UK Edition - Today's top story: 'The Sun was dark and its darkness lasted for 18 months' – what we can learn from worst volcanic eruptions in history August 24, 2026 UK Edition   In AD 536 Europe was cloaked in darkness for 18 months as ash and gas altered the weather and the light. It is often referred to as “the worst year to be alive” – and the eruption was one of history’s worst. Medieval historian Alex Brown has traced the impact of this and other such disasters by examining historical writings. The horrific side effects of volcanic events have included spreading the plague and causing starvation at such a scale that massive grave pits had to be dug. A more recent climate shift and massive ice melt have allowed China to open a shipping line in the Arctic. As travel through the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted, this could be incredibly economically significant, and environmentally harmful. And a closer look at the three women depicted in the Bayeux tapestry tells a compelling story about medieval life.   Rachael Jolley Environment Editor   Eruption of Vesuvius by Pierre Jacques Volaire in 1771. ‘The Sun was dark and its darkness lasted for 18 months’ – what we can learn from worst volcanic eruptions in history Alex Brown, Durham University A volcanic eruption in 536 kicked off ‘the worst year to be alive’. A cargo ship at the Anadyr Sea Port in north-eastern Russia. Andrei Stepanov / Shutterstock China opens new Arctic trade route – but obstacles will prevent its wider use Edward Rhys Jones, University of Oxford As geopolitical turmoil forces ships to find new trade routes, melting Arctic ice offers a tempting shortcut. Queen Edith by the deathbed of King Edward from the Bayeux tapestry. Université de Caen Normandie / Wikipedia What three female figures in the Bayeux tapestry reveal about medieval women Natasha R. Hodgson, Nottingham Trent University The women of the Bayeux tapestry tell a story as compelling and important as the main depiction of the battle. World ‘Tree of justice’ protest: how Vietnamese youth are mobilising online to hold the powerful to account Nils Mallock, King's College London; London School of Economics and Political Science What started with the death of young woman in a traffic accident has escalated into a general protest about a lack of accountability for the powerful. Politics + Society Jason Arday press coverage: analysis of the volume and type of articles Matt Walsh, Cardiff University New analysis of articles about Arday show the volume of coverage he faced in the final weeks of his life. Why the probe into Nigel Farage’s finances didn’t hurt him at the ballot box Edmund Kelly, University of Oxford Scandals do not always have the impact that we might expect. Arts + Culture Classical music lovers can be as fanatical as Swifties – just read their letters Kate Guthrie, University of Bristol Classical music lovers might think they’re different from pop music stans but letters show their love and devotion run just as deep. Football ticket crackdowns and price hikes are excluding traditional fans Daniel Fitzpatrick, Aston University; Mark Turner, Manchester Metropolitan University Some big clubs have alienated supporters with their approach to ticket sales. Environment The world’s biggest trees could hold the secret to coping with drought Amy Bennett, University of Leeds Ecologists thought the largest trees would be most vulnerable to drought. The reality is more complex, with some forest giants unexpectedly resilient. After a wildfire Britain’s moors and heaths can be green again within weeks – but the real recovery takes much longer Richard Lindsay, University of East London An ecologist explains what happens next. Health Lymphatic walking: the social media trend explained Hannah Campbell, University of Leeds Social media claims a special walking technique can boost your lymphatic system. Here’s what’s actually backed by evidence. We put cottage cheese through an evidence check – and the health claims didn’t stack up Dominic Farsi, King's College London; Teagasc; Queen's University Belfast Research that actually supports cottage cheese’s supposed benefits is not quite as abundant as the number of viral recipes you can find online. Science + Technology Can baby monitors protect children without data security risks? Erika Sanchez-Velazquez, Anglia Ruskin University Connected devices could expose more data than parents expect. More newsletters from The Conversation for you: World Affairs Briefing • Imagine climate action • Global Economy & Business • Europe newsletter • Something Good • Politics Weekly • Education Focus About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organisation dedicated to helping academic experts share ideas with the public. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of universities and readers like you. Donate now to support research-based journalism   Featured events View all