News Headlines - 26 June 2013

▽South African president cancels trip; concern rises for critically ill Nelson Mandela | CTV News

South Africa's president visited a gravely ill Nelson Mandela in the hospital on Wednesday night, and cancelled a visit planned for the next day to Mozambique, an indication of heightened concern over the deteriorating health of the man widely considered the father of the country.

▽Gay marriage gets big boost in two Supreme Court rulings | Reuters

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a landmark victory for gay rights on Wednesday by forcing the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages in states where it is legal and paving the way for it in California, the most populous state.

▽AFP: Anti-Muslim US bloggers barred from Britain

Two US political bloggers who founded an anti-Muslim group have been banned from entering Britain following reports they were to attend a march by the far-right English Defence League (EDL), the government said on Wednesday.

▽Budget for HS2 increases by ￡10BILLION because of a tunnel under the M6 motorway | Mail Online

The budget for the High Speed 2 railway linking London to the Midlands has increased by nearly ￡10 billion because of the addition of a tunnel to plans, the Transport Secretary has told MPs.

▽Spending Review: George Osborne takes an axe to the State | Mail Online

George Osborne went to war on the bloated welfare state and public sector wage bill yesterday. Savaging the ‘vested interests’ that have opposed his spending cuts so far, the Chancellor slashed a further ￡11.5billion from the benefits budget.