Video: BSF, Meghalaya Cops Pursue, Arrest Armed Bangladeshi Gang

Four Bangladeshi nationals who allegedly attacked an Indian villager at a border area in Meghalaya have been arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF).

Visuals of the aftermath of the operation to capture the four Bangladeshi suspects show the BSF questioning them in a forest.

The police said the "brazen attack" on the villager happened at night on Friday.

Balsrang A Marak, who runs a shop near the border with Bangladesh, was sleeping when eight-nine armed men entered his shop and kidnapped him, the police said.

Mr Marak alleged the "Bangladeshi gang" handcuffed him and marched him toward the border. He said he was sure they would have slit his throat.

As they were walking in the dark, he managed to sprint away and run inside the first house he could find in the area. The gang fired shots toward him, the shopkeeper said.

The BSF along with the police immediately launched an operation and captured three Bangladeshi suspects. The police fired two warning rounds in the air as the suspects began running toward Bangladesh. They were surrounded and arrested. Villagers caught another suspect.

Before the police reached them, the four Bangladeshi nationals managed to throw away their weapons, cash, mobile phones and the identity card of a Bangladeshi policeman. All of these have been recovered, the police said.

The four Bangladeshi nationals who crossed into India and attacked a villager at night

The BSF and the Meghalaya Police are continuing the operation to find the rest of the gang.

"This season has seen a surge in cattle smuggling, with criminals using violent attacks on BSF personnel during interception attempts. Large stretches of the border remain riverine and difficult to patrol, creating an opportunity for miscreants to exploit the terrain," Inspector General OP Upadhyay said, adding there is a growing threat from smugglers and organised crime networks operating along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

"These people not only engage in cattle trafficking but also make illegal incursions into Indian territory to loot natural resources such as sand and stone. The BSF has intensified vigilance to curb these crimes, deploying specialised teams and advanced technology to monitor river channels and intercept cross-border movements," Mr Upadhyay said.

The four suspects have been identified as Mefus Rehman, 35; Jangir Alom, 25; Meruphur Rahman, 32, and Saem Hussain, 30.

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Watch: Newborn Calf Walks Alongside Mother Elephant, Hours After Birth

A stunning video of a mother elephant crossing a road with her newborn calf has gone viral, catching the internet's attention. The nearly 20-second clip, shared by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan, showcases the mama elephant carefully guiding the baby elephant, who is still learning to walk, having been born just a few hours earlier.

On average, the newborn elephant calves stand about one metre in height and weigh roughly 120 kilograms. The calf is helped to its feet by the mother and other maternal figures in the herd. Calves are able to stand on their own within minutes of birth. After a couple of hours and a few minor but adorable setbacks, the calf is able to walk.

"An unsteady walk, as the calf just came into world. Elephant calves start walking within one to two hours of birth. In wild, they have to be mobile, necessary for survival," Mr Kaswan captioned the video.

Watch the viral video here:

An unsteady walk, as the calf just came into world. Elephant calves start walking within 1-2 hour of birth. In wild they have to be mobile, necessary for survival pic.twitter.com/dEQO0dPtP1

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) August 7, 2025

'Miracle of nature'

The video triggered a flood of online reactions, with users expressing a range of emotions from awe and admiration for the baby's elephant's determination to cross the road and stay alongside the mother. 

"What a heartwarming moment! The little one's first steps show nature's perfect timing," said one user while another added: "Miracle of nature!"

A third commented: "Favourite animal of all time. Absolute sweethearts and best seen in the wild. No to zoos always. Hope we can shut all Indian zoos and give these guys a chance at a proper life in the wild amongst mates."

A fourth said: "Always stay with Mummy. She'll protect you, little baby elephant."

Video: Delhi Restaurant Denies Entry To Couple For Indian Attire, Chief Minister Takes Note

Last month, another video showed a baby elephant attempting to hoist itself onto a chair and sit like a human. As the video went viral, the baby jumbo's cuteness in trying and failing to climb up the chair mesmerised the internet.

Similarly, another viral post on Instagram showed a tusker enjoying a bath with his caretaker when he spotted an unexpected little visitor - a tiny frog. Despite being relatively large in size, the baby elephant displayed tremendous composure and gently attempted to avoid the croaking frog.

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"He Did Cross The Line": Ex India Star's Big Verdict On Gill's Captaincy

India captain Shubman Gill has been on the receiving end of some massive praise from fans and experts, following his breathtaking tour with the bat in England. Gill raised his stocks in the five-match rubber against England, smashing 754 runs to emerge as the leading runscorer in his debut series as captain. Speaking on Cricbuzz, former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik showered heaps of praise on Gill, saying that the young batter silenced all of his doubters. Karthik also noted the changes made by Gill in his batting technique, as well as the way he dealt with the media pressure during the lengthy tour.

"He's been aggressive at times; sometimes he did cross the line. I think he'll change that about himself to an extent. I hope he doesn't change it too much. But most importantly, the way he handled the English media [he did it very well]. Walking into this series, people were asking - Shubman Gill, away from India, his record can be better. And he said, 'I want to be the best batter across both teams'. It's one thing to have confidence, but you've got to back that up with skill. He came prepared. There was a vulnerability in his batting [against] the ball coming back in. He found a way to work on his technique and counter it," said Karthik.

Karthik suggested that Gill should get a lot of credit for the way he batted in the second Test, saying that his 430-run aggregate in the contest at Edgbaston was the most defining moment of the series.

"What was the defining part of what he achieved was the hunger and determination. That 269 and the hundred he got at Edgbaston, the amount of time he batted was astounding," he added.

Gill's next assignment as captain will see India take on West Indies for two Tests, starting October 2. Before that, he will be leading North Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

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NDTV Ground Report: No Land, Papers, Dharali Villagers Stare At Bleak Reality

Still reeling from the trauma of losing her home in Tuesday's flash floods, Sushila silently cooks for 150 others at a relief camp at Someshwar temple in Uttarakhand's Dharali village. "We have no house, no land, no clothes. We are speechless," she said, while urging the government to provide them with housing.

At the temple's relief camp, all those staying have lost all they had when a cloudburst led to a flash flood, sweeping through Dharali, burying homes, vehicles and even a legendary temple under metres of debris. Four died, while many are missing. Multiple authorities as well as the Indian Army are working together to conduct search and rescue operations.

Balvinder Singh Pawar's escape from the cascading sheet of debris was caught in viral videos, where he was in a visibly injured condition but fighting the flood's strong current to crawl out of rubble. "I saw death and I didn't think I would come alive. The only two scenarios in front of me were getting trapped under one of the collapsing houses or getting swept by the debris rolling towards me at great speed," he told NDTV.

Mr Pawar does not know what happened to the two people he saw stuck in the current as he struggled towards safety. he escaped with bruises and injuries, a prominent one on his eye. He remembered the Kalp Kedar temple, a Shiva temple where he prayed every day, which was now part of the debris. "I don't think the village will be the same again. We are out of the energy and courage. We have nothing left. People who have lost their young children haven't even been able to deal with the trauma yet," he said.

On a personal mission is Sushil, a boy who came from Nepal, to look for his father and six other family members who were in Dharali at the time of the disaster. "He called me and said 'save me, son. I am drowning in debris'. The phone disconnected after that and I was unable to connect with him," he recalled.

Under the thousands of tons of debris are also the many hotels in the village. NDTV's visit to the flash flood-affected area found that only marsh, mud and boulders remained where buildings once stood.

As the search and rescue operations continue with full momentum, forces have deployed sniffer dogs and drones to aid their efforts. Over 500 people have been rescued so far. According to residents of nearby villages, like Mukhba, who witnessed the disaster, the number of missing is likely to be higher as locals and labourers from Bihar and Nepal were working at under-construction hotels and there were guests in about two dozen big hotels in Dharali when the disaster struck.

Dharali is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, from where the Ganga originates, abounding in hotels, homestays, restaurants and guest houses.

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"Unbelievable": Body Of Pak Man Missing For 28 Years Found In Glacier

The body of a man who went missing 28 years ago has been discovered remarkably well-preserved within a glacier in remote Pakistan. According to the BBC, Naseeruddin had been on a trip with his family to escape a violent feud when he disappeared. On July 31, locals in the Kohistan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province spotted the preserved body near the edge of the shrinking Lady Meadows glacier. An identity card found with the body confirmed his identity as Naseeruddin.

"What I saw was unbelievable. The body was intact. The clothes were not even torn," Omar Khan, a local shepherd who found the remains, told BBC Urdu.

After police confirmed the identity, locals came forward with more information about Naseeruddin's disappearance. According to police, Naseeruddin fell into a glacier crevice during a snowstorm in June 1997 and went missing.

Naseeruddin, a husband and father of two, was travelling on horseback with his brother Kathiruddin in 1997 when he fell into a crevasse. The brothers had fled to the mountains to escape a village dispute, and Kathiruddin survived the ordeal.

"Our family left no stone unturned to trace him over the years. Our uncles and cousins visited the glacier several times to see if his body could be retrieved, but they eventually gave up as it wasn't possible," Malik Ubaid, his nephew, told AFP over the phone.

The family expressed gratitude upon the discovery, with Mr Ubaid stating they finally found some relief after recovering his body. He was buried on Wednesday.

When a body falls into a glacier, the extreme cold rapidly freezes it, stopping the process of decomposition. The glacier's lack of moisture and oxygen then mummifies the body, preserving it, according to Prof. Muhammad Bilal, head of the Department of Environment at Comsats University Islamabad.

The Kohistan region in northern Pakistan, near the Afghanistan border, once experienced consistent snowfall. However, rising global temperatures linked to human-driven climate change have accelerated glacial melt. As per AFP,  Pakistan is home to more than 13,000 glaciers, more than anywhere else on Earth outside the poles.

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Pakistan Cricketer Arrested In UK Over Rape Allegations, Later Released On Bail

Pakistan cricket slumped to a new low with a young player, Haider Ali, who was on a tour of the United Kingdom with the country's 'A' team -- Pakistan Shaheen, was arrested by the Greater Manchester Police with sources confirming it was over a complaint by a girl, alleging rape. Haider Ali has been provisionally suspended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said a report. Haider was arrested by Greater Manchester Police at the Beckenham ground where Pakistan Shaheens was playing against MCSAC on August 3, reports Telecom Asia Sports. "It's apparently a rape case against a girl of Pakistani origin," a source was quoted as saying in the report.

The sources confirmed that the Greater Manchester Police had seized Haider's passport but released him on bail.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it will cooperate with the investigations and will give support to Haider to fight the case. In the meantime, the PCB has suspended Haider Ali till his name is cleared.

"We were told about this case and investigation. We have suspended Haider until the investigation is completed and will conduct our own inquiry in the UK," a PCB spokesman told www.telecomasia.net.

"Haider was in tears after he was arrested from the ground and pleaded not guilty during the investigation," said sources.

Pakistan Shaheens were on a tour of the UK from July 17 to August 6 and played two three-day games, which were both drawn, a three-match One-day series that they won 2-1.

Most of the players, except captain Saud Shakeel and Haider, returned from the UK on Wednesday. Shakeel stayed back in Dubai for personal reasons.

The 24-year-old Haider is a talented player who played two ODIs and 35 Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan, the last in the Asian Games two years ago. He played the Under-19 World Cup for Pakistan in 2020 in South Africa, from where India's Yashasvi Jaiswal also emerged.

Haider was also suspended by the PCB for breaching Covid restrictions during the 2021 Pakistan Super League in Abu Dhabi, and as a punishment withdrawn from the team to England and the West Indies in 2021.

Sources said Haider was in the good books of newly recruited Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, who was about to include him in the Pakistan team for the T20 tri-series in Sharjah later this month.

Pakistan has a history of players' misbehaviour in the past. Three top players -- Salman Butt, the then test skipper, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Asif were arrested on charges of spot fixing on the team's tour of England in 2010. All three were jailed and banned for five years.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India Youngster Backed By Chappell To Become Next Top Test All-Rounder

Mohammed Siraj is ready to become both the 'spiritual and actual' leader of the Indian bowling attack, regardless of whether Jasprit Bumrah is part of the side or not, former India coach and Australian legend Greg Chappell said on Tuesday. Siraj, who bowled 185.3 overs in five Tests, ended with 23 wickets and his nine-for in the final Test at the Oval earned India a memorable series levelling six-run win over England. "To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord's, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill's attack," Chappell wrote in his column for the 'ESPN Cricinfo'.

Indian batters scored 12 hundreds in the five Tests, highest for the country in any series but Siraj's effort trumps all those efforts, feels Chappell, who was India's coach from mid 2005 to early 2007.

"I don't think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series," Chappell wrote.

The 31-year-old is resilient whether its physically, mentally or emotionally but what stood out for Chappell was his ability to identify moments when he needs to bring his 'A' game to the fore.

"He bowled like a man possessed, but also a man who had learned the art of pacing himself, of understanding the moments that matter.

"What impressed me most wasn't the effort - which was immense - but the evolution. He started as a bowler with passion. He ended as a bowler with passion and purpose. That's the difference between a player and a leader," Chappell explained the bowler's gradual growth.

What Siraj did in absence of Bumrah was heroic in Chappell's observation.

"To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any condition is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic."

However Chappell felt that initially Siraj lacked confidence.

"Siraj began the series tentatively. He lacked rhythm and confidence and bowled mixed lines and lengths. Questions were rightly asked about his readiness to lead the attack sans Bumrah.

"But with each Test, he grew. The body language changed. The shoulders didn't slump; they squared. The run-up lengthened, the wrist snap sharpened, the eyes burned even brighter. He didn't just gain form - he grew in stature. By the final Test, he was no longer the support act. He was the main event."

While Chappell couldn't understand how Kuldeep Yadav missed out on an entire series, he earmarked Washington Sundar as the man who will be India's leading all-rounder with an ability to play more than 50 Tests.

"To me, Kuldeep Yadav not being picked was incomprehensible, as he is a potential match-winner. Fixing errors like that, and embarking on a continuing search for bowling depth, can make this a formidable team.

"I will be surprised if Washington Sundar doesn't establish himself as the team's premier allrounder, who I expect to play in excess of 50 Tests," Chappell further wrote.

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US Woman Wakes Up From Coma Moments Before Organ Donation Surgery

In 2022, Danella Gallegos, a 38-year-old homeless woman, fell into a coma following an unspecified medical emergency at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Doctors informed her family that she was unlikely to recover, leading them to agree to organ donation through New Mexico Donor Services, The New York Times reported.

As preparations for the organ retrieval surgery began, Ms Gallegos' family noticed tears in her eyes, which donation coordinators dismissed as mere reflexes. On the day of the procedure, one of her sisters observed movement, and a doctor asked Ms Gallegos to blink, which she did, indicating she was still alive. Despite this, coordinators allegedly pressured hospital staff to proceed, suggesting morphine to reduce movement.

Fortunately, the doctors refused and stopped the surgery, a decision that saved Ms Gallegos' life as she went on to make a full recovery.

She later filed a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services, prompting an investigation into the incident. Presbyterian Hospital stated that New Mexico Donor Services was responsible for the donation process, while the organisation denied interfering with medical decisions.

She told The Times: "I feel so fortunate. But it's also crazy to think how close things came to ending differently."

A similar case happened in Kentucky in October 2021, involving Thomas 'TJ' Hoover II. After a drug overdose, Mr Hoover was declared brain dead and scheduled for organ donation. However, a staff member noticed him thrashing and crying visibly before the operation. Despite showing signs of life, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) allegedly pushed to proceed, which the company denied. Like Ms Gallegos, Mr Hoover eventually recovered and now lives with his sister.

Misty Hawkins, 42, was another case where life support was removed before organ removal. However, when doctors operated, they found her heart still beating. Unfortunately, Ms Hawkins didn't survive.

Over 103,200 people are currently on the organ transplant waiting list in the US, with 13 dying daily while waiting, according to official statistics. Each donor can save up to eight lives and improve 75 others. 

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Viral Video: Elephant Refuses To Let Woman Go As She Sings

A touching video has captured the hearts of many, showcasing a remarkable display of affection between an elephant and a woman. The video, shared by Lek Chailert, founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, features Chailert singing softly to the elephant, Faa Mai, who responds by gently wrapping its trunk around her.

According to Chailert, the elephants enjoy listening to her sing, and Faa Mai, in particular, becomes so engrossed in the music that she won't let Chailert walk away.

Watch the video here: 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lek Chailert (@lek_chailert)

In the caption she wrote, "Every afternoon is a time for relaxation. Herds of elephants gather under the shade of the trees, and it becomes my moment to spend quiet time with them."

Chailert shares that singing not only brings joy to the elephants but also helps to soften their hearts and make them more gentle.

"One of their favourite things when standing together is listening to me sing. Especially Faa Mai; when she's happy and enjoying the music, she won't let me walk away. She always finds a way to keep me standing there, singing her favourite song until the very end. Song not only brings joy to elephants, but it also helps soften their hearts and makes them even more gentle." 

The video highlights the special bond between humans and animals and the impact of music on the emotional well-being of elephants. The heartwarming moment has resonated with many, showcasing the deep connection that can exist between species.

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US Hypocrisy? 50% Tariff On India, Zero On EU That Bought Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump's announcement of 25 per cent additional tariffs on Indian goods triggered immediate diplomatic pushback from New Delhi and raised questions about Western consistency on Russian energy sanctions. 

President Trump has signed an executive order imposing a steep 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, citing India's continued purchases of Russian oil. India now faces the highest US tariff burden globally, tied with Brazil at 50 per cent. Other nations in the upper bracket include Switzerland at 39 per cent, Canada and Iraq at 35 per cent, and China at 30 per cent.

India's Response

India called the decision "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," and accused the United States of selectively targeting India for actions that are, in fact, being undertaken by several other countries-including US allies. 

"The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," India's statement read. 

"India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests." 

On July 30, Trump publicly warned of tariff hikes targeting Indian goods, accusing India of undermining Western efforts to pressure Moscow. 

The US is India's single-largest export market, purchasing $87 billion worth of goods in 2024. In comparison, India imported $41 billion in goods from the US during the same period. That imbalance generated a $46 billion trade surplus in India's favour.

Western Double Standards

India has repeatedly argued that the West is applying sanctions and economic penalties inconsistently. While countries like Hungary (an EU member) continue to import Russian crude through pipelines, India is being penalised for the same. 

Moscow responded to the US move, siding with India and condemning Washington's tariffs.

"Sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trade partners," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told news agency AFP. 

China's Position

While India is facing steep US tariffs, China has thus far avoided comparable penalties despite being the largest consumer of Russian energy.

Chinese imports of Russian oil rose in 2024. Crude oil from Russia made up 21.5 per cent of China's total crude imports, an increase from the 2018-2021 average of 15.5 per cent. This was driven in part by Chinese "teapot" refiners, which are small-scale, privately owned facilities that depend heavily on discounted supplies.

In addition to oil, China also imports large quantities of Russian LNG. According to Chinese customs data cited by news agency TASS, LNG imports from Russia rose 3.3 per cent last year to 8.3 million metric tonnes. There have also been discussions around a major gas pipeline that would carry Russian gas to China but it has not been finalised yet. 

EU Trade with Russia

While the European Union speaks of cutting economic ties with Russia, data shows that its total trade with Russia dropped from 257.5 billion euros ($297.4 billion) in 2021 to 67.5 billion euros ($77.9 billion) in 2024, and key energy imports continued.

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a Finnish think tank, estimates that since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EU has paid Russia $105.6 billion for gas alone. This amount equals roughly 75 per cent of Russia's military spending in 2024.

Additionally, EU imports of Russian LNG rose by 9 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year. Mineral fuels continue to constitute the bulk of the EU's Russian imports, followed by food and raw materials.

According to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, in June this year, Belgium's purchases of Russian LNG rose by 12 per cent in volume terms month-on-month, totalling EUR 300 mn.

US Trade with Russia

Despite Washington's hardline stance, the US also maintains a limited trade relationship with Russia. In 2024, bilateral trade was worth $5.2 billion -- lower than the $36 billion recorded in 2021 but still significant given the context. The US continues to import Russian chemicals, among other goods.

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Ajit Doval In Moscow Amid US Tariff Threat Over India's Russian Oil Imports

Amid stiffening ties between US and India over Russian oil imports, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval arrived in Moscow for a visit aimed at strengthening ties between Russia and India.

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar is also expected to follow later in the month.

Although the visit had been scheduled in advance, it now has renewed urgency because of US President Donald Trump's comments regarding India's relationship with Russia.

Earlier in the day, Trump had said in a CNBC interview, "India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them. So we settled on 25% (tariff), but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil. They're fuelling the war machine. And if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy."

Trump has also accused India of making profits from Russian oil despite people being killed in Ukraine by the "Russian war machine".

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20-Year-Old Australian Forms New Country With 400 Citizens On Unclaimed Land

A 20-year-old Australian man has caught the internet's attention after he proclaimed himself president of the self-declared Free Republic of Verdis, a tiny nation nestled in a disputed 125-acre forest along the Danube River between Croatia and Serbia. According to The New York Post, this micronation boasts its flag, cabinet, currency, and nearly 400 citizens, all established after Daniel Jackson discovered the land was unclaimed due to an ongoing border dispute between the two countries.

"Verdis was an idea I had when I was 14. It was just a bit of an experiment at first with a few mates. We have all dreamed of creating something crazy," said Mr Jackson. 

Mr Jackson, a digital designer who creates virtual worlds on Roblox, started building Verdis' government when he was just 18. Notably, the Free Republic of Verdis is situated on a 0.5-square-kilometre forest patch known as "pocket three," a disputed area that neither Croatia nor Serbia claims due to an ongoing border dispute. Mr Jackson declared the independence of the Free Republic of Verdis on May 30, 2019.

"We started making Verdis a reality when I was 18 by forming some laws and a flag. We have now built up a government and have a great cabinet," he said.

Verdis' official languages are English, Croatian, and Serbian, and the nation uses the Euro as its currency. The tiny nation is only accessible by boat from Osijek, Croatia. However, attempts to settle there have faced significant resistance, including an incident in October 2023 when Croatian police detained and deported several settlers, including Mr Jackson, who was also given a lifetime ban from entering Croatia.

"They deported us but couldn't give a reason why. They said we were a threat to homeland security,'' he added.

Mr Jackson now claims to be running a "government in exile" and accuses Croatian authorities of setting up surveillance along Verdis' shoreline to block access from Serbia.

"We have had a lot of problems with the Croatian authorities, but we do want a good relationship with them in the future. They haven't taken to us kindly and have been aggressive," he claimed. 

Mr Jackson now frequently travels to Belgrade, Serbia, where he claims officials have been more receptive to his cause. Despite the ban from Croatia, he continues to advocate for access to Verdis and hopes to return one day. He has stated that if successful, he would step down from his position and call an election, as he's not interested in power.

Each citizen of Verdis receives a passport, though Mr Jackson cautions against attempting to use it for international travel. Nevertheless, some citizens have reportedly used their Verdisian passports to enter other countries. According to Mr Jackson, Verdis is selective about who it admits, prioritising individuals with in-demand skills such as medicine or law enforcement experience due to its small size.

Despite several setbacks, he remains optimistic and believes it's a matter of time before he and his citizens can reclaim the land. He asserts that since Croatia doesn't claim the land, Verdis has a rightful claim to it. 

 

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Passenger Occupies Man's Confirmed Seat In Sleeper Coach, Railways Responds

In recent days, several railway passengers have been taking to social media to show the dire condition of trains, which have been marred by overcrowding and ticketless passengers occupying seats. Now, an X user expressed frustration about his experience on the Gwalior-Barauni Express train. The user shared a video showing the overcrowded sleeper coach and complained that his reserved seat was occupied by another passenger. Despite requesting the Ticket Checker, no action was taken to resolve the situation, and his seat remained occupied by another passenger. 

He wrote, "My seat is occupied by another passenger. I requested the TTE, Sir, to get my seat vacated, but it still hasn't been cleared." 

Watch the video here:

11123 GWL BJU EXPRESS Sleeper Ka hal Genral Se Bhi Kharab Hai

01. Mera seat dusre passenger ke pas occupied hai maine TTE Sir ko request Kiya ki mera seat khali karva dijiye lekin abhi bhi mera seat khali nahi kiya gya hai. @RailMinIndia @narendramodi @RailwayNorthern pic.twitter.com/7zX0khnwBO

— sandipsingh kushwaha (@ksandip_09) August 5, 2025

RailwaySeva, the official customer service handle of Indian Railways, replied to the post and requested the passenger's PNR and mobile number to address the issue. 

"We regret the experience you had. Please share your PNR number and mobile no. preferably via DM to enable us to take immediate action. You may also raise your concern directly on https://ift.tt/ajiTLJ4 or dial 139 for speedy redressal," the response read.

We regret the experience you had. Please share your PNR number and mobile no. preferably via DM to enable us to take immediate action.
You may also raise your concern directly on https://t.co/JNjgaq11Jl or dial 139 for speedy redressal. https://t.co/utEzIqAAkm

— RailwaySeva (@RailwaySeva) August 5, 2025

The incident highlights a recurring problem in Indian Railways where passengers with unreserved tickets often occupy reserved compartments, particularly sleepers and even AC coaches, due to overcrowding in general compartments. This leads to discomfort and inconvenience for passengers who have paid for reserved seats. 

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