Young woman takes off on round-the-world record bid
Pilot Zara Rutherford, 19, has taken off at the start of a three-month bid to become the youngest woman to fly solo round the world.
She departed from Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in western Belgium in her Shark ultralight, the world’s fastest microlight aircraft.
“Growing up, I loved aviation and STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but I didn’t see many other women or girls doing that. I just always thought that was quite sad or discouraging,” Zara said.
“I’m hoping that I can encourage girls to go into this field.”
Zara is seeking to win the title from Shaesta Wais, who became the youngest woman to fly solo round the world at 30.
Zara’s route will take about three months, with stops in 52 countries – including Greenland, China and Nicaragua – where she will stay with local families or in hotels.
Well-preserved skeleton sheds light on culture in ancient Pompeii
Archaeologists have uncovered a well-preserved skeleton at a burial site in Pompeii which has shed new light on funeral rites and cultural activity in the doomed, ancient Roman city, officials said.
The body of the man, believed to be in his 60s, was found in a tomb which dated to the final decades of Pompeii, before it was destroyed by the Vesuvius volcano in 79 AD.
A commemorative inscription named the man as Marcus Venerius Secundio and made a reference to theatre performances at Pompeii in Greek – the first time archaeologists have found direct evidence of plays performed there in Greek as well as in Latin.
“That performances in Greek were organised is evidence of the lively and open cultural climate which characterised ancient Pompeii,” said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii’s Archaeological Park.
The park said in a statement that it was one of the best preserved skeletons ever found at the site and showed signs of partial mummification, with hair and an ear still evident on the skull. Two cremation urns were also found in the tomb enclosure.
Adults were normally cremated in the city at the time, so the burial of Marcus Venerius is seen as highly unusual.
Wally the Walrus continues tour of Wild Atlantic Way
Wally the Walrus is continuing his tour of the Wild Atlantic Way with people flocking to see the wandering mammal off the west Cork coast.
The Arctic walrus was first spotted in Ireland off the coast of Valentia Island in March, and has since travelled 4,000 km along the coast of western Europe, being spotted in France, Spain and the UK.
Melanie Croce, executive director at Seal Rescue Ireland, has urged the public to behave responsibly when visiting Wally.
