The News Matrix: Monday 19 August 2013

Sandusky sex case sees first payout

A young man who testified he was sexually abused by former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will get a reported multimillion-dollar payout in the first of what is expected to be dozens of settlements between the university and the coach’s accusers.

700 seals found in Thames estuary

An “incredible” 700 seals have been spotted in the Thames estuary in the first ever count carried out by air, land and water. Conservationists recorded 708 grey and harbour seals in a survey stretching up the estuary to Tilbury. Colonies of up to 120 seals were recorded.

Cancer figures show north-south divide

A north-south divide in cancer mortality and incidence rates is revealed with a comprehensive breakdown of cancer statistics carried out by Cancer Research UK. The statistics can be searched geographically and show sharp regional variations in survival. MORE

Homes evacuated as Idaho fire spreads

More than 2,300 homes have been evacuated in the US state of Idaho as a wildfire stoked by strong winds continues to spread. More people were forced from their homes outside the ski town of Ketchum yesterday as the blaze, started by lightning on 7 August, spread northwards.

Is farmer, 123, the oldest person ever?

Farmer Carmelo Flores could be the oldest person to have ever lived. Bolivia only started issuing official birth certificates in 1940, but Mr Flores says his baptism certificate lists his birthday as 16 July 1890.

Journalist’s partner held at Heathrow

The partner of the Guardian journalist who wrote articles based on leaks from the US whistleblower Edward Snowden was held for nine hours at Heathrow airport yesterday under the Terrorism Act. David Miranda, 28, who lives with Glenn Greenwald, was on his way to their home in Brazil. He was released without charge after being held for the maximum time before an arrest must be made.

Tickets for Glasgow Games go on sale

Up to a million tickets will go on sale at 10am today ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The body organising the Glasgow 2014 Games has priced two-thirds of tickets at less than £25. The event looks to build on the popularity of the Olympics, with athletes coming from 71 countries. MORE

Privatisation fund boss loses his job

The head of Greece’s privatisation fund has been dismissed. The Finance Minister called for Stelios Stavridis to leave the post following reports he used a businessman’s plane to attend the signing of a deal selling a controlling stake in a betting firm to a consortium led by that businessman.

Court upholds porn film condoms law

A Los Angeles County law requiring adult film actors to wear condoms is constitutional, a federal judge has ruled. The decision is a setback to porn producers trying to block the implementation of the Safer Sex in the Adult Film Industry Act.

Police thought Self was a paedophile

Writer Will Self was stopped by police while out with his son in Yorkshire, because they thought he was a paedophile. “No Englishman enjoying a ramble with his son should face examination by police… on suspicion of being a sexual predator,” he said.

Butterfly saved by £60,000 grant

The “almost extinct” grizzled skipper butterfly has been saved in Nottinghamshire by Butterfly Conservation thanks to a £60,000 grant.

Obama can’t curb enthusiasm for golf

President Barack Obama, who is holidaying in Martha’s Vineyard, met up with comedian Larry David to play five hours of golf on Saturday.