The Saint Judge Storm causes death and destruction across Europe – Wiley gunmen make off with more than $56 Million in an incredible heist – And, could someone please explain why the US has to eavesdrop on everyone else in the world to prevent terrorism, but can’t keep its terrorism lists updated?

The ruling African National Congress of South Africa is demanding an apology from the United States, after a prominent South African businessman and former political prisoner of the old apartheid government was detained as a “terrorist”.  Tokyo Sexwale was briefly held and questioned in New York last week.  Many African National Congress and anti-apartheid leaders were put on terrorism lists by the US government decades ago, and Nelson Mandela himself wasn’t removed until 2008 – years after he retired from public life.  The US state department is promising Sexwale, one of the world’s richest men, would not face such embarrassment again.

Despite well-documented police and mob violence against Gay Rights protesters in Russia, President Vladimir Putin says gay athletes and fans will be welcomed at the Sochi Winter Olympics in February.  Putin told the head of the International Olympic Committee during a visit that Russia will ensure that everyone, “regardless of nationality, race or sexual orientation,” will feel comfortable.  Putin himself pushed through anti-LGBT legislating earlier this year.

The hurricane-force “Saint Jude Storm” hit northern Europe on Monday, killing more than a dozen people – Seven in Germany, four in Britain, and once each in Netherlands, Denmark and France.  The entire region saw powerful wind topple trees, and poles, sending them crashing into everything else. 

The Argentine government’s ruling coalition took a hit in midterm elections over the weekend.  Although President Cristina Fernandez’s party still has the majority in both houses, that majority is smaller – and hopes of changing the law to allow her a third term as President are dashed.  Fernandez was unable to campaign for her congressional candidates because she is still convalescing from brain surgery. 

More than 1.1 Million people have signed an online petition demanding justice, after three men accused of brutally gang-raping a 16-year old girl in Kenya were ordered to cut grass as punishment.  The petition is still active.  It calls on Kenya's police chief David Kimaiyo to “deliver justice” for the girl, whose back was broken in the attack and is now must use a wheelchair.

Gunmen in Libya made off with the equivalent of A$56.7 Million in various currencies a central bank van.  The money had just been flown in from Tripoli to bolster the fragile economy in the fractious nation.  Ten “heavily armed” gunmen intercepted the shipment en route in Sirte.  Only one guard was assigned to protect the shipment.

Japan’s Defense Ministry is accusing China of “jeopardizing peace” in the region, by sending ships to “intrude” in Japanese territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands.  Earlier, China’s counterpart agency said Japan would be committing “an act of war” if it shot down Chinese Drones over the Senkakus.  Japan has controlled the Islands for more than a century, but China has stepped up claims to the Islands which are surrounded by rich fishing waters and oil and gas deposits.