London
Eight British Muslims detained last week on suspicion of terrorism were planning to set off a dirty bomb, ABC News reported this week. The men apparently intended to acquire the toxic chemical osmium tetroxide, which is used in labs as a staining agent and can be easily bought over the Internet. If inhaled, osmium textroxide makes the lungs seize up, causing painful death by “dryland drowning.” It could kill hundreds if released in an enclosed space, such as an airport terminal or a subway. British authorities said the plot was coordinated from Pakistan by a suspected al Qaida agent. Police who had been tracking the suspected terrorist cell launched a raid last week when electronic intercepts picked up discussion of the chemical.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Selfies ban in art galleries: a sign of the times?Talking Point Priceless art has been damaged by visitors desperate to take a snap with star attractions, leading some galleries and museums to start fighting back
-
Quiz of The Week: 21 – 27 JuneHave you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: How do you turn plastics into paracetamol?Podcast Plus, what is the Wagner Group doing now? And why is it so hard to find a job after university?
