A dark cloud of international terrorism – A bright light of hope from Scotland – And if you own land in Fiji:  You’re screwed – And more in your Second CareerSpot World News Briefs:

International Jihadism killed more than 5,000 people around the world in November, and 80 percent of the deaths occurred in just four countries:  Iraq and Syria are afflicted with Islamic State, al Nusra Front, and other groups; Boko Haram is wreaking havoc in Nigeria; and the Taliban is surging in Afghanistan as the US-led coalition packs up and leaves.  The International Center for the Study of Radicalization (ICSR) recorded a total of 664 attacks in 14 countries.

One place where no one was killed in fighting: Ukraine.  The truce between the government and Russian-supported rebels produced its first day free of deaths and injuries since fighting began earlier this year.  The fighting has killed 4,300 and displaced hundreds of thousands.

In a blow to personal privacy, the Canadian Supreme Court has ruled that police can search the contents of mobile phones of persons under arrest.  The search has to be directly related to the reason for arrest, and records must be kept.  The dissenting judges argued phones were an “intensely personal and uniquely pervasive sphere of privacy”.

Fiji is imposing new restrictions on land sales to foreigners, and putting tough regulation on existing foreign property owners.  It means that foreigners who already own vacations homes will not be able to sell them to other foreigners, which will negatively impact resale value.  Foreign landowners have two years to develop their property, or face fines. 

Mexico’s congress overwhelmingly passed a bill that bans the use of animals in circuses across the country.  Mexico City and six states already have similar bans.  Circuses will be required to inventory their animals, which will be made available to zoos.  President Enrique Pena Nieto has not indicated if he will sign it into law.

The chief executive of SeaWorld gas stepped down because of a staggering drop in attendance caused by the documentary “Blackfish”, which criticizes the aquatic amusement park for its cruel treatment of Orcas, or “Killer Whales”.  If you haven’t seen it, see it.  With SeaWorld’s share price now worth a little more than half of its value from a year ago, the company is expecting to reorganize, and job cuts are coming.

Building inspectors in Poland are assessing fire damage to the landmark Ksiaz castle, one of the most beautiful in Europe.  Flames raged in the castle for hours, causing damage to the upper floors and chewing right through the roof.  The building dates back to the late 13th Century, but (let’s face it) much of it was a non-original restoration after it was confiscated by the nazis up until 1945, and by the Red Army after that. 

Scotland cut carbon emissions by an amazing record 12 million tons, thanks to its commitment to renewable energy, especially wind and hydro power.  Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Joss Blamire says, “This means that not only are renewables now the number one source of electricity in Scotland, but we have achieved this milestone while preventing a record amount of harmful carbon emissions from being released into our atmosphere.

“Renewable energy in Scotland is doing exactly what it was designed to do – creating jobs, securing our energy supplies and, most importantly, reducing our carbon emissions to help limit climate change.”