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Edinburgh Zoo to offer visitors chance to feed pandas
Animal lovers are to be given the chance to feed Edinburgh Zoo’s giant pandas before they return to China this year. Yang Guang and Tian Tian have been a big draw at the zoo since they arrived in December 2011 as part of a 10-year deal with Chinese wildlife authorities. The return of the pair, whose names mean Sunshine and Sweetie, was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now, to celebrate their time at the zoo, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is launching a series of prize draws to
win the chance to feed the pandas. Every month from February until June, the RZSS will randomly select one winner to enjoy a “magic moment for two” with the endangered species. A competition for a panda-themed grand prize will be announced over the summer. PA
RAF chief ‘appalled’ by inappropriate behaviour in Red Arrows
A Royal Air Force chief has said he was “appalled” by inappropriate behaviour in the Red Arrows. Two pilots from the aerobatic display team were dismissed after members of the squadron were investigated over allegations of misogyny, bullying and sexual harassment. Appearing before the Commons defence committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: “As soon as I became aware of those reports, we reached out to the people who we felt were the likely victims.”
In November, the commander of the Red Arrows was removed from his post while an alleged relationship he had with a junior team member was investigated. Wing Commander David Montenegro, known as Monty, allegedly had an affair in 2017 which is reported to have resulted in the colleague’s pregnancy. More than 40 personnel, including young female recruits, provided 250 hours of evidence to an inquiry, describing the aerobatic display team as “toxic”, according to The Times. PA
Homeowners face mortgage hikes of up to £14,000 a year
Homeowners could face mortgage hikes of up to £14,000 a year as they come off low fixed-rate deals, adding to the squeeze on living standards, Labour has said. Analysis by the party shows predicted annual increases in costs for a median house purchase at 80 per cent mortgage in every constituency in the UK.
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The Tory mortgage penalty is devastating for family finances and is holding back our economy. The country is buckling under 13 years of Conservative mismanagement, and it’s families being asked to pay more on their mortgage once again.” The Office for National
Statistics has predicted more than 1.4 million households are facing the prospect of interest rate rises when they renew their fixed-rate mortgages this year. PA
Fair pay petition for nurses signed by 100,000 people
A petition signed by 100,000 members of the public, nursing staff and patients will be delivered to No 10 today calling on the prime minister to pay nursing staff fairly. As Rishi Sunak marks his 100th day in office, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will highlight official NHS data showing the additional pressures the NHS is facing.
More than 10,000 more patients a month are regularly waiting over 12 hours for treatment in A&E since he became prime minister, said the RCN. Other figures show that bed occupancy in adult general and acute care this winter is 9-11 per cent above levels deemed safe, and higher than it was around the same period in the previous year, the college said. PA
Osbourne not ‘physically capable’ to perform tour dates
Ozzy Osbourne has said that following extensive spinal surgery he is not “physically capable” of doing his tour dates in Europe and the UK. The 74-year-old former Black Sabbath singer had a fall at home in 2019 which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003. Osbourne said his singing voice is “fine” but that, following three operations, stem cell treatments, physical therapy sessions, his body is “still weak”.
“My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country,” the singer said on social media. He also thanked fans, crew, family and the band Judas Priest “for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support”. After the post, a spokesperson for Osbourne said he is pausing touring “for now”. PA
Water bills to rise by 7.5% from April
Households in England and Wales will see the largest increase to their water bills in almost 20 years from April when they rise to an average £448 a year. Industry body Water UK said the 7.5 per cent increase would see customers pay around £1.23 per day on average – an increase of 8p per day or an average £31 more on last year’s charges.
Consumer groups warned the rise could prove the tipping point for the one in five customers already struggling to pay. But Water UK argued that water bills remained lower in real terms than they were a decade ago and said this year’s increase reflected higher energy costs, with water firms using around 2 per cent of the nation’s electricity. PA
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