
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
8714 stories- Business· World
Campbell Wilson Resigns as Air India CEO Amid Financial and Regulatory Challenges
Campbell Wilson has resigned as CEO of Air India, effective April 7, 2026, following significant financial losses and increased regulatory scrutiny. His departure comes as the airline faces combined losses exceeding ₹98 billion and operational strains due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The long-term implication may involve a challenging search for a successor capable of navigating the airline's ongoing transformation and external pressures.
2 sourcesApr 7Moderate
- Economy· World
Oil Prices Exceed $110 Amid U.S. Ultimatum to Iran Over Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices surged above $110 per barrel following U.S. President Donald Trump's ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by April 8. This escalation is driven by ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, exacerbated by Trump's threats of military action against Iranian infrastructure. The long-term implication could be significant disruptions in global oil supplies, leading to heightened inflation and economic instability worldwide.
2 sourcesApr 7High
- Economy· World
European Stock Markets Stabilize Amid U.S. Ultimatum to Iran
European stock markets showed stability on April 7, 2026, with the STOXX 600 index rising 0.1% as investors remained cautious ahead of U.S. President Trump's deadline for Iran. This cautious approach is driven by the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, which has disrupted oil supplies and heightened inflation fears. The long-term implication may involve increased volatility in global markets depending on the outcome of the impending negotiations and potential military actions.
2 sourcesApr 7Low
- Economy· World
UK Services Sector Experiences Record Cost Surge Amid Ongoing Iran War
UK services firms reported a significant rise in input costs, reaching an index of 68.4, and the lowest business optimism since June 2025. This surge is primarily driven by disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran war, which has escalated energy prices and strained supply chains. The long-term implication suggests that unless the conflict resolves quickly, the UK economy may face prolonged inflationary pressures and reduced growth prospects.
2 sourcesApr 7Low
- Economy· World
ECB Considers Interest Rate Hike Amid Middle East Energy Crisis
Pierre Wunsch, a member of the ECB Governing Council, indicated on April 7, 2026, that the ECB may raise interest rates as early as its April meeting due to surging energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict. This consideration follows the ECB's decision to maintain rates in March 2026 amidst rising inflation pressures, which have escalated due to geopolitical tensions. If implemented, this rate hike could signal a shift in monetary policy aimed at controlling inflationary effects across the eurozone.
2 sourcesApr 7Low
- Economy· MENA
Jamie Dimon Discusses U.S. Economic Resilience Amid Iran War and AI Advancements
In a recent NPR interview, JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon highlighted the resilience of the U.S. economy while warning of inflationary risks stemming from the ongoing Iran war. This discussion comes as the conflict has already disrupted oil exports and impacted global markets, particularly in the MENA region. Looking ahead, Dimon suggests that the financial services industry will increasingly leverage AI to drive innovation and productivity gains despite geopolitical uncertainties.
2 sourcesApr 7Moderate
- Business· World
Samsung Electronics Projects Record Q1 2026 Operating Profit Driven by AI Memory Chip Demand
On April 7, 2026, Samsung Electronics announced a preliminary first-quarter operating profit of approximately 57.2 trillion won, significantly surpassing analyst expectations. This surge is attributed to a robust recovery in the semiconductor division, fueled by heightened demand for high-bandwidth memory chips used in artificial intelligence applications. The long-term implication suggests a continued upward trajectory for Samsung's profitability as AI infrastructure expands globally, despite potential geopolitical supply chain risks.
2 sourcesApr 7High
- Economy· World
Gold Prices Drop as Trump Sets Deadline for Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Gold prices fell approximately 0.5% to around $4,628 per ounce as investor caution mounts ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This decline is driven by escalating tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict and rising inflation concerns linked to oil prices exceeding $110 per barrel. The long-term implication could see continued volatility in commodity markets and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy regarding Iran.
2 sourcesApr 7Moderate
- Business· World
LG Energy Solution Projects Q1 2026 Operating Loss Due to Weak EV Demand
LG Energy Solution announced an expected operating loss of 208 billion won for Q1 2026, primarily driven by declining demand from electric vehicle manufacturers. This financial guidance comes as the company faces ongoing challenges from a global slowdown in EV sales and automaker production adjustments. In the long term, LG Energy Solution is pivoting towards energy storage systems to mitigate losses in the EV segment and capitalize on U.S. policy opportunities.
2 sourcesApr 7Low
- Economy· World
Brent Crude Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Ultimatum to Iran Over Strait of Hormuz
Brent crude oil prices increased by 1.5% to $111 per barrel as the U.S. President's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches. This escalation follows the ongoing U.S.-Iran war, which has significantly disrupted global oil supplies and driven prices up over 50% since February 2026. If Iran fails to comply with the ultimatum, further military action from the U.S. could exacerbate the oil supply crisis and impact global markets.
4 sourcesApr 7Moderate
- Economy· World
Gold Prices Drop as Markets Brace for U.S. Deadline on Iran's Strait of Hormuz
On April 7, 2026, spot gold prices fell 0.2 percent to $4,638.30 per ounce as global markets adopted a cautious posture in anticipation of U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the Strait since late February, due to U.S.-Israeli military actions, has led to soaring oil prices and inflation fears, impacting gold's safe-haven appeal. If tensions persist, analysts predict gold prices could rise significantly by year-end, reflecting ongoing geopolitical instability.
2 sourcesApr 7Moderate
- Economy· World
Brent Crude Oil Prices Exceed $111 Amid US-Iran Tensions Over Strait of Hormuz Deadline
Brent crude oil prices surged above $111 per barrel as global stock markets declined in anticipation of a US deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation follows a series of US threats against Iran, which has led to significant disruptions in global oil supplies over the past six weeks. The ongoing geopolitical tensions are likely to maintain elevated oil prices and could prompt further military actions in the region.
2 sourcesApr 7High
- Business· MENA
LG Electronics Projects 33% Year-on-Year Q1 2026 Operating Profit Rebound to 1.67 Trillion Won Driven by Appliance Demand
LG Electronics announced a preliminary operating profit of 1.67 trillion won for Q1 2026, marking a 33% increase year-on-year. This rebound is attributed to strong demand for home appliances and effective cost management, despite challenges in the HVAC sector due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The company is likely to continue focusing on premium products and subscription services to sustain growth in the coming quarters.
2 sourcesApr 7Low
- Economy· World
Japan's 30-Year JGB Auction Sees Weaker Demand with Bid-to-Cover Ratio of 3.12
Japan's 30-year government bond auction on April 7, 2026, recorded a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.12, indicating weaker demand compared to the 12-month average. This decline in interest is attributed to investor caution stemming from escalating tensions in the Middle East and a looming U.S. deadline on Iran negotiations. In the long term, this trend may signal ongoing challenges for Japan's bond market as fiscal deficits and inflation risks persist amid global uncertainties.
2 sourcesApr 7Low
- Economy· World
Crude Oil Prices Exceed $113 as U.S. Issues Ultimatum to Iran on Strait of Hormuz
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures have surged past $113 per barrel due to escalating tensions surrounding the U.S. President's ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This price increase is driven by the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, which intensified following U.S. and Israeli military strikes and Iran's subsequent closure of the vital shipping route. The long-term implication may involve further disruptions in global oil supply and heightened geopolitical tensions in the region.
2 sourcesApr 7High
- Economy· World
Saudi Aramco Raises Arab Light Crude Price Premium to Record High Amid Middle East Tensions
On April 6, 2026, Saudi Aramco increased the official selling price premium for Arab Light crude oil to Asia for May to a record $19.50 per barrel. This surge is driven by supply constraints resulting from the ongoing U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran, which have disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The long-term implication is a potential shift in global oil pricing dynamics and increased inflationary pressures in Asia as refiners negotiate urgent volume cuts amid soaring costs.
3 sourcesApr 7Moderate
- Economy· MENA
Gulf Stock Markets Show Mixed Results Following Trump's Ultimatum to Iran
Gulf Cooperation Council stock markets displayed varied performances on April 6, 2026, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's warning to Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. This geopolitical tension escalated after Trump's social media threats on April 5, which prompted investors to adopt a cautious stance amid ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations. The long-term implication suggests continued volatility in regional markets and oil prices as investors await further developments in U.S.-Iran relations.
3 sourcesApr 7Low
- Business· UAE
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Mobilizes AED 20.3 Billion in Sustainable Financing by 2025
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has announced the mobilization of AED 20.3 billion in sustainable financing facilities, set to be achieved by December 31, 2025. This initiative is driven by the bank's commitment to support renewable energy projects and low-carbon initiatives, aligning with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 goals. The long-term implication is a strengthened position for ADIB in the green finance sector, contributing to the broader regional climate action efforts and its target of AED 60 billion by 2030.
3 sourcesApr 7Low
- Business· UAE
Dubai South Launches SME Support Package Amid Economic Pressures
Dubai South has introduced a financial relief package for SMEs at its Business Park, effective April 6, 2026. This initiative is a response to ongoing economic challenges exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and aims to ensure business continuity and growth. The long-term implication is a strengthened support framework for SMEs, contributing to economic resilience in the UAE.
4 sourcesApr 7Low
- Business· UAE
ADNOC Gas Approves Record $3.584 Billion Dividend for 2025
On April 7, 2026, ADNOC Gas shareholders approved a record dividend of $3.584 billion for the full year 2025 during the company's Annual General Meeting in Abu Dhabi. This decision follows the company's strong financial performance, including a net income of $5.2 billion in 2025, despite declining oil prices. The approval reinforces ADNOC Gas's commitment to shareholder returns and positions the company for continued growth amid rising global gas demand.
3 sourcesApr 7Low