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- Economy· World
U.S. Mortgage Rates Hit Six-Month High Amid Ongoing Iran War
On March 26, 2026, the average U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.38%, the highest level in six months. This increase is driven by market volatility stemming from the ongoing 2026 Iran War, which has elevated oil prices and inflation expectations. The long-term implication is a dampening of the spring housing market as higher borrowing costs threaten homebuyer demand and sales.
3 sourcesMar 27High
- Business· World
Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard Confirm Merger Discussions
Brown-Forman Corporation and Pernod Ricard SA have confirmed they are in preliminary discussions regarding a potential merger of equals. This development is driven by the need for operational synergies amid challenges such as declining global demand and rising costs in the spirits industry. If successful, the merger would create the world's largest spirits manufacturer, significantly impacting market dynamics and competition.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Economy· World
UK Consumer Confidence Index Drops to -21 as Iran War Fuels Inflation Concerns
The UK GfK Consumer Confidence Index has fallen to -21 in March 2026, the lowest since April 2025. This decline is attributed to rising inflation fears stemming from a 50% increase in oil prices due to the ongoing Iran war. As a result, the Bank of England is likely to adjust its inflation forecasts and consider interest rate hikes to mitigate economic pressures.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Business· UAE
Shield AI Secures $2 Billion Funding and Plans Acquisition of Aechelon Technology
Shield AI has completed a $2 billion funding round, achieving a post-money valuation of $12.7 billion while announcing plans to acquire Aechelon Technology. This funding surge is driven by heightened demand for autonomous military technologies amid ongoing global conflicts. The acquisition aims to enhance Shield AI's capabilities in military simulations, positioning the company for significant growth in the defense sector.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Business· World
Epic Games Announces Layoffs of Over 1,000 Employees Amid Fortnite Engagement Decline
Epic Games has laid off over 1,000 employees, approximately 20% of its workforce, due to a significant downturn in Fortnite player engagement that began in 2025. This decision comes as the company faces rising costs and increased competition in the gaming industry, leading to expenditures surpassing revenues. In the long term, this move may signal further restructuring within the gaming sector as companies adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences.
9 sourcesMar 27High
- Business· World
Explosion at Valero Port Arthur Refinery Causes Temporary Shutdown
On March 23, 2026, an explosion occurred at Valero Energy Corporation's Port Arthur Refinery in Texas, leading to a fire and a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. The incident was triggered by a failure in the diesel hydrotreater unit amid rising global oil prices linked to geopolitical tensions involving Iran. In the long term, this event is likely to exacerbate U.S. fuel futures and highlight vulnerabilities in the energy sector during periods of geopolitical instability.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Economy· World
EU and Australia Sign Free Trade Agreement Eliminating 99% of Tariffs
The EU and Australia signed a Free Trade Agreement on March 24, 2026, which will eliminate tariffs on over 99% of EU exports to Australia. This agreement comes after eight years of negotiations, driven by the need to secure supply chains and enhance trade relations amid geopolitical tensions. The long-term implication is a potential increase in bilateral trade and economic benefits, estimated at A$10 billion annually for Australia, while also addressing supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by recent global events.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Economy· World
Philippines Declares National Energy Emergency Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran War Fuel Crisis
On March 25, 2026, the Philippines declared a national energy emergency due to severe fuel shortages caused by the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, has led to a drastic reduction in oil imports, with current stockpiles expected to last only 45 days. This emergency declaration may prompt the Philippines to seek alternative energy suppliers and reconsider its energy import dependencies in the long term.
4 sourcesMar 27High
- Economy· World
Anomalous Trading Activity Precedes Trump's Announcement on Iranian Strikes
On March 25, 2026, significant volumes of oil contracts and stock futures were traded anomalously just before President Trump announced a postponement of military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. This unusual trading activity, primarily involving short positions on oil, raised suspicions of insider trading amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. The incident may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential reforms in trading practices within volatile markets.
3 sourcesMar 27High
- Economy· MENA
Larry Fink Warns of Global Recession Risk from High Oil Prices Amid Iran Conflict
On March 25, 2026, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned that sustained oil prices nearing $150 per barrel could trigger a global recession. This warning comes as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts oil supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, leading to significant price volatility. Long-term, the elevated recession probabilities could prompt tighter monetary policies and impact global economic growth, particularly in oil-dependent regions like the GCC.
3 sourcesMar 27High
- Economy· World
OECD Downgrades UK GDP Growth Forecast Due to 2026 Iran War
The OECD has revised the UK's GDP growth forecast for 2026 down to 0.7%, marking the largest downgrade among G20 economies. This adjustment is triggered by the ongoing 2026 Iran War, which has disrupted energy supplies and increased inflation expectations in the UK. Long-term, the UK's economic vulnerability may lead to significant policy shifts and increased scrutiny of energy dependency and inflation management strategies.
4 sourcesMar 27High
- Business· World
Air Canada CEO Issues Apology Following Fatal Collision at LaGuardia Airport
On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in the deaths of both pilots and injuries to 43 passengers. The incident prompted CEO Michael Rousseau to release an English-only condolence video, which faced backlash for not being bilingual, leading to his subsequent apology. This event highlights ongoing tensions regarding linguistic representation in Canada, particularly in Quebec, and may influence future corporate communication strategies in bilingual contexts.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Economy· World
Wall Street Experiences Largest Drop Since Start of US-Iran War
On March 26, 2026, Wall Street indices recorded their steepest decline since the initiation of the US-Iran war, with the S&P 500 falling 1.7%. This downturn was triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions as Iran rejected US ceasefire proposals and tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, leading to surging oil prices and inflation concerns. The long-term implication is a likely continuation of market volatility and economic uncertainty as investors grapple with the unresolved conflict and its impact on global oil supply.
3 sourcesMar 27Moderate
- Business· World
Disney Cancels $1 Billion Partnership with OpenAI After Sora Shutdown
The Walt Disney Company has terminated its planned $1 billion equity investment and licensing partnership with OpenAI following the announcement of the shutdown of the Sora video generation platform. This decision comes as OpenAI pivots away from video generation due to Sora's underperformance and high operational costs. The long-term implication may lead Disney to seek alternative AI collaborations while raising questions about the sustainability of AI partnerships in the entertainment industry.
14 sourcesMar 27Moderate
- Economy· World
Nasdaq Composite Enters Correction Amid U.S.-Iran War and Rising Oil Prices
The Nasdaq Composite entered correction territory on March 26, 2026, declining 2.4% as the ongoing U.S.-Iran war and surging oil prices eroded market confidence. This decline was triggered by fading hopes for peace talks and significant risks to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Long-term implications include sustained volatility in global markets and elevated inflationary pressures across G20 economies due to rising energy costs.
3 sourcesMar 27Moderate
- Economy· World
Crude Oil Prices Drop Over 5% Following U.S.-Iran Diplomatic Progress
Crude oil prices fell more than 5% on March 25, 2026, as U.S. President Donald Trump announced advancements in diplomacy with Iran, postponing military actions. This shift is occurring now due to the easing of tensions in the Middle East, which has sparked optimism in global markets. Long-term, this could lead to a stabilization of oil prices and a potential reopening of key trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
4 sourcesMar 26Moderate
- Business· World
Disney Cancels $1 Billion Partnership with OpenAI Following Sora App Shutdown
OpenAI announced the shutdown of its Sora text-to-video app on March 24, 2026, leading Disney to terminate their planned $1 billion investment and character licensing partnership the following day. This decision was triggered by Sora's poor revenue performance and OpenAI's strategic shift towards robotics and agentic AI. The long-term implication suggests a reevaluation of AI partnerships in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning intellectual property and content moderation challenges.
5 sourcesMar 26Very High - Business· World
Startale Group Secures $63 Million in Series A Funding to Expand Blockchain Infrastructure
Startale Group closed a $63 million Series A funding round on March 25, 2026. The immediate trigger for this funding was significant investments from SBI Group and Sony Innovation Fund, aligning with Japan's regulatory advancements in tokenized assets. This funding is likely to accelerate the adoption of tokenized securities and stablecoins in Japan's financial ecosystem, positioning Startale as a key player in the blockchain space.
3 sourcesMar 26Moderate
- Crypto· MENA
Franklin Templeton and Ondo Finance Launch Tokenized ETFs for 24/7 Crypto Wallet Trading
On March 25, 2026, Franklin Templeton and Ondo Finance announced the launch of tokenized versions of five ETFs, enabling 24/7 trading directly in cryptocurrency wallets for non-U.S. investors. This initiative is driven by the growing demand for round-the-clock access to traditional assets amid the expansion of tokenized real-world asset markets. The long-term implication is a potential shift in investment practices, reducing reliance on traditional brokerage services and increasing the adoption of blockchain technology in finance.
3 sourcesMar 26High
- Crypto· World
Irish Criminal Assets Bureau Seizes €30 Million in Bitcoin from Drug Trafficker
On March 24, 2026, Ireland's Criminal Assets Bureau accessed and seized a Bitcoin wallet containing 500 BTC valued at €30 million, linked to a 2019 cannabis trafficking case. This operation was triggered by advanced decryption efforts supported by Europol, allowing access to previously locked assets. The long-term implication is a potential recovery of up to €360 million from remaining wallets, signaling a significant step in targeting cryptocurrency proceeds from crime.
4 sourcesMar 26Low