Bio
Saqib is COO and co-founder at A47 AI, where he runs operations and leads the prediction-markets initiative. He covers crypto, Web3, and the decentralization of the sport and entertainment economy.
Editorial Responsibility
As A47's prediction-markets and crypto editor, I am responsible for our coverage of these markets and Web3 — ensuring it is grounded in real product, data, and revenue rather than speculation.
Previous experience · 14+ years
- · WPP Media (GroupM PK, Wavemaker PH)
- · MYCO
- · ARY Digital Network
Education
MBA Marketing, SZABIST
Areas of expertise
Categories overseen
Stories from Saqib Pathan’s desk
4374 stories- Economy· World
Brent Crude Prices Drop as Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz During Ceasefire
Brent crude futures fell 9.07% to $90.38 per barrel, while WTI crude dropped 11.45% to $83.85 following Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels during the ceasefire. This significant price decline is attributed to reduced fears of supply disruptions in a key oil transit route, as confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump. In the long term, the reopening may lead to increased volatility in oil prices as negotiations continue and tensions in the region remain fragile.
3 sourcesApr 20High
- Business· World
Global Airlines Cut Capacity Due to Jet Fuel Price Surge Amid Iran Conflict
On April 18, 2026, major airlines worldwide announced reductions in flight capacity and route cancellations due to a significant surge in jet fuel prices linked to the ongoing Iran war. This crisis was triggered by a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted oil supplies and caused jet fuel costs to double since late February. Long-term implications include potential fare increases and prolonged recovery for the aviation industry as European carriers face looming fuel shortages and operational challenges.
3 sourcesApr 20Moderate
- Economy· World
Credit Investors Shift to Riskier Bonds Amid Optimism Over Iran-US Truce Extension
On April 18, 2026, credit investors globally increased their exposure to riskier debt instruments, purchasing a net $500 million in lower-tier investment-grade bonds while selling $7.3 billion in higher-rated bonds. This shift is driven by optimism surrounding the extension of a recent truce between Iran and the US following the outbreak of war on February 28. In the long term, this trend may indicate a broader recovery in global credit markets as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East appear to be easing.
3 sourcesApr 20Low
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Drop 11.4% as Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz for Commercial Traffic
Iran's Foreign Minister announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels during a ceasefire in Lebanon, leading to a significant drop in U.S. crude oil prices. This announcement comes after a prolonged period of heightened tensions and supply disruptions due to the ongoing Iran war, which had previously driven prices above $120 per barrel. The long-term implications may include increased stability in global oil markets, but ongoing U.S. sanctions and naval blockades could hinder full recovery of shipping traffic.
29 sourcesApr 20High
- Business· World
Air Canada Suspends Flights to New York JFK Amid Iran War Fuel Crisis
Air Canada has announced the suspension of all flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York JFK from June 1 to October 25, 2026, due to soaring jet fuel prices. This decision is triggered by the ongoing war in Iran, which has caused jet fuel prices to double, making these routes economically unviable. The long-term implication is a potential shift in airline operations and route planning as the aviation industry grapples with sustained fuel price volatility and geopolitical tensions.
3 sourcesApr 20High
- Economy· World
U.S. Energy Secretary Warns Gas Prices May Stay Above $3 Until 2027
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that national average gasoline prices are unlikely to fall below $3 per gallon until 2027. This statement comes amid ongoing disruptions from the U.S.-Iran war, which has significantly impacted oil supply and prices. The long-term implication suggests continued public dissatisfaction with inflation and energy policies, potentially affecting political dynamics ahead of the midterm elections.
3 sourcesApr 20High
- Economy· MENA
Libya's First Unified National Budget Signed Ending Years of Fiscal Division
Libya's House of Representatives and High Council of State signed the country's first unified national budget for 2026, totaling 190 billion Libyan dinars. This agreement comes after over 13 years of political rivalry and fiscal division, facilitated by US-mediated negotiations. The long-term implication is a potential stabilization of Libya's economy and improved international relations, particularly with the nations that endorsed the agreement.
2 sourcesApr 19Low
- Crypto· World
KelpDAO rsETH Bridge Exploit Triggers Aave Liquidity Crisis
On April 18, 2026, a vulnerability in KelpDAO's rsETH bridge was exploited, resulting in the theft of approximately 116,500 rsETH and a subsequent liquidity crisis for the Aave lending protocol. This incident was triggered by attackers depositing stolen tokens as collateral on Aave, leading to massive withdrawals exceeding $5.4 billion and a significant drop in total value locked. The long-term implication is a heightened scrutiny of cross-chain bridge security and potential regulatory responses to protect DeFi users from similar exploits in the future.
2 sourcesApr 19Very High - Business· World
QXO Inc. to Acquire TopBuild Corp. for $17 Billion
On April 19, 2026, QXO Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire TopBuild Corp. for approximately $17 billion. This acquisition is driven by QXO's strategy to consolidate the North American building products distribution industry amid increasing demand for construction and renovation services. The long-term implication is the creation of a major player in the sector, expected to generate significant synergies and reshape market dynamics by 2030.
2 sourcesApr 19High
- Crypto· World
Kelp DAO Exploit Results in $293 Million Loss and $6 Billion Decline in Aave TVL
Kelp DAO was exploited for approximately $293 million on April 18, 2026, due to a vulnerability in its LayerZero-powered cross-chain bridge. This incident triggered emergency pauses across affected DeFi protocols, leading to a $6 billion decline in total value locked in Aave as users withdrew their funds. The exploit underscores systemic risks in cross-chain infrastructure and may prompt increased scrutiny and regulatory measures within the DeFi sector.
3 sourcesApr 19Very High
- Economy· UAE
UAE Ministry of Economy Launches Digital Platform for Real-Time Price Monitoring of Essential Goods
On 20 February 2025, the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates launched a National Digital Platform for monitoring prices of essential commodities. This initiative is a response to regional supply chain pressures and aims to enforce price ceilings while enhancing consumer protection. Long-term, this platform is expected to stabilize the market and bolster consumer confidence in the UAE's economic framework.
3 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· UAE
Dubai's Residential Rental Market Surges to Dh32.2 Billion Amid Regional Conflict
Dubai's rental market recorded contracts worth Dh32.2 billion in Q1 2026, reflecting a robust demand despite geopolitical tensions. The immediate trigger for this growth is the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, yet the market has shown resilience with a significant drop in cancellations. Long-term, this stability suggests that Dubai's regulatory framework may continue to attract investors and maintain rental demand even in times of regional instability.
2 sourcesApr 19Low
- Economy· UAE
UAE Increases U.S. Treasury Securities Holdings to $119.9 Billion
The United Arab Emirates has raised its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities to $119.9 billion as of February 2026, marking a $7.5 billion increase from January. This surge is driven by the UAE's strategy to invest surplus reserves in low-risk assets amid global economic uncertainties. Long-term, this move reinforces the UAE's financial stability and its commitment to maintaining the dirham's peg to the U.S. dollar while diversifying its investment portfolio.
2 sourcesApr 19Low
- Economy· World
U.S. Energy Secretary Warns Gas Prices May Remain Above $3 Until 2027
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that gasoline prices are unlikely to drop below $3 per gallon until 2027 during a CNN interview. This projection follows a surge in gas prices above $4 per gallon, driven by supply disruptions due to the ongoing U.S.-Israel war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The long-term implication suggests that consumers will continue to face elevated fuel costs, impacting inflation and economic recovery efforts in the near future.
3 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Economy· World
U.S. Energy Secretary Predicts Gas Prices Below $3 Unlikely Until 2027 Amid Iran Tensions
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced that national average gas prices are unlikely to drop below $3 per gallon until 2027 due to ongoing Iranian restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz. This forecast comes as prices have surged above $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, following U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. The long-term implication suggests continued volatility in global oil markets, potentially exacerbating inflation and consumer costs in the U.S. and beyond.
3 sourcesApr 19High
- Crypto· World
RaveDAO Disclaims Responsibility for RAVE Token's 11,000% Surge and 80% Crash
The RAVE token associated with RaveDAO experienced a dramatic price surge from $0.25 to nearly $28 before plummeting over 80% within 48 hours. This volatility was triggered by allegations from on-chain analyst ZachXBT regarding insider control of over 90% of the token's supply, leading to investigations by exchanges Binance and Bitget. The long-term implication may involve increased scrutiny and regulatory measures in the cryptocurrency market to address manipulation concerns and protect investors.
4 sourcesApr 19High
- Business· UAE
Dubai Municipality Unveils 'Work from Park' Initiative for Tech-Enabled Workspaces
Dubai Municipality launched the 'Work from Park' initiative on April 19, 2026, introducing flexible workspaces in public parks. This initiative is driven by the need to adapt urban spaces for remote work, aligning with Dubai's strategic urban planning goals. Long-term, this could redefine public parks as multifunctional hubs, enhancing productivity and quality of life in the city.
2 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
Alcoa Corporation in Advanced Negotiations to Sell Massena East Smelter to NYDIG for Cryptocurrency Mining
Alcoa Corporation has disclosed advanced negotiations to sell its dormant Massena East smelter site in upstate New York to Bitcoin mining firm NYDIG. This transaction is driven by the need to repurpose idle industrial assets for cryptocurrency mining, leveraging existing hydropower infrastructure. The long-term implication is a significant shift in industrial focus towards digital assets and high-performance computing, potentially influencing energy markets and local economies.
2 sourcesApr 19Low
- Business· World
Intel Corporation reports significant stock recovery amid AI market shift
Intel Corporation has achieved an 88% year-to-date stock increase as of April 19, 2026, driven by a strategic pivot towards AI inference workloads favoring CPUs. This turnaround is occurring now due to the company's recent cost reductions and partnerships, despite ongoing manufacturing challenges and competitive pressures from Nvidia and TSMC. Looking ahead, Intel's focus on AI and foundry services may position it for long-term growth, particularly as the demand for energy-efficient data centers rises in markets like the UAE.
2 sourcesApr 19Moderate
- Business· MENA
IEA Proposes Basra-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline to Enhance Energy Security
On April 19, 2026, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol proposed a new oil pipeline from Iraq's Basra to Turkey's Ceyhan to bypass the increasingly volatile Strait of Hormuz. This initiative is driven by significant disruptions in oil exports due to escalating US-Iran tensions, which have caused Iraqi oil exports to plummet by over 80%. If realized, the pipeline could stabilize energy supplies for Iraq, Turkey, and Europe, reducing reliance on the strait and mitigating future supply risks.
2 sourcesApr 19Low