Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, experienced a significant financial setback as he lost nearly $3 billion in a single day following a global outage of Facebook and Instagram. Despite this loss, Zuckerberg remains one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, ranking fourth with a total net worth of $176 billion. The outage led to a 1.6% drop in Meta’s shares, resulting in a decline in Zuckerberg’s overall wealth. The disruption affected users worldwide, with difficulties accessing Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and even Meta Quest VR headsets for some users. While the outage lasted for about an hour, it sparked widespread discussion on alternative social media platforms, including X, where Elon Musk humorously remarked on Meta’s predicament.

It has been reported from credible sources that Muhammad Aurangzeb is poised to assume the role of the country’s next finance minister. This development coincides with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s preparations to finalize his federal cabinet. Speculation suggests that Ishaq Dar, a former finance minister with close ties to Nawaz Sharif, may not be under consideration due to health issues. However, there is a possibility that he could be offered another significant position, given his past involvement in navigating Pakistan’s challenges with the IMF program during the Pakistan Democratic Movement. Muhammad Aurangzeb, who previously served as the President of HBL bank, emerges as the leading candidate for the finance minister role. With over three decades of experience in international banking, including his tenure as the CEO of JP Morgan’s Global Corporate Bank in Asia, Aurangzeb brings a wealth of expertise to the position.

In a not-so-distant future, cities like Karachi and Islamabad may witness a transformation in urban transportation, with the introduction of flying cars. China emerges as a frontrunner in this ambitious endeavor, spearheading a global movement towards reshaping urban mobility. At the annual Two Sessions event in China, CEO He Xiaopeng of Xpeng, a leading smart electric vehicle manufacturer, presented a proposal aimed at expediting the adoption of flying cars and revolutionizing urban transportation. He emphasized the convergence of automotive and aviation technologies, stressing the importance of strategic planning, design, and scalable implementation of flying cars. China’s remarkable progress in the automotive sector is evident, with the production and sales of new energy vehicles surpassing 60% of the global total in recent years, signaling a significant stride towards sustainable transportation solutions.

The UAE has introduced six new types of non-work visas for expatriates, marking a significant development in its visa policies. These visas offer diverse opportunities for individuals seeking to reside in the UAE for various purposes beyond employment. The introduction of these visa types demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to attracting talent and fostering a vibrant expatriate community. Expatriates now have more options to choose from based on their specific needs and circumstances, whether it’s for retirement, investment, or simply enjoying an extended stay in the country. This move is expected to enhance the UAE’s appeal as a destination of choice for expatriates from around the world.

Yamaha has unveiled an enticing offer for motorcycle enthusiasts with the introduction of a special installment plan featuring 0% markup specifically tailored for the Yamaha YBR125 G model. This initiative aims to make the ownership of the YBR125 G more accessible and affordable for customers, providing an attractive financing option with no additional interest charges. With this plan, customers can enjoy the benefits of owning a Yamaha motorcycle while spreading out their payments over time without incurring any extra costs due to interest. This move by Yamaha reflects their commitment to customer satisfaction and accessibility, offering a compelling opportunity for individuals looking to purchase the YBR125 G model.

China has announced its GDP growth target of approximately 5% for 2024, coupled with a CPI inflation target of around 3%, as outlined in a government work report submitted to the national legislature on March 5. This strategic vision not only underscores China’s economic priorities but also holds significant implications for its allies and partners, including Pakistan. As a staunch ally of China and a key participant in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Pakistan stands to benefit from expanded trade opportunities between the two nations. Recent trends indicate a growing presence of Pakistani products such as agriculture goods, apparel, and gemstones in the Chinese market, as reported by the General Administration of Customs of China, paving the way for deeper economic cooperation and mutual growth.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning regarding heavy rains expected from March 5 to 7, which may lead to flooding, snow blockages, and landslides in various regions of the country. The affected areas are anticipated to include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Punjab, and Balochistan. Additionally, Sindh is forecasted to experience a severe cold wave, with temperatures in Karachi notably lower than usual for this time of year.

The renowned international technological company, Yango, has launched a significant initiative aimed at enhancing road safety in prominent cities across Pakistan by distributing helmets. Over 1000 helmets were distributed in cities like Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, underlining Yango’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing rider safety and promoting responsible biking practices.

This initiative underscores Yango’s dedication to making transportation safer and protecting riders. By providing high-quality helmets, Yango aims to mitigate the risks associated with biking and raise awareness about road safety in a country where a significant portion of the population relies on bikes for commuting, often without proper safety gear. This proactive step seeks to address the alarming rate of accidents and unfortunate incidents caused by the lack of helmet usage among bikers.

The helmet distribution event was a collaborative effort involving local authorities and nonprofit organizations. Representatives from DIG Punjab Police and Al Marah Foundation were present, highlighting the collective endeavor to enhance road safety. Yango’s initiative stands out as a significant milestone, considering the limited efforts by transportation services in this regard.

Moreover, Yango’s commitment to safety extends beyond helmet distribution, as the company continually invests in developing new safety features for its platform. Recognizing the challenges faced by riders in heavy traffic and during long trips, Yango strives to innovate and implement measures to enhance safety for all users.

Yango remains dedicated to collaborating with local groups to foster safer roads throughout Pakistan, promoting responsible transportation practices and ensuring the well-being of commuters. Through its exemplary commitment to rider safety, Yango sets a commendable precedent for other companies to follow. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a culture where wearing a helmet becomes a norm among all bikers, fostering a safer environment for everyone on the roads.

Maryam Nawaz, Punjab’s inaugural female Chief Minister, wasted no time in assembling her cabinet, marking a significant step in the province’s political landscape. Among her selections, PML-N stalwart Uzma Bukhari is poised to assume the role of information minister, a position of vital importance in shaping public perception and disseminating government policies. With these appointments, Nawaz aims to establish her administration’s priorities and set the tone for governance in Punjab.

During his keynote address at the IBA Leaders Connect event, Mr. Hussain Dawood, Chairman of Engro Corporation and Dawood Hercules Corporation, underscored the significance of human development grounded in the principles of Character and Good Manners (CGM).

Dubai recently made waves in the world of adventure sports by hosting its inaugural jet suit race, an event that showcased the exhilarating capabilities of powerful jet suits. These high-tech suits, boasting propulsion systems stronger than some luxury sports cars, enabled pilots to achieve staggering speeds of up to 128 km/h (80 mph). Fueled by a special jet fuel akin to that used by large commercial aircraft like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777, the pilots soared through the skies near the waterfront, providing spectators with a thrilling spectacle reminiscent of scenes from science fiction films. The event drew comparisons to watching real-life versions of Iron Man as the pilots zipped through the air with remarkable agility and speed. Despite the intensity of the competition, safety measures were paramount, with organizers ensuring the well-being of participants. Ultimately, Issa Kalfon emerged victorious, clutching a prestigious golden jet turbine trophy, while the event itself added another dimension of excitement to Dubai’s reputation as a hub for adrenaline-pumping activities.

In the latest rankings of the wealthiest individuals, Jeff Bezos reclaimed the title of the “richest person on Earth,” surpassing Elon Musk and securing the top position on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As of the latest update, Bezos boasted a net worth of $200 billion, edging out Musk, who closely trailed with $198 billion in wealth. Over the past year, Musk’s fortunes have seen a decline of approximately $31 billion, whereas Bezos has experienced a significant gain of $23 billion during the same period, according to the index. On Monday, Tesla’s stock witnessed a notable drop of over 7%, contributing to the fluctuations in Musk’s wealth. Notably, Musk had previously ascended to the position of the world’s wealthiest individual in May 2023, surpassing Bernard Arnault, the CEO of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), a conglomerate encompassing renowned brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior. The competition for the top spot among Musk, Arnault, and Bezos, all affluent figures, extends beyond personal fortunes and delves into the luxury goods industry. Arnault’s wealth surged owing to increased sales of luxury goods, resulting in a rise in LVMH’s stock price. However, earlier this year, a court ruling nullified Musk’s $50 billion pay package from 2018, which had previously elevated him to one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, leading to a 24% decline in Tesla’s stock value. The ever-shifting title of the world’s richest person underscores the volatility of wealth in accordance with market dynamics. While Musk and Arnault maintain substantial riches, Oxfam’s annual report on inequality reveals a startling trend: since 2020, the combined net worth of the globe’s five wealthiest individuals has surged by 114%, amounting to a staggering $869 billion, after adjusting for inflation