CP World Report: Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Nigeria Plane Crash, Syria, 'Canadian Psycho' Captured
Celebrations continue for the Queens Diamond Jubilee with Churches taking part. After all she is the official Head of the Church of England. Last night over 4,000 beacons were lit, at more than 600 Churches across the U.K. and also around the world. The church beacon continues a long tradition of: lighting beacons in celebration of Royal Jubilees, weddings and coronations. In 1897, beacons were also lit to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
Meanwhile…. In a short film for the Queen's Celebration, the Archbishop of Canterbury praised her as a "sign of stability." The film was produced by Lambeth Palace where Dr Rowan Williams also reflected on the personal support that he received from the Queen during his time as Archbishop. He called her extremely well informed about issues concerning the Church. The Archbishop will deliver a sermon at the national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral today.
Nigeria is observing three days of mourning for the victims of a devastating plane crash in the heart of the city of Lagos. All 153 people on board the domestic flight were killed when the plane went down in a densely populated neighborhood on Sunday. More were killed on the ground.
The crisis in Syria was on the agenda at the EU-Russia summit in St. Petersburg .
Russia has been under pressure from the west to compromise on its stance regarding Syria.
Here is what Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council had to to say
Al Assad is facing more pressure from within as a revolt is underway by Syria's merchant class -- which has been part of the Syrian regime's support structure. It is being billed as "a merchants' strike to stop massacring children." In a surprise move, Al Assad defended his government's crackdown, likening it to a messy surgery, stating that a doctor does not have blood on his hands if he is trying to save a patient. Activists say….about 13-thousand people have been killed in the 15 month uprising.
29-year old Luka Rocco Magnotta, the fugitive dubbed the "Canadian psycho" by European media, has been nabbed in Berlin. He is the suspect in the grisly slaying and dismemberment of a victim whose body parts were sent in the mail—one package was addressed to the Liberal Party of Canada; another to the Conservatives. The self-described porn star was picked up at an internet café where he was spotted by an employee.
A man known in Chicago as the rooftop pastor for his work to improve the community takes on a new mission, this week. Pastor Corey Brooks plans to walk from New York City to Los Angeles to raise money for a new community center on Chicago's South Side. Pastor Brooks starts his walk today in New York City. Among his sponsors already: Walgreens and New Balance shoes.
An online quiz investigates how Christians are living out their faith. Results were disturbing: 1-3 of the more than 1,500 respondents say they rarely live the teachings of Christ. The quiz started in Sept. 2011. It was put out by the non-profit Christian education organization called "Changing Face of Christianity". The organization's goal is to work with local churches and to help transform these unChristians into spiritually mature Christians
An internationally famous composer and pianist from Turkey who identifies as an atheist is facing 18 months in jail over Twitter comments he made deemed by the government as insulting to Islam. Fazil Say's trial starts in October for comparing the Islamic vision of heaven –with its rivers of wine and virgins--to a tavern and a brothel.
IN ENTERTAINMENT:
The beloved Care Bears have returned to television . To celebrate the Bears' 30th anniversary this year, a new series is launched on the Hub Network It's called "Care Bears: Welcome to Care-A-Lot." And the Bears are getting an upgrade, to 3-D. But the people behind the show say, they will still be the same lovable bears many from the 80s. The Care Bears first showed up on greeting cards in 1982, before their television debut.