German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of murder and attempting to destabilise the West through sabotage, espionage, and border violations. Speaking during a heated parliamentary debate, Merz cited recent Russian incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace as part of a long-running campaign to test NATO’s limits.
Merz warned against any Ukrainian surrender, stressing that a “dictated peace” without freedom would embolden Moscow to pursue further aggression. He said Russia’s strategy was aimed at unsettling democratic societies, adding, “Putin has long been testing the borders, he is sabotaging. He is spying, he is murdering, he is trying to unsettle us.” The Kremlin has previously dismissed Merz’s remarks, rejecting allegations of war crimes and denying involvement in the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The debate saw sharp exchanges with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Party leader Alice Weidel accused Merz of “posing as a global politician and warlord,” while Merz ally Jens Spahn hit back, calling Weidel a “fifth column” for Russia. The row highlights Germany’s deepening political divides over support for Ukraine as the war grinds on.
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From Cochin to the world, Ajit Ravi’s 100 Life Challenge is a remarkable model of personal commitment to humanity. Introduced in 2015 while serving at Cochin International Airport Limited, the initiative aimed to save 100 lives and gradually expanded to empower people through healthcare, education, and essential aid.
Ravi donated 100% of his post-tax salary for eight hours of work every month for 100 months. His devotion never wavered — not during the pandemic, not during financial uncertainties, and not even when he went without pay. For him, the concept of Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) is more than an idea; it is a way of life.
Sadly, despite its noble vision, no one else has stepped forward to join this mission. Ravi argues that true charity often goes unnoticed because it does not bring fame or limelight. His challenge, however, remains a timeless call to humanity — urging individuals worldwide to act selflessly for the greater good.
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The UK government announced plans on Monday to jointly invest more than £1.1 billion ($1.5 billion) with industry partners in the maritime sector. Officials said the initiative will create new jobs and drive growth in coastal communities across the country, with a particular focus on engineering, green technology, and construction.
The funding package includes £700 million in private investment earmarked for major UK ports, alongside £448 million in public funding to cut carbon emissions from shipping. According to the government, this represents one of the largest ever commitments to strengthening the nation’s maritime infrastructure while accelerating its transition to greener operations.
The announcement, set to be formally unveiled on September 15 at the start of London International Shipping Week, underscores the UK’s ambitions to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. “We’re committing almost half a billion to cut carbon emissions from shipping – steering us towards net zero by 2050,” UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander said.
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France’s credit rating has been cut by Fitch to A+ from AA-, its lowest on record, casting a shadow over newly appointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu as he begins budget negotiations. Fitch cited political instability and rising debt for the downgrade, which comes just days after President Emmanuel Macron named Lecornu as his fifth prime minister in two years. While markets reacted calmly, analysts warned the move raises fresh risks ahead of upcoming reviews by Moody’s and S&P.
The downgrade complicates the government’s efforts to present a draft 2026 budget to parliament by early October. Lecornu faces the daunting challenge of balancing investor demands for spending cuts with pressure from unions, who have called nationwide strikes this week, and political blocs divided over tax and reform strategies. In his first interviews, Lecornu scrapped unpopular holiday cuts but left the door open to higher taxes on the wealthy, a move opposed by business groups and conservatives but supported by the Socialists as a condition for backing his government.
With France’s deficit at 5.4% of GDP, Lecornu has pledged to put public finances on a “healthy trajectory,” though he admitted the budget may not fully reflect his own convictions. Employers’ federation MEDEF has threatened mass mobilization against any wealth tax, while the far-right National Rally renewed calls for fresh elections. Analysts warn that continued political gridlock could lead to another downgrade, increasing borrowing costs and straining Macron’s already fragile government.
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Sometimes, the brightest ideas are born in the toughest times. Ten years ago, when Rajeev Kumar Cheruvara’s real estate business was hit hard by the recession, he could have simply stepped away. Instead, he chose a different path—one that would transform his own journey and open new doors for millions of young athletes around the world. That moment of resilience gave birth to the Students World Cup (SWCC), now set to become one of the most ambitious youth sporting movements in history.
When an Idea Took Center Stage
Rajeev looks back on his beginnings with gratitude and humility. It was his friend Saju’s simple advice—“You initiate… things will follow”—that gave him the courage to take the first step. At his very first official meeting, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari asked everyone in the room to rise—not in honor of Rajeev himself, but in recognition of the powerful idea he had brought forward. “That moment wasn’t about me,” Rajeev recalls. “It was about what we could build together.”
Today, that seed of an idea has grown into something extraordinary. Backed by more than 100 legendary athletes and global patrons, the Students World Cup (SWCC) now carries a valuation of ₹16,000 crore for its first three editions—a testament to a vision that has the strength to match its dreams.
Power of Purpose
The SWCC is not just another tournament. It is a movement dedicated exclusively to school students, aiming to make sports an inseparable part of education. Beginning with Under-17 categories and expanding to Under-15, it spans 36 sporting disciplines, from athletics to swimming. The structure is rigorous—state-level knockouts leading to nationals, and finally, the grand World Cup finals. With prize pools running into crores of rupees, mentorship from legends, and even residential training for exceptional talent, SWCC is designed to create not just winners but a generation of healthier, stronger, and sharper youth.
Rajeev Kumar Cheruvara; CEO, SWCG India Ltd & Secretary, SWCC
Leveling the Playing Field
Cricket may be India’s heartbeat, but Rajeev’s dream goes beyond just one game. “Cricket already has a strong platform,” he explains. “It’s the champions in other sports who truly need recognition and support.” That’s why cricket has been intentionally left out of the Students World Cup (SWCC—so the spotlight can shine on athletes from lesser-known disciplines, giving unsung talent the stage it deserves.
A New Home for Sports Excellence
Kochi is all set to become the heartbeat of a sporting revolution. In collaboration with the Ajinorah Group of Companies, the Students World Cup (SWCC) is developing its very first Sports City—a state-of-the-art hub spread across 25 acres near Cochin International Airport.
The campus will feature an international-standard residential sports school, a massive 1 lakh sq. ft. indoor stadium, dedicated arenas for volleyball, basketball, kabaddi, hockey, athletics, football, and a world-class swimming pool. Designed to host global-scale events, it will also include parking for 5,000 vehicles, guest cottages, and service apartments.
This is just the beginning—Sports Cities are also planned for Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, the UAE, and even the Maldives, where the government has offered 108 acres on an atoll. By 2030, when India welcomes the Commonwealth Games, these Sports Cities will stand as the backbone of a new sporting ecosystem.
The Man Behind the Movement
While Rajeev is quick to credit his team, his own journey is no less compelling. An alumnus of IIM Kashipur, he specialises in consumer behaviour, blending data-driven insights with creativity. His book, Marketing Push Customers to Pull the Brand, redefined how marketers approach consumer engagement. His Guinness World Record for building the world’s largest Christmas star is proof of his flair for bold, unconventional ideas. Recognised by the Times of India for his innovative marketing strategies, Rajeev continues to bring the same energy to SWCC—transforming it from an idea into an international movement.
Toward 2036: A Sporting Dream in Motion
The path ahead is mapped with precision. With the first three Students World Cups set for 2026, 2028, and 2030, Rajeev and his team are laying the foundation for something far bigger—the 2036 Olympics, where India’s youth will step onto the world stage not as underdogs, but as true contenders.
“Our motto is simple,” Rajeev says. “To make India the sports capital of the world.”
Backed by global patrons, increasing government interest, and the enthusiasm of thousands of schools eager to participate, this once-distant dream is now beginning to look like an achievable reality.
More Than a Dream, A Movement
For Rajeev Kumar Cheruvara, this isn’t just about chasing a personal vision—it’s about building an ecosystem of purpose. A place where education and sport go hand in hand, where talent meets opportunity, and where young people from across the globe come together beyond borders.
What began as a flicker of hope during his hardest times has grown into a flame bright enough to ignite an entire generation. His journey reminds us of a timeless truth: the most powerful revolutions often start with a single person who dares to believe.
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Spain’s lower house of parliament has rejected a bill to reduce the standard work week from 40 hours to 37.5, handing another setback to the Socialist-led minority government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The proposal, championed by Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz and major trade unions, was blocked late Wednesday when opposition lawmakers joined forces with Catalan separatist party Junts to prevent it from reaching the floor for debate.
Junts, despite occasionally backing the central government, sided with the conservative People’s Party and far-right Vox, producing a 178–170 majority against the measure. Opponents argued the reform would burden small businesses and farmers, raising costs and risking job losses. Díaz condemned Junts’ stance as “incomprehensible” and vowed to reintroduce the legislation.
The defeat adds to a string of setbacks for Sanchez, who has struggled to advance reforms and secure parliamentary backing amid corruption scandals and waning voter support. His government, already under pressure for failing to pass a long-overdue budget, faces mounting challenges as Vox gains popularity and relations with Catalan parties remain strained despite a contentious amnesty deal for separatists.
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Swiss lawmakers are seeking to dilute government proposals aimed at preventing financial crime, arguing that stricter rules could erode the country’s competitiveness in global cross-border wealth management. Switzerland, long the world’s largest wealth hub, faces mounting competition from rival centres such as Singapore and the UAE, while a Boston Consulting Group forecast warns Hong Kong could overtake Switzerland as the leading booking centre for cross-border wealth as early as 2025.
The government’s anti-money laundering legislation was designed to meet Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements, including curbs on shell companies and greater due diligence for advisers. But parliament has watered down key measures, exempting charities, trust arrangements, and some lawyers from transparency registers and due diligence rules. Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter warned that the amendments significantly reduced the scope of safeguards, while critics said the changes risk undermining Switzerland’s commitments to fight financial crime.
Supporters of the rollback, including lawmakers from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, centre-right Liberals, and The Centre, argue the measures are excessive and burdensome, pointing out that Switzerland already enforces more detailed compliance rules than other financial hubs. However, Anton Broennimann, head of the country’s financial crime unit, cautioned that Switzerland must not allow competitive pressures to make it attractive to criminals, stressing that an effective system was vital to safeguard the country’s reputation as an international financial centre.
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Poland confirmed on Wednesday that it shot down drones that entered its airspace, marking the first time a NATO member has fired during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as a “large-scale provocation” and warned that it brings Europe closer to open conflict than at any point since World War Two. The move, he said, alters the political situation and underscores the need to prepare for multiple scenarios.
The escalation drew swift international reactions. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia’s war is “escalating, not ending,” urging stronger defence investments and support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the drone incursion as “unacceptable,” pledging full solidarity with Poland and consultations with NATO leadership. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the violation of Polish and NATO airspace an “egregious and unprecedented” act that highlighted Moscow’s disregard for peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed the significance of European nations acting jointly to shoot down Russian weapons, saying only coordinated action can ensure security. Meanwhile, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, confirmed the alliance responded “quickly and decisively,” reaffirming NATO’s resolve to defend allied territory. Russia, however, denied responsibility, with its envoy in Warsaw dismissing the accusations as “groundless.”
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed allowing card providers in Britain to set their own contactless payment limits, potentially raising the current £100 ($135.35) cap. The regulator said the move aims to make payments more convenient for consumers while supporting digital solutions and economic growth.
The consultation, open until October 15, is part of 50 measures the FCA outlined to the prime minister earlier this year. While the regulator does not expect immediate changes, the flexibility would give firms more freedom to tailor limits to customer needs. Many providers already let users adjust their personal limits or disable contactless features entirely.
David Geale, the FCA’s executive director of payments and digital finance, stressed that fraud protection remains in place. “Even with contactless, firms will refund your money if your card is used fraudulently,” he said, adding that stronger controls mean consumers can benefit from greater convenience without compromising safety.
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Homeland ministers from the Five Eyes alliance – the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – are set to announce new measures this week to strengthen border security and dismantle criminal smuggling networks. The meeting will be held in London on Monday and Tuesday, with Britain’s newly appointed Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood confirming that the talks will focus on “hitting people smugglers hard.”
Alongside people smuggling, the discussions will also cover joint efforts to combat online child sexual abuse and curb the spread of deadly synthetic opioids. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Canada’s Gary Anandasangaree, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, and New Zealand’s Judith Collins will join Mahmood at the high-level talks.
The issue of migration has become a major political flashpoint worldwide. In the U.S., President Donald Trump has made both legal and illegal immigration a central priority of his second White House term, while in Britain, the government faces intense pressure to address record asylum claims and the rising number of small boat crossings across the English Channel.
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