The Saudi government successfully threatens a protest out of existence – European powers demand an agreement to end US spying – Nigeria’s military claims gains against an Islamist insurgency.

Activist have for now called off a womens’ driving protest in Saudi Arabia, after threats of legal action from the government.  Several women reported receiving calls from the Saudi government, threatening measures if they drove automobiles today.  Women are effectively banned from driving in the oil kingdom, even though it’s not officially in the traffic code.

The heads of Germany’s foreign and domestic intelligence services will go to Washington to discuss allegations the US National Security Agency tapped Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone.  Germany and France are demanding a no-spying deal out of the US before the end of the year.  Neighbors, trading partners, and allies of the US are upset over revelations the NSA has conducted vast eavesdropping operations on pretty much everything in the world.

Nigeria’s military is engaged in at least two major battles with Boko Haram, the Islamist insurgency seeking to create its own state under a particularly cruel and draconian version of Sharia law.  At least 74 Boko Haram fighters were killed in the first battle – a separate attack by insurgents targeted a hospital, reportedly stealing drugs and ambulances. 

Figurative heads are rolling in Kenya – 15 immigration officers are fired for issuing ID documents to illegal immigrants.  The discovery came as part of the investigation into the Westgate Mall siege, in which a cadre of foreign Islamists stormed the upscale shopping center, killing at least 67 people. 

Brazilian police broke up a human trafficking ring that was exporting prostitutes to Angola and other parts of Africa.  Five suspects are under arrest and police seek ten more.  The women, some of whom worked as models and actresses, were promised big bucks, but those payments failed to materialize.

A Greek Roma couple was apparently telling the truth all along:  The seemingly mismatched little blond girl in their family was given to them by a Bulgarian couple whose DNA matches the child known as “Maria”.  The Bulgarian mother says she gave birth to a baby girl four years ago in Greece while working as an olive picker, and gave the child away because she was too poor to care for her.  It’s clear there’s no child trafficking involved, as was the panic in news articles around the world, this reporter’s work included.  Both impoverished families have indicated they will seek permanent legal custody of the girl.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan definitely rattled the already damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, that was apparent on CCTV.  A tsunami was only a few centimeters and caused no damage.  But there’s no end to the radioactive leaks from the scene of the triple melt-through, and radiation is getting into the Pacific Ocean.  Tuna contaminated with Cesium from Fukushima has already been found as far away as San Diego, and now the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has admitted that cancer causing Strontium-90 isotopes are escaping into the Pacific Ocean.

China has rejected the appeal of former politburo member Bo Xilai, meaning he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of corruption, bribery and abuse of power.  It also might serve to silence the populist wing of the Chinese Communist Party, which gathers in a few weeks to set policy for the next five years.