It’s time for another round-up of some of this week’s lighter stories. There’s funny-looking animals, nostalgic reunion tours, and even tributes to Ukraine a year on from when the war began.
If you’re looking to lift your spirits while perusing the news from the past seven days, you’ve come to the right place.
Paul Rudd’s doggy doppelganger
This is Pawl Ruff – no, really. An animal shelter in Tennessee has been looking to find a home for this Australian Shepherd mix - originally called Waffle House but nicknamed Pawl Ruff by staff - and it seems like they’ve got a match!
Last week, the Collierville Animal Shelter posted an appeal urging Antman star Paul Rudd to adopt his lookalike, saying “What is more heroic than adopting a shelter pet?”
And it seems as though they’ve been successful in getting Pawl adopted, just not by his human counterpart.
The dog was confirmed to have been adopted by Collierville resident Jennifer Roy on Sunday. And the dog has another new moniker - Rowdy.
Click here to read about Rowdy’s story
Kyiv Road
A section of London street Bayswater Road is to be renamed Kyiv Street, marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The road itself is just a short distance away from the Russian Embassy in the capital, with the change meant to honour Ukraine’s courage over the past 12 months.
Leader of Westminster City Council, Adam Hug, said the new road name was “a fitting gesture” to commemorate Ukraine's inspiring bravery.
Their hearts will beat again
X Factor legends JLS have announced their return, and it’s a doozy.
They confirmed on their social media that they’ll be back on the road in October and November this year, including a night at London’s O2 Arena.
In a post on their Twitter account, the band said: “The suspense is over… We couldn’t be more excited to announce another UK and Ireland arena tour later this year.”
Soon enough, we’ll hear the return of some of their biggest hits: Beat Again, One Shot, and Everybody In Love. Make sure your lighters are at the ready.
Click here to read more about the tour
London Mayor pledges free school meals
Sadiq Khan has announced a bold emergency package to extend free school meals to every schoolchild in London for one year, to help poor families through the cost-of-living crisis.
The Mayor of London’s £130 million scheme will fund the 270,000 state primary schoolchildren in the capital not already receiving free school meals.
Mr Khan has heavily criticised the Government for their “inaction” over free school meals .
“This is why I’m stepping forward with an emergency £130m scheme that will ensure every single primary pupil in the capital receives free school meals,” he said.
Click here to read more about Sadiq Khan’s plan
Amara the pygmy hippo
The latest addition to London Zoo is this adorable pygmy hippo, named Amara.
The two-year-old female was transported from Edinburgh Zoo to London eearlier this month, and has now been matched with her 26-year-old partner, Thug.
“Amara was really chilled when she arrived,” said Poppy Jewell, a hippo keeper at the zoo. “She happily trotted straight out of her cosy travel crate and into her new home, where she enjoyed a tasty snack of kale and cabbage before settling down for a snooze.”
