SWSMvolcano – by Dean Murray A Hawaiian volcano looks like a scene from Lord of the Rings as it spews lava this week. A United States Geological Survey (USGS) live camera captured the ongoing activity at Kīlauea volcano and its prominent pit crater Halemaʻumaʻu, located within the larger Kīlauea Caldera at the summit. Volcanic activity resumed in December 2024 at the volcano, with ongoing episodic lava fountaining and flows reported continuing this week. ENDS Source link

SWLSparachute – by Peter Walsh and Faye Mayern A man has gone on trial accused of claiming he had a distinguished career in the army to avoid going to jail for a firearms offence. Paul Berryman, 62, was due to be sentenced for possession of a prohibited shotgun. The offence carries a mandatory prison sentence of five years unless there are exceptional circumstances. However Norwich Crown Court has heard Berryman made grand claims about having served in the military for almost 30 years to try to avoid prison. He is now on trial for perverting the course of justice after…

SWSMtwins – by Ben Barry A woman who is one of the rarest types of twins in the world says she is grateful to be alive after doctors gave her and her sister a one per cent chance of survival. Hope and her sister, Faith Baxter, both 24, are Momo twins – monochorionic monoamniotic – identical twins who share a placenta and amniotic sac. Doctors told their parents that if they went to full term there was a chance one of the twins would not survive so they decided to induce them two months early. The twins spent six weeks…

SWSMavalanche – by Sejal Mandal Video shows how a skier is lucky to be alive after he deployed his airbag during an avalanche. Witness Morgan Akhourfi, 24, was skiing with his friends near the Col du Géant on the Italian side of Mont Blanc on January 29. The group had stopped for a break when Morgan ‘s helmet camera captured a skier being swept away by an avalanche. Terrifying footage shows the skier disappearing under the snow and tumbling 300 metres down the mountain towards a 50-meter cliff. Luckily, the man, who wasn’t named, survived after triggering his avalanche airbag…

The 31,000 lochs of Scotland make the country a cold water swimmers’ paradise. With stunning vistas, remote locations and ice you have to smash with an axe – even in Spring – there is no shortage of spots to take a chilly dip. But with so many to choose from which freezing waterholes provide that perfect mix of serenity, views and accessibility? Here is ten to get you started. Don’t forget your wooly hat! Source link

SWLSdrugs – by Josh Bolton A dad who used the nickname ‘Insane Snail’ while acting as a middleman in drug deals has been jailed. Michael Hall, from Bromley, south-east London, was involved in the supply of more than 20kg worth of drugs between January and June 2020, a court heard. The 60-year-old, who has been jailed for drug-related offences twice before, used his contacts to help distribute cocaine, amphetamine, ketamine, and cannabis as part of a large-scale commercial operation, it was said. Yesterday (February 5), during his sentencing at Croydon Crown Court, Hall was jailed for seven years and nine…

SWMRdriver – By Adam Dutton Shocking footage shows the moment an impatient Land Rover driver ran over a council worker after ignoring a road closure. The workman was sent flying into a bush after being rammed into by John Leonard Muckle along a country lane in Hardstoft, Derbys, on May 13 last year. Roadworkers had been fixing potholes along Locko Lane when Muckle drove past road closed signs and weaved his way past traffic management equipment. One man waves at him to stop but Muckle carries on along the road before reversing into one worker, knocking him into the hedgerow.…

SWMRcat – by Elizabeth Hunter A missing cat has been reunited with its owner – after being trapped for five days underneath a block of flats. Residents heard the cat’s cries from the foundations of the flats in Dundee, Scotland. Animal Rescue Officers Stephanie Smillie and Lucy Rattray discovered Cleo, a 15-year-old Bengal, was stuck five feet underground and began a rescue. Scottish SPCA’s Stephanie said: “Cleo had been there for over five days with no access to food or water, so we knew we had to do everything in our power to get her out safely. “After several attempts…

SWMRwildfire – by Dean Murray A celebrity fashion and memorabilia auction to raise money for Los Angeles wildfire aid has opened for bidding. The collection, offered by LA-based Julien’s Auctions, features iconic performance and album cover looks from Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and more. Other garments on auction include those from Olivia Rodrigo and Shirley Manson from Garbage, while David Grohl has offered a signed electric guitar. 100% of net auction and G*VE A F*CK LA benefit concert ticket and auction proceeds will benefit local organisations Altadena Girls, Friends in Deed, One Voice, and Pasadena Humane Society, with…

SWLSbees – by Abygail Fossett and Faye Mayern A master bee whisperer had a very special send-off with mourners forming a funeral ‘guard of honour’ – donned in their beekeeping suits. The funeral of Barrie Powell, who died aged 89, was held on Monday (Feb 3) with attendees clutching lit smokers in a nod to his beekeeping. Mr Powell, of Shotley, Suffolk, had been keeping bees continuously for 78 years – dating back to 1946. The beloved grandfather died on December 29, five days shy of his 90th birthday. His family was joined by members of the Ipswich and East…