Weekly round-up: Five stories from the south of England

This round-up highlights five recent stories across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, including an adoption appeal for triplets and a red fox that reached the Bronx Zoo after stowing away on a cargo ship.

This weekly round-up brings together five of the most-read local stories from the past seven days across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The collection ranges from human-interest and community matters to animal welfare and service disruptions. Each item was reported by regional sources over the last week and reflects developments affecting families, sports clubs, and households. Notable stories: - An adoption charity in Reading, Parents And Children Together (PACT), has appealed for a permanent family for three 16-month-old triplet sisters. Two identical twins are registered as blind and the girls have been together since birth. - A two-year-old red fox that boarded a cargo ship in Southampton was detected by US officials at the Port of New York and New Jersey and was taken to the Bronx Zoo on 19 February; the zoo said veterinary teams will assess its health before working with wildlife experts on a long-term home. - A minute's silence was held for 15-year-old goalkeeper Amelia Aplin, who died while playing for Oxford United's academy; club staff, family and supporters placed flowers and club figures offered condolences. - Siobhan Barling, 30, was struck by an e-bike at a pedestrian crossing in Poole on 26 January while 34 weeks pregnant; her son James was subsequently born six weeks early and was reported to be seriously ill after the incident. - Households that rely on heating oil in England and Wales have faced doubled prices, cancelled deliveries and shortages, a situation reported alongside wider geopolitical tensions; about 1.7 million households rely on kerosene and industry intermediaries said they aim to prioritise vulnerable customers. Summary: The stories underscore a mix of local welfare, animal care and service disruption issues in the region. PACT is actively seeking an adoptive family for the triplets and the Bronx Zoo has said veterinary checks will precede plans for a long-term home. Boiler Juice said the heating-oil industry aims to prioritise vulnerable customers. Other outcomes and follow-up developments are undetermined at this time.