Global Pulse

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  • Epic tales and star power: How Tollywood is reshaping Indian cinema

    Epic tales and star power: How Tollywood is reshaping Indian cinema

    HYDERABAD, India — While Bollywood has long dominated perceptions of Indian cinema internationally, a powerful cinematic movement from South India has emerged as a formidable global competitor. The Telugu-language film industry, colloquially known as Tollywood, has captured worldwide attention through its distinctive blend of mythological storytelling, high-octane action sequences, and spectacular visual effects.

    Operating primarily from Hyderabad, Tollywood benefits from the massive infrastructure of Ramoji Film City—the world’s largest film studio complex according to Guinness World Records. This 1,666-acre production hub enables the industry to generate approximately 300 films annually, establishing itself as India’s second-largest film industry after Bollywood.

    The pandemic-era expansion of streaming services proved transformative for Tollywood, providing regional films unprecedented access to international audiences. This digital revolution coincided with Bollywood’s creative challenges, allowing Telugu cinema to fill a void with its unique formula of star-driven spectacles and large-scale epics.

    Tollywood’s signature approach combines family drama, action, and mythology into what industry marketers now term ‘pan-India’ releases—films deliberately crafted for cross-cultural appeal and routinely dubbed into multiple languages. While the industry produces smaller, culturally-rooted films addressing social issues and regional themes, its global breakthroughs have come primarily from big-budget productions like the ‘Baahubali’ series and the Oscar-winning ‘RRR’.

    The industry’s cultural impact extends beyond entertainment, with its stars commanding near-religious devotion from fans. Male actors particularly enjoy godlike status, with followers performing ritualistic worship of their idols’ images and organizing charitable events in their names. This fandom culture frequently translates into political influence, with several Tollywood actors successfully transitioning into political leadership roles.

    Much of Tollywood’s recent international success is attributed to visionary filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, whose imaginative storytelling and preference for larger-than-life heroes have redefined Indian cinema’s global potential. His upcoming project ‘Varanasi,’ blending time-travel with Hindu mythology, anticipates continued international interest in Telugu cinema.

    Financially, Tollywood operates through theatrical releases, television rights, overseas distribution, and brand partnerships. Despite being controlled by influential regional families, strategic marketing campaigns and cross-industry collaborations have positioned Tollywood releases as national events across India and beyond.

  • Cute robot pets emerge as cuddly companions

    Cute robot pets emerge as cuddly companions

    In a significant technological advancement within the emotional AI sector, robotic companion pets are emerging as innovative solutions for urban professionals seeking low-maintenance companionship. These AI-driven creations, exemplified by products like Ropet and Moflin, combine sophisticated sensor technology with emotionally responsive behaviors to simulate genuine pet interactions.

    The Ropet robotic pet, developed specifically for young female white-collar workers, represents a breakthrough in emotional artificial intelligence. Priced at $299 for its basic version, this feline-inspired device features multi-sensor capabilities including a nasal camera, forehead microphone, and tactile sensors that enable it to perceive and respond to human interactions through audio, visual, and touch inputs. The unit’s LED-screen eyes display food imagery during feeding interactions, while its AI model allows for personality development based on user treatment patterns.

    Market validation has been substantial, with Ropet’s Kickstarter campaign attracting 1,134 backers and raising approximately $400,000—exceeding its initial goal by 300 times. Similarly, Casio’s Moflin AI rabbit toy sold over 7,000 units at 59,400 yen ($380) each within months of release.

    According to industry analysis by Global Market Insights, the emotion AI market is projected to expand from $2.9 billion last year to $19.4 billion by 2034, indicating robust growth potential for companion robotics. The technology’s appeal lies in its ability to stimulate oxytocin secretion while reducing anxiety and depression through non-verbal companionship.

    He Jiabin, CEO and co-founder of Ropet, emphasizes that these devices provide ‘soft companionship’ rather than verbal communication, intentionally designed to trigger caregiving instincts and childlike playfulness. Users like tech columnist Yoky Liu report meaningful emotional connections with their robotic companions, noting that the devices’ evolving personalities reflect their own behavioral patterns over time.

    This technological innovation addresses growing urban loneliness while offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional pet ownership, representing a significant convergence of artificial intelligence, emotional wellness, and consumer electronics.

  • China successfully breeds third-generation Chinese sturgeon artificially

    China successfully breeds third-generation Chinese sturgeon artificially

    In a landmark achievement for wildlife conservation, Chinese scientists have successfully bred the third filial generation of Chinese sturgeon entirely through artificial propagation techniques. The breakthrough was announced on November 27, 2025, by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC), representing a critical advancement in the preservation of this endangered species.

    The historic breeding occurred at CTGC’s Yangtze River Rare Fish Conservation Center, where researchers utilized second-generation captive-bred sturgeon as parent fish. The selected specimens—a 13-year-old female and 14-year-old male—underwent meticulous preparation beginning early this year. This involved specialized nutritional enhancement and carefully controlled environmental simulations to replicate natural breeding conditions.

    The actual artificial induction and fertilization procedures were conducted during November 6-7, coinciding with the species’ optimal reproductive window. The scientific team recorded an extraordinary fertilization rate exceeding 95 percent. Following a five-day incubation period, approximately 112,000 third-generation fry emerged, demonstrating the program’s remarkable success.

    According to Jiang Wei, Deputy Director of CTGC’s Yangtze River Biodiversity Research Center, this achievement proves that second-generation sturgeon can reach full maturity and reproduce under controlled conditions. This milestone enables a significant transition where the more numerous second-generation population will replace the first generation as the primary breeding group, establishing a sustainable model for large-scale conservation.

    The Chinese sturgeon, endemic to China and often described as a ‘living fossil,’ represents one of the world’s most ancient migratory fish species. Conservation efforts began decades ago, with the first generation successfully bred from wild parents in the 1980s, followed by the second generation in 2009. The new breakthrough paves the way for developing comprehensive ‘artificial-plus-natural’ protection systems that could ultimately support the restoration of wild sturgeon populations.

  • Anti-corruption units raid home and offices of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff

    Anti-corruption units raid home and offices of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff

    In a significant development within Ukraine’s political landscape, anti-corruption authorities have executed coordinated raids targeting the residence and official workplace of Presidential Chief of Staff Andrii Yermak. This operation represents a substantial escalation in Ukraine’s ongoing campaign against systemic corruption, particularly striking given Yermak’s position as one of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s most influential advisors and a central figure in diplomatic negotiations with the United States.

    The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), in collaboration with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), confirmed conducting searches as part of a comprehensive investigation into corruption allegations within the nation’s energy sector. The probe centers on a massive financial scandal involving approximately $100 million and implicates several high-ranking Ukrainian officials.

    Yermak publicly acknowledged the investigations through a statement on Telegram, emphasizing his full cooperation with authorities. He noted that investigative teams encountered no obstructions during their searches and confirmed that his legal representatives were present throughout the proceedings. This transparency statement appears designed to demonstrate compliance with anti-corruption efforts despite the sensitive timing.

    The raids create considerable complications for the Zelenskyy administration as it simultaneously manages military operations against Russian invasion forces and delicate diplomatic negotiations regarding potential peace settlements. Western nations, particularly the United States, have consistently emphasized anti-corruption reforms as prerequisite conditions for continued financial and military assistance to Ukraine.

    This development occurs amid critical discussions with international partners regarding Ukraine’s defense funding and long-term security guarantees. The administration must now navigate these domestic investigations while maintaining confidence among its international allies that governance reforms remain on track despite the ongoing conflict.

  • Kenyan court declares law banning seed sharing unconstitutional

    Kenyan court declares law banning seed sharing unconstitutional

    In a groundbreaking judicial decision, Kenya’s High Court has struck down controversial provisions of the nation’s seed legislation that criminalized traditional farming practices. The ruling, delivered Thursday in Kisumu, nullifies sections of the 2012 seed law that imposed severe penalties—including two-year imprisonment and fines equivalent to $7,700—on farmers for sharing indigenous seeds through community seed banks.

    Presiding Justice Rhoda Rutto declared unconstitutional the statutory clauses that granted government authorities power to conduct raids on seed banks and confiscate seeds. The original legislation was enacted to combat the proliferation of counterfeit seeds that had caused significant agricultural losses, granting exclusive seed trading rights to licensed corporations.

    The case was brought before the court by fifteen smallholder farmers representing community seed banks that have preserved and distributed traditional seeds for generations. Plaintiff Samuel Wathome expressed profound relief, stating: “My grandmother saved seeds, and today the court has said I can do the same for my grandchildren without fear of the police or of prison.”

    Environmental and food security advocates hailed the decision as transformative. Elizabeth Atieno of Greenpeace Africa celebrated the outcome as “a victory for our culture, our resilience, and our future,” emphasizing that the ruling challenges corporate dominance over food systems while legitimizing climate-resilient agricultural practices.

    The court’s recognition of indigenous seeds—known for their drought resistance and adaptability to local conditions—marks a significant advancement for food security advocates who have long promoted farmer-government collaboration in seed preservation. While Kenya maintains a national seed bank near Nairobi, community-based seed preservation remains crucial for both variety accessibility and geographical convenience for farmers.

    This decision emerges against the backdrop of ongoing challenges in Kenya’s agricultural sector, where counterfeit seeds have resulted in massive financial losses for farmers dependent on rain-fed agriculture.

  • Scores killed as floods sweep several Asian nations

    Scores killed as floods sweep several Asian nations

    A devastating wave of extreme weather has unleashed catastrophic flooding across multiple Asian nations, resulting in a mounting humanitarian crisis with significant loss of life. The archipelago nation of Indonesia has borne the heaviest toll, with official reports confirming at least 80 fatalities. Concurrently, the island nation of Sri Lanka has suffered profound casualties, recording 56 deaths according to emergency response officials. The severe weather system, characterized by torrential, unrelenting rainfall, has triggered widespread flooding and destructive landslides over the past week. These events have submerged entire communities, severed critical transportation networks, and displaced thousands of residents from their homes. Emergency services in both countries are engaged in extensive search and rescue operations, battling challenging conditions to reach isolated populations. The scale of the destruction points to a severe regional disaster, overwhelming local infrastructure and response capabilities. This event underscores the increasing vulnerability of densely populated regions to intense climatic phenomena, raising urgent questions about disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies in South and Southeast Asia.

  • Guinea-Bissau president flees to Senegal after coup

    Guinea-Bissau president flees to Senegal after coup

    In a significant political development, ousted Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has safely arrived in Senegal after being released by military forces that overthrew his government. The Senegalese foreign ministry confirmed his arrival via chartered military flight late Thursday, describing the deposed leader as being in good condition.

    The transfer followed intensive negotiations by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) amid escalating tensions in the coup-prone nation. Meanwhile, the military junta has installed General Horta N’Tam, the army chief of staff, as transitional leader for a one-year period. The coup occurred just one day before authorities were scheduled to announce provisional results from Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

    The military leadership has justified its actions by claiming to thwart a destabilization plot involving unnamed politicians allegedly supported by a prominent drug baron. In response to the crisis, the junta has suspended the electoral process, blocked result announcements, implemented a night-time curfew, and initially sealed the nation’s borders—though these were subsequently reopened following General N’Tam’s swearing-in ceremony.

    International organizations have uniformly condemned the power grab. ECOWAS has suspended Guinea-Bissau from all decision-making bodies until constitutional order is restored, while the African Union and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have called for immediate restoration of democratic governance. The UN leader expressed deep concern about the situation and demanded unconditional return to constitutional order.

    This marks at least the ninth successful or attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. The small West African nation, situated between Senegal and Guinea, has long struggled with political instability and has gained notoriety as a significant hub for international drug trafficking operations.

  • Ukraine anti-corruption agents search home of Zelensky’s top adviser

    Ukraine anti-corruption agents search home of Zelensky’s top adviser

    Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have executed authorized searches at the residence of Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, a central figure in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) confirmed conducting investigative operations at Yermak’s apartment, with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) jointly overseeing procedural activities.

    Yermak acknowledged the investigations via social media, stating authorities had obtained full access to his property with his legal representatives present. He emphasized his complete cooperation with the proceedings, though specific allegations remain undisclosed. The development emerges amid growing corruption controversies involving multiple officials within Zelensky’s inner circle, though neither the president nor his chief of staff face formal accusations.

    Having served as Zelensky’s principal aide for over five years, Yermak has been instrumental in coordinating Ukraine’s military and diplomatic strategies following Russia’s full-scale invasion. His role as Kyiv’s lead negotiator in peace discussions with international partners, particularly the United States, has positioned him as a pivotal figure in Ukraine’s wartime leadership. However, his influence has increasingly drawn criticism from political opponents and reform advocates demanding accountability and governmental restructuring.

    The investigation signifies deepening anti-corruption efforts within Ukraine’s institutions as the country continues its pursuit of European Union membership. Western allies have consistently emphasized anti-corruption reforms as prerequisite for continued financial and military support. This probe occurs against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and ongoing military operations, raising questions about potential impacts on Ukraine’s governance stability and diplomatic negotiations.

  • Japan’s same-sex marriage ban is constitutional, says Tokyo court

    Japan’s same-sex marriage ban is constitutional, says Tokyo court

    In a landmark decision that defies recent judicial trends, Tokyo’s High Court has declared Japan’s prohibition of same-sex marriage constitutional. This verdict stands in stark contrast to five previous high court rulings across the nation that had found the ban unconstitutional, creating significant disappointment among marriage equality advocates.

    The ruling emerged from the final batch of six same-sex marriage lawsuits filed between 2019 and 2021 in various Japanese cities including Sapporo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Presiding Judge Ayumi Higashi asserted that the matter should first undergo parliamentary deliberation rather than judicial determination, according to Mainichi newspaper reports.

    Plaintiffs and their legal representatives gathered outside the courthouse expressed profound dismay, displaying signs declaring the verdict “unjust.” Shino Kawachi, one of the plaintiffs, questioned the judiciary’s perspective: “What is justice? Was the court even watching us? Were they considering the next generation?” Her partner, Hiromi Hatogai, conveyed extreme outrage while vowing to continue their legal battle.

    Amnesty International’s East Asia researcher Boram Jang condemned the decision as a “damaging step backwards,” urging the Japanese government to proactively work toward legalization so same-sex couples can enjoy equal marriage rights. Japan remains the only G7 nation without full recognition or clear legal protections for same-sex couples, though it aligns with most Asian countries where only Taiwan, Thailand, and Nepal currently permit same-sex marriages.

    The cases are expected to advance to Japan’s Supreme Court for final adjudication, setting the stage for a definitive national ruling on marriage equality.

  • Sons of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew and Epstein of abuse, seek control of her estate

    Sons of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew and Epstein of abuse, seek control of her estate

    A contentious legal proceeding unfolded in Australia’s Supreme Court on Friday as multiple parties vied for control of the estate belonging to Virginia Giuffre, the prominent accuser in the Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse scandal. The hearing marked the beginning of what promises to be an extended legal battle over Giuffre’s assets, which include real estate holdings in Western Australia and potential royalties from her recently published memoir.

    Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41 without leaving a will, had achieved international recognition for her allegations against Epstein and Britain’s Prince Andrew. Her two adult sons, Christian (19) and Noah Giuffre (18), have petitioned the court to be appointed administrators of their mother’s estate. Their application faces opposition from two unexpected quarters: Giuffre’s former housekeeper and caregiver Cheryl Myers, and her Perth-based attorney Karrie Louden, both of whom are seeking administrative control.

    The court has appointed a temporary administrator to oversee the estate pending resolution of the case. During Friday’s proceedings, legal representatives debated whether Giuffre’s minor daughter (whose identity remains protected by court order) and her estranged husband Robert Giuffre should be included as formal parties to the litigation.

    Complicating the matter further are revelations about Giuffre’s personal circumstances prior to her death. Court documents indicate she had separated from her family earlier this year and faced pending charges for violating a family violence restraining order related to a February incident. The case will resume with additional hearings scheduled for next year, as the court seeks to determine the most appropriate stewardship of assets connected to one of the most high-profile figures in the Epstein scandal.