Travel

World’s largest active volcano erupts

The world’s largest active volcano has begun to erupt for the first time in 38 years, with officials warning locals to prepare in the event of a worst-case scenario. Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, began to erupt on Sunday night local time at Moku'āweoweo, the volcano’s summit caldera (a hollow that forms beneath the summit after an eruption). While the lava has been mostly contained within the summit, US officials said the situation could change rapidly and have urged Big Island’s 200,000 residents to prepare to evacuate if lava begins to flow towards populated areas. A warning about ashfall was previously issued to residents, given that falling ash can contaminate water supplies, kill vegetation and irritate the lungs, but the advisory has since been lifted. "Based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa eruption can be very dynamic and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly," the US Geological Service (USGS) said. The public has also been urged to stay away from Mauna Loa, given the threat caused by lava that has been shooting 30 to 60 metres into the air, as well as the emission of harmful volcanic gases such as sulfur dioxide. The eruption - Moana Loa’s 33rd since 1843 - comes after a series of recent earthquakes hit the region, with more than a dozen reported on Sunday. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/mauna-lua1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />Aerial photos show the first time Mauna Loa has erupted in the past 38 years. Image: USGS Bobby Camara, a lifelong resident who lives in Big Island’s Volcano Village, told The Guardian that he had seen the volcano erupt three times in his life and warned that everyone on the island should be vigilant. “I think everybody should be a little bit concerned,” he said. “We don’t know where the flow is going, we don’t know how long it’s going to last.” Gunner Mench, an art gallery owner in Kamuela, told the outlet that he saw the eruption alert on his phone shortly after midnight on Sunday before venturing out to film the red glow over the island and lava spilling down the side of the volcano. “You could see it spurting up into the air, over the edge of this depression,” Mench said. “Right now it’s just entertainment, but the concern is (it could reach populated areas).” Dr Jessica Johnson, a volcano geophysicist who has worked at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, told the BBC that although the lava poses “little risk” to people, it could be a threat for infrastructure. She warned that lava flows could pose a threat to Hilo and Kona, two nearby population centres, and that the volcanic gases could cause breathing problems. While the USGS has noted there is no indication the lava will spill out of the summit, the agency has opened evacuation shelters due to reports of locals self-evacuating along the South Kona coast. Mauna Loa is the world’s largest active volcano and one of five that make up Hawaii’s Big Island, the southernmost island in the archipelago. Image: H24 NET (Twitter)

Travel

Plane crash survivors take “selfie of the year”

Survivors of a crash between an airplane and a firetruck have caused outrage after taking a selfie. Two passengers, still covered in firefighting foam, smiled for the camera and shared the snap online with the caption: “When life gives you a second chance #latam”. While the plane’s crew and passengers all survived, what they didn’t know was that two of the firefighters in the truck that collided with the plane at Peru’s Jorge Chavez International Airport had died. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Cuando la vida te da una segunda oportunidad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/latam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#latam</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vd98Zu98Uo">pic.twitter.com/Vd98Zu98Uo</a> — Enrique Varsi-Rospigliosi (@enriquevarsi) <a href="https://twitter.com/enriquevarsi/status/1593710356916051970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2022</a></blockquote> In light of this, the passengers sparked outrage online for smiling in the wake of the tragedy. “I’ve seen it all now. Crash selfie. End of the internet,” one person tweeted. “Nothing to be proud of, firefighters died,” another wrote in a popular aviation group on Facebook. “Two firefighters die but sure, take a selfie and laugh,” a third commented. Others shared memes criticising the photo, with one Twitter user sharing a photo of a woman posing in front of a wildfire and the caption, “Same vibes!”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Cuando te convertis en un meme de 9gag <a href="https://t.co/br7L8fdXIG">pic.twitter.com/br7L8fdXIG</a> — 𝕸𝖆𝖚𝖗𝖔 𝕳. 𝕷. (@mxmauro) <a href="https://twitter.com/mxmauro/status/1593936036819865600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> SAME VIBES! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LATAM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LATAM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/latamperu?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#latamperu</a> <a href="https://t.co/lssuNyI3uv">https://t.co/lssuNyI3uv</a> <a href="https://t.co/8beWSTPWJn">pic.twitter.com/8beWSTPWJn</a> — Alderson (@0Dweller) <a href="https://twitter.com/0Dweller/status/1593739808102227968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2022</a></blockquote> But, some came to the defence of the passengers, noting that they would also be happy if they had walked away from a crash unscathed. “I mean it is selfie of the year … they walked away from that,” one wrote. “I get it, they are happy they are alive,” another said. “People are just taking it the wrong way and getting offended for anything these days. “Think about it, you realised you’ve just survived an aeroplane crash, then suddenly it catches fire, and on top of it you are able to walk away from it unscratched? I’d be the happiest and most thankful person alive!” A third noted that at the time very few people would have known there had been fatalities resulting from the crash, particularly if they were on the plane. “In the moment they took the picture, only a few people knew that two firefighters had died. They thought it was a problem with the aeroplane,” they explained. “Media took, at least, an hour and a half to report what really happened. Even firefighters from Lima didn’t know for the first hour. They just felt thankful for being alive.” It also seems that the critics are in the minority, with the original post receiving more than 200,000 likes since it was posted on November 19, a day after the crash. None of the 102 passengers or crew on-board the LATAM Airbus 280 at the time lost their lives in the incident, the cause of which is currently being investigated according to Jorge Chavez International Airport. Footage taken by witnesses showed the plane taking off from the runway at full speed before colliding with the truck, also travelling at speed. With damaged landing gear, the plane continued moving forward with its right side dragging along the runway and sending up a trail of sparks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Todos los videos que me han llegado del accidente en el aeropuerto Jorge Chavez.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Latam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Latam</a> <a href="https://t.co/uS2d82ls7S">pic.twitter.com/uS2d82ls7S</a> — 2023 VUELVO (@himselfsv) <a href="https://twitter.com/himselfsv/status/1593722983943528448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2022</a></blockquote> When it stopped, the rear of the plane was badly burned and a cloud of smoke escaped the aircraft. According to security official Aurelio Orellana, a rescuer in the truck was also injured during the incident and is “in critical condition due to head trauma”. Manuel van Oordt, the general manager of LATAM Peru, said he was surprised the firefighters were on the runway to begin with, given that the plane’s pilot hadn’t reported any anomalies. “No emergency was reported in the flight, it was a flight that was in optimal conditions to take off, he had permission to take off, and he found a truck on the runway and we do not know what this truck was doing there,” he said at a press conference. Image: Twitter

Travel

Statues found in Italy could “rewrite” history

The discovery of a cache of ancient bronze statues in Tuscany has been dubbed one of the most significant finds in the whole Mediterranean and could “rewrite” history in the region. Archaeologists working in the small hilltop town of San Casciano dei Bagni outside Siena, Italy, have uncovered 24 perfectly preserved bronze statues in the mud and water of ancient thermal baths. Excavation leader Jacopo Tabolli, a historian at the University for Foreigners in Siena, said they found “the largest deposit of bronze states of the Etruscan and Roman age ever discovered in Italy and one of the most significant in the whole Mediterranean”. The statues include a sleeping ephebe (an adolescent male aged between 17-18) lying next to Hygeia, the goddess of health, with a snake wrapped around her arm, as well as a statue of Apollo and figures representing matrons, children and emperors. Along with the statues, some of which date back 2300 years and stand at almost a metre tall, the researchers found thousands of coins and other artefacts, including relics that may have belonged to wealthy Etruscan and Roman families, landowners, lords and Roman emperors. The statues date back to between the second century BCE and first century CE, which was a time of major upheaval in Tuscan history, with the transition from Etruscan to Roman rule achieved through hard-fought battles that were followed by the destruction of Etruscan cultural items. Some bear inscriptions in both Latin and Etruscan with the names of prominent Etruscan families, suggesting the two cultures experienced some kind of harmony during this period. “This discovery rewrites the history of ancient art,” Tabolli said. “Here, Etruscans and Romans prayed together. “Even in historical epochs in which the most awful conflicts were raging outside, inside these pools and on these altars the two worlds, the Etruscan and Roman ones, appear to have coexisted without problems.” With the statues submerged in the mineral-rich waters of the hot springs, they were kept perfectly preserved until their recent discovery. Helga Maiorano, an archaeologist at the University of Pisa, told La Republica that the mud they were in created an atmosphere without oxygen, which is ideal for protecting bronze from bacteria. “One of the last ones [of the statues] particularly struck me for the quality of the details,” Chiara Fermo, an archaeologist at the University of Siena, told La Repubblica. “It is a female statue, entirely bejewelled, with very detailed necklaces and earrings. An example of what a woman of the time must have been like.” The baths are believed to have been built by the Etruscans during the third century and made more opulent under Roman rule. Tabolli told Ansa that the hot springs remained active until the fifth century, before being closed and the pools sealed with heavy stone pillars during Christian times. The find was made when archaeologists removed the covering to the spa. “It is the greatest store of statues from ancient Italy and is the only one whose context we can wholly reconstruct,” said Tabolli. Since their discovery, the statues have been taken to a restoration lab and will eventually go on display in the town of San Casciano. The site of the ancient baths, located nearby to a modern-day spa that is one of Italy’s most popular spa spots, is also due to be developed into an archaeological park. Images: The Italian Ministry of Culture

Travel

Protester detained over royal egging

A protester has been arrested after throwing eggs at King Charles III and Camilla during their royal visit in Yorkshire. The second day of the couple’s royal tour saw them take part in a welcoming ceremony to the City of York on Wednesday, where they greeted well-wishers lining the streets. But things took a turn when a protester hurled an egg at the king from among the crowd, which he appeared to turn his head to avoid before it splattered on the ground next to him. When another three eggs were thrown, security stepped in and moved the King and Queen Consort back from the crowds. As police detained the protester, boos were heard among the crowd that seemed to be aimed at the egg-wielding man before chants of “God Save the King” broke out. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/charles-egg-visit-arrest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Meanwhile, King Charles and Camilla continued their walkabout on the other side of the street and made one young well-wisher very happy. The couple greeted Jason, a young boy who is visually impaired, before each holding his hands and walking with him. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoyalFamily</a> for their special meeting with young resident Jason who is visually impaired. He was thrilled to meet the King and Queen Consort today whilst they visited York. <a href="https://t.co/Vx8nol1mrH">pic.twitter.com/Vx8nol1mrH</a> — City of York Council (@CityofYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/CityofYork/status/1590323338756300800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2022</a></blockquote> Afterwards, the town clerk read the official declaration of welcome to the city before the couple left for York Minster, where Charles unveiled a statue of his late mother. During his speech, the monarch said he was “deeply touched” to unveil the statue commemorating Queen Elizabeth II, adding that it will “watch what will become Queen Elizabeth Square”. The statue, the first to be unveiled since the Queen’s death in September, was commissioned five years ago to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this year. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/charles-egg-visit.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> "Now, as we have witnessed, with great sadness, the passing of that reign, it is unveiled in her memory, as a tribute to a life of extraordinary service and devotion," King Charles said. He said the “symbolism of the statue, combining the signs of Church and of State, is perfectly suited to its place on the West Front of this glorious building”. His and Camilla’s tour of the city comes ten years after the last royal visit, when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip entered the city to attend the Maundy Service at York Minster. Images: Getty Images

Travel

Fisherman declared a hero after Tanzanian crash efforts

After a plane crashed in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria on November 6, one fisherman who nearly lost his life trying to save the trapped pilots has spoken about his efforts. The passenger plane was carrying 43 people when the pilots attempted to land at Bukoba airport after encountering problems and enduring bad weather. Majaliwa Jackson, who was officially declared a hero and awarded 1 million Tanzanian shillings ($AU 665 or $NZ 725), told the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63540823" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a> from hospital of the panic he felt when he saw the passenger plane approaching from the wrong direction before crashing into the lake. Mr Jackson told the outlet that he rushed to the scene with three other fishermen, helping to open the rear door by smashing it with a rowing oar and allowing passengers seated towards the back of the plane to be rescued. After moving to the front of the plane and diving into the water, Mr Jackson said he and one of the other pilots communicated by making signs through the cockpit window. "He directed me to break the window screen. I emerged from the water and asked airport security, who had arrived, if they have any tools that we can use to smash the screen,” he said. "They gave me an axe, but I was stopped by a man with a public announcement speaker from going down and smashing the screen. He said they were already in communication with the pilots and there was no water leakage in the cockpit.” But, when he dived back in and waved goodbye to the pilot after he was stopped from smashing the screen, the pilot then indicated he wanted to be rescued. Mr Jackson then attempted to pull the cockpit emergency door off by tying a rope from it to other boats, but he was knocked unconscious when the rope broke and struck him in the face. “The next thing I knew I was here at the hospital,” he said. In addition to his monetary reward, Mr Jackson was offered a job with the firefighting and rescue brigade, as well as training in rescue operations to sharpen his skills. The pilots were among 19 confirmed fatalities from the crash. Emergency crews used ropes to pull the plane, which had been completely submerged, closer to shore. Airline Precision Air previously said that 26 passengers had been rescued and taken to hospital, but has since said there were only 24 survivors. Kagera police commander William Mwampaghale said that the crash occurred at around 8.50am local time on Sunday. “When the aircraft was about 100m mid-air, it encountered problems and bad weather. It was raining and the plane plunged into the water,” he said. Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said an extensive investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the crash, and that the government would cover the costs of funerals for the 19 victims. Image: Getty Images

Travel

Diwali festivals light up the world

Celebrations of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, has seen homes across India and elsewhere in the world light up with colour as many gathered to celebrate it for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. For Hindus and Jains, Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness and commemorates the return of Lord Ram to the Ayodhya kingdom after 14 years of exile. It’s a time of gift-giving and celebrating with friends and family at mandirs (Hindu temples) or at home, with spaces decorated with oil lamps, candles, fireworks and intricate rangoli designs in doorways. While the festivities are due to end on Wednesday, the celebration reached its peak on Monday, the darkest day of the year. On Sunday night, more than 1.5 million lamps were lit and kept burning for 45 minutes at Ram ki Paidi in the city of Ayodhya, beating last year’s World Guinness Record of 900,000 lamps staying lit. Ahead of Sunday’s event, the city was decked out in fairy lights and a laser and fireworks show illuminated the lanes and riverbanks. The festivities weren’t just restricted to Ayodhya either, with celebrations occurring around the world. The Sikh community celebrated a different festival called Bandi Chhor Divas, or the Day of Liberation, which marked the day that the religion’s sixth teacher, Guru Hargobind, led 52 princes out of prison to Amritsar, a city in the north-western Indian state of Punjab. The two-day festival serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and civil rights, with the second day coinciding with Diwali. Images: Getty Images

Travel

World’s coolest neighbourhoods ranked

Travelling to a new destination gives us plenty to explore - from the tourist hotspots to the hidden gems found off the beaten track - and it’s these latter spots that have been ranked, with Time Out releasing its <a href="https://www.timeout.com/travel/coolest-neighbourhoods-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">51 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World</a> for 2022. The fifth annual listing, created after surveying 20,000 city-dwellers and relying on expert input, is made up of “incredible places to be right now”, according to Time Out editors. While we might not have cracked the top ten, there was still plenty of representation from Australia and New Zealand. Fitzroy, Melbourne, took out the highest spot in 27th place, earning the “distinction of the second coolest street in the world” thanks to the retail stores, galleries, pubs, bars and cafes lining Gertrude Street. Sydney’s Marrickville came in close behind at No. 33, garnering praise for its “healthy dose of creative colour”. Kingsland, Auckland, came in 43rd, followed by Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, which scraped in at No. 47. The top of the list featured spots in Portugal, Cambodia, the US, Japan and Canada, with Colonia Americana, in the western Mexico city of Guadalajara, being crowned the coolest of them all. Time Out travel editor James Manning said Guandalajara is an emerging “must-visit” spot, with Colonia Americana being “the place to be right now”. “It's home to a boundary-pushing creative community, a growing number of amazing places to eat, and some of the best nightlife in the western hemisphere. And the street life is unbeatable,” he said in a statement. Following in second place is Lisbon’s riverside Cais do Sodré, a long-time hub for nightlife that is becoming a foodie hotspot. Third place was claimed by Wat Bo Village in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Following a “serious glow-up” in the surrounding area over the past year, highlights include boutique hotels and the restaurant Tevy’s Place, which slings organic meals and works to empower local women. The first US entry, New York City’s suburb of Ridgewood, took fourth place, followed by Mile End in Montreal, Canada, at No. 5. Dave Calhoun, Time Out’s chief content officer for North America and the UK, said the goal of the annual list was to spotlight areas that aren’t “homogenised, corporate destinations” and have “an independent and welcoming vibe” instead. "You may be able to walk across them in half an hour or less but they are packed with enough experiences to spend days exploring," he said. The top ten list of Time Out’s coolest suburbs in the world are: 1. Colonia Americana - Guadalajara, Mexico 2. Cais do Sodré - Lisbon, Portugal 3. Wat Bo Village - Siem Reap, Cambodia 4. Ridgewood - New York City, USA 5. Mile End - Montreal, Canada 6. Barrio Logan - San Diego, USA 7. Shimokitazawa - Tokyo, Japan 8. Cliftonville - Margate, UK 9. Barrio Yungay - Santiago, Chile 10. Cours Julien - Marseille, France Image: Instagram

Travel

“Exceptional” mosaic uncovered under Syrian house

A virtually intact mosaic that is 1600 years old has been uncovered in central Syria and is said to be the rarest of its kind. The mosaic, measuring 20 x 6 metres, was found under a building in Rastan in northern Syria’s Homs province, which has been besieged since 2011. With many of Syria’s cultural items and archaeological finds being damaged after more than a decade of war, the discovery of this intact mosaic has been described as the most important archaeological find since the start of the conflict. "What is in front of us is a discovery that is rare on a global scale," Hamman Saad, a senior official at Syria’s General Directorate of Museums and Antiquities, told the Associated Press. The mosaic depicts mythical scenes of the Trojan and Amazon wars, including the Roman sea god Neptune and 40 of his mistresses, as well as Hercules slaying Amazonian queen Hippolyta. The General Directorate of Museums and Antiquities shared the news on social media, along with images of the mosaic and excavation process, describing the find as “one of the most important paintings technically and archeologically, it may be exceptional and rare worldwide”. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/mosaic-syria1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />The huge mosaic was uncovered underneath a house in Rastan, northern Syria. Image: DGAM (Facebook) While Syria has been considered a treasure trove for archaeologists since it is home to some of the most well-preserved relics from ancient civilisations, many of these items have been destroyed or looted during the civil war. It has also fuelled a black market selling small items such as coins and statuettes, as reported by the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63240648">BBC</a>. The mosaic was first found in 2018 during the drilling and exploration of a house in Rastan, with the General Directorate of Museums and Antiquities saying that it dates back to the 4th century AD. Image: DGAM (Facebook)

Travel

Grace under pressure: Princess Kate heckled in Ireland

Princess Kate was the subject of a heckler in Northern Ireland, where she was greeting crowds after visiting a suicide prevention charity. Footage has emerged of the Princess of Wales shaking hands with the heckler, who filmed herself telling the royal that “Ireland belongs to the Irish”. “Nice to meet you but it would be better if it was when you were in your own country,” the woman said. The princess laughed off the comments before letting go of the woman’s hand and continuing to greet other members of the crowd. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> This woman reefing the arm off Kate Middleton and telling her 'Ireland belongs to the Irish'.... <a href="https://t.co/KK2gAqZ0Kv">pic.twitter.com/KK2gAqZ0Kv</a> — Caolán Mc Aree (@Caolanmcaree) <a href="https://twitter.com/Caolanmcaree/status/1578095529233641472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2022</a></blockquote> Northern Ireland has been a hotly contested region since 1922, when the southern part of the country become gained independence and became the Republic of Ireland while Northern Island remained in the United Kingdom. Despite the tense interaction, Princess Kate’s time in Belfast seemed quite successful, as she and her husband Prince William visited several cross-community support organisations. Earlier in the day, the royal was spotted making and enjoying a cheeky drink with her husband after the couple travelled to the city centre to view the new outdoor street food and retail market. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/kate-belfast.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Kate Middleton was spotted trying her hand at cocktail making during her visit to Belfast, Northern Island. Image: Getty Images The market, which opened in July, was designed as a place for the community to come together to enjoy artisanal food and local products. The pair also met with workers from PIPS, a suicide prevention charity, and spoke to them about their work helping people at risk of suicide and self-harm. During their visit, the charity arranged for William and Kate to take part in an art therapy session, which saw them paint pumpkins with children whom PIPS has supported. Images: The Sun, Getty Images

Travel

World's most-loved landmarks ranked

A new study has ranked the world's most-loved landmarks, whittling down a list of 125 iconic spots down to just ten. Travel experts at <a href="https://usebounce.com/blog/best-loved-landmarks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bounce</a> analysed Google search data with a focus on several factors, including annual visitor numbers, TripAdvisor ratings and posts on social media. The US and Canada dominated the list, with Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Golden Gate Bridge and the Statue of Liberty coming in first, third, fourth and fifth respectively. India's Taj Mahal came in second, while the Great Wall of China just missed out on the top five. Though Australia and New Zealand's icons were noticeably absent from the list, the famed Sydney Opera House took out second in Bounce's ranking of landmarks expected to generate the most revenue, coming in behind India's Burj Khalifa. The full list of the top ten most-loved landmarks is: 1. Niagara Falls, Canada 2. Taj Mahal, India 3. Grand Canyon, United States 4. Golden Gate Bridge, United States 5. Statue Of Liberty, United States 6. Great Wall Of China, China 7. Eiffel Tower, France 8. Burj Khalifa, India 9. Banff National Park, Canada 10. Colosseum, Italy Image: Getty Images

Travel

Stranded opera singer busks to earn cash after cancelled flights

After her flight home was cancelled, one Jestar passenger said she was forced to busk for money until she could get home. Edit Pali had travelled to a remote resort in Phuket with her husband Tibor to celebrate her 50th birthday when a cancelled flight saw their stay extend for another five days. Having spent a large portion of their savings on their trip, the couple were faced with the problem of paying for their additional days in the resort. Ms Pali told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/stranded-aussie-jetstar-passengers-speak-out/04c064ba-f60c-43dd-8ba8-640595f8ddc9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair</a> that the airline had offered them $30 for meals and $150 for accommodation each day in compensation - but the money failed to arrive. “I’m a tough chook but I cried, I really cried,” she said. Taking advantage of her skills as an opera singer, Ms Pali decided to sing for her supper at breakfast, lunch and dinner while they waited for the funds to come through. "We're just average people, we don't make a lot of money, so for us to go away to Thailand for a week to a luxury resort, that was a big enough chunk into our savings,” she added. A Jetstar spokesperson said they were aware of Ms Pali’s situation and were doing “everything we can”. But Ms Pali isn’t the only person affected by a cancelled flight, as six out of 11 of Jetstar’s 787 planes were grounded earlier this month. At least 4,000 passengers travelling on popular winter routes, including to Bali, Thailand, and Japan, have been affected by delays and cancellations, with the airline blaming lightning, bird strikes and parts shortages. "Our teams work around the clock to get passengers on their way as soon as possible and we provide a range of support, including help to cover accommodation and meals costs as well as other reasonable expenses," the airline said. In a statement, Jetstar said Ms Pali and her husband were due to have their expense claim paid by September 27. Image: A Current Affair

Travel

See inside the top-secret museum you can’t enter

While most museums aim to educate the public, there’s one that most of us won’t be allowed to enter that holds artefacts that have shaped key historical moments - and it’s located in the headquarters of the CIA. The US intelligence agency has its very own in-house museum at its headquarters in Langley, Virginia, with a collection recently renovated to mark its 75th anniversary. According to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63023876" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>, whose journalists were among a select group given access during a media tour, the 600 artefacts on display include everything from old-school spy gadgets to models of the compound that housed Osama bin Laden. The Cold War gadgets included the likes of a ‘dead drop rat’, in which messages could be hidden, a covert camera inside a cigarette packet, an exploding martini glass and even a pigeon with its own spy camera. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/cia-display.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> A pipe radio receiver is among the hundreds of items on display in the museum. Image: Getty Images Some artefacts have never gone on display before, such as a model of the sunken Soviet K-129 submarine created for the expedition the CIA embarked on with billionaire Howard Hughes to recover the ship. That mission was only partially successful since the submarine broke apart while a ship called the Gomar Explorer was trying to bring it up from the ocean’s depths. "Most of what they found aboard that submarine is still classified to this day," Robert Z Byer, the museum’s director, told the BBC. The mission also marked the creation of an iconic phrase the CIA still uses; after news broke of the mission before the rest of the submarine could be extracted, officials were told to say they could “neither confirm nor deny” what had happened. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/cia-display1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> A model of the K-129 submarine was created by the CIA during the mission to recover the sunken Soviet vessel and has never been displayed before. Image: Central Intelligence Agency Others have only been declassified recently, including a model of the compound where al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed earlier this year. The model was used to brief President Joe Biden on the proposed mission. Though the museum moves chronologically through the CIA’s successes and failures, including the failed Bay of Pigs mission to overthrow Fidel Castro, some of the agency’s more controversial acts are less visible, such as the 1953 joint operation with Mi6 to overthrow a democratically-elected government in Iran, or recent involvement in the torture of terrorist suspects after 9/11. The museum’s visitors are restricted to CIA staff and official visitors, with Mr Byer saying it serves to educate CIA officers on the agency’s history. "This museum is not just a museum for history's sake. This is an operational museum,” he explained. “We are taking CIA officers [through it], exploring our history, both good and bad," says Mr Byer. "We make sure that our officers understand their history, so that they can do a better job in the future. We have to learn from our successes and our failures in order to be better in the future." While the public isn’t allowed to visit it currently, officials say some exhibits will be available to view online. Images of the museum are also expected to be shared on social media, with the aim being that members of the public are given the chance to unscramble the various coded messages displayed on the museum’s ceilings. Image: Getty Images

Travel

A royal’s world: Spots around the world named after Queen Elizabeth II

Between parks, streets, cities, and even mountain ranges, the late Queen Elizabeth II has become the namesake of numerous spots around the world. In fact, there are at least 46 places that are named after the monarch - including some surprising locales. Canada boasts the most royally-named spots, with 22 locations including two sets of Queen Elizabeth Islands and the Queen Elizabeth Ranges. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/qeii-ranges.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The late Queen Elizabeth II is the namesake for plenty of locations around the world, including this mountain range in Canada. Image: "<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/46207792@N00/30025711968" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queen Elizabeth Range from near 1st 'hill' summit</a>" by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/46207792@N00" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sf-dvs</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY 2.0</a>. Even the farthest reaches of the world show a nod to royalty, with Antarctica boasting Princess Elizabeth Land - named before she was crowned queen - and Queen Elizabeth Land, which is twice the size of the UK according to the BBC. In Zimbabwe, you’ll find Princess Elizabeth Island, which was named after her at the request of her father, George VI, while Queenstown, Singapore, received its royalty-themed name a year after she was coronated. According to the BBC, the UK is home to a whopping 237 roads named after her, far outstripping the 153 named for Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II’s great-great-grandmother. Images: Getty Images / James Yungel (NASA)

Travel

Who was that incredibly tall man in the Queen's funeral procession?

With thousands turning out to see Queen Elizabeth II one last time as she was farewelled in a public memorial, one mourner stood out from the procession and sent the internet into a tizzy. The figure in question was Matthew Magee, one of the Queen’s former private secretaries. Standing at an impressive 7ft 2in, he would have towered over the late five-foot Queen. According to The Mirror UK, Magee is often confused with one of the monarch’s most dedicated members of staff, Paul “Tall Paul” Whybrew. Tall Paul, who is slightly shorter than Magee at 6ft 4in, was one of only three of the Queen’s male domestic staff who were invited to join the cortege from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall last week. He earned his nickname in comparison to another of Her Majesty’s footmen, Paul Burrell, who was known as Small Paul. Despite tall being in his name, Tall Paul was overshadowed by Magee, having sparked curiosity among many on social media. “Who is this insanely tall man? Is this the royal Slenderman?” one person shared on Twitter. “Anyone know who the exceedingly tall man is?” another asked. A third wrote, “I don’t know who he is, but he is a very tall man”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Is this tall man the Royal Giant? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tallman?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tallman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Queen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Queen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/funeral?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#funeral</a> <a href="https://t.co/UKdvFAf6za">pic.twitter.com/UKdvFAf6za</a> — Stephen Griffin (@Stephen_Griffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Griffin/status/1571869435039780864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2022</a></blockquote> Some asked whether he was related to English TV presenter Richard Osman, who stands at 6ft 7in, prompting Osman to trend on Twitter. “Curious as to who the tall man is - walking in the Queen’s Funeral Procession. Wearing Morning (sic) Dress and towering above everyone else. Must be knocking on 7ft tall… [Richard Osman] - though it was you!!!” one person wrote. “Wondered why Richard Osman was trending and it turns out it’s because there was a tall man wearing glasses at the Queen’s funeral,” another shared. With so many wondering about the mystery tall man’s identity, others were quick to reveal who he was - and even threw in a joke or two. “Matthew Magee. Private Secretary to the Queen. He’s 7ft 2inch tall. She always looked up to him,” one user joked. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Queens private secretary oversees everything <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/queensfuneral?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#queensfuneral</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tallman?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tallman</a> <a href="https://t.co/bJPE3A7aO9">pic.twitter.com/bJPE3A7aO9</a> — Jade Thomas (@Jadeesther23) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jadeesther23/status/1571869355993866241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2022</a></blockquote> “The Queen’s Private Secretary Matthew Magee (the very tall man with glasses in front of the hearse) is as tall as the soldiers with the bear skin hats on,” another revealed. Magee has previously worked as the private secretary to Prince Edward, though The Sun reported that he was chosen to work for the Queen in 2018 because of his “brilliant brain”. “He is a smashing guy with a great sense of humour and the Queen will love working with him on a daily basis,” a royal insider told the outlet at the time. Image: Twitter

Travel

Record-busting droughts are uncovering long-lost relics

As much of the Northern Hemisphere experiences record-breaking droughts, the drying up of lakes, rivers and other bodies of water has exposed more than just dirt and debris. In Spain, a prehistoric circle of stones dubbed “Spanish Stonehenge” has emerged in a drying dam in the central province of Caceres. Since it was first discovered in 1926 and was subsequently covered by floodwaters, the stones have only been visible four times. Elsewhere in Europe, 20 German WWII warships have been exposed, sunken in the Danube River near Serbia’s river port town of Prahovo. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/ww2-ships.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Twenty Nazi warships emerged as the Danue River continues to dry up. Image: Reuters (YouTube) The Nazi German ships were among hundreds that sailed up the Danube while retreating from Soviet forces in 1944, and still hamper traffic traversing the river when water levels are low. In late July, a previously submerged WWII bomb weighing a whopping 450kg was discovered in the River Po, as the country declared a state of emergency in areas around the lengthy river as a result of the low water levels. The ageing explosive was defused in a controlled explosion by military experts earlier this month near the village of Bogo Virgilio, but not before about 3,000 people were evacuated from the area, per <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/20/europes-drought-exposes-wwii-ships-bombs-and-prehistoric-stones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Jazeera</a>. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/bomb1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Military experts were deployed to detonate a 450kg bomb uncovered in Italy’s Polo River. Image: Global News (YouTube) Meanwhile, droughts in the US have exposed ancient footprints belonging to dinosaurs, as well as victims of suspected mob killings. In early July, the skeletal remains of a man who was shot in the head, stuffed in a barrel and tossed into Lake Mead, located outside the city of Las Vegas, were uncovered, with experts believing he would have died in the 1980s. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/dino-tracks.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Dinosaur tracks believed to be 113 million years old were found in a state park in Texas. Image: Texas Park and Wildlife Department The lake, along with the Hudson River, provides most of southern Nevada’s drinking water and has reached its lowest point since it was filled 90 years ago, as reported by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/priyashukla/2022/05/03/drought-reveals-homicide-victim-as-lake-mead-recedes/?sh=6d6c198f3943" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forbes</a>. A discovery of Jurassic proportions was made at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas, after footprints believed to date back 113 million years were found. The tracks belong to the Arocanthosaurus, a bipedal dinosaur with three toes and a claw on each limb, per <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/24/science/dinosaur-tracks-texas-drought.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times</a>. Others that were also uncovered belong to Sauroposeidon proteles, a 15-metre-long dinosaur with a long neck and small head. As the fierce weather continues, experts believe more of these kinds of finds will emerge. Images: Texas Park and Wildlife Department / Reuters (YouTube)

Travel

Couple ‘draw’ 7,237 kilometre bicycle in name of climate change

A couple has taken a stand against climate change that can be seen from the skies, having cycled more than 7,000 kilometres to create the image of a bike to encourage others to ditch their cars. UK-based couple Arianna Casiraghi and Daniel Rayneau-Kirkhope first took it upon themselves to “draw” a 956-kilometre-wide bicycle across Europe in 2019, telling the Guardian they did it to “draw attention to the scale of climate breakdown” and get others to think about choosing bikes over cars for shorter trips. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChRmUTSM9j8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChRmUTSM9j8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Arianna🇮🇹 - Daniel🇬🇧 - Zola🐶🇫🇮 (@bicycleswillsavetheworld_)</a> </div> </blockquote> Though a pandemic, injuries, and poor weather made their short trip anything but, the Italian-British duo eventually finished the task. After quitting their jobs in 2019 to start the ride, Casiraghi suffered a knee injury that put a hold on their journey until November, when the cold and rain made it so miserable they had to stop again. Plans to restart the ride in March 2020 were derailed, but Casiraghi said finishing what they had started was both for a sense of accomplishment and so they didn’t let down the people who had been following their progress. Their trip, which totalled 131 days of cycling, finally came to an end on August 15 and the couple took to Instagram to share the news. “We have completed our gps-trace drawing! And what a drawing it is!” they wrote. “We cycled 7237 km through 7 countries to draw our massive bicycle and hopefully encourage one or two people to use their bike instead of the car.” The pair revealed they had also beaten several records, including the Guinness World Record for the largest GPS drawing, the unofficial record for the largest one completed by a bicycle, and “we have definitely drawn the biggest bicycle ever!” As if their feat wasn’t impressive enough, the duo also took their Italian water dog, Zola, along for the ride, using custom-built bikes that had a compartment for the pooch to sit in whenever she wasn’t running alongside. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeWkHS1s06U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeWkHS1s06U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Arianna🇮🇹 - Daniel🇬🇧 - Zola🐶🇫🇮 (@bicycleswillsavetheworld_)</a> </div> </blockquote> "We tried to go on small roads where possible, or off-road, so Zola could walk a bit," Rayneau-Kirkhope said. The planning of their drawing was also a complex task, with their first draft route taking them directly through Charles de Gaulle Airport. Reflecting on their trip, the couple said Casiraghi’s injury proved to be “really quite demoralising”. "We had to stop travelling in order to rest and undertake dedicated physiotherapy sessions, which unfortunately meant that our project got delayed," they said. But, people’s reactions to their journey far outshone the harder moments. "The highlight of the trip has been the incredible support that we have received from people along the road," they said. "Without them, cycling through the cold and rainy winter months would simply not have been possible with our tight budget. "We still are amazed about how open-minded and selfless people can be." As for what’s next, the pair said they would be heading home for a rest before hitting the pedals again - though their next trip won’t be so artistic. "Now, we will go home and rest before going for another cycling trip," they said. "No drawing, just pedalling in whichever direction we bloody well please!" Image: @bicycleswilsavetheworld_ (Instagram)

Travel

This EU country is the first to trial digital passports

Finland will be the first country to trial digital passports that would allow people to travel without paper documents. Instead, travellers will be able to use a mobile app that stores digital copies of their important travel documents, as reported by the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/finland-set-to-become-the-first-eu-country-to-trial-digital-passports/MDLD7UORHB4GACBOZ35SZ3NUQQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a>. A successful trial would be a big step towards EU-wide adoption of digital passports, but Europeans shouldn’t be ditching their paper passports just yet. Mikko Väisänen, an inspector of the Finnish Border Guard, said the trial is dependent on the Finnish government finishing the drafting of a funding application which will be submitted to the European Commission at the end of the month. Once the funding is approved, a select group of volunteers will be able to take part in the pilot run, held at Helsinki Airport for flights between Finland and Croatia. The volunteers will still need their paper passports, but will be given a mobile app to download onto their phone so they can share the necessary information with border security. Väisänen said that adopting digital passports wouldn’t just make the lives of travellers easier, especially for those who forget or lose their documents while abroad, but can also make border checks more efficient. Christoph Wolff, the Head of Mobility at the World Economic Forum, agreed, saying that electronic, paperless systems could be key to managing demand in airports. "By 2030, international air arrivals are expected to reach 1.8 billion passengers, up 50 per cent from 2016. Under today's systems, airports cannot keep up with this growth," he said. If the Finnish government’s application is successful, the trial would begin at the end of 2022. Image: Getty Images

Travel

New discovery reveals last moments of Pompeii’s middle class

A series of new finds in Pompeii’s archaeological park have shed light on the final moments of middle class Romans before they were buried beneath volcanic ash and debris from Mount Vesuvius. Plates, glasses, vases, amphorae and terracotta objects left behind in chests and cabinets have been recovered from four rooms in a house that was first excavated in 2018. Gabriel Zuchtriegal, the director of the popular Italian tourist destination, said the discovery revealed precious details about the ordinary citizens of the city. “In the Roman Empire there was a significant proportion of the population which fought for their social status and for whom the ‘daily bread’ was anything but taken for granted. It was a social class that was vulnerable during political crises and famines, but also ambitious to climb the social ladder,” Dr Zuchtriegal <a href="http://pompeiisites.org/en/comunicati/the-discovery-of-furnishings-from-the-house-of-the-lararium-in-regio-v-a-snapshot-of-middle-class-pompeii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a>. “In the House of the Lararium at Pompeii, the owner was able to embellish the courtyard with the lararium and the basin for the cistern with exceptional paintings, yet evidently funds were insufficient to decorate the five rooms of the house, one of which was used for storage. “In the other rooms, two on the upper floor which could be reached by a mezzanine, we have discovered an array of objects, some of which are made of precious materials such as bronze and glass, while others were for everyday use. The wooden furniture, of which it has been possible to make casts, was extremely simple. “We do not know who the inhabitants of the house were, but certainly the culture of otium (leisure) which inspired the wonderful decoration of the courtyard represented for them more a future they dreamed of than a lived reality.” In the rooms on the lower floor of the house, all of the furnishings were able to be recovered by creating casts of the furniture. One bedroom even contained the remains of a bed frame and trace fabric from the pillow, similar to three cot-like beds unearthed last year in another Pompeiian home believed to be slaves’ quarters. Next to the bed, archaeologists found a bipartite wooden chest that was left open when the owners fled. Although heavily damaged by beams that crashed onto it during the eruption, it still held an oil lamp decorated with a relief of the Greek god Zeus being transformed into an eagle. A small, three-legged table was found next to the trunk, with a ceramic cup containing glass ampules, and two small plates sitting on top. In the storeroom, they found a wooden cupboard with its backboard still intact and the shelves caved in. Many of the items from the upper floor were found in the rooms below, including everyday items such as ceramic vessels, two bronze jugs, a bronze bowl with a beaded base, and an incense burner in the shape of a cradle. One of the unique and most interesting finds was a small cast of waxed tablets, made up of seven triptychs (carvings with three panels) that have been tied together by a small cord. Images: Parco Archeologico di Pompei

Travel

72-year-old hiker begins 22,000km trek following in footsteps of Marco Polo

A 72-year-old Italian hiker has begun a 22,000 kilometre trip from Venice to Beijing, following in the footsteps of her hero, Marco Polo. Vienna Cammarota started her journey from the explorer’s birthplace on Wednesday, April 27, and is planning to travel across 15 countries while following the medieval trade route. If all goes to plan, Ms Cammarota will be arriving in Beijing by December 2025, as reported by <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/italian-grandmother-sets-off-on-22000km-walk-in-footsteps-of-marco-polo/VACLCVOHGBPAC4QU5OG5R5HWAE/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a>. Following the route taken by Marco Polo 750 years ago, Ms Cammarota will be supported on her trip by her three daughters and grandchildren, who will send parcels of food and clothes as she needs them. But you can’t undertake such a trip without some cash, and Ms Cammarota told local media she has saved a total of 40,000 Euros ahead of the trek. “But I will look for hospitality to save as much as I can and where I can,” she added. This historically-inspired trip isn’t the first Ms Cammarota has taken, but it’s definitely her most ambitious. The experienced hiker previously walked the length of Nepal to Everest, followed Jesus’ Biblical route through Palestine, and trekked across the Italian Alps in the footsteps of German philosopher Goethe. “I love history, culture and archaeology, and I walk in order to see and recount, but above all to listen,” she explained. To make her journey less monotonous, she told the Euro-Cities blog she would spend the time reading her copy of Marco Polo’s diary and by performing mental arithmetic. Image: Vienna Cammarota (Facebook)

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Tragic last words of five-year-old trapped in well

The final words of a five-year-old boy have been <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/world-gripped-by-tragic-story-of-fiveyearold-rayan-who-fell-down-well-in-morocco/news-story/c4d4dd221d46589028437e3cdb75323e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> by family members, following the young boy’s death after being trapped in a Moroccan well for days.A male relative told Reuters news agency that Rayan Awram called out begging to be saved while waiting to be rescued.He said the family first realised Rayan was missing when they heard sounds of muffled crying, using the camera light on their phone to find him.“He was crying ‘lift me up’,” the relative said.Rayan fell into a 32-metre shaft outside his home in Ighran, a village in northern Morocco, on Tuesday evening.On Sunday, footage emerged showing Rayan being carried out of a tunnel constructed by rescuers, before the boy was rushed to an ambulance where his parents waited.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Photos the moments when Rayan,5, was removed from the 32 meter deep well in northern Morocco before he was announced dead. Innalillah. Rest in peace Rayan 💔<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveRayan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaveRayan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%81%D9%84_%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#الطفل_ريان</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cx8t79imxK">pic.twitter.com/Cx8t79imxK</a>— Tun Fadzil 🇲🇾🇵🇸 (@FAZHAJAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/FAZHAJAZ/status/1490091910861848577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2022</a></blockquote>It was later reported that the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, confirmed that Rayan was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.The monarch expressed his condolences to the boy’s parents, Khaled Oram and Wassima Khersheesh.Reports from Moroccan media said resuscitation specialists entered the tunnel alongside rescue crews, fearing Rayan may have needed life-saving medical care.AFP correspondents reported that rescue teams moved at a snail’s pace for fear of triggering a landslide.The risky earth-moving operation saw drill teams work by hand to avoid any vibrations that could bring soil down on the stricken child, according to local authorities.“Eighty centimetres (less than three feet) separate us from Rayan but the drillers are working painstakingly to avoid any mishap,” engineer Mounir al-Jazouli told a local broadcaster.Abdelhardi Tamrani, an official in charge of the rescue, said a camera inserted into the well where Rayan was stuck had shown him lying on his side.<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/tribute-rayan.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />Tributes to the five-year-old have flooded social media after the news of his passing on Sunday night. Image: @ShaykhAshiq (<a href="https://twitter.com/ShaykhAshiq/status/1490230757759107073" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>)The efforts of the rescue teams gripped Moroccan residents, attracting onlookers who encouraged rescuers with applause, sang religious songs or prayed, chanting “Allahu akbar” (God is great) in unison. The operation even sparked sympathy in neighbouring Algeria, a regional rival.Though rescuers had tried to get oxygen and water down to the five-year-old, AFP correspondents reported that it was unclear whether he was able to use them.As night fell, they continued to work non-stop, using powerful floodlights that gave a gloomy air to the scene.“I keep up hope that my child will get out of the well alive,” Rayan’s father told public television 2M on Friday evening. “I thank everyone involved and those supporting us in Morocco and elsewhere.”The rescue mission sparked an outpouring of sympathy online, with the Arabic hashtag #SaveRayan beginning to trend.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you, everyone who worked to rescue little Rayan. We will not forget your efforts and work. God bless Morocco 🇲🇦. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rayan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rayan</a> <a href="https://t.co/GKJNwx64EK">pic.twitter.com/GKJNwx64EK</a>— Younes JEDDI (@YounesJeddi) <a href="https://twitter.com/YounesJeddi/status/1490305077453721604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote>One person paid tribute to the rescue team working non-stop for days on end, saying, “they are real-life heroes”.A volunteer at the site simply said he was there to help.“We’ve been here for three days. Rayan is a child of our region. We won’t leave until he’s out of the well,” he said.Image: Twitter

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Tragic last words of five-year-old trapped in well

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Tragic last words of five-year-old trapped in well

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