Cockatoos ‘make and use tools’

Animals: Cockatoos can make tools and teach other birds how to use them, scientists said yesterday.

A captive Goffin’s cockatoo called Figaro startled researchers by spontaneously fashioning sticks from aviary beam splinters to rake up nuts.

And other cockatoos soon followed suit — with two even managing to carve tools out of a wooden block.

Unite slams insurer for big office closure

Cuts: Britain’s biggest union Unite decried a “serious blow to the Suffolk economy” after insurance giant Legal & General yesterday announced the closure of its Ipswich office.

The closure of the Friars Bridge Road site will cost around 140 jobs in the county town.

Unite regional officer Ian Methven said the news was “a kick in the teeth to the loyal and experienced workforce in Ipswich.

“We are calling on senior management to reverse this unnecessary decision and industrial action to save these jobs can’t be ruled out.”

Tumour parents spared charges

Courts: The parents of brain tumour patient Ashya King will not face prosecution after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against them yesterday.

The couple were detained in Spain on a European arrest warrant after removing their five-year-old son from Southampton General Hospital last Thursday to seek treatment they deemed more effective.

“No further action will be taken against Mr and Mrs King,” the CPS stated.

Creasy rape threat man faces prison

Hate Speech: A Bristol man faces jail for bombarding Labour MP Stella Creasy with threatening tweets after she joined a successful campaign to put Jane Austen on the £10 note.

Peter Nunn claimed his threats to rape Ms Creasy, who he branded a “witch,” were merely a joke and he was surprised she was offended.

But Judge Elizabeth Roscoe found him guilty of sending indecent, obscene or menacing messages.