World News – Page 20 – Prologue Journal

Roman Empire’s lead pollution was high enough to lower IQs, study says

Washington Post Silver fueled the rise of the Roman Empire. But the ancient process of mining and extracting silver was also making the air thick with lead, scientists found. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/08/roman-empire-lead-pollution-iq-study/

Bipartisan lawmakers introduce ‘Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act’ in warning to Putin allied government

Fox News FIRST ON FOX – Senior Republican and Democratic representatives will introduce a bill today prohibiting recognition of a Georgian Dream government of the Black Sea nation that has been swept by massive anti-government demonstrations for more than 40 days now. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., chairman of the Helsinki Commission, and Democrat Rep. Steve…

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala freed from detention in Iran

Fox News An Italian journalist detained in Iran for three weeks, whose fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer wanted by the United States, was freed Wednesday and is heading home, Italian officials said. A plane carrying Cecilia Sala, 29, left Tehran after “intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels,” Premier Giorgia Meloni’s…

Ukraine Strikes Oil Depot Near Russian Air Base, Ukrainian Military Says

New York Times The attack was the latest effort to inflict pain on Russia even as Kyiv is losing ground on the battlefield at home. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/ukraine-russia-oil-depot.html

Australian hiker found after two weeks, survived on berries and muesli

Washington Post Hadi Nazari, a medical student and an experienced hiker, went missing the day after Christmas and said he was walking every day from morning to night until he was found. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/08/australia-hiker-hadi-nazari-missing-kosciuszko/

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalate amid border clashes

Washington Post Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, which Islamabad blames for harboring extremists who have been waging an insurgency in Pakistan. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/08/taliban-afghanistan-pakistan-airstrikes-clashes/

Live Briefing: Trump says ‘all hell will break out’ if no hostage deal by inauguration

Washington Post Steve Witkoff, Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, told reporters that “good progress” had been made toward a deal that would free Israeli hostages held by Hamas. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/08/israel-war-news-lebanon-syria-hamas-gaza-palestine/

As Trudeau exits, Canada faces division, uncertainty and Trump

Washington Post Departing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau once cultivated the image of an “anti-Trump.” The luster of that brand has long faded. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/08/trudeau-trump-canada-resignation-legacy/

Trump envoy says Gaza hostage talks ‘driven’ by president-elect

Washington Post Donald Trump threatened to unleash “hell” if Hamas hostages are not released soon, as Biden administration officials note “constructive” discussions with transition team. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/01/07/trump-gaza-hamas-hostage-negotiations-witkoff/

At least 9 miners are trapped in a coal mine in India’s northeastern Assam state

Fox News At least nine workers are trapped inside a flooded coal mine in India’s northeastern Assam state, officials said Tuesday, as authorities summoned the army to help in the rescue operation. The miners became trapped on Monday morning in the Umrangso area in Dima Hasao district, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of the…