Global Pulse

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  • Boy, 5, and father detained by ICE return to Minnesota after release

    Boy, 5, and father detained by ICE return to Minnesota after release

    A five-year-old migrant child and his father have returned to Minnesota following their controversial detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), culminating in a federal judge’s scathing condemnation of immigration enforcement practices. Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias were released from the Dilley detention center in Texas after U.S. District Judge Fred Biery granted an emergency request for their freedom.

    Judge Biery, a Clinton appointee, delivered a blistering critique in his ruling, characterizing the detention as driven by a ‘perfidious lust for unbridled power’ and criticizing what he called an ‘ill-conceived and incompetently implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas.’ The judge emphasized that deportations should occur through a more orderly and humane immigration policy than currently exists.

    The case has ignited national controversy and exposed conflicting narratives about immigration enforcement. While the Department of Homeland Security maintains that ‘ICE did NOT target or arrest a child’ and that the father ‘abandoned his child as he fled from ICE officers,’ family representatives present a dramatically different account.

    Attorney Marc Prokosch asserted that the family ‘did everything right’ in their asylum pursuit, having entered through a port of entry, used the CBP One app, made appointments, and fully complied with all established protocols. ‘This family was not eluding ICE in any way,’ Prokosch emphasized. ‘They were following all established protocols pursuing their claim for asylum, showing up for their court hearings and pose no safety, no flight risk.’

    The detention sparked protests outside the Texas facility and drew intervention from multiple Democratic lawmakers. Congressman Joaquin Castro accompanied the family back to Minneapolis and announced their release, while Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar welcomed their return, expressing gratitude for Castro’s involvement.

    The incident reveals ongoing tensions between the Trump administration’s immigration policies and judicial oversight, with the administration maintaining its commitment to ‘restoring the rule of law and common sense to our immigration system’ through the ‘arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country.’

  • African leader urges rapid industrialization at Africa Trade Summit 2026

    African leader urges rapid industrialization at Africa Trade Summit 2026

    ACCRA, Ghana – At the pivotal Africa Trade Summit 2026, a powerful consensus emerged among continental leaders that Africa must urgently accelerate its industrial transformation to secure economic sovereignty and break from colonial-era trade patterns.

    Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama delivered a keynote address challenging governments, financial institutions, and private enterprises to prioritize value addition and manufacturing. ‘We can no longer accept an economic model that consigns Africa to exporting raw materials and importing finished goods,’ President Mahama declared before delegates. ‘Manufacturing and agro-processing create jobs, raise incomes, deepen skills, and anchor inclusive growth.’

    The two-day summit, convened by the African Trade Chamber from January 28-29, served as a critical private sector platform to advance the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation. President Mahama emphasized that achieving industrialization requires more than government action alone, highlighting the essential pillars of policy stability, reliable infrastructure, skills development, and long-term financing solutions.

    Echoing this urgency, Sam Jonah, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Africa Trade Chamber, advocated for a deliberately ‘selfish’ economic strategy focused on building domestic industrial capacity. ‘Industrialization is both Africa’s shield and sword,’ Jonah stated, warning that failure to industrialize would marginalize the continent in a rapidly changing global order shaped by protectionism and geopolitical rivalry.

    The summit highlighted Africa’s paradoxical position: despite producing the bulk of the world’s cocoa and possessing vast mineral wealth, the continent captures only a fraction of global value. This imbalance, leaders argued, perpetuates poverty and leaves African economies vulnerable to external shocks.

    United Nations Industrial Development Organization Deputy Director-General Fatou Haidara reinforced that trade liberalization through AfCFTA must advance alongside industrial production. She emphasized the necessity of transitioning from commodity exports to value-added goods through integrated regional value chains supported by energy infrastructure and investment-ready projects.

    The conclave concluded with a resolute call for reforms in global financial architecture to improve Africa’s access to affordable capital, alongside practical measures to reduce non-tariff barriers, simplify customs procedures, and invest in digital trade infrastructure.

  • Ramadan 2026 likely to begin on February 19 in UAE, astronomers say

    Ramadan 2026 likely to begin on February 19 in UAE, astronomers say

    Astronomical experts at the Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomy Centre have projected that Ramadan 1447 AH will commence on Thursday, February 19, 2026, across most Arab nations including the United Arab Emirates. This determination follows sophisticated scientific analysis indicating the lunar crescent marking the beginning of the holy month will not be visible on February 17th from any region within the Islamic world.

    Engineer Muhammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Centre, provided detailed technical explanations confirming the impossibility of crescent sighting on Tuesday, February 17th. According to astronomical data, the moon will set either before or simultaneously with the sun across most regions, with minimal separation angles making visual detection impossible even using advanced telescopic technology. In the UAE specifically, calculations show the moon’s lower edge will disappear below the horizon one minute before sunset.

    The scientific assessment receives additional validation from an annular solar eclipse occurring on February 17th, visible across southern Africa and Antarctica. This celestial event demonstrates the moon’s positional alignment with the sun, providing conclusive evidence that the crescent cannot form until later.

    For nations adhering to confirmed crescent sightings, Wednesday, February 18th will consequently complete the 30-day cycle of Shaban, making Thursday the logical starting point for Ramadan. While most Arab countries will follow this timeline, some non-Arab Islamic nations including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco, and Mauritania may commence observations on February 18th, with their Ramadan beginning either February 19th or 20th depending on local weather conditions and sighting methodologies.

    Astronomers have issued warnings regarding potential false sightings on February 17th, emphasizing that any claims of visual detection would be scientifically impossible according to established astronomical parameters. The Centre has provided detailed visibility maps indicating that crescent observation remains impossible from regions colored red on their charts, while only minimal visibility using optical instruments might occur in limited blue-zoned areas under perfect atmospheric conditions.

  • France’s Capgemini to sell subsidiary working with ICE during anger at US immigration crackdown

    France’s Capgemini to sell subsidiary working with ICE during anger at US immigration crackdown

    PARIS — In a significant corporate move, French technology consulting giant Capgemini has announced the immediate divestiture of its U.S. federal government subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions. This decision comes amid intensifying global scrutiny of the subsidiary’s contractual relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly regarding the agency’s enforcement tactics during the previous administration’s immigration initiatives.

    The announcement follows sustained pressure from the French government, which had demanded greater transparency regarding the company’s engagements with ICE. Recent operations conducted by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, which resulted in the fatal shootings of two American citizens, had generated particular concern in European diplomatic circles.

    In an official statement released Sunday, Capgemini cited regulatory constraints that limited parental oversight as the primary rationale for the divestiture. “The rules for working with U.S. federal government agencies did not allow the group to exercise appropriate control over certain aspects of the operations of this subsidiary to ensure alignment with the group’s objectives,” the company stated.

    Chief Executive Officer Aiman Ezzat revealed he had only recently become aware of the subsidiary’s contractual arrangements with ICE. Through a LinkedIn post, Ezzat acknowledged that “the nature and scope of this work has raised questions compared to what we typically do as a business and technology firm.”

    The divestment decision emerged shortly after French Finance Minister Roland Lescure publicly urged Capgemini to provide complete transparency regarding its activities and reconsider their nature. While the Minister’s office declined to comment on the specific decision, the company’s announcement represents a direct response to governmental concerns.

    According to reports from the non-governmental organization Multinationals Observatory, the subsidiary provided ICE with technical tools designed to assist in locating targets for immigration enforcement operations. Capgemini did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding these specific technologies.

    The financial impact appears minimal, with the subsidiary representing merely 0.4% of Capgemini’s projected 2025 revenue. Capgemini, which employs over 340,000 professionals across more than 50 countries, continues to position itself as a global leader in technology services and consulting.

  • Khamenei warns of ‘regional war’ if US attacks Iran

    Khamenei warns of ‘regional war’ if US attacks Iran

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning on Sunday, declaring that any American military action against Iran would trigger a full-scale regional conflict. This statement comes amid significant US naval deployments to the Persian Gulf region.

    The heightened tensions follow President Donald Trump’s repeated threats of military intervention unless Iran accepts nuclear agreement terms and ceases its suppression of domestic protests. Khamenei, speaking through state media channels, emphasized that while Iran does not seek conflict, it would deliver a ‘strong blow’ against any aggressor.

    Current US naval presence in the region includes six destroyers, one aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships—a force characterized by Trump as a ‘massive armada.’ Despite this show of force, Khamenei asserted that such displays would neither intimidate Iran nor sway its political resolve.

    The protests referenced by both nations began in late December amid severe economic pressures including rampant inflation and rising living costs. Iranian authorities have characterized the demonstrations as attempted ‘sedition’ aimed at undermining governmental institutions.

    Casualty figures remain disputed, with official Iranian sources reporting 3,117 deaths while independent monitoring groups verify nearly 6,713 fatalities. This crackdown prompted the European Union to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, met by reciprocal measures from Iranian lawmakers against European military forces.

    Despite escalating rhetoric, diplomatic channels remain active. Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, confirmed that negotiation frameworks are progressing, while Trump acknowledged ongoing dialogue without retracting previous threats. Both nations appear to maintain parallel tracks of military posturing and diplomatic engagement.

  • South Africa beat England in series decider

    South Africa beat England in series decider

    South Africa’s national netball team delivered a commanding performance to secure a 65-50 victory over England in the series decider at Johannesburg on Sunday. The Proteas demonstrated exceptional court dominance from the opening whistle, maintaining consistent leads throughout the match in what marked both teams’ final international test before the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    England captain Fran Williams offered a candid assessment of her team’s performance, stating: “We’re really disappointed with how we showed up today. We weren’t good enough right from the start of the game. Credit to the Proteas, they were better than us today in both defence and attack.”

    The three-match series had developed into a compelling contest after England recovered from an initial defeat to level the competition on Saturday, setting the stage for Sunday’s winner-takes-all finale. However, the visitors struggled to match South Africa’s clinical execution and strategic precision throughout the decisive match.

    With the international fixture concluded, both squads will now disperse to resume domestic commitments. England’s players return to their clubs ahead of the Netball Super League season, which commences on February 21st, providing valuable competitive opportunities ahead of the Commonwealth Games where these nations are expected to meet again.

    The result provides significant momentum for South African netball while giving England’s coaching staff, led by Jess Thirlby, clear areas for improvement before the multi-sport event this summer.

  • Ekitike, Wirtz give Liverpool sight of bright future in Newcastle win

    Ekitike, Wirtz give Liverpool sight of bright future in Newcastle win

    Anfield witnessed a dramatic resurgence on Saturday as Liverpool overturned an early deficit to secure a commanding 4-1 victory against Newcastle United, marking their first Premier League triumph of 2026. The match, characterized by strategic brilliance and emotional moments, showcased the burgeoning potential of the club’s high-profile signings.

    Newcastle initially seized control, dominating possession and deservedly taking the lead through Anthony Gordon’s first open-play Premier League goal in over a year. The Magpies’ early dominance exposed lingering vulnerabilities in Liverpool’s defense, continuing a concerning trend for manager Arne Slot.

    The game’s momentum shifted decisively just before halftime through French striker Hugo Ekitike’s remarkable two-goal burst within two minutes. The £69 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt first demonstrated clinical finishing after combining brilliantly with Florian Wirtz, then showcased electrifying pace to latch onto Milos Kerkez’s long ball and fire into the far corner.

    The second half saw German international Florian Wirtz continue his impressive scoring form, netting his sixth goal in ten matches after connecting with Mohamed Salah’s pass. The £100 million acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen has progressively justified his substantial transfer fee after initially struggling to find his scoring touch.

    The emotional climax arrived when Ibrahima Konate, returning from compassionate leave following his father’s passing, capitalized on a goalkeeping error to complete the scoring. The French defender’s tearful celebration provided a poignant moment that resonated throughout the stadium.

    This crucial victory elevates Liverpool to fifth position, virtually guaranteeing Champions League qualification next season due to English clubs’ strong European performances. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s dismal record at Anfield extends to 30 league visits without victory, with Eddie Howe’s side slipping to tenth place and six points adrift of European qualification.

  • Dubai Duty Free posts record January sales of Dh858 million

    Dubai Duty Free posts record January sales of Dh858 million

    Dubai Duty Free has commenced 2026 with unprecedented commercial success, achieving a historic January sales record of Dh858.21 million. This remarkable figure represents an 18.53% surge compared to the same period last year, establishing the strongest January performance in the company’s history and positioning it as the third-highest sales month overall, trailing only December 2025 (Dh922.77 million) and November 2025 (Dh876.56 million).

    The retail phenomenon demonstrated particularly impressive performance on January 31st, which recorded the month’s peak daily revenue of Dh35.6 million. Notably, sales growth significantly outpaced passenger traffic increases at Dubai International Airport by an estimated 13.5%, indicating substantially higher per-passenger spending patterns.

    Category performance analysis reveals extraordinary growth across multiple sectors. Gold emerged as the standout performer with a 45.74% increase generating Dh104 million in revenue. Fashion merchandise followed closely with a 36.68% surge contributing nearly Dh82 million, while electronics experienced parallel growth of 36.61% amounting to Dh65 million. Precious jewellery demonstrated the most dramatic percentage growth at 69.51% with sales reaching Dh28 million.

    Additional strong performers included perfumes (13.61% growth to Dh147 million), confectionery (15.35% increase to Dh80.69 million), cosmetics (7.67% rise to Dh40 million), watches (30.94% climb to Dh33 million), and delicatessen (8.36% growth to Dh27.77 million). Dubai Chocolates particularly shined with sales doubling to Dh36 million from 83 tonnes sold, compared to Dh24 million from 42 tonnes during January 2025.

    Regional market analysis revealed Europe and Russia leading geographical growth with increases of 35% and 36% respectively. Africa followed with robust 29% growth, while the Americas registered 22.5% expansion. The Indian subcontinent, Far East, and Middle East markets posted gains of 11%, 10.5%, and 5.3% respectively.

    Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi commented: ‘We are extremely pleased to begin 2026 with our strongest January performance ever, following a record-breaking 2025. The significant outperformance relative to passenger growth demonstrates higher spend per passenger, strong demand across key categories, and expansion across all major geographical regions.’

    The exceptional start to 2026, characterized by record sales, diversified category growth, and increased passenger expenditure, establishes a profoundly positive trajectory for Dubai Duty Free’s annual performance.

  • Apple’s Mac online store just changed: Here’s how buying a Mac works now

    Apple’s Mac online store just changed: Here’s how buying a Mac works now

    Apple has implemented a comprehensive overhaul of its digital retail platform, fundamentally transforming how consumers purchase Mac computers through its online store. The tech giant has eliminated all preconfigured models across its entire Mac lineup, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro devices.

    The new purchasing paradigm requires customers to build their machines from the ground up through an intricate customization process. Instead of selecting from predetermined configurations, buyers now navigate through sequential customization steps beginning with display size and color selection. The process continues with choices regarding nano-texture display options, Apple’s M-series chip configurations, RAM capacity, and SSD storage specifications.

    Additional personalization options include selecting preferred power adapter configurations, keyboard language preferences, and software bundle additions such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro licenses. The familiar AppleCare+ protection plan remains available as a final purchase consideration before checkout completion.

    While the customization experience has been significantly enhanced, the available hardware components remain unchanged. Notably, the MacBook Pro series continues to lack M5 Pro or M5 Max chip options, indicating that next-generation Apple Silicon upgrades remain forthcoming in future product revisions.

    The transition to this fully customizable approach was first identified by industry observers at Macworld and has been fully implemented across Apple’s UAE digital storefront, suggesting a global rollout strategy. This strategic shift represents Apple’s most substantial e-commerce transformation in recent years, emphasizing personalized computing experiences over standardized configurations.

  • Venezuela releases rights activist Javier Tarazona

    Venezuela releases rights activist Javier Tarazona

    In a significant development within Venezuela’s political landscape, prominent human rights defender Javier Tarazona has been released from detention following increased international pressure for governmental reforms. Tarazona, who leads the non-governmental organization Fundaredes, had been incarcerated since July 2021 in the notorious El Helicoide prison facility located in Caracas.

    The liberation was formally confirmed by Fundaredes on Sunday, marking another instance in a series of prisoner releases initiated by the Venezuelan government. This action aligns with recent announcements from acting President Delcy Rodríguez regarding proposed amnesty legislation intended to benefit hundreds of individuals currently detained for political reasons. The proposed bill additionally mandates the closure of the El Helicoide prison complex.

    According to documentation by Foro Penal, a separate Venezuelan rights monitoring organization, over 300 political prisoners have secured their freedom since early January. Tarazona’s initial arrest stemmed from his allegations regarding connections between Venezuelan officials and Colombian guerrilla factions operating along the shared border. Government authorities had charged him with treason, terrorism, and incitement to hatred in response to these claims.

    While welcoming Tarazona’s release, Fundaredes emphasized that this development does not negate the injustice endured during his detention, characterizing it as merely a preliminary step in addressing systematic issues of criminalization, persecution, and judicial irregularities.

    The timing of these releases follows the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro by United States special forces on January 3rd, which subsequently intensified demands for comprehensive political and economic restructuring within Venezuela. This event has galvanized families of detained opposition figures and human rights advocates to amplify their campaigns for prisoner releases and charge dismissals.

    Although Venezuelan officials have historically denied maintaining political prisoners, the proposed amnesty law represents an acknowledgment of these longstanding concerns. Rodríguez described the legislation as instrumental in ‘healing the wounds of political confrontation, violence, and extremism.’ The National Assembly is anticipated to ratify the bill in the coming days.

    However, Foro Penal notes that many recently freed individuals continue to face unresolved legal charges, creating a state of judicial uncertainty and restricting their ability to participate publicly in political discourse.