Global Pulse

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  • 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.

  • ‘Quiet assassin’ Rybakina targets world number one after Melbourne win

    ‘Quiet assassin’ Rybakina targets world number one after Melbourne win

    Elena Rybakina has solidified her status as tennis’s premier ‘quiet assassin’ following a spectacular Australian Open victory that positions her for a potential ascent to world number one. The Moscow-born Kazakh star demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure to dethrone defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) that showcased the sport’s most explosive power game.

    The 26-year-old’s Melbourne triumph represents her second Grand Slam title, coming more than three years after her breakthrough Wimbledon victory in 2022. This latest achievement gains additional significance considering Rybakina’s path to the championship included victories over both the world’s top-ranked players—Sabalenka and Poland’s Iga Swiatek, whom she dispatched in straight sets during the quarterfinals.

    Rybakina’s journey to tennis elite status has been marked by significant challenges. Since switching allegiance to Kazakhstan in 2018 for financial support reasons, her career has been periodically hampered by physical ailments including chronic back issues and insomnia. These struggles made her recent 20-win streak from the past 21 matches particularly impressive.

    The final itself represented a dramatic reversal of fortune from the 2023 Australian Open championship, where Sabalenka had rallied from a set down to claim victory. This time, despite the Belarusian establishing a 3-0 advantage in the decisive third set, Rybakina maintained her characteristic composure to stage a remarkable comeback.

    Post-victory, Rybakina revealed the intense psychological pressure she experienced during her previous Grand Slam final appearances, contrasting it with her ability to genuinely enjoy this latest achievement. When questioned about statistical evidence suggesting she has been the world’s best player since mid-2023, the typically reserved athlete appeared almost embarrassed by the recognition.

    With her aggressive serving game and improved mental fortitude, Rybakina now stands poised to challenge for the top ranking position. Her current career-high ranking of world number three seems certain to improve as she carries forward the momentum from what Australian media have dubbed a ‘quiet assassin’ campaign style.

  • Budget 2026: India is making it easier for NRIs to invest in equities

    Budget 2026: India is making it easier for NRIs to invest in equities

    India’s landmark Budget 2026 has introduced transformative financial reforms specifically designed to mobilize capital from the global Indian diaspora. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has implemented strategic measures to position overseas Indians as crucial contributors to India’s capital markets amid cautious foreign institutional investment trends.

    The centerpiece reform doubles individual investment limits for Persons Resident Outside India (PROI) in listed Indian companies from 5% to 10%, while simultaneously raising the aggregate foreign holding cap from 10% to 24%. This structural change enables non-resident Indians to acquire more substantial equity positions without encountering regulatory barriers, providing both retail and high-net-worth investors with expanded portfolio opportunities and meaningful ownership in blue-chip enterprises.

    Concurrently, the government has strengthened the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) framework, facilitating direct stock market access through Reserve Bank of India-approved designated bank accounts. This enhancement arrives at a critical juncture, as foreign investors withdrew approximately Rs 19 billion from Indian equities in 2025 followed by an additional Rs 4 billion in January 2026. The revitalized PIS mechanism aims to counterbalance volatile institutional flows with more stable, long-term diaspora capital.

    Regulatory modernization forms another cornerstone of these reforms, with promised simplifications to Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) rules governing Non-Debt Instruments and Overseas Investments. This shift from control-oriented approaches to facilitation-focused frameworks promises accelerated approvals, reduced compliance burdens, and streamlined fund repatriation processes—particularly beneficial for investments in startups, unlisted companies, and alternative assets.

    The budget further amplifies Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) as a global financial hub, offering tax incentives, international-standard regulations, and simplified cross-border transaction mechanisms. This development provides NRIs with enhanced access to international financial products while maintaining connectivity to Indian markets through globally competitive platforms.

    Financial experts anticipate these reforms will fundamentally reshape foreign participation patterns in Indian equities. By expanding direct access for overseas individuals, India diversifies its investor base beyond large institutions while potentially stabilizing markets through longer investment horizons characteristic of diaspora investors. Sectors including banking, financial services, capital goods, and technology are expected to benefit most significantly from the expanded NRI participation.

    These targeted measures form part of broader budgetary initiatives aimed at boosting infrastructure spending, strengthening manufacturing incentives, and supporting digital finance ecosystems—all designed to sustain growth momentum and improve corporate earnings visibility that fundamentally drives equity returns.

  • Four Britons die after holiday sickness, say lawyers

    Four Britons die after holiday sickness, say lawyers

    A devastating health crisis has emerged from the tropical archipelago of Cape Verde, where six British tourists have died following severe gastric illnesses contracted during holidays since January 2023. The alarming pattern has prompted legal action representing over 1,500 affected travelers against tourism giant TUI.

    The most recent casualties include Mark Ashley, 55, from Bedfordshire; Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham; Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire; and an unidentified 56-year-old man. All succumbed to complications arising from violent stomach infections characterized by symptoms including severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and extreme lethargy.

    Medical tragedies unfolded differently across cases. Mr. Ashley collapsed at his Houghton Regis home weeks after returning from holiday and was pronounced dead minutes after hospital admission. Ms. Walsh, a part-time nurse, died during her August 2025 stay at Riu Cabo Verde resort on Sal island. Most tragically, Ms. Pooley’s condition was compounded by a fall on wet flooring from a leaking fridge, resulting in a fractured femur that escalated into fatal sepsis and multi-organ failure.

    Irwin Mitchell, the law firm representing all affected families, described the scale of illness as ‘truly staggering.’ Senior lawyer Jatinder Paul noted he had ‘never seen repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time.’

    Families have expressed profound grief and frustration. Emma Ashley reported her husband’s illness through TUI’s app during their October holiday and raised concerns about resort hygiene standards. Andy Pooley described poor communication from medical facilities and holiday providers during his wife’s medical emergency.

    TUI acknowledged the investigations but declined detailed comment due to ongoing legal proceedings. The company noted it had transported over one million visitors to the islands since 2022 and provided support to those reporting illness.

    Coroner investigations and legal proceedings continue as health authorities examine the unprecedented cluster of tourist illnesses in the popular destination located west of Mauritania and Senegal.