polonium

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UK Opens Inquiry in Death of Poisoned Ex-KGB Spy

Alexander Litvinenko's widow 'delighted;' more bad news for Russia

(Newser) - The widow of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko has been pressing the UK government for nearly eight years to investigate his death. Today, Marina Litvinenko got her wish: Home Secretary Theresa May announced that London is opening an official inquiry into whether Russia was behind her husband’s fatal poisoning...

Arafat's Body Loaded With Radioactive Poison: Study

Scientists 83% sure he was poisoned with polonium

(Newser) - Yasser Arafat 's recently exhumed body contains at least 18 times more radioactive polonium than the average person's, the Swiss scientists examining his corpse have concluded. In a 108-page report, obtained by al-Jazeera and shared with the Guardian , scientists say they're 83% certain that Arafat was...

Arafat May Be Exhumed on Heels of Poisoning Report

Palestinian leaders approve widow's request

(Newser) - Following reports that point to possible polonium poisoning , the Palestinian Authority is prepared to exhume Yasser Arafat's body for an autopsy. Arafat's widow, Suha, sought the exhumation after samples of his clothing, which she provided to al-Jazeera , revealed significant traces of the same poison that killed Russian dissident...

Arafat May Have Been Poisoned

Tests suggest high levels of polonium

(Newser) - Al Jazeera has what could be a bombshell report: Its nine-month investigation raises the strong possibility that longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was fatally poisoned in 2004. The news organization had his personal belongings, including clothes and his toothbrush, analyzed by a lab in Switzerland, and the results turned...

Tobacco Firms Knew of Radiation in Cigs—in 1959

They studied polonium and its link to cancer in the 1960s

(Newser) - Tobacco companies were well aware that their products contained radiation—and they discovered this decades ago, UCLA researchers studying 27 historical documents have found. The firms learned of the presence of polonium-210 in cigarettes in 1959, and they examined the radioactive material's effects during the 1960s, documents show. They...

Litvinenko Murder Suspect Halts Mayor Bid

Party says he lacked enough backers for Olympic city race

(Newser) - The UK's top suspect in the killing of Alexander Litvinenko has quit the mayoral race in the Russian city set to hold the 2014 Winter Olympics, Reuters reports. “The leadership of the party took a final decision that my candidacy would not be put forward,” Andrei Lugovoy said,...

KGB Radiation Poisoning Suspect Ready to Talk

Lugovoi offers to meet with UK investigators

(Newser) - A former KGB agent accused of poisoning a Russian dissident in England wants to clear his name, he tells the Times of London. Alexander Lugovoi has offered to send a friend to London to speak with investigators, and may travel to the UK himself if officials pledge not to arrest...

Russia Expels UK Diplomats
Russia Expels UK Diplomats
Jul 19, 2007 6:47 PM CDT

Russia Expels UK Diplomats

Tensions rise amid tit-for-tat retaliation

(Newser) - Russia has expelled four British diplomats in what the Kremlin called a "proportionate response" to the expulsion of four Russian diplomats from Britain earlier this week. Russia says it will stop cooperating with British counterterror efforts as well. Relations between London and Moscow have been strained since Russia denied...

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