Global Pulse

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  • Walmart becomes first retailer to hit $1tn market value

    Walmart becomes first retailer to hit $1tn market value

    In a landmark achievement for the retail sector, Walmart has shattered the $1 trillion market valuation barrier, becoming the first traditional retailer to join an exclusive club previously dominated by technology giants. This milestone positions the Arkansas-based company alongside industry titans including Nvidia and Alphabet in the rarefied trillion-dollar valuation sphere.

    The company’s stock surged more than 3% on Tuesday, capping months of steady growth that propelled it into this elite financial echelon. This remarkable valuation reflects Walmart’s successful transformation from a conventional brick-and-mortar retailer into a formidable digital competitor challenging Amazon’s dominance.

    Several strategic factors have converged to drive Walmart’s unprecedented market performance. The retailer has capitalized on shifting consumer behavior as inflation persists and the job market cools, with higher-income shoppers increasingly trading down to Walmart’s value-oriented offerings. The company’s expansive grocery and clothing divisions have reported robust sales, while its accelerated home delivery services have attracted customers across all income demographics.

    Walmart’s digital transformation has been particularly impactful. E-commerce sales in the United States skyrocketed 28% in the quarter ending October 31, fueled by sophisticated online ordering systems and a growing advertising business. The company’s strategic embrace of artificial intelligence has received enthusiastic endorsement from Wall Street investors, contributing significantly to its valuation surge.

    In a symbolic move underscoring its technological ambitions, Walmart recently announced the transition of its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to the technology-focused Nasdaq exchange. This relocation reinforces the retailer’s repositioning as a digitally-native enterprise.

    The company’s scale has provided notable advantages in navigating economic challenges. Walmart executives reported that the impact of tariffs imposed during the Trump administration proved less severe than initially anticipated, with the retail giant’s massive purchasing power enabling it to absorb import costs more effectively than competitors.

    Under CEO John Furner’s leadership, Walmart has aggressively pursued AI integration, including a significant October partnership with OpenAI. This collaboration has yielded conversational commerce capabilities that allow customers to plan meals, restock essentials, and discover products through natural language interactions.

    Despite this achievement, Walmart’s $1 trillion valuation remains substantially below Amazon’s $2.6 trillion market capitalization, indicating continued growth potential in the evolving retail landscape.

  • Jill Biden’s ex-husband charged with murdering his wife

    Jill Biden’s ex-husband charged with murdering his wife

    Delaware law enforcement authorities have formally charged William Stevenson, the former husband of First Lady Jill Biden, with first-degree murder in the death of his current wife, Linda Stevenson. The 77-year-old businessman remains incarcerated at a Wilmington detention facility after being unable to meet the $500,000 bail requirement set by the court.

    The case unfolded on December 28, 2025, when New Castle County Police responded to a domestic disturbance report at the Stevenson residence. Upon arrival, officers discovered 64-year-old Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room area. Despite immediate life-saving attempts by emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation, spanning several weeks, culminated in this week’s murder charges against William Stevenson.

    Historical context reveals Stevenson married Jill Biden (then Jill Jacobs) in 1970 when both were young adults—she was 18 and he was 23. Their marriage ended after five years, coinciding with Jill’s meeting of then-senator Joe Biden in 1975. Stevenson has maintained a presence in Delaware business circles as the proprietor of the Stone Balloon, a popular college bar near the University of Delaware.

    Linda Stevenson’s obituary memorializes her as a devoted family woman who cherished creating memories with her daughter, granddaughter, and sister during family vacations. The medical examiner’s office continues to investigate the exact cause of death through autopsy procedures.

    The case has drawn significant media attention due to the Biden connection, though representatives for both the former First Lady and President have not issued public statements regarding the charges. The judicial process continues as Stevenson awaits further court proceedings.

  • Trump lawyers call BBC’s Panorama defence ‘untenable’

    Trump lawyers call BBC’s Panorama defence ‘untenable’

    In a significant legal development, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s legal representatives have formally contested the BBC’s defensive maneuvers in an ongoing multi-billion dollar defamation lawsuit. The dispute centers on the editing of Trump’s January 6, 2021 address in the Panorama documentary “Trump: A Second Chance?” which aired shortly before the 2024 presidential election.

    The recent court filing from Trump’s attorneys characterizes the British broadcaster’s legal arguments as “untenable,” “misplaced,” and “unpersuasive.” This response comes after the BBC requested the Florida court to postpone the discovery phase—the process where both parties exchange relevant documents and evidence—pending a decision on their motion to dismiss the entire case by March 17.

    Trump’s legal team maintains that Florida courts have established rigorous standards for granting discovery stays, arguing that such a delay would be “premature” at this juncture. They contend that the BBC’s defense essentially constitutes mere denials and speculative predictions about what the plaintiff might prove, rather than providing compelling grounds for case dismissal.

    The core jurisdictional battle continues to unfold, with the BBC previously asserting that the Florida court lacks personal jurisdiction over the corporation and that the venue is improper. Conversely, Trump’s lawyers emphasize that Florida residents had access to the controversial program, thereby establishing sufficient grounds for the case to proceed in the state.

    A BBC spokesperson reiterated their commitment to defending the case while declining to comment further on ongoing proceedings. Although the broadcaster previously apologized for the editing approach, it has consistently rejected compensation demands and denied any basis for defamation or trade practices claims.

    Should the case advance beyond preliminary motions, a tentative trial date has been set for 2027, indicating the potential for prolonged legal proceedings between the former president and the international media organization.

  • PepsiCo to cut some US snack prices after backlash

    PepsiCo to cut some US snack prices after backlash

    PepsiCo has announced significant price reductions across its popular snack portfolio in the United States, marking a strategic reversal following consumer resistance to previous increases and mounting pressure from appetite-suppressing medications. The move affects flagship brands including Doritos, Lays (marketed as Walkers in the UK), and Cheetos, with prices decreasing by approximately 15% beginning this week.

    The decision comes as the food and beverage conglomerate confronts dual challenges: widespread consumer frustration over shrinking product sizes amid persistent inflation, and the growing market penetration of GLP-1 weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Ozempic. These medications have demonstrated substantial impact on eating habits, with many users reporting significantly reduced food expenditures due to suppressed hunger.

    PepsiCo leadership emphasized their responsiveness to economic pressures facing American households. “We’ve dedicated the past year to attentive consumer listening, and the consistent feedback indicates considerable financial strain,” stated Rachel Ferdinando, PepsiCo’s US Food Division lead. “This price adjustment demonstrates our commitment to alleviating pressure where possible.”

    The timing coincides strategically with the upcoming Super Bowl on February 8th—traditionally the year’s most profitable period for snack manufacturers. The company confirmed that package dimensions, ingredient quality, and flavor profiles will remain unchanged despite the reduced suggested retail prices, though final pricing determinations rest with individual retailers.

    Financially, PepsiCo reported robust quarterly revenue of $29.34 billion for the period ending December 27th, yet its shares had declined approximately 5% throughout 2025 while underperforming against competitor Coca-Cola over a five-year horizon. Early Tuesday trading saw a nearly 4% share price increase following the announcement.

    Looking forward, CEO Ramon Laguarta revealed the company is “heavily investing in portion control strategies,” with over 70% of current US products being single-serve items. This includes increased focus on multipack offerings and the forthcoming introduction of health-conscious alternatives like Doritos Protein later this year.

    The corporation acknowledges ongoing challenges from production cost inflation, including aluminum tariffs, labor market pressures, and climate-related disruptions—factors that previously led French supermarket giant Carrefour to cease stocking PepsiCo products in multiple European markets citing “unacceptable” pricing practices. Despite these headwinds, PepsiCo anticipates 2026 will deliver record productivity savings.

  • US House expected to vote on ending partial government shutdown

    US House expected to vote on ending partial government shutdown

    The United States House of Representatives is moving toward resolving a partial government shutdown following President Donald Trump’s direct intervention, urging Republican legislators to advance a critical spending bill despite internal party reservations. The political standoff, now in its third day, primarily stemmed from contentious debates surrounding Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding protocols and operational reforms.

    Central to the congressional impasse were fundamental disagreements between Democrats and Republicans regarding DHS funding allocations and enforcement procedures. These tensions intensified significantly following last month’s fatal shooting of two American citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, which prompted calls for substantial agency reforms.

    The breakthrough emerged from a Senate-brokered compromise, subsequently presented to the House for ratification. This interim solution provides full government funding while establishing a two-week negotiation window for lawmakers to resolve persistent disagreements regarding DHS’s long-term budgetary requirements and operational oversight mechanisms.

    Democratic legislators have advocated for specific DHS reform measures, including mandatory body camera implementation for field agents and prohibitions against facial concealment during operations. These proposed changes reflect broader concerns about accountability and transparency within DHS subsidiary agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service.

    Following the House Rules Committee’s successful procedural clearance on Monday, the legislation advanced to the full chamber for ultimate determination. President Trump amplified pressure on lawmakers through his Truth Social platform, demanding prompt legislative action while cautioning against prolonged governmental paralysis.

    However, the compromise faces potential challenges from conservative Republican representatives who threaten to oppose the spending package during Tuesday’s scheduled vote. With Republicans maintaining merely a single-vote House majority, dissenting members wield considerable influence over the bill’s fate.

    The partial shutdown has already produced tangible consequences across federal operations, including furloughs and unpaid labor for thousands of Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control personnel. Additionally, the disruption will delay the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ pivotal monthly employment report, a crucial economic indicator relied upon by policymakers, investors, and citizens nationwide.

  • Thousands of Epstein documents taken down after victims identified

    Thousands of Epstein documents taken down after victims identified

    The U.S. Department of Justice has triggered widespread condemnation after inadvertently publishing thousands of unredacted documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, compromising the identities and privacy of nearly 100 survivors. The massive data release, which occurred on Friday as part of a Congressionally-mandated disclosure, contained email addresses, nude photographs, and personally identifiable information that victims’ attorneys describe as the most severe violation of victim privacy in American history.

    Legal representatives for Epstein’s victims urgently petitioned a federal judge in New York to intervene, characterizing the situation as an unfolding emergency requiring immediate judicial action. The DOJ subsequently removed all flagged documents from its website, attributing the disclosure of sensitive information to technical or human error. In a formal communication to the court, the department confirmed it had taken down all requested files for additional redaction and was continuously examining new requests.

    Survivors expressed profound distress over the incident, with several reporting receiving death threats following the publication of their private banking details. Annie Farmer, one of Epstein’s survivors, told the BBC that the damage caused by the exposure overshadowed any new information revealed through the document release. Another victim, Lisa Phillips, accused the DOJ of violating all three core requirements established for the document release process, stating that survivors feel the department is ‘playing games’ with them despite their continued determination to seek justice.

    Prominent women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred confirmed that numerous victims’ names appeared in the latest release, including some who had never previously been identified publicly. She noted that in some instances, redaction lines were insufficient to conceal names, while in other cases, photographs of victims who had never given public interviews were disclosed.

    The DOJ spokesperson acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that the department takes victim protection seriously and has redacted thousands of victim names across millions of published pages. The spokesperson stated that only 0.1% of released pages contained unredacted information identifying victims and that the department was working around the clock to address the issue.

    This latest document release, comprising three million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos, follows legislation signed by President Donald Trump under bipartisan Congressional pressure mandating public disclosure of all Epstein-related documents. The financier died in a New York prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

  • Disney names Josh D’Amaro as new chief executive

    Disney names Josh D’Amaro as new chief executive

    The Walt Disney Company has announced a significant leadership transition, appointing Josh D’Amaro, current chairman of its immensely profitable parks and experiences division, as chief executive officer effective March 18. The 54-year-old company veteran will succeed Bob Iger, who has helmed the entertainment conglomerate for nearly two decades with a brief interruption in 2022.

    D’Amaro’s selection concludes an extensive succession planning process and signals Disney’s strategic prioritization of its most reliable revenue generator. The Disney Experiences division under D’Amaro’s leadership has demonstrated exceptional financial performance, employing 185,000 personnel and generating $36 billion in revenue last year while overseeing 12 global theme parks and 54 resorts.

    The newly appointed CEO brings nearly three decades of institutional knowledge to the role, having joined Disney in 1998 at Disneyland Resort. His tenure has included spearheading major projects including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and World of Frozen, alongside managing digital initiatives such as Disney’s partnership with Epic Games, creator of Fortnite.

    Board Chair James Gorman emphasized D’Amaro’s unique qualifications during a CNBC interview, noting he possesses not only financial acumen but also “great creative touch” – a crucial combination for leading the multifaceted media empire.

    D’Amaro assumes leadership during a complex period for media companies, with Disney facing increased political scrutiny from conservative figures including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over perceived “woke” values. The company recently garnered attention for temporarily suspending comedian Jimmy Kimmel following comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

    Concurrently, Disney announced the appointment of Dana Walden, previously co-chair of entertainment and considered D’Amaro’s primary competitor for the CEO position, to the newly created role of chief creative officer. Walden, known for her outside-of-work friendship with former Vice President Kamala Harris, will report directly to D’Amaro.

    The leadership transition occurs as Disney continues Iger’s restructuring initiatives aimed at controlling streaming and film division costs, revitalizing ESPN’s sports media dominance, and expanding parks and cruise operations. Market reaction was initially cautious, with shares dipping approximately 1% following the announcement.

  • Trump says Republicans ‘should take over the voting’ and ‘nationalise’ US elections

    Trump says Republicans ‘should take over the voting’ and ‘nationalise’ US elections

    In a recent podcast appearance that has stirred significant political controversy, former US President Donald Trump called for Republicans to “nationalize” American elections while reiterating his unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential race. Speaking on the show hosted by former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino, Trump advocated for Republican control over voting processes in at least fifteen unspecified jurisdictions.

    The controversial remarks arrive shortly after Federal Bureau of Investigation agents conducted a court-authorized operation at the Fulton County Election Hub in Georgia, examining records from the previous presidential election. Trump referenced this development during the interview, suggesting that “interesting things” would emerge from the investigation.

    Trump connected his proposal for federalizing election mechanisms to his immigration agenda, asserting that Republicans must deport undocumented immigrants to secure future electoral victories. “If Republicans don’t get them out, you will never win another election as a Republican,” he stated.

    Despite losing Georgia to President Joe Biden by a narrow margin in 2020, Trump maintained during the interview that he had actually won “in a landslide,” repeating baseless allegations of illegal voting. These claims persist despite two failed criminal cases in Georgia related to alleged election interference, both of which Trump denied any wrongdoing in.

    The FBI raid prompted strong reactions from local officials, with Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory characterizing it as “an assault on your vote.” Adding to the unusual nature of the event, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed her presence during the operation, stating that Trump had personally requested her attendance. In a letter to senators, Gabbard explained her involvement fell under her authority to coordinate intelligence related to election security.

    The intelligence director also acknowledged facilitating a brief phone conversation between Trump and FBI agents conducting the raid, noting that the former president merely thanked them for their work without asking questions or issuing directives—an unusual occurrence given typical separation between law enforcement operations and presidential communication.

  • Chappell Roan says revealing Grammys outfit wasn’t ‘that outrageous’

    Chappell Roan says revealing Grammys outfit wasn’t ‘that outrageous’

    Pop artist Chappell Roan has responded with amusement to the polarized reactions generated by her daring ensemble at Sunday’s Grammy Awards ceremony. The singer made a dramatic statement on the red carpet by removing a red chiffon cape to reveal an unconventional Mugler-designed dress suspended from nipple rings, leaving her upper torso largely exposed.

    The controversial outfit quickly became one of the most discussed fashion moments of the event. On her Instagram platform, Roan expressed lighthearted bemusement at the attention, commenting, ‘Giggling because I don’t even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit. The look’s actually so awesome and weird. I recommend just exercising your free will it’s really fun and silly.’

    Reactions among fans and observers diverged sharply. Supporters celebrated her bold style, hailing her as ‘a goddess’ and ‘an icon.’ One commentator drew parallels to Justin Bieber’s performance in underwear, noting the double standard: ‘If Justin can perform in his underwear without anyone batting an eyelid, you can rock pierced pasties diva. Misogyny.’

    Conversely, some viewers expressed discomfort with the revealing nature of the outfit. Responses to Billboard’s coverage included comments such as ‘I love her but this is too much’ and ‘I don’t know what people have against wearing clothes.’

    Fashion expert Alex Fullerton provided contextual analysis, noting that Roan’s choice honored Mugler’s design legacy: ‘What this label has done consistently since the 80s has worked a lot with transparency, bare breasts, so she’s honoring the legacy of the designer.’

    The appearance continues an emerging trend of celebrities opting for transparent and revealing outfits at major awards ceremonies. Previous instances include Charli XCX’s sheer black dress at last year’s Brit Awards and Bianca Censori’s body stocking at the previous Grammys.

    Despite receiving nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her song ‘The Subway,’ Roan did not secure awards during the ceremony. The artist, whose real name is Kayleigh Amstutz, has previously described her stage persona Chappell Roan as a ‘larger-than-life, drag queen version of myself’ that enables her to express rebellion and risqué artistry.

  • Clintons agree to testify before House committee over Epstein probe

    Clintons agree to testify before House committee over Epstein probe

    In a significant reversal, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have consented to provide testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding the ongoing investigation into deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement came Monday through spokesperson Angel Urena, who confirmed the Clintons’ willingness to appear before the Republican-controlled committee.

    The development follows escalating tensions between the Clintons and congressional investigators, who had accused the former first couple of “defying lawful subpoenas” and seeking “special treatment.” The committee had scheduled a contempt vote for Wednesday, which now appears likely to be postponed following the Clintons’ unexpected cooperation.

    According to communications reviewed by The New York Times, attorneys representing the Clintons sent correspondence to Committee Chair James Comer indicating their clients would “appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates.” This marks a dramatic shift from their previous position, expressed in a January 13 letter, where they declared the subpoena “legally invalid” and asserted they had already provided all relevant information concerning the Epstein case.

    The backdrop to this political confrontation involves the Justice Department’s December 2025 release of documents related to Epstein, which contained multiple references to the former Democratic president. Some media analysts have suggested the document release appeared strategically timed to protect figures associated with former President Donald Trump’s Republican circle while exposing Democratic connections.

    Epstein, who maintained extensive relationships with powerful figures across American political and business spheres, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though conspiracy theories have persisted regarding the circumstances.

    The Clintons’ decision to testify establishes a notable precedent for congressional investigations involving high-profile former officials and sets the stage for what promises to be a closely watched examination of political connections to one of America’s most notorious criminal cases.