane amount of fraud must be happening with so many people. By the time police starts acting on it, they'd make millions! Terrible 😠 pic.twitter.com/KZyg6R4RnI

— Shridhar V (@iimcomic) January 17, 2026

"Who says Indians are not innovative? Look at the sophistication of this scam. I almost entered my card details before googling the domain. Insane amount of fraud must be happening with so many people. By the time police starts acting on it, they'd make millions! Terrible," the comedian wrote.

Such scams have become so common in India, attempting to dupe hundreds of people every day. To curb such activities, the authorities advise citizens to verify such messages through official channels and avoid sharing personal details on unverified websites. Always check the URL and ensure it's the official MoRTH website (.gov.in domain).

Social Media Reaction

The post resonated with many on social media, with some users sharing their personal experiences, while other suggesting what not to do in such a scenario. "Not sure why you would click that link which obviously is explicit that it is a scam. I receive this regularly and I ignore this. But I understand how some people might fall prey. Good to put this out," one user praised Shridhar for highlighting the issue, while some simply suggested to always check the number, as the government will never send such messaged using normal numbers.

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"Before any technical Attribution, its not fair to label this scam as 'Indian' origin. Hint: Call the person who has sent you SMS, he will not he aware that he has sent the message!" another user wrote in the comment section.

"Didn't you check whether pics are uploaded or not ? They won't be having your bike or car pics. Police always upload. Simple as that. But i wonder how they integrate payment gateway," another user added.

"Yes. I almost did the same last week. Felt something amiss and tried verifying and realised that it's a fake one. However got duped of Rs 999 with a fake HSRP number plate website," a fourth user shared their ordeal.

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Video: How A Village Visit In China Turned An Indian Man Into A Sensation

An Indian traveller had an experience he never expected during a visit to a remote village in China's Yunnan province, where he suddenly became the centre of attention at a local cultural festival.

The man, identified as Advik, shared a video on Instagram showing his visit to a traditional festival organised by a tribal community in the region. What started as a quiet cultural trip quickly turned into an unusual moment when villagers began surrounding him to take photographs.

In the video, Advik is seen wearing the traditional attire of the local tribe, a move that appeared to impress and excite the villagers. As he blended into the celebrations, people reportedly lined up to click pictures with him. Advik later claimed that more than 1,000 photos were taken during the event.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒊𝒌阿迪™ | Youtuber (@advikjourney)

The clip captures cheerful villagers, lively festival scenes and repeated photo sessions, with locals smiling and posing enthusiastically. Advik also shared glimpses of traditional food prepared for the festival, giving viewers a peek into local customs and daily life.

Towards the end of the video, Advik admits he was surprised by the attention and warmth he received. He said he never imagined being treated like a celebrity in a small village far from home. The video ends with text describing his amazement at how warmly foreigners are welcomed in such communities.

The video quickly gained traction online, with viewers reacting warmly to the scenes of cultural exchange. Many users praised the kindness and hospitality of the villagers, with one commenting that it was heartening to watch. Another user remarked that such warmth could make anyone feel at home in China, while a third described the traveller as lucky, calling Chinese people kind and welcoming.

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Indian Man Shares 7 Reasons For Choosing The Netherlands To Work

An Indian man living in the Netherlands has caught the internet's attention after sharing why he chose to move to the European country. Taking to Instagram, the user named Anuj Sharma, who works in finance, cited work-life balance and quality of life as key reasons behind his decision.

In a viral post titled 'Reasons I chose the Netherlands to work over any other country,' Sharma outlined seven compelling reasons why moving there was a no-brainer.

"This is purely based on my personal choices and experience. It can vary from person to person," wrote Sharma.

Here Are The 7 Reasons Listed By Sharma For His Decision:

• Sharma highlighted that one of the biggest reasons to pick the Netherlands was the 'game-changer' 30 per cent ruling under which an expat's salary is non-taxable for the first five years. He added that the in-hand salary becomes way better due to this rule.
• Job security feels solid here, Sharma stated, adding that strict labour laws and strong employee rights made the workers feel protected and stable at work.
• English is everywhere. Around 98 per cent of people speak English, so as an expat can settle in without feeling lost.
• Sharma said work-life balance, which is a concept in Indian was actually a reality in the Netherlands "People respect your personal time. Work ends on time and life doesn't feel like a constant hustle," he wrote.
• Safe streets, clean cities and peacefulness meant that the quality of life was high in the Netherlands.
• Public transport and cycling culture: You don't need a car. Trains, buses and bikes make commuting easy and affordable.
• Sharma stated that everything was organised in the country, ranging from paperwork to basic services. Systems are structured, which translates into less stress and more peace of mind.

Check The Viral Post Here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anuj Sharma (@anuj.abroad)

Also Read | Foreign Woman Travels In Indian Train At Night, Shares Experience: 'Way Better Than I Expected'

Quizzed on how an Indian should apply for job opportunities in the Netherlands, Sharma advised checking the list of visa-sponsoring companies and visiting their career pages. After finding relevant vacancies, they should apply directly.

The Netherlands is known for its work-life balance standards, with employees typically working 29-36 hours per week. The country's labour laws prioritise employee well-being. Earlier this month, an expat went viral, saying they sent a work email at 6:00 am, which prompted the management to call a meeting to discuss whether they were experiencing undue work pressure.

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'Time For New Leadership': Trump Calls For End To Khamenei's Rule In Iran

US President Donald Trump called for an end to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 37-year-old rule. "It's time to look for new leadership in Iran," he told Politico on Saturday after the country in the Middle East was rocked by weeks of protests against the Islamic Republic.

"The best decision he ever made was not hanging more than 800 people two days ago," Trump told the publication.

Trump argued that Iran's leadership relies on repression and violence to run the country. He blamed Khamenei for "complete destruction of the country" and for using unprecedented levels of violence. 

"In order to keep the country functioning – even though that function is a very low level – the leadership should focus on running his country properly, like I do with the United States, and not killing people by the thousands in order to keep control," Trump said.

He added, "Leadership is about respect, not fear and death."

Calling Khamenei a "sick man", Trump said that it is because of the leadership of Iran that it is the "worst place to live anywhere".

What Ayatollah Khamenei said

Trump's remarks come soon after Khamenei vowed to "break the back of the seditionists" involved in the protest. He also blamed Trump for "casualties" during the anti-government demonstrations in Iran.

"We do not intend to lead the country to war, but we will not spare domestic criminals," Khamenei told supporters during an address marking a religious holiday. He said that "international criminals" would also not be spared punishment. 

Iran's authorities have called the protests "terrorist" operations and "riots" and claim that it was an "American conspiracy" to dominate Iran militarily, politically and economically.

Trump had warned that if Iran killed protesters, the US would intervene militarily. He also encouraged the protesters to take over state institutions by saying, "help is on the way." However, that did not happen, and in the meantime, security forces killed at least 3,428 protesters.

What Reza Pahlavi said

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi had also urged Iranians across the country to "raise your voices in anger and protest with our national slogans". Many protesters have chanted the name of Pahlavi, whose pro-Western father fled in 1979 in the Islamic revolution.

Pahlavi, seeking to touch a nerve with Trump, called on him not to be like his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, who negotiated with Tehran. "I believe that President Trump is a man of his word and ultimately he will stand with the Iranian people as he has said," Pahlavi said when asked if Trump had given false hope.

Pahlavi told reporters that he wants to lead a transition to a secular democracy, with a popular referendum to choose the next system of government, and said, "I will return to Iran."

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From Giving It To Nazis To Selling It: When Nobel Laureates Gave Up Medals

In an unexpected move, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday. She described the gesture as "a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom." 

The Nobel Committee, however, was quick to clarify that such a transfer has no legal or symbolic standing. According to the Norwegian Nobel Institute and the Nobel Committee, once awarded, a Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred, shared, or reassigned. This rule is a core principle of the Nobel Foundation's statutes, as laid out in Alfred Nobel's will.

While a laureate is free to dispose of the physical medal or prize money as they wish, the official title and honour of being a Nobel Peace Prize recipient permanently belong to the chosen laureate and cannot be passed on.

However, Nobel laureates parting with their award medals is not unprecedented.

Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, with Maria Ressa of the Philippines, for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression in their respective countries. Muratov auctioned his medal the year after he won the prize for a record-breaking $103.5 million. The proceeds from the sales were donated to UNICEF's fund for Ukrainian child refugees after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Danish physicists Niels Bohr and August Krogh also auctioned their award medals to raise funds for Finnish War Relief after the Soviet Union invaded Finland in 1939. The medals were later donated to Danish museums.

Niels Bohr's son, Aage Bohr, also won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1975. He had his medal sold in an auction in 2011 and then again in 2019. He won the prize with Ben Mottelson and James Rainwater for their work on the collective motion in atomic nuclei.

Norwegian author Knut Hamsun, who was a Nazi sympathiser, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920 and presented his medal to Nazi Germany's Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels as a gesture of support during World War II. 

James D. Watson became the first living Nobel Laureate to sell his medal. He won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for discovering the DNA structure. He said that the proceeds would go towards scientific research and conservation. However, in a twist of fate, Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov bought the medal and returned it back to Watson, saying that the scientist "deserved" to keep it.

John Nash received the Economic Sciences Prize for his work in game theory. His medal was auctioned at Christie's in 2019, where it sold for $735,000. The proceeds went towards the John C.M. Nash Trust. 

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India Won't Leave Iran's Chabahar, Working With US For Middle Path: Sources

As the clock ticks down to the expiry of the US sanctions waiver on India's operations at Iran's Chabahar Port, New Delhi is engaged in quiet but intensive negotiations with Washington to protect what it sees as a critical strategic and connectivity asset.

Top sources in the Indian government have told NDTV that India is exploring a "middle-ground" approach that could address American concerns while safeguarding India's long-term interests at the port.

"India is considering some options that would indirectly protect our interests in Chabahar Port and at the same time satisfy the US side to some extent," top government sources told NDTV, underlining that New Delhi is not preparing to pack up and leave.

According to the sources, after negotiations with the US, a six-month waiver till April 2026 was granted "as a special case" to wind up operations, but that pathway is "not an option as far as New Delhi is concerned".

"India continues to engage with the US side to work out modalities. Exiting the port is not an option as it's of strategic importance to India. India is keen to show the US that New Delhi will work on the conditions of the sanctions. So the negotiations are a bit complicated," the sources added.

The official position was echoed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

"As you are aware, on 28 October 2025, the US Department of Treasury had issued a letter outlining the guidance on the conditional sanctions waiver valid till 26 April 2026. We remain engaged with the US side in working out this arrangement," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said to a question on the status of the waiver.

NDTV had reported on October 30, 2025 that American sanctions would not apply to India's Chabahar Port operations, with a special six-month waiver granted retrospectively from October 29. The reprieve came even as broader US sanctions on Iran remained in place.

In 2024, India had signed a 10-year contract with Iran under which the state-run India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) committed investments of $370 million in Chabahar, underscoring the long-term nature of New Delhi's plans at the port.

For India, Chabahar is far more than a commercial venture. The port is central to New Delhi's connectivity strategy, offering access to the Indian Ocean and providing a crucial route to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.

It has also been a key hub for India's humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The strategic logic is not new: in 2018, during the first Trump administration, the US had issued a rare exemption to allow Indian companies to continue developing Chabahar even as sweeping unilateral sanctions were imposed on Iran, whose main port at Bandar Abbas was then facing overcapacity.

The current negotiations come at a time when New Delhi is also navigating a complex global sanctions landscape. The MEA had earlier said it was studying the implications of US sanctions on Russian oil companies.

"We are studying the implications of the recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies. Our decisions naturally take into account the evolving dynamics of the global market," the spokesperson had said last year.

Reiterating India's broader approach, the MEA added, "Our position on the larger question of energy sourcing is well-known. In this endeavour, we are guided by the imperative to secure affordable energy from diverse sources to meet the energy security needs of our 1.4 billion people."

Against this backdrop, Chabahar has emerged as another test case of how India balances strategic autonomy with its growing partnership with the US. For now, government sources are clear about the bottom line: while the waiver deadline looms, New Delhi is determined to find a workaround that keeps India anchored at Chabahar, even as it works to address Washington's concerns.

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