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How conflict fuels inequality

A global economic shock emerging from the Iran conflict is rapidly evolving into a new kind of inequality shock that is being felt unevenly within and between countries around the world. The economic consequences of geopolitical instability are producing a distributional crisis enabling a small number of corporations and investors to reap substantial gains while ordinary households are finding it increasing difficult to make ends meet. A limited number of energy companies, financial institutions and defence contractors have emerged as major beneficiaries of the uncertainty and volatility accompanying this latest Middle Eastern crisis. Recent Oxfam analysis estimates that six of the world's largest fossil fuel companies are on track to generate extraordinary windfall in 2026, amounting to roughly 100 billion dollars in annual gains. Therefore, the current crisis is rewarding powerful actors that thrive on price instability. Conversely, the costs of conflict are being transmit...
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Funeral prayers offered for Mi-17 helicopter crash martyrs in Rawalpindi: ISPR

Funeral prayers for army personnel who were martyred in the crash of a Pakistan Army Aviation Mi-17 helicopter near Muzaffarabad were offered on Thursday, the military’s media wing said. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that the funeral prayers were offered at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi. They were attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, senior civil and military officials, relatives of the martyrs and members of the public. #Breaking Namaz Janaza for Shuhada, who embraced Shahadat yesterday in tragic MI-17 helicopter crash in Muzaffarabad, was offered today at Chaklala Garrison, Rawalpindi which was attended by the PM Shehbaz Sharif, CDF Syed Asim Munir, ministers, senior civil and military… pic.twitt...
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Remittances hit record $4.3b in May

Workers' remittances surged to an all-time monthly high of $4.3 billion in May 2026, supported by Eid-related inflows, underscoring the continued and robust contribution of overseas Pakistanis to their homeland economy. The latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) shows that inflows during the month registered double-digit growth. According to the SBP's provisional figures for May 2026, remittances stood at $4.251 billion, marking a 15.4% increase compared with May 2025. On a month-on-month basis, the inflows also posted strong growth. This performance caps a solid run for the fiscal year so far. "This is the highest ever monthly remittance number, led by an increase in migrant workers and Eid-related inflows," noted Nasheed Malik, Growth Securities Head of Research. "Only remittances from the United States have declined by 3% year-on-year in the first 11 months of FY26." Cumulatively, during the first 11 months of FY26 (July-May), wo...
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Oh, this intrusive nuptial query!

Oh, "When are you getting married?" There it is. The question that refuses to die, much like my patience every time you ask it. Honestly, that patience should be studied by scientists. It could be the eighth wonder of the world at this point. Maybe it's one of the things holding Pakistani society together. In Pakistan, there are only three certainties: death, taxes, and someone at a funeral pulling you aside to ask, "When are you getting married?" because apparently, a grave is the perfect place to discuss rishta. Yes, Auntie. She is here burying a loved one, but please, do go on. Nothing says respect for the deceased like treating a graveyard as your personal matchmaking networking event. Perhaps she should bring a portfolio next time. Maybe a PowerPoint presentation. Really maximise the efficiency of the occasion. In this circus we call life, you cannot even answer a wrong number without them adding, "Oh, sorry, wrong number. Also, when are you get...
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New Delhi summons US diplomat over Oman vessel attack: India govt source

India summoned the senior US diplomat in New Delhi on Wednesday to lodge a "strong protest" after an attack on a vessel off the coast of Oman left three Indian crewmembers missing. The foreign ministry "summoned (US) charge d'affaires, lodged a strong protest" over the attack on the commercial vessel, a senior Indian government official told AFP. Earlier, in a statement, India's foreign ministry confirmed that three Indian crew members were reported missing in an attack on a commercial tanker off Oman. Read: Pezeshkian vows to stand firm against any pressure as Trump threatens to attack Iran 'very hard' New Delhi condemned the attack on the vessel, the Settebello, saying, "the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far, and three Indians are reportedly missing". "Attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region. We reiterate our call for im...
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Pakistani agri workers in Italy - victims and killers

Monday, June 1, Amendolara, Southern Italy. Four agricultural workers – three Afghans and one Pakistani – were found dead in a charred minivan in the forecourt of a petrol pump. Footage from the security cameras of the petrol pump revealed what was effectively an execution. Five workers were seated in the rear of the van. Two men seated in the front got off, sprayed the passengers with petrol and set fire to them. The window handles of the van had been removed to stop the passengers from getting out. One man managed to get out by breaking a window. The other four were burnt to death. The two people identified by the authorities as possible killers were Pakistanis. They are in police custody and will likely be tried for premeditated murder. There are about half a million foreign workers employed in Italy's agriculture sector, constituting about a third of the total work force. Most of them are engaged in the hardest and most menial jobs. Work hours are long –...
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India froze approvals for Starlink to begin commercial operations due to security concerns: report

India has frozen approvals for Starlink to begin commercial operations due to security concerns, according to a Bloomberg report published on Tuesday. Security agencies under India's Ministry of Home Affairs have withheld the final clearances required for the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX to launch services, those familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. The concerns stem from reports that Starlink terminals were used during the Middle East war despite the service not being licensed in Iran, it said. The incident has reportedly raised concerns in New Delhi about its ability to control a US-based operator during periods of geopolitical tension. Read More: Pakistan puts Starlink approval on hold Two Indian telecom companies, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, signed pacts in 2025 with SpaceX to bring Starlink internet services to the country. The situation has also delayed approval of satellite-spectrum pricing needed for commercial launches, including by Indi...
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