Oil prices experienced a significant decline, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude falling by more than 9%, amid reports of a potential agreement aimed at ending conflict involving Iran. This development has led to renewed optimism about stability in the region, prompting a swift reaction across global energy markets. WTI crude futures dropped to approximately…
Samsung Electronics has officially surpassed a market capitalization of $1 trillion, marking a significant milestone as the second Asian company to achieve this valuation. The surge in Samsung’s shares, which rose as much as 13% during early trading, pushed the South Korean tech giant’s market value to approximately 1,500 trillion won. The milestone coincided with…
Global oil futures markets are currently displaying signs of complacency regarding a looming supply shock that could significantly impact prices. Despite emerging risks in the oil supply chain, recent trading trends suggest markets have not fully priced in potential disruptions. Oil futures prices for crude benchmarks such as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude…
Gold and silver prices in Pakistan showed notable movements on May 6, 2026, reflecting ongoing volatility influenced by recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These fluctuations are consistent with typical market reactions, as gold and silver prices frequently respond to international trends impacting commodity markets. As per the latest rates in local Sarafa markets…
The Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) maintained a dominant position in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market during the first quarter of 2026, capturing 40.7% of the market share. This was revealed by data from South Korean research firm SNE Research, which tracks the fiercely competitive EV battery sector. Global…
The Pakistani government’s Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) programme, aimed at promoting electric bikes and rickshaws, is encountering significant challenges as commercial banks reject over 90 percent of loan applications under the scheme. Out of 44,689 loan applications submitted by eligible citizens, only 4,075 were approved, reflecting a mere 9 percent approval rate by banks….
Meta-owned social network Threads has introduced messaging capabilities on its web platform, enabling users to engage in one-on-one and group chats directly from desktop browsers. The addition aligns Threads more closely with other social media competitors that already offer comprehensive web-based messaging, such as X and Bluesky. Connor Hayes, head of Threads at Meta, shared…
The federal government of Pakistan has expanded the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar housing finance programme to formally include overseas Pakistanis. This decision marks an important step in broadening access to affordable housing finance for a wider range of investors. The expansion was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in a meeting chaired by Federal…
Iraq has announced substantial discounts on its crude oil shipments transported through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This move aims to encourage buyers to continue purchasing Iraqi crude despite regional geopolitical tensions that could affect shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime chokepoint through which about a fifth of the world’s oil…
The Punjab Assembly has approved a significant amendment bill that updates the Employee Social Security laws, establishing a uniform minimum wage of Rs. 40,000 across the province. The legislation aims to bring the social security framework in line with current economic realities and labor standards. This new bill amends the Employees Social Security Ordinance of…