Mountains of fire: what hillwalking with my father taught me about the origins of oil exploration

By Yvonne Reddick, Reader in English Literature and Creative Writing, University of Lancashire

“Far over the misty mountains cold,” Dad read. Every evening before my light was turned out, he read me a story about a hobbit who left his comfortable burrow to journey to the Lonely Mountain. Searching for gold at the mountain’s roots, talking to eagles, scaring wolves off by starting a forest fire, tricking a dragon: these were the tales he read to me.

We lived in a granite house on the western edge of Aberdeen. Mum planted rhubarb and runner beans in the garden. Summer holidays meant going to Aviemore, in the lap of the Cairngorm mountains. We’d stay in a wooden chalet, where knots…

Read complete article

~	As Trump has pulled back from the highest tariffs, this chart shows the economic shock has eased

~	As US climate data-gathering is gutted, Australian forecasting is now at real risk

~	‘I was very fearful of my parents’: new research shows how parents can use coercive control on their children

~	‘No filter can fix that face’: how online body shaming harms teenage girls

~	My child is always losing and forgetting things. How can I help – without making it worse?

~	I’m not First Nations, but I want to wear First Nations fashion. Is that okay?

~	To protect coral reefs, we must also protect the people who depend on them

~	All women — not just mothers — could benefit from more workplace flexibility

~	Telling stories: the 4 ways micro-influencers build and keep their loyal audiences

~	Israel/OPT: Israeli organizations conclude Israel committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in another milestone for accountability efforts