Global Pulse

作者： admin

  • Joining the ranks of Walt Disney – meet the director nominated for 2 Oscars for 2 different films

    Joining the ranks of Walt Disney – meet the director nominated for 2 Oscars for 2 different films

    American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir has achieved a remarkable milestone in Oscar history, earning dual nominations for two distinct documentary projects at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. This extraordinary accomplishment places her among an elite group of only six filmmakers in the Oscars’ nearly century-long history to receive simultaneous nominations in both feature and short documentary categories.

    Gandbhir’s nominated works include ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ for Best Documentary Feature and ‘The Devil is Busy’ for Best Documentary Short. The filmmaker described the recognition as both ‘a thrill and an honor,’ admitting to the BBC that ‘our minds are kind of blown’ by the achievement.

    In a strategic decision to manage expectations, Gandbhir intentionally slept through the nomination announcements. ‘It’s anxiety inducing to watch the actual announcements. I’ve done it before,’ she explained during the Academy Awards luncheon. Her plan was interrupted by her husband’s celebratory shouts upon learning the news, as he contacted her co-director on ‘The Devil is Busy’ to share the excitement.

    The historical significance of Gandbhir’s accomplishment extends beyond the dual nominations themselves. She now stands as the first woman ever to achieve this distinction, breaking new ground in an industry where such double recognition has previously been dominated by male filmmakers, including Walt Disney who accomplished the feat in 1954 with four Oscar wins across different categories.

    Gandbhir’s nominated films address pressing social issues. ‘The Devil is Busy,’ available on HBO Max, provides an intimate look at an abortion clinic in Atlanta through the perspective of a security guard, highlighting the dangers faced by staff and patients amid America’s evolving political landscape. Meanwhile, ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ on Netflix utilizes police body camera footage to examine the tragic story of a young mother killed by a neighbor who repeatedly complained about children playing nearby.

    When questioned about preparation for potential wins, Gandbhir responded with cautious optimism, noting that for ‘The Devil is Busy,’ she would share the stage with co-director Christalyn Hampton. The ceremony, set for Sunday evening in Los Angeles, will determine whether Gandbhir joins the even more exclusive group of filmmakers who have won in both categories simultaneously.

  • In photos: Tracing India’s history through its chairs

    In photos: Tracing India’s history through its chairs

    An extraordinary exhibition in Mumbai titled ‘A History of India through Chairs’ has unveiled the nation’s complex cultural narrative through an unexpected medium: seating furniture. Featuring over 200 meticulously restored chairs, the exhibition presents a chronological journey through India’s design evolution from pre-colonial times to contemporary eras.

    The collection, assembled over decades by restoration experts Anand Gandhi and Chiki Doshi of House of Mahendra Doshi, reveals how colonial invasions between the 16th and 19th centuries left enduring imprints on Indian craftsmanship. European powers including the Dutch, Portuguese, French and British not only imported their furniture traditions but commissioned local artisans to replicate European designs, creating a unique fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics.

    Co-curator Vivek Gandhi explains: ‘Colonial administrators brought their furniture traditions and commissioned Indian artisans to create pieces blending European designs with local materials. This created India’s distinctive furniture heritage that combines international influences with indigenous craftsmanship.’

    The exhibition showcases remarkable restoration achievements, including an eight-month project to revive a ceramic bead-covered ‘moti chair’ from Gujarat. Among the highlights is a rare lounge chair by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who contributed to Chandigarh’s design in the 1950s, and Anglo-Portuguese style chairs from former Portuguese colony Goa.

    Notable pieces include a 17th-century Carolean-style chair likely used by British officials, an imposing Anglo-Indian teakwood throne chair symbolizing colonial authority, and an 18th-century Indo-Portuguese bishop’s chair later repurposed for government use. The collection also celebrates India’s rich hardwoods—teak, rosewood, and ebony—and the enduring tradition of intricate handcrafting by local artisans.

    Through these restored artifacts, the exhibition demonstrates how everyday objects can serve as historical documents, revealing stories of cultural exchange, power dynamics, and artistic adaptation across centuries.

  • China, US set for new round of trade talks

    China, US set for new round of trade talks

    Senior economic officials from China and the United States are preparing for a critical round of trade discussions scheduled to take place in France this week. The sixth round of high-level economic and trade consultations will be led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who will meet with US counterparts from Saturday through Tuesday to address bilateral concerns.

    The negotiations occur against a backdrop of renewed trade tensions, following the United States’ recent initiation of Section 301 investigations targeting China and several other trading partners. Analysts interpret this move as an attempt by Washington to create negotiating leverage through unilateral trade tools, particularly after the US Supreme Court limited broader tariff authorities last month.

    Chinese officials have responded to the investigations with firm opposition, urging the US to ‘correct its wrongdoings and return to the right track of resolution through dialogue.’ Beijing has emphasized its readiness to implement necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests should the investigations proceed.

    Despite the Supreme Court ruling that reduced some tariff levels, analysts note that US duties on Chinese goods remain historically elevated. The immediate US response to the court decision involved invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, implementing a 10 percent import surcharge on all trading partners effective from February 24 through July 23.

    Key negotiation topics are expected to include extending the current tariff truce, easing export controls, and identifying areas of mutual economic interest. Particular focus will center on Washington’s desire for increased access to strategic rare earth materials and Beijing’s demands for reduced restrictions on high-technology exports. Experts emphasize that establishing clear boundaries in these sectors is crucial for preventing fragmentation within global technology ecosystems.

    Additional negotiation points may include expanding agricultural trade flows, improving conditions for financial and digital services, and addressing logistical challenges. Normalizing agricultural trade would leverage the natural economic complementarity between the two nations, creating stability in a historically volatile relationship.

    The outcome of these discussions carries significant implications for global economic stability, with international markets closely monitoring any indications of progress between the world’s two largest economies.

  • She spent 16 hours on Instagram in a day. It’s up to a jury to decide if Meta is to blame

    She spent 16 hours on Instagram in a day. It’s up to a jury to decide if Meta is to blame

    In a groundbreaking Los Angeles courtroom, a young woman identified only as Kaley has become the central figure in a legal battle that could redefine accountability for social media giants. The five-week trial represents the first of over 2,000 similar lawsuits alleging that Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube deliberately designed addictive platforms that harmed young users’ mental health.

    Kaley’s testimony revealed a childhood consumed by social media—beginning YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine, despite both platforms’ age restrictions. She described spending up to 16 hours daily on these platforms, developing multiple accounts to chase validation through likes and interactions. This obsessive use coincided with the onset of anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia that required professional diagnosis and treatment.

    The case hinges on whether social media companies knowingly created addictive products that directly caused psychological harm. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made his first-ever courtroom appearance to defend his platforms, maintaining that under-13 users were prohibited despite internal documents showing executives discussing and planning growth among young users.

    For parents like Lori Schott and Aaron Ping, who attended the trial despite not being parties to the lawsuit, the outcome carries profound personal significance. Both lost children to suicide—tragedies they attribute to social media’s psychological impact. Their presence underscores the broader societal concerns about technology’s effect on youth mental health.

    Legal experts note the unprecedented nature of the case, as Judge Carolyn Kuhl repeatedly acknowledged during proceedings. The verdict could establish new liability standards for technology companies and potentially trigger historic settlements across thousands of pending cases.

    Despite her ongoing social media use and interest in digital careers, Kaley offered a simple answer when asked if her life would be better without these platforms: ‘Yes.’ This response encapsulates the complex relationship between Generation Z and the digital environments that simultaneously shape and threaten their wellbeing.

  • Six Americans killed after US refuelling jet crashes in Iraq

    Six Americans killed after US refuelling jet crashes in Iraq

    The United States Central Command (Centcom) confirmed on Friday the tragic loss of all six military personnel aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker that crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The aircraft was operating under Operation Epic Fury in friendly airspace when the incident occurred, according to an official statement released via social media platform X.

    Centcom explicitly stated that preliminary assessments indicate the crash resulted from neither hostile enemy fire nor friendly fire, though a comprehensive investigation into the exact circumstances remains ongoing. The identities of the deceased service members are being withheld pending the mandatory 24-hour notification period for next of kin.

    This incident elevates the total number of U.S. fatalities to 13 since the commencement of joint U.S.-Israeli military engagements against Iranian interests on February 28. The disclosure emerged amidst a Pentagon press briefing where Secretary of War Pete Hegseth characterized the conflict with the somber admission that ‘war is hell, war is chaos.’ When questioned for specific casualty figures and locations, Secretary Hegseth deferred to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, who provided ambiguous details citing engagements ‘in Kuwait, Jordan, down across the southern flank… most from one-way attack strikes,’ without offering concrete numbers.

    Further complicating transparency, Pentagon officials announced they would no longer publicly distinguish between personnel killed in action (KIA) and wounded in action (WIA), asserting that approximately 90% of casualties have returned to duty. This policy shift follows earlier revelations that at least 150 U.S. military personnel have been confirmed wounded, a figure that may exclude 19 individuals recently evacuated from Saudi Arabia to a military medical facility in Germany for combat injuries.

    The growing number of casualties has reportedly strained medical resources, with the largest Pentagon-run hospital in Germany temporarily suspending non-urgent care to prioritize combat injuries, fueling speculation that the actual number of serious wounds may be higher than officially acknowledged.

    Amid the crash investigation, strategic analysis from the Institute for the Study of War contends that Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, notably Kataib Hezbollah, almost certainly executed several attacks targeting U.S. and European forces in Iraq on March 11 and 12. This assessment aligns with a stark warning from Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who declared in his inaugural statement that Tehran is prepared to activate new, unconventional fronts against the U.S. and Israel should the conflict persist.

  • ‘Tigers and flies’: Millions of officials later, why is Xi’s corruption purge still going?

    ‘Tigers and flies’: Millions of officials later, why is Xi’s corruption purge still going?

    The recent National People’s Congress in Beijing revealed more through its absences than its attendances, with approximately 100 delegates missing from the meticulously orchestrated proceedings. These vacant seats represent the latest casualties in President Xi Jinping’s relentless anti-corruption campaign that has defined his leadership since 2012.

    This sweeping initiative emerged in response to what experts describe as endemic corruption within the Communist Party’s massive bureaucracy. Professor Kerry Brown of King’s College London notes that with over 100 million members and millions of officials, systemic corruption became inevitable in a system where underpaid officials wielded enormous power with minimal accountability.

    The campaign has produced staggering numbers: nearly one million individuals disciplined in 2025 alone, with ten high-ranking ‘tigers’ removed in January 2024. The purge has spanned all levels of governance, from village administrators to government ministers, demonstrating Xi’s commitment to his ‘tigers and flies’ approach targeting both elite and grassroots corruption.

    However, analysts suggest the campaign serves dual purposes. Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute observes that while addressing genuine corruption, the initiative also functions as “a cudgel to remove political enemies” and consolidate control. This political dimension has become increasingly apparent in recent purges, particularly within military leadership where 52% of PLA leadership positions have been affected according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

    The recent dismissal of Generals Liu Zhenli and Zhang Youxia—despite Zhang being one of Xi’s closest military allies—signals that perceived disloyalty has become as punishable as financial corruption. Researchers at the Mercator Institute for China Studies note that these purges represent Xi’s effort to prevent the party fragmentation that contributed to the Soviet Union’s collapse, a historical lesson Xi frequently references.

    As China faces economic challenges and intensified competition with the United States, Xi’s anti-corruption drive has become existential rhetoric for national rejuvenation. With his historic third term concluding next year, the campaign continues to narrow Xi’s circle of trusted allies while reinforcing his control over the party and military apparatus that ensures his political longevity.

  • India’s Punjab state and farmers unions express solidarity with Iran amid government silence

    India’s Punjab state and farmers unions express solidarity with Iran amid government silence

    In an unprecedented move that diverges sharply from India’s federal stance, the Punjab state legislature observed a formal moment of silence last week honoring Iranian casualties of recent military strikes. This gesture establishes Punjab as the sole Indian state to officially denounce the US-Israeli offensive against Iran.

    The tribute occurred during Punjab’s budgetary session when MLA Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi condemned the February 28th attacks that reportedly killed approximately 165 children in a school assault attributed to US forces. Sukhi characterized the incident as ‘inhuman’ and specifically referenced the deaths of medical personnel, patients, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei according to translations by The Wire.

    Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan presided over the solemn observance, prompting the entire assembly to rise in silent tribute. Sukhi later clarified his intention was to ‘wake up other governments’ through this subnational demonstration of solidarity.

    This provincial action contrasts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, which has maintained official silence regarding the Iran conflict despite the Indian foreign secretary’s meeting with Iran’s ambassador. The US-Israeli offensive commenced merely 48 hours after Modi’s high-profile state visit to Israel, where he embraced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pledged enhanced bilateral cooperation.

    Modi’s Israel alignment has drawn criticism from opposition parties and international observers, particularly following his address to Israel’s parliament expressing support during ongoing operations in Gaza. The Indian government has significantly deepened military and economic ties with Israel under Modi, including participation in the I2U2 quadrilateral partnership with the UAE and US.

    Concurrently, thousands of Punjab farmers demonstrated against a recent US-India trade agreement while expressing solidarity with Iran. Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Jagmohan Singh denounced both the trade deal and military offensive as ‘anti-farmer’ initiatives. These protests follow earlier coordinated actions by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha farmers’ coalition against what they termed US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

    Parallel demonstrations have emerged in Indian-administered Kashmir, where security forces have reportedly suppressed protests against US-Israeli actions. Last Friday witnessed the closure of Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid and restrictions in Shia neighborhoods during Al-Quds Day observances, drawing comparisons from Kashmiri leadership to Israeli restrictions at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

  • US defends Israel in new ICJ intervention in South Africa genocide case

    US defends Israel in new ICJ intervention in South Africa genocide case

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has become the stage for a significant international legal confrontation as multiple nations formally intervened in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. The United States submitted a declaration on Thursday that explicitly defends Israel against allegations of committing genocide in Gaza, marking a notable development in the proceedings.

    According to the court’s Friday press release, the US filing was accompanied by separate interventions from Namibia, Hungary, and Fiji. These submissions were made under Article 63 of the ICJ statute, which permits countries that are parties to a disputed treaty to present their interpretation of that treaty. Iceland and the Netherlands also filed declarations under the same provision on Thursday.

    The case originated in December 2023 when South Africa accused Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its military operations in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks. Pretoria’s case contends that Israel’s actions—including mass casualties, infrastructure destruction, and creating conditions threatening Palestinian survival—constitute genocide, which Israel denies, maintaining its military campaign is justified self-defense.

    The US intervention stands apart for its direct rebuttal of South Africa’s allegations. Washington’s declaration argues that accusations of Israeli genocide are “false” and urges the court to apply a stringent legal threshold when assessing genocidal intent. The submission emphasizes that genocide requires clear proof of specific intent to destroy a protected group, asserting that such intent should only be inferred when it represents the only reasonable explanation for observed conduct.

    The US further contends that the exceptional gravity of genocide demands that the court be fully convinced before making such a determination, noting that civilian casualties and destruction during conflict alone do not demonstrate genocidal intent. Washington warned that lowering the standard risked broadening the term’s application beyond its original meaning and could misuse the Genocide Convention to bring extraneous disputes before the court.

    While Article 63 interventions are technically limited to treaty interpretation, the US declaration explicitly challenges South Africa’s allegations. Hungary and Fiji’s submissions similarly advance legal arguments aligning with Israel’s position, calling for narrow interpretations of genocide and high evidentiary thresholds.

    In contrast, Namibia’s declaration advocates for a broader interpretation of the Genocide Convention, emphasizing how genocidal intent may be inferred from patterns of conduct and cumulative evidence. Namibia argues that acts including denial of humanitarian aid, repeated displacement, and deprivation of basic necessities could constitute deliberately inflicting conditions intended to destroy a protected group. Their submission also stresses that genocide can occur through omissions, such as refusing life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians under state control.

    These latest filings expand the growing list of states seeking to intervene, which now includes 22 nations—an unusually high number for ICJ proceedings. Since April 2024, countries including Colombia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Turkey, Chile, the Maldives, Bolivia, Ireland, Cuba, Belize, Brazil, the Comoros, Belgium, and Paraguay have submitted interventions. Palestine and Belize have additionally sought to participate under Article 62, which allows states with potentially affected legal interests to join proceedings.

    The ICJ has already issued legally binding provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent acts that could violate the Genocide Convention and permit humanitarian aid into Gaza, though Israel has repeatedly ignored these orders. A final ruling on whether Israel breached the Convention is expected by 2028, though timing may vary based on hearing lengths and party compliance with deadlines.

    On Thursday, Israel was scheduled to submit its counter-memorial responding to South Africa’s accusations after several deadline extensions, though the court had not announced the filing as of the latest reports.

    The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports indicating over 70,000 Palestinian casualties—mostly women and children—during Israel’s military operations. Most of Gaza’s homes, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure have been destroyed, rendering the enclave largely uninhabitable for its 2.3 million civilians.

    A September UN commission of inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza since October 2023. The report’s authors, including legal experts Navi Pillay and Chris Sidoti, indicated to Middle East Eye that their analysis used evidence and methodology similar to what the ICJ will employ in its proceedings.

  • Iran war hits Turkey’s fragile economy as investors flee following oil shock

    Iran war hits Turkey’s fragile economy as investors flee following oil shock

    Turkey’s economy faces mounting pressure from the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran, exacerbating pre-existing economic vulnerabilities through soaring inflation, massive capital flight, and a rapidly widening current account deficit.

    Economic instability was already brewing before the regional tensions intensified. February witnessed a 2.96 percent monthly consumer price increase, elevating the 12-month inflation average to 33.39 percent—more than double the government’s year-end target of 16 percent.

    According to an anonymous international banker speaking with Middle East Eye, foreign investors have executed a rapid withdrawal from Turkish markets since late February, liquidating an estimated $25-30 billion in assets. This capital flight has forced Turkey’s central bank, under Governor Fatih Karahan’s leadership, to aggressively deploy multiple intervention mechanisms to preserve market stability, reportedly expending approximately $25 billion in foreign reserves over a critical 10-day period.

    Market volatility intensified amid fears of potential Strait of Hormuz closures, driving energy price surges that particularly threaten Turkey as a net energy importer. The central bank responded by halting its rate-cutting cycle, effectively maintaining overnight lending rates at 40 percent to contain financial turbulence.

    Turkey’s current account deficit reached a record $6.8 billion in January, primarily driven by gold and energy imports—a situation severely worsened by recent oil price increases. Economic analysts warn that sustained oil prices around $100 per barrel could add five percentage points to annual inflation, dramatically complicating the government’s economic targets.

    Each $10 oil price increase widens Turkey’s annual current account deficit by approximately $5.1 billion. The $30-per-barrel surge since January could potentially add $15 billion to the deficit, with economist Iris Cibre projecting a potential $35 billion deficit if current energy price conditions persist.

    In response to soaring oil prices, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek revived a fuel tax mechanism designed to shield consumers from price spikes while combating domestic inflation. However, experts caution that regional conflict dynamics—including three Iranian missile attacks near Turkey’s Adana province—could jeopardize vital tourism revenue if travelers perceive heightened security risks near popular coastal destinations.

    Timothy Ash, a seasoned observer of Turkey’s economy, criticized the central bank’s response, arguing that extreme geopolitical risks warranted immediate rate hikes rather than paused easing. He suggested Iran appears determined to prolong hostilities until obtaining security assurances, sanctions relief, and economic assistance, indicating continued regional instability ahead.

  • Pink Floyd guitar sold for record-breaking $14.6m

    Pink Floyd guitar sold for record-breaking $14.6m

    A legendary piece of rock history has achieved unprecedented status in the auction world as David Gilmour’s iconic ‘Black Strat’ guitar sold for a staggering $14.6 million at Christie’s New York. This monumental sale establishes a new benchmark as the highest price ever paid for a guitar, surpassing all previous records.

    The 1969 Fender Stratocaster, affectionately known as the ‘Black Strat’ among Pink Floyd enthusiasts, served as Gilmour’s primary instrument across six of the band’s seminal albums between 1970 and 1983. This includes landmark recordings such as ‘The Dark Side of the Moon,’ ‘Wish You Were Here,’ and ‘The Wall’ – albums that fundamentally shaped the landscape of progressive rock.

    The historic auction, part of the late billionaire Jim Irsay’s extensive memorabilia collection, witnessed intense bidding activity that concluded after 21 minutes with an unnamed collector securing the instrument. Christie’s had initially estimated the guitar would fetch between $2-4 million, but competitive bidding drove the final price nearly four times above the high estimate.

    Julien Pradels, President of Christie’s Americas, characterized the event as historic, noting that ‘the Irsay sale did justice to the brilliance of the collector, and the monumental pieces he brought together – iconic objects that tell the story of our culture and our times.’

    The ‘Black Strat’ dethroned the previous record-holder: Kurt Cobain’s 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic-electric guitar from Nirvana’s legendary MTV Unplugged performance, which sold for $6 million in 2020. Notably, another Cobain guitar—a blue Fender Mustang featured in the ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ video—sold for $6.9 million in the same auction.

    Other significant sales from the 44-lot collection included Jerry Garcia’s ‘Tiger’ guitar ($11.6 million), John Lennon’s piano ($3.2 million, setting a Beatles memorabilia record), handwritten Bob Dylan lyrics ($2.5 million), and Ringo Starr’s drum kit ($2.4 million). The auction realized a combined total of $84 million, demonstrating the enduring cultural and financial value of music history artifacts.