Each week, Ben Hopkinson looks back at a serious, crazy, and happy news story from the past week.
Serious News
Following on from last week’s news that Thames Water is facing challenges, they have also been fined £3.3million as they discharged millions of litres of undiluted sewage into rivers.
The wastage killed more than 1,400 fish as there was a “significant and lengthy” release from treatment works near Gatwick Airport in October 2017 into the Gatwick Stream.
Judge Christine Laing KC said that she believed the company tried to mislead the Environment Agency by omitting readings and submitting a report denying responsibility.
This is the 21st fine Thames Water has received relating to pollution spillage.
Crazy News
A Mexican Mayor has married a female caiman in a traditional ceremony.
The marriage is hoped to bring good fortune to the people that Victor Hugo Sosa serves, as the animal was named “princess girl” and the Mayor said they “loved each other”.
Celebrations followed in San Pedro Huamelula, Oaxaca state within Southern Mexico.
The groom of the wedding said: “I accept responsibility because we love each other. That is what is important. You can’t have a marriage without love. I yield to marriage with the princess girl.”
Caimans have been getting married to men for the past 230 years, as the traditional wedding commemorates peace between the Chontal and Huave societies.
Happy News
Amee Tomkin was going into labour alongside her assistance dog in Milton Keynes, as the canine was one of the first dogs to be allowed in a hospital labour unit.
Amee is diagnosed with autism and had Belle since she was a puppy, who helps with her autism, anxiety, and panic attacks.
Speaking of the moment, Amee says: “As soon as she saw Olly, she gently sniffed him then gave his face a tiny lick to welcome him. Since then, she has never left his side”.
The pooch also rested her nose gently on the lump, as if “it was as though she was checking the baby’s heartbeat when I was pregnant”.
