In other news: Explorers finds wreckage potentially belonging to World War II ace; Work on Rome subway line continues

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 25, 2024

By The Associated Press

Explorers find what they believe is World War II ace Richard Bong’s downed plane in South Pacific

Searchers have discovered what they believe is the wreckage of World War II ace Richard Bong’s plane in the South Pacific. The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisconsin, and the nonprofit World War II historical preservation group Pacific Wrecks announced the discovery Thursday. Bong, who grew up in Wisconsin, flew a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter nicknamed “Marge” in honor of his girlfriend, Marjorie Vattendahl. Another pilot was flying the plane in March 1944 over what is now known as Papua New Guinea when engine failure sent it into a spin and it crashed into the jungle. The Bong center and the preservation group announced a search for the wreckage this past March.

Work on new Rome subway line under the Colosseum and Forum enters crucial phase

A long-delayed and complex project to bring a subway line under ancient Roman ruins and through Rome’s historic center has entered a crucial phase. Crews are digging a deep retaining wall around the flagship station at Piazza Venezia. The Metro C subway line has been in the works for two decades but has been slowed by bureaucratic and funding delays. and crucially, there have been delays for archaeological excavations given the underground ruins of Imperial Roman and Medieval civilizations in its way. Chief engineer Andrea Sciotti said Thursday that work on the project is likely to be completed by 2034.

A UK lawmaker returns to work as ‘the bionic MP’ after losing his hands and feet to sepsis

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A British lawmaker has returned to work six months after sepsis forced the amputation of his hands and feet. Conservative legislator Craig Mackinlay received a standing ovation when he walked into the House of Commons on Wednesday. Mackinlay says he wants to be known as “the bionic MP” and plans to campaign for greater awareness of sepsis. He recounted in interviews that he turned “bright blue” as sepsis caused clotting that stopped blood getting to his limbs. He plans to push for greater awareness of the signs of sepsis and for Britain’s state-funded National Health Service to offer better treatment and prosthetics to people who have lost limbs.