An American astronaut has shared the jaw-dropping view from his workplace window – aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Space explorer Don Pettit has this week captured wonders from 260 miles in orbit above Earth. His pictures show the Milky Way and the lights of terrestrial cities, as well as an incredible view of hundreds of fishing vessels in Vietnam. Of his picture shared today (12 Feb), the Expedition 72 Flight Engineer said: “Star field from Space Station. Taken from the SpaceX Crew 9 Dragon vehicle showing the Southern Cross region using my homemade star tracker.” Of his 11 February…

SWLSharvey – By Izzy Hawksworth and Harry Harrison The heartbroken mother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed at school, has told of the “horrendous” moment she found out he had been attacked. Caroline Willgoose’s son Harvey Willgoose, 15, was killed after he was attacked at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield, South Yorks., on February 3. He was rushed to hospital but was tragically pronounced dead in the ambulance. Speaking on Monday (February 10) – exactly a week after his death – Caroline has now told of the “horrendous” moment when her husband Mark contacted her to say…

Expert explains why offering the option to work from home is a surefire way to attract top talent Key Points: Expert explains why it’s so important for employers to offer remote work options to attract top employees 69% of employers struggling to find qualified candidates, while there’s a shortage of talent – tech industry particularly affected Expert explains a range of flexible work options employers can consider for their businesses  In today’s competitive job market, offering remote work options can no longer be considered ‘just a nice perk.’ A staggering 70% of employees say that having the ability to work…

Bag a car rental upgrade and pay less for it with this expert’s insights Key Points: Car rental specialist reveals in-the-know tricks for upgrading your rented wheels without paying OTT for the privilege Tips include booking the smallest car, picking up late in the day, and being friendly Expert explains reveals that by upgrading your car rental, the company can promote their brand as you drive around – a win-win situation Whether it’s on a train, plane, or automobile, everyone loves an upgrade – especially if it comes at a discount, or is free. Getting your rental car upgraded for…

SWTPsurgery – by Amy Reast A mum was relieved to see her newborn son kick his legs after he had spinal surgery while still inside the womb. Serena Nye, 24, was told after her 20-week pregnancy scan her unborn son had spina bifida. It meant his spine and spinal cord was not developing properly, causing a gap in his spine, leaving at high risk of weakness or total paralysis of his legs. Serena and partner Chris Bown, 26, were given the choice to continue normally, terminate the pregnancy, or have fetal surgery. So in an incredible operation, doctors took Serena’s…

SWLNeurostar – by James Gamble Locals and businesses in a Kent town are pleading for the Eurostar to return after a five-year absence – saying the centre has become “depressing” since the rail service disappeared. The swanky international station in Ashford has been out of use since the first Covid lockdown and is now a time capsule back to a pre-pandemic age, with March 2020 editions of magazines still sitting on tables in the lounge. Eurostar trains have not stopped at struggling Ashford, Ebbsfleet or Stratford’s now vacant platforms since before the pandemic, despite increasing public and private fervour to…

SWNAarmed2 – by Izzy Hawksworth & Jack Fifield One woman who works at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, where residents are currently holed up, said she struggled to get into work this morning and that some people had even abandoned their cars. Earlier this morning, the woman saw a white sheet sticking outside the window of The Gateway block of flats, which remains evacuated since last night (mon) as police negotiate with a man inside who reportedly has weapons. Speaking outside the centre, the woman said: “I saw a sheet at 8am and there’s been police officers at another…

Russian military officials have released footage showing soldiers preparing a nuclear missile launcher for combat. The country’s Ministry of Defense released video on Thursday (Feb. 6) of the YARS mobile intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch vehicle. The footage shows Russia’s so-called “Strategic Missile Troops” conducting combat patrols and practicing counter-sabotage tactics in the Yoshkar-Ola region. Soldiers maneuver the massive vehicle into a forest for cover, then set up camouflage netting to disguise it in the snowy landscape. The operation, which took place 775 kilometers (480 miles) east of Moscow, highlights the capabilities of the YARS missile system, which has a…

SWSMetsy – by Emma Dunn A woman says she met her fiancé after she paid a psychic medium on Etsy to predict and draw her soulmate. Nicole Echeverria, 31, realised she had been “settling” for the wrong men after spending most of her 20s single or in “toxic” relationships. She went for therapy and started manifesting her husband – the practice of thinking aspirational thoughts with the purpose of making them real. Nicole paid a woman on Esty to do a ‘soulmate drawing’ – a portrait created using their intuition to depict what someone’s potential partner might look like. Nicole…

SWFSrings – by Ottilie Von Henning This is the moment a couple realised their rings were missing in the middle of their wedding ceremony. Luke Devaney and Ryan Devaney were caught in a tense moment when the groom realised the rings were missing from the dish placed in front of them. Video recorded by their wedding videographer Will Bonarrigo during their wedding in Rhode Island last year, shows Luke nudging his bride and asking her where the rings are. He can be heard saying: “Why aren’t there rings on there? Where are the rings? Shouldn’t they be on that dish?”…