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News18
13 minutes ago
- News18
20-Year-Old Creates Country Of 400 Citizens On No Man's Land, Declares Himself President!
Daniel Jackson, originally from Britain, has founded a country between Serbia and Croatia. The Free Republic of Verdis has its own flag, cabinet, currency, and 400 citizens Have you ever imagined creating your own country? It might sound bizarre, but a 20-year-old has turned this wild idea into reality. Daniel Jackson, originally from Britain, has declared himself the president of a self-proclaimed country on a disputed piece of land between Croatia and Serbia. This tiny nation, called the Free Republic of Verdis, has its own flag, a cabinet, its own currency, and even around 400 registered citizens! Jackson discovered the unclaimed patch of land, locally known as 'Pocket Three', during a border dispute between the neighbouring nations. This forested area of under 125 acres lies on the banks of the Danube River. SWNS, Jackson, who also has Australian roots, officially declared Verdis an independent republic on May 30, 2019. A digital designer by profession, Jackson makes a living building virtual worlds on the gaming platform Roblox. At 18, he began formalising Verdis, with laws, a flag, and a cabinet. The official languages are English, Croatian, and Serbian, and the euro is used as currency. The only way to reach Verdis is by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek. Despite the excitement, building a nation has not been without challenges. In October 2023, Croatian police detained Jackson and a few settlers, later deporting them and banning them from entering Croatia for life. 'They didn't give any reason. Just said we were a threat to national security," Jackson shared. Now operating 'in exile', Jackson continues to run Verdis remotely and insists he wants peaceful relations with Croatia. 'I hope to return one day. If successful, I'll step down and organise proper elections. I don't care about power, I just want to be an ordinary citizen. It's been a surreal journey, and I'm proud of what we've created." Who Can Become a Verdisian? Verdis began with just four people but has now grown to 400 official citizens, with thousands more expressing interest. While the micro-nation issues its own passports, Jackson warns against using them for international travel, though a few reportedly have. 'It's a very small nation, so we're cautious about whom we approve," he explained. 'We prioritise skills like medical or policing experience." Though banned from returning for now, Jackson is hopeful. 'Croatia doesn't claim the land, so we believe we still have a chance. It's surrounded by wilderness, but living there feels almost magical." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
13 minutes ago
- News18
Water Metro Coming To Chennai: No Honking, No Jams
Last Updated: Chennai to launch a Water Metro connecting key spots like Marina Beach and Central Station, aiming to cut traffic, noise, and pollution with smooth waterway travel Chennai can soon say goodbye to traffic jams and noisy commutes as it is preparing to welcome its own Water Metro. Modelled after the successful system in Kochi, Kerala, this eco-friendly transport option is designed to ease congestion and reduce pollution in the city. A New Phase In Chennai's Transport Network In a bid to tackle the city's ever-growing traffic challenges, a water-based public transport system is being launched in the Tamil Nadu capital. In its first phase, a water route will be developed from Napier Bridge near Egmore to the East Coast Road (ECR). The project includes boat stations, port facilities, and small-scale boat services. Eco-Friendly And Low-Noise Solution The Water Metro is intended to promote green, low-carbon transport along the Adyar River. It will operate with low fuel consumption and no smoke, making it a clean alternative to traditional road transport. By reducing road-based traffic, the system is also expected to cut down on air and noise pollution. This accessible and affordable service aims to offer uninterrupted, congestion-free travel, positioning itself as a cornerstone of Chennai Corporation's transport transformation plans. Project Plans And Consultations Underway A detailed project report has already been prepared. On August 6, a consultative meeting will take place in Nandanam, Chennai, involving representatives from the Water Resources Department, the Chennai Corporation, and the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA). The meeting will assess the feasibility and roadmap for implementation. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Nasa Astronaut On Nighttime View Of Mumbai, Delhi From Space: ‘It's Magical'
Last Updated: Mike Massimino also made history as the first astronaut to post on social media from space. Ranveer Allahbadia's latest podcast featured former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, who offered a unique perspective on India's beauty as seen from space. Massimino described how breathtaking the country looks from orbit and how that view inspired him to visit India in person. Allahbadia shared a short clip of the conversation on Instagram. In it, he asks Massimino if some parts of Earth look more beautiful than others. The astronaut quickly replies, 'India's very beautiful. It's all interesting." India's Lights from Space Massimino explained how magical Earth looks at night from space. 'Nighttime, it gets really cool and magical. You can see the stars very clearly. But looking down on the Earth, you see city lights. So you see some of the big cities like Mumbai or New Delhi or New York City…" He said seeing India from orbit made him want to visit. After his trip, he felt the beauty he witnessed from space matched what he experienced on the ground. Allahbadia wrote with the clip, 'The beauty he saw from space matched what he experienced on the ground." Who is Mike Massimino? Mike Massimino is a former NASA astronaut from Franklin Square, New York. He completed a bachelor's degree at Columbia University and later earned four degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), including a PhD. He became an astronaut candidate in 1996 and flew his first space mission in 2002, followed by another in 2009. Massimino spent a total of 571 hours and 47 minutes in space, including 30 hours and 4 minutes across four spacewalks. He retired from NASA in 2014. First Astronaut to Tweet from Space Massimino also made history as the first astronaut to post on social media from space. While aboard the International Space Station, he tweeted, 'From orbit: Launch was awesome!! I am feeling great, working hard, & enjoying the magnificent views, the adventure of a lifetime has begun!" His unique insights continue to inspire people worldwide. Through Allahbadia's podcast, he shared how India, both from space and on the ground, left a lasting impression on him. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
