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Myths about rapid spread of the Black Death influenced by single “literary tale”, experts show

Myths about how the Black Death travelled quickly across Asia, ravaging Silk Route communities, date back to a single fourteenth-century source, experts have found. Modern portrayals of the plague quickly moving across the continent, following the course of traders, have been incorrect because of centuries of misinterpretation of a rhyming literary tale. This “maqāma”—an Arabic genre of writing often focusing on a traveling “trickster”—was written by the poet and historian, Ibn al-Wardi in 1348/9 in Aleppo but was…

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BBC Radio Devon presenters take on three-legged challenge

BBC Radio Devon presenters take on three-legged challenge

BBCMichael Chequer was joined by breast cancer survivor Louise ButcherBBC radio presenters endured wind and rain on the first day of a 1,000-mile three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need.Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer from BBC Radio Devon intend to cover 12.5 miles (20.12km) over the two-day challenge. The pair have walked each mile tied to a different person, including volunteers and staff from Children in Need-funded projects.Densley, who began the challenge at Exmouth Lifeboat Station, said the…

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Ex-solicitor accused of rapes in Plymouth court and police cells

Ex-solicitor accused of rapes in Plymouth court and police cells

BBCSome of the alleged offences took place in the cells at Plymouth Magistrates' CourtA former criminal defence solicitor has been charged with the sexual assault and rape against eight men and a woman in the cells of a police station and a magistrates' court, a court has heard.Alan Harris, 71, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court, accused of 18 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault, three charges of rape and one of another serious…

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Agreement renewal strengthens research, education and patient benefits in Cornwall

A partnership between the University of Exeter and the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) has been renewed, strengthening a relationship to foster leadership in health research, education, and innovation to benefit patients in Cornwall and beyond. The third iteration of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations is designed to advance world-class education and research, develop a skilled, research-active healthcare workforce across Cornwall and the wider South West, and enhance population health. The two organisations already…

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Jobs under threat at Plymouth luxury boat builder Princess Yachts

Jobs under threat at Plymouth luxury boat builder Princess Yachts

Up to 40 jobs could be at risk at a luxury boat builder after lower than expected wholesale orders.Princess Yachts, which is based in Plymouth, Devon, said it was entering a consultation process that may lead to a "small number of redundancies".Trade union Unite said up to 40 jobs including managerial positions were at risk, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.The firm, which blamed economic and market conditions for the drop in orders, has also cut 240 jobs…

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How might Arctic ‘tug-of-war’ affect British Isles’ weather?

How might Arctic sea-ice loss affect the British Isles’ weather? That is the question a team of researchers from the University of Exeter and the Met Office have been investigating. The team found a considerable influence of Arctic sea ice on winter weather conditions, with a range of outcomes influenced by a “tug-of-war” between the amount of sea-ice loss relative to background global warming. More dramatic sea-ice loss is associated with a higher rate of warming in the Arctic compared…

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New historical prize launched in memory of Second World War veteran

The relationship between 20th-century conflict and the challenges facing the world today is to be the focus of a new history prize launched for secondary school pupils in Cornwall. The Tony Hibbert Prize, established in memory of the decorated Second World War veteran, will invite students in key stages 3-5 – year groups 7-13 – to creatively respond to a particular theme each year, through a range of different media. The children will be able to write creatively…

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Cornwall AI Summit launched to help businesses harness Artificial Intelligence

Cornwall AI Summit launched to help businesses harness Artificial Intelligence

Cornish businesses are being invited to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive innovation and growth at the Cornwall AI Summit, this month. Orchestrated by the University of Exeter, Cornwall, the flagship event will bring together business leaders, researchers and digital experts to discuss how AI is transforming industries and what it means for organisations in the county. It will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, and a series of free, practical workshops aimed at helping organisations apply AI…

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BBC Radio Devon presenters tackling three-legged challenge

BBC Radio Devon presenters tackling three-legged challenge

BBC radio presenters have begun their part of a 1,000 mile three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need.Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer from BBC Radio Devon intend to cover 12.5 miles (20.12km) over the two-day challenge. Chequer began in Bideford and Densley began in Exmouth earlier. They will be walking each mile tied to a different person, including volunteers and staff from Children in Need-funded projects.Open Door, Action East Devon, Taw and Torridge Voluntary Services and Home Start…

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Plymouth speed camera damaged in ‘reckless act of vandalism’

Plymouth speed camera damaged in ‘reckless act of vandalism’

A speed camera has been damaged in a "reckless act of vandalism" that the local council said could have seriously endangered the public.Police notified Plymouth City Council that the street lighting column on Victoria Road, St Budeaux, had been damaged early on Saturday.Highways teams attended the scene, before the upper column and the speed enforcement camera was removed and the lower column made safe, the council said.The camera, which had been lent to police free of charge by…

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Expert has hope for ‘resilient’ missing flamingo in Cornwall

Expert has hope for ‘resilient’ missing flamingo in Cornwall

A flamingo expert says she has hope for a missing bird from a wildlife park in Cornwall.Frankie the flamingo escaped from a walled garden at Paradise Park in Hayle on Sunday morning.Dr Caitlin Knight, a senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, who wrote a book on flamingos, said the birds were "more resilient than we might think", and that, as Frankie had clipped wings to prevent far flight, he may not travel too far.Park staff said on…

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Fewer shark deaths when fishing guidelines followed

Fewer shark deaths when fishing guidelines followed

Most sharks survived after being released by non-commercial fishermen when angling guidelines were followed, a study has found.The University of Exeter said researchers tagged nearly 70 blue, porbeagle and tope sharks to track their behaviour after being caught recreationally using the catch-and-release technique.Fish are put back into the water to help conserve populations when the catch-and-release technique is used, but animal rights groups have said the method could still cause injury or death.Researchers said out of the sharks…

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