News Headlines - 29 June 2013

▽Barack Obama pays homage to Nelson Mandela on visit to South Africa | guardian.co.uk

Barack Obama has paid homage to Nelson Mandela in his first visit to South Africa since coming to power, describing the country's first black president as an "inspiration to the world and a personal hero".

▽BBC News - Pakistani girl falsely accused of blasphemy 'in Canada'

Rimsha Masih, aged 14, was detained in a maximum security prison for several weeks in August 2012, accused of burning pages from the Koran... Although charges against Rimsha were dropped, she and her family were forced into hiding after death threats.

▽New Yorker cover marking Doma decision suffers fierce backlash | guardian.co.uk

The Sesame Street puppets appear on the front of the next issue, nestled on a sofa in a darkened room, apparently watching the US supreme court justices on television, on the week that they delivered their far-reaching gay rights rulings.

▽House prices keep rising: Fastest growth for three years | Daily Express

The cost of the average home is up by four per cent so far this year and prices are rising at more than ￡1,000 a month. The Nationwide’s figures reflect growing consumer ­con­fidence and a strengthening economic recovery. Cheaper mortgages and Government schemes to boost lending have also helped fuel the boom. Prices this month were up by 1.9 per cent compared with a year ago, the fastest rate of increase since September 2010.

▽Lord Drayson sets 204mph electric record | Cambridge News Drive

Former science minister, businessman and racing driver Lord Paul Drayson has set a new world land speed record after hitting more than 204mph in an electric car. Lord Drayson said the feat at Elvington Airfield on the outskirts of York marked Britain’s position at the fore of the electric vehicle industry.