The News Matrix: Monday 17 June 2013

Celebrations over moderate leader

Thousands of Iranians celebrated into the early hours yesterday morning, counting on moderate president-elect Hassan Rohani to follow through on promises of better relations abroad and more freedom at home after routing hardliners at the polls. But Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned the international community against easing sanctions on Iran. MORE

Young think renting will be the norm

Some 52 per cent of 20 to 45-year-olds believe Britain will soon become a nation of renters, according to a report. People polled expressed concern at the Government’s ability to help first-time buyers on to the property ladder, despite initiatives such as the NewBuy scheme.

Energy saving boosts home prices

Home insulation and energy-efficient practices don’t just keep you warm – they also line your pockets. Research has found that energy-saving measures boost house prices by an average of 14 per cent. The findings, however, are regional, with expensive areas seeing smaller rises.

Call for security talks with US

North Korea’s top governing body yesterday proposed high-level nuclear and security talks with the US days after calling off talks with South Korea. The National Defence Commission issued a statement proposing “senior-level” talks to ease tensions. MORE

Syrian passengers claim asylum

Five passengers on an Egyptair flight diverted to Prestwick airport after the discovery of a note threatening to set the plane alight have claimed asylum. Police confirmed the passengers, understood to be Syrian, did not reboard the flight and are being dealt with by the UK Border Agency.

Black Sabbath back at No 1 after 43 years

Heavy metal heavyweights Black Sabbath are back at the top of the UK charts – 43 years after they last scored a No 1. The hiatus sets a new record. Lead singer Ozzy Osbourne, 64, said he was “shocked”. MORE

Dispatcher praised for eight-hour 911 call

A New York emergency dispatcher is being hailed for spending more than eight hours on the phone with a female stroke victim while rescuers tried to pinpoint the woman’s location. Joann Hilman-Payne took the call at 1pm and kept the line open until medics found the woman at around 8.30pm. MORE

Baboon shot after safari park escape

A baboon was shot dead yesterday after escaping from Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside. The adult male scaled the perimeter fence after coming under attack from a group of other males while protecting his mate. In a statement, the safari park said: “Sadly... safety measures require the animal to be shot.”

Cabbage hurling hits Lincolnshire

A new event was added to the great British summer calendar yesterday with Lincolnshire’s first cabbage hurling contest. As part of the Holbeach Town and Country Fayre, two giant catapults were used to hurl the root veg over distances of 70m.

‘Eyeball licking’ worries doctors

A strange practice called oculolinctus, also known as “worming” or “eyeball licking”, has become a popular display of affection for Japanese teenagers. But doctors are worried about bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis as well as abscesses.

Cheney ‘thankful’ for heart transplant

Former Vice-President Dick Cheney, who received a heart transplant last year, told Fox News Sunday he now wakes up each morning “thankful for the gift of another day”.

Head wants porn star to speak to kids

Mark Slater, headmaster of The Leys private school in Cambridge, wants to invite a porn star to help pupils differentiate between online fantasy and real relationships.