January 2025

Mummy Beads

A Brief History of Mummy Beads Mummy beads have been discovered in countless Egyptian tombs, from the grand pyramids to the humblest burial sites. Their use can be traced back to the Predynastic period (c. 6000–3150 BCE) and continued through various dynasties, extending to the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. These beads were made from a

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A strategic partnership between HBL Microfinance Bank and HBL Zarai Services

Karachi: HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB), Pakistan’s leading microfinance bank, and HBL Zarai Services Limited (HZSL), the pioneer agriculture-specialized extension services company in Pakistan, are proud to announce a strategic partnership aimed at empowering farmers through improved access to financial and agricultural support services. This collaboration underscores a shared vision of fostering sustainable agricultural development

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Chinese President Xi Jinping announces proactive policies to boost China’s growth in 2025

China’s 2024 GDP is expected to exceed 130 trillion yuan ($17.8 trillion), President Xi Jinping said in his New Year’s speech. He also mentioned that China would adopt more proactive policies to boost growth in 2025. The country’s economy, the second-largest in the world, has faced challenges this year, including a slowdown in the property

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Alibaba sells majority stake in Sun Art Retail to DCP Capital for $1.58 billion

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced on Wednesday that it will sell its majority stake in Sun Art Retail Group to Chinese private equity firm DCP Capital for HK$12.298 billion ($1.58 billion). The 78.7% stake being sold is held by Alibaba subsidiaries, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Alibaba acquired a controlling

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Russia seeks AI partnership with China amid Western sanctions

President Vladimir Putin has instructed Russia’s government and its largest bank, Sberbank, to strengthen cooperation with China in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). The instructions, published on the Kremlin’s website, follow Putin’s earlier announcement that Russia would collaborate with BRICS countries and others to advance AI technology. Putin has directed Sberbank, which leads Russia’s

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Government implements major pension reforms to combat pension bill

The federal government has introduced significant reforms to the pension system for public servants at the start of the new year, aiming to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and reduce the financial burden on the national exchequer. The changes, implemented through an Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the finance division on January 1, 2025, are based

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