Mexican truck thieves might have given themselves a death sentence – Russian diplomats are charged with stealing public aid meant for the poor – more than a dozen young girls are freed from an alleged “baby factory” – And Northern Europe braces for more trouble from a powerful storm.

The thieves who stole a truck containing radioactive medical waste in Mexico may be doomed due to overexposure to the Cobalt-60 once used in radiation therapy.  Police say the thieves apparently removed the material from a protective container and abandoned it in a field, where it is now cordoned off as authorities figure out how to dispose of it.  Authorities say area residents are not in any danger, but the thieves may have had lethal exposure.

Toronto’s crack-smoking Mayor Rob Ford denies attempting to buy an incriminating video showing him, what else, smoking crack.  But court transcripts of police wiretaps detail conversations where suspects talk about the sale of the tape to the mayor.  Ford offered two street gang members the equivalent of A$5,100 and a car for the video recording.  Ford has apologized for lying about smoking crack and claims he has stopped binge drinking, and adopted a healthier lifestyle.

New York City prosecutors are charging 49 Russian diplomats with defrauding the US of more than US$1.5 Million in health benefits intended for low-income families.  The Russians allegedly submitted fraudulent applications for medical benefits for pregnancies, births and care for young children, while buying luxury goods at New York City’s ritziest retailers.  Only 11 of the defendants are still in the US, and they have diplomatic immunity – Russia would have to waive that for the prosecutions to go forward.

Thousands of US fast food workers walked off the job, demanding a US$15 an hour minimum wage.  Right now, America’s minimum wage is equal to A$8 per hour, well below the US poverty threshold.  Supporters of raising the wage argue that while the fast food companies rake in billions, the employees have to resort to various forms of public aid to make ends meet for their families. Meaning that American taxpayers are financing the fast food companies’ labor practices.

Nigerian police raided a “baby factory” and freed 16 pregnant girls and young women aged 14- to 19-years old, allegedly being forced to have babies to be sold.  The male owner of the home is under arrest.  He had registered the business as a non-governmental organization that promotes women’s and children’s issues.  Nigeria has shut down a number of these types of businesses recently, freeing another six captive pregnant teenage girls just last month.

Kenyan lawmakers are moving closer to passing a controversial media bill despite an opposition walkout and international concern about eroding journalism freedoms.  Media outlets and reporters will find themselves policed by a quasi-government body, if President Uhuru Kenyatta actually signs it.  United Nations human rights experts are advising Kenya to reject the bill before it becomes law.

Gunmen dressed in army uniforms attacked Yemen’s defense ministry, killing at least 52 people.  No group has claimed responsibility, but Yemen is having a terrible problem with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, perhaps the most dangerous Qaeda group.  The attackers set off a car bomb as part of their assault.  Security forces eventually retook the compound, killing most of the attackers.

At least three people are dead after the major storm “Xaver” buffeted Northern Europe.  Power wind tipped trucks over in Scotland and Denmark, dozens of flights were cancelled from Glasgow to Amsterdam and up into the Nordic countries.  Hamburg, Germany is bracing for a direct hit and a massive tidal surge.  There are fears it could be as powerful as the flood that killed more than 300 people in the city in 1962.