Each week, Ben Hopkinson looks back at a serious, crazy, and happy news story from the past week.
Serious News
(REUTERS)
In a statement made on Tuesday, The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into the parties held at Downing Street during the lockdowns. Police Commissioner Cressida Dick states that they are looking into “potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations” in Downing Street and Whitehall since 2020”. Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomes the investigation as it would “give the public the clarity it needs” from these allegations. The investigation is set to be led by civil servant Sue Gray and that Downing Street are still talking about what is “suitable to publish”.
Crazy News
(SWNS)
A pufferfish had to take a trip to the dentist as she was unable to eat. Goldie’s teeth had to be sawed in half as they were too large for her to be able to eat and therefore losing weight. Visiting Sandhole Veterinary Centre in Snodland, her water bowl was filled with a mild anaesthetic solution to sedate her before her inch-long tooth was cut down using a special saw. Talking through the unusual patient, Vet Daniel Calvo Carrasco explained that “Porcupine pufferfish teeth are known as beaks and grow continuously throughout their lives. They’re usually kept short naturally, as they’re worn down on their regular diet of hard-shelled foods but, while these foods are provided in her home environment, she is not as forthcoming in eating them as her other tank mates. As a result, her upper beak grew to the point where it was hindering her ability to eat effectively”. At least she is able to be comfortable and eat once again.
Happy News
(CC license)
The owners of Ikea have just bought 3,200 acres of forest in Florida which was destroyed by a hurricane. The company is aiming to be carbon neutral and this purchase is part of that process, as it has accumulated more than 600,000 acres of woodland in Europe, the United States and New Zealand to balance the CO2 emissions. The forest will be restored with longleaf pine, and are hoping that in 40 years they will pull carbon out of the air that is equal to a certain percentage of the carbon put in the air by Ikea’s operations.
