Weekly round-up: Stories you may have missed

30 November 2025

News image — Chrissie will stay with Richard for between 12 and 18 months

BBC A golden Labrador puppy, Chrissie, is lying on a wooden floor, with a small treat by her muzzle. The background shows part of a beige sofa with the words “Parker Knoll” visible. — Chrissie will stay with Richard for between 12 and 18 months

Birth certificate changes for same-sex couples, an appeal for more guide dog fosterers and a proposal to toughen the law to tackle deepfake porn were among the stories in the news over the past week.

We have selected five stories you may have missed in Jersey and Guernsey.

Birth certificate change is 'gigantic' for couple

April and Lauren are standing close together with an outdoor playground behind them. They are wearing jackets and spectacles. Behind them in the play area is a green frame that swings and a red play surface. In the background, there are buildings with multiple windows and a clear blue sky. — April and Lauren were not able to have both their names on their daughter's birth certificate

A Jersey couple said legal changes to the island's birth certificates are "gigantic" for them.

The law in the island changed on Monday to allow same-sex couples to have both parents' names on the document. Previously only one would be on the certificate, meaning they had fewer legal rights than mixed-sex couples.

This also applied to couples who went through types of fertility treatments or surrogacy.

April and Lauren Fosse-Burch's daughter only has one of their names on her birth certificate and said it was "bittersweet" and "it's been so long" to see the change come into force.

Law to be toughened to tackle AI deepfake porn

A proposed law change could make it illegal to use artificial intelligence (AI) to make sexual images without consent in Guernsey.

The States of Guernsey said the Committee for Home Affairs would look to address nine areas by amendments to the Sexual Offences Law 2020.

One of the proposed changes involves using AI to create false sexual images and videos - known as deepfakes - without consent.

Det Insp Thomas Lowe said: "Our main goal is always to safeguard victims and ensure offenders are brought to justice, and I hope these new amendments, when passed, will allow us to do that more effectively."

Guide dog charity appeals for more fosterers

A golden Labrador puppy, Chrissie, is lying on a wooden floor in front of a beige sofa. Richard is seated on the sofa, and a long brown chew toy is on the floor near the puppy. The background shows a modern kitchen with black cabinets and framed artwork on the wall. — Richard Pascoe has been raising Chrissie for about 12 weeks

A charity is looking for more people to foster and raise guide dog puppies in Jersey.

The Guide Dogs charity said fosterers provided a loving temporary home to a dog in training as part of support for puppy raisers when they are unable to home the puppy for holidays or other commitments.

However, there are currently no fosterers in Jersey at the moment, meaning puppies have to go to the UK or fosterers have to come to the island when their raiser is unable to care for them.

Richard Pascoe, who is raising 16-week-old Christie, said having fosterers was "like a safety valve" for him and having more volunteers "makes a massive difference to us".

The image shows a phone with app icons and a finger pressing the screen. — Officials said Guernsey Police had recently dealt with cases involving intimate AI images

Girl, 8, switches on Christmas tree lights

The photo shows a white Christmas tree lit up in St Peter Port in the darkness. Street lamps are on and cars can be seen on the roundabout. — The Christmas tree was lit up at 18:00 GMT on Thursday

An eight-year-old girl has switched on the lights of a Christmas tree in Guernsey.

The Tree of Joy, in St Peter Port, was put up during heavy rain and strong winds earlier in November.

Willow, who has a rare metabolic disease, was chosen by Rotary Club of Guernsey. The charity said the switch on "heralds the start of Christmas for many people".

Willow said she was "so excited when I got the part" for "pushing the big red button" to turn on the lights.

Guernsey captain's legacy could inspire new film

José Palma smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black puffer jacket and has a goatee beard with a moustache. There are trees and plants behind him. — Producer José Palma said the proposed film would focus on "the contribution between the two countries"

Research for a potential feature film about celebrated Guernseyman Captain William Le Lacheur has started in the island.

Throughout the mid-19th Century, Capt Le Lacheur left a lasting legacy in Costa Rica for his role in establishing the nation's coffee trade.

Producer José Palma said the proposed film would focus on his story and "the contribution between the two countries".

During his visit to the island, Mr Palma also helped to launch a fundraising campaign by the Guernsey Society to restore Capt Le Lacheur's headstone in London's Highgate Cemetery.

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