11 news stories you may have missed because of the royal baby

TORONTO – Did you hear the news? A baby was born yesterday. But a lot of other stuff happened as well.

The birth of the royal baby sparked international media frenzy Monday.

Around the world, newspapers, magazine and online news websites (Global News included) eagerly waited to find out if Kate and William’s first child was a boy or girl.

The Duchess of Cambridge finally gave birth to an eight pound, six ounce boy yesterday afternoon. But the birth of the third-in-line to the British throne was not the only breaking news story to occur Monday.

For all of you royal fans, click here for extensive coverage of the royal birth.

And when you’re done, here’s a look at 11 other news stories you may missed due to the birth of the royal baby.

IN CANADA:

Feds announce $60 million for Lac-Megantic disaster recovery

There is more relief on the way for the people of Lac-Megantic, Quebec.

The federal government announced Monday that it is promising $60 million in aid to help the community recover from this month’s train disaster.

The Quebec government has already set up a $60-million fund, and Ottawa has been criticized for being slow to act.

Forty-seven people are believed to have died in the tragedy, and 30 buildings were destroyed.

New blood-donation rules come into effect

A new blood-donation policy came into effect across Canada on Monday, officially nixing the lifelong ban that prevented men who have had sex with men from giving blood.

Canadian Blood Services and HEMA-Quebec are now allowing men to donate blood if they have not had homosexual sex in the past five years.

The previous policy imposed a lifelong ban.

Officials said the five-year rule is non-negotiable, even if a potential donor has had his blood screened and is perfectly healthy.

Charity doesn’t want Trudeau’s refund

A charity at the centre of a public controversy about Justin Trudeau’s speaking fees formally turned down his offer for a refund Monday.

Board chairman Ian Webster said the Grace Foundation has informed the Liberal leader’s office the New Brunswick-based charity isn’t seeking a reimbursement of the $20,000 speaking fee and considers the matter “closed.”

Trudeau has offered to reimburse any group dissatisfied with his speaking, including the payment he received from Webster’s group in a fundraiser for a senior’s home.

Phoenix Sinclair’s foster mother makes final submission

The Phoenix Sinclair inquiry has been told that the murdered child’s legacy must be one of hope and renewal.

Kim Edwards made the comment as final submissions began Monday at the inquiry into the five-year-old girl’s death and her handling by Manitoba’s child-welfare system.

Edwards — one of Phoenix’s caregivers — said Manitoba children are entitled to protection, but the same privilege shouldn’t be given to the social workers who failed the youngster.

The girl was killed by her mother and her stepfather after repeated and horrific abuse, and both were convicted of first-degree murder in 2008.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE WORLD:

Dennis Farina, star of ‘Law & Order,’ dies

“Law and Order” actor Dennis Farina died at the age of 69.

Farina passed away in hospital Monday in Scottsdale, Arizona, from a blood clot in his lung.

Farina was once a real-life police officer in Chicago before turning to acting. He appeared in “Get Shorty,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Crime Story.”

China earthquake deaths

A strong earthquake that shook an arid, hilly farming area in northwest China sparked landslides and destroyed or damaged thousands of brick-and-mud homes Monday, killing at least 94 people and injuring more than 1,000, the government said.

Take a look at photos from the deadly earthquake below.

Mandela’s health ‘improving’

The office of the South African president said Monday Nelson Mandela has made a “sustained improvement” although he remains in a critical condition.

The statement said that President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela in hospital yesterday and told the former president of the love and support of all South Africans that was displayed at the leader’s 95th birthday celebrations last week.

Dubai pardons woman at centre of rape dispute

With her passport back in hand, a Norwegian woman at the centre of a Dubai rape claim dispute said Monday that officials dropped her 16-month sentence for having sex outside marriage.

Dubai authorities hope the pardon of the 24-year-old woman will allow them to sidestep another potentially embarrassing blow to the city’s heavily promoted image as a forward-looking model of luxury, excess and cross-cultural understanding.

Egypt’s ousted president Morsi ‘abducted by army’

European Union foreign ministers called for the release of Egypt’s ousted president on Monday.

In a joint statement, the ministers urged the release of all political detainees, including Mohammed Morsi.

Morsi’s relatives have accused the country’s military generals of “kidnapping” him.

His family has had no contact with him since his July 3rd ouster by the military.

Superman and Batman unite

Although the news made headlines Sunday, it’s worthy of sharing once again.

“Man of Steel” director Zack Snyder made a surprise appearance at the Comic-Con convention in San Diego and announced he is making another Superman film and it will include Batman.

It will be the first time the two superheroes will be united on the big screen, though they have shared the same comic book pages for years.

VIDEO:  Superman exhibit takes over Comic-Con (July 22)

And lastly…

UK says it will ask providers to block online porn

Anti-porn activists welcomed an announcement by Britain’s prime minister that he wants Internet service providers to automatically block access to pornography sites unless customers opt in.

On Monday, David Cameron proposed the move as part of measures to stop extreme sexual images he said are “corroding childhood.”