Israel releases more than two dozens Palestinians from prison – South Sudan’s president refuses to reward the people rebelling against his country – Grim news as doctors describe the extent of Michael Schumacher’s head injuries from a skiing accident – And, America.  Yep, America. 

31 December?  I’d really better start Christmas shopping.  Here now are your CareerSpot World News Briefs.

Israel freed a group of 26 Palestinian prisoners to make good on the US brokered agreement to resume peace talks.  Cheering crowds in the West Bank and Gaza greeted the newly-freed men. Most of whom were serving time for killing Israelis.  But progress on the peace talks is bound to be limited at best, as Israeli media reports suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to unveil plans to build an additional 1,400 housing units in Palestinian territories – The main point of contention between the two sides.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir is ruling out any form of power sharing with rebel leader and former vice president Riek Machar.  The fighting between ethnic groups loyal to each man has claimed more than 1,000 lives since it commenced more than two weeks ago.  Kiir is adamant, saying that he rebels are not to be rewarded with power after failing to stick with the Democratic process.

The family of Formula 1 racing legend Michael Schumacher has gathered at his bedside in Grenoble, France, where he is in hospital after sustaining critical head injuries in a skiing accident.  Doctors say a post-operative scan had shown “diffuse hemorrhagic lesions” on both sides of Schumacher's brain, a type of injury that is often associated with a persistent vegetative state.  He had been skiing off-piste with his teenage son when he fell and his head struck a rock.

Two Thais are dead and 13 Russian tourists are hurt after the bus they were riding in lost control and crashed on the resort island of Phuket.  The brakes reported failed as it climbed a steep hill, and the bus went out of control, striking a utility pole.  The two dead were the bus driver and a female tour guide.

Italy’s Mount Etna woke up, releasing a bright and colorful display of lava from its incongruously snowy southeast crater over the island of Sicily.  Apart from a few airplane crews having to change their flight paths, no damage or difficulties are reported.  Etna’s last major eruption was in 1992.  Meanwhile, El Savador’s Chaparrastique volcano in Central America continued to belch hot ash over a wide area known for its coffee plantations.  More than 1,600 people are in emergency shelters, but some people who live on the volcano’s slopes have refused to leave.

Earthquakes and rain are being blamed for the collapse of a scenic highway along Mexico’s Baja Peninsula.  No one was injured as a 300-meter section collapsed and sank about 30 meters.

American authorities are trying to evacuate the tiny town of Casselton, North Dakota, the scene of a fiery oil tanker train derailment.  No injuries are reported, but mushroom cloud of fire blasted into the sky and then black smoke smothered the surrounding area as it continued to burn.

And…

America’s divisive and dysfunctional politics is harming common sense.  A new poll says belief in Evolution among Republicans has dropped more than 10 percentage points since 2009, and now fewer than half of the conservatives surveyed believe in simple elementary school science.  Great job, Rupert!  As the author Isaac Asimov once said:

“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been.  The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.`”


Oh, and they still have lots of guns and nukes.  

Happy New Year!