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  • Remains of ‘female vampire’ discovered in 17th century graveyard

    Remains of ‘female vampire’ discovered in 17th century graveyard

    The remains of a ‘female vampire’ have been discovered by archaeologists at a 17th-century graveyard in Poland.

    Professor Dariusz Poliński along with his team were conducting research in the area when they found a female skeleton pinned to the ground with a sickle around the throat.

    Her toe was found padlocked to keep her from ‘returning from the dead’. This strengthened the theory that the female was considered a vampire at the time of her death.

    The practice of putting a sickle around the neck of the deceased was used in 1600s by superstitious Poles to restrain a deceased person from coming back to life. The discovery of one around the skeleton’s neck further strengthened the supposition that people considered her a vampire.

    “The sickle was not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get up… the head would have been cut off or injured,” Poliński said while talking to Daily Mail.

    AA silk cap was also found at the site, which suggested that the woman held a high social status during her lifetime.

    These unusual burial practices became common in Poland in 17th century. Natives believed that ‘vampires’ could return and wreak havoc on local villagers. However, the criteria of classifying someone a vampire is uncertain till date according to Poliński.

  • US Congress members to visit flood affected areas tomorrow

    Members of the United States (US) Congress, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and Rep. Tom Suozzi will arrive in Pakistan on Sunday to visit flood-affected areas in the country.

    Before departing for Pakistan, Jackson said that they would visit disaster-struck zones and will take “all possible steps” to help flood victims.

    Separately, the Commander of US Central Command, General Michael Erik Kurilla, expressed grief over the catastrophic floods that killed over 1000 people and submerged a third of the country.

    General Michael talked to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa via telephone and offered condolences.

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres is also set to pay a ‘solidarity visit‘ to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan on September 9.

    The secretary-general will arrive in Islamabad and will visit the areas most impacted by the unprecedented climate catastrophe. He will also have conversations with displaced families and humanitarian agencies working on the ground.

    According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), nearly 57 people have died in the last 24 hours.

    The overall death toll has crossed the 1,200 mark.

  • Summary to deduct two days’ salary of government employees sent to PM

    Summary to deduct two days’ salary of government employees sent to PM

    According to Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, a summary to deduct two days’ amount of government employees’ salary is being sent to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif for approval in order to assist the flood-affected families.

    Additionally, he requested that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should instruct banks to direct a portion of their profits and staff pay to be withheld in order to support flood victims at this crucial time.

    According to Brecorder, Miftah claimed the federal government has provided Rs28 billion for the flood victims while speaking to the Jamiyat Panjabi Saudagaran Delhi Karachi members at the group’s office.

    “I am ready to contribute Rs60 billion for the flood victims, and I have already requested the PM for the consideration, yesterday. This amount will be arranged from the budget, and some other sources,” Ismail said.

    Govt to pay Rs25,000 to one woman from each affected family

    The federal government has decided to pay Rs25,000 for one woman from each family over the next two weeks in order to help flood-affected families who are currently in desperate need of assistance in various districts across the nation.

    This will help them to pay for their essential living costs and prevent them from having to spend the night sleeping on the ground on an empty stomach.

    Import of essential food items

    In response to comments about rising vegetable and petroleum product prices, he said that the government is importing essential products from nearby nations, particularly onions and tomatoes. It is possible to import onions from the neighbouring country of India, and two international organisations have been contacted in this regard.

    Standing crops have been damaged by the monsoon floods, according to Miftah. Loss of at least $10 billion has been calculated thus far.

    He estimated that it will cost about Rs500 billion to rebuild. He acknowledged that the main problem facing the average person is inflation, and he promised to lower electricity rates in two months and put inflation under control in four to five months.

    Ismail said that by successful negotiations with the IMF and obtaining the required support from friendly nations, particularly Qatar, he had saved the country from a potential default.

    He also blamed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine for the recent increase in fuel costs for gas, diesel, and coal in Pakistan and around the globe.

    The Finance Minister said that the decision to impose ban on import of some luxury products was in larger interest of the country.

  • ‘Floods are a lesson’: Ahsan Iqbal criticises construction on waterways

    ‘Floods are a lesson’: Ahsan Iqbal criticises construction on waterways

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal along with the representatives of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Army briefed media personnel at the National Flood Response and Coordination Center, Islamabad regarding flood relief work today (Saturday), reports Radio Pakistan.

    National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Akhtar Nawaz said that the year 2022 showed the realities of climate change in Pakistan. “We saw four heatwaves that caused forest fires and monsoon rains began prematurely,” he said.

    “We had predicted 25 percent more rainfall this year but it turned out to be 190 percent higher. We saw glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) as well,” he explained.
    Ahsan Iqbal, while talking to the media said, “Pakistan’s carbon emission is less than 1 per cent however, we are among the countries that are most vulnerable to the climatic disasters.

    “The scale of the floods warrants a major humanitarian response for which the support of the international community has started pouring in and we are extremely grateful. However, the scale of devastation is massive and requires a large humanitarian response,” he remarked.

    “The floods are a lesson for Pakistan as it proves that buildings should be constructed on waterways,” he added.

    Pakistan is experiencing one of the worst floods of its history. In the last 24 hours, 57 more deaths have occurred which has taken the death toll to 1,265.

  • Has Leonardo DiCaprio found love in Gigi Hadid post break-up with Camila Morrone

    Has Leonardo DiCaprio found love in Gigi Hadid post break-up with Camila Morrone

    Rumour mills in Hollywood are buzzing that actor Leonardo DiCaprio and supermodel Gigi Hadid hooked up recently after the Titanic star’s breakup from Camila Morrone.

    Life & Style reported on August 31, 2022, that Leo, 47, and Gigi, 27, have “hooked up a few times” since his breakup with Camilla, 25, and that the blonde model is “exactly his type.”

    Leonardo DiCaprio and Gigi Hadid 'hooked up' over the summer amid his split from Camila Morrone? | PINKVILLA

    News broke of Leo and Camilla’s split last week. “Leo and Camila have had a few breaks in the past few months. It’s a matter of deciding whether they are in it for the long haul or just going to let it die,” a source told In Touch Weekly at the time.

    “With all of Leo’s girlfriends, once she became focused on work and had her own priorities, he got distant. Rather than have dramatic breakups, they took time apart.”

    Another source also confirmed to the magazine that Leo and Gigi have a fling. “It’s casual and not a constant thing. But they have lots of mutual friends,” the insider said. However, a third source denied a romantic relationship between Leo and Gigi and claimed the two are just friends. The report comes after a source told Deux Moi in July 2022 that Gigi and Leo were seen together at The Ned NoMad in New York City. “Gigi Hadid and Leonardo DiCaprio partying close together at The Ned (formerly known as The Nomad hotel),” the source reported.

    The report about Gigi and Leo also comes after the Oscar winner was photographed partying with 22-year-old model Maria Beregova in St. Tropez, France, in July 2022. Beregova was seen with Leo around the same time she divorced her husband, entrepreneur Ahmed Masoud Abdelhafid, whose grandfather is related to dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The Daily Mail reported at the time that Beregova reverted to her maiden name around the time she was seen with Leo.

    Before Leo and Camilla’s split, a source told E! News in December 2021 that the two were “going strong and doing really well.” “He’s very cozy with Cami and they’re serious, “the insider said at the time. “He is filming right now, but Leo has been settling into this domestic life with Cami, as opposed to all the time he used to spend out with his boys. He does really like his life with her and they’re a lot more coupley than they used to be.” The report came about two years before Leo and Camila made their debut as a couple at the 2020 Oscars.

    Earlier this year Leo was spotted cosying up with Indian businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla. The duo attended a friend’s wedding in London and post that was spotted at a restaurant together.

    Leonardo DiCaprio and Natasha Poonawalla spotted together in ...

    Natasha is married to Indian business tycoon Adar Poonawalla who happens to be the CEO of the Serum Institute Of India, one of the largest vaccine producers in the country.

  • Hong Kong’s batting collapse against Pak sparks meme fest

    Hong Kong’s batting collapse against Pak sparks meme fest

    Pakistan knocked out Hong Kong yesterday on 38 runs in their second group match of Asia Cup 2022. Hong Kong had the lowest score against a Full Member in T20 internationals.

    Pakistan scored 193 runs in the match. Mohammad Rizwan was the highest run scorer from Pakistan’s side with a dazzling 78 . In response, Hong Kong only managed to make 38, and handed 155-run victory to Pakistan. None of Hong Kong’s batters could make it to double figures.

    Pakistan has now advanced to the Super Four stage of Asia Cup.

    The collapse of Hong Kong’s batting order has sparked a meme fest on Twitter.

    Have a look at the memes:

    Read more– Hong Kong’s Captain takes tips from Babar Azam ahead of match

    India and Pakistan will play against each other for the second time in the Asia Cup 2022, tomorrow (September 4). Pakistan lost to India by 5 wickets in the last encounter.

  • Serena Williams bids an emotional goodbye to 27-year career after US Open loss

    Serena Williams bids an emotional goodbye to 27-year career after US Open loss

    Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia has made history by defeating Serena Williams at the US Open for the last time after the 23-time major winner acknowledged her career to be concluded.

    Serena and the boisterous audience couldn’t stop Tomljanovic, who prevailed 7-5, 6-7,6-1.

    After suffering through two sets that couldn’t separate the two, the final began when Tomljanovic broke Serena early and rode that momentum to a 5-1 lead. Ajla Tomljanovic ran into a classic Serena Williams, though, who utilised all of her determination to avoid losing while serving for the match.

    The American, who benefited from the crowd’s support in the previous round when she pulled off an unlikely victory, managed to save five match points during Tomljanovic’s lengthy service game that lasted more than 14 minutes before she was finally defeated.

    Even during the on-court interview, Serena only made passing references to this being her final tournament.

    At the US Open, fifth-seeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur defeated hometown favourite Shelby Rogers 4-6 6-4 6-3 to go to the fourth round of the competition for the first time.

    The Wimbledon finalist got off to a slow start, missing breakpoint opportunities before finding her groove in the second set. In the decisive match, the Tunisian quickly built a 4-0 lead before the American battled back, only to make crucial mistakes once more to give Jabeur the victory.

    Additionally moving on to the following round were Caroline Garcia, Alison Riske, Coco Gauff, Karolna Plková, and Danielle Collins.

    The sound system bellowed Tina Turner’s hit single “Simply The Best” as she waved goodbye and made her signature spin.

    Williams responded when asked if she would think about coming out after her performances this week: “I’m literally playing my way into this and getting better. I should have started sooner this year. I don’t think so, but you never know.”

    When interviewed in the middle of the court, Williams was filled with emotion and thanked her family, team, the spectators, and her supporters all over the world for their continued support.

    Here are some Twitter reactions following Serena Williams’ last US Open defeat:

  • People in Rajanpur await relief packages

    People in Rajanpur await relief packages

    Hundreds of flood affectees in Rajanpur district, Punjab, are awaiting government aid as they continue to camp on roads to escape the devastation of high water levels in their villages and towns, reports Ilyas Gabol for Samaa News.

    According to the affectees, no one from the government has reached out to them with relief packages.

    “No one has come here to deliver relief package to us despite several claims by the government that aid is being disbursed among the needy persons,” a flood victim told Samaa.

    Another woman said, “We are helplessly sitting on the side of the road fending for ourselves and cooking whatever is available.”

    She requested the authorities to send help immediately.

    ’90 per cent of people still await assistance’: Faisal Edhi

    Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation said that the situation is critical and warned that it’s going to worsen.

    He highlighted that people’s participation in relief work as compared to the 2010 floods and 2005 earthquake in Pakistan isn’t sufficient.

    Edhi revealed that despite a great deal of effort made by the Edhi Foundation, government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), help has reached 10 percent of people. “90 per cent of them still await assistance,” he observed.

    “There are people who say that they don’t want to come to the streets with their children. They only ask for food. Water has entered their houses,” he said.

    Moreover, he said he fears that international migration from Pakistan will begin as thirty to forty million people have been affected by the catastrophe.

    In the last 24 hours, 57 more deaths have occurred which has taken the death toll to 1,265.

    The Current has compiled a list of things that you can donate.

  • ‘Pehaly insan bano, phir siyasatdan bano!’: Bilawal on Khan for holding public rallies

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari berated former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for holding public rallies as the aftermath of severe flooding keeps on unfolding across the country.

    “Pakistan is facing the biggest disaster in our history. One-third of our country is underwater! One-seventh of our citizens are affected, 35 million people. The former PM is holding concerts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa & Punjab,” tweeted Bilawal, directing his anger towards Khan who addressed a public gathering in Gujrat, on September 2.

    The chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are busy organising concerts of the former prime minister instead of helping flood victims, accused Bilawal.

    Calling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) behaviour “shameful”, Bilawal said, “Pehaly insan bano, phir siyasatdan bano! [First, become a human being, then become a politician].”

    Addressing a public rally in Gujrat, Khan warned the government against political victimisation of PTI activists. “If this continues, PTI will come to Islamabad, and there will be no place left for them to hide,” the former Premier said.

    Khan has repeatedly said that the PTI’s movement for Haqeeqi Azadi will continue alongside its flood relief work. In his recent speeches, Khan has made it clear that his struggle against ‘thieves’ will continue whether come what may.

    Pakistan is in the throes of devastating floods which have wreaked havoc across all four provinces. The scale of devastation has been estimated to be upwards of $10 billion.