Could nuclear terrorism start World War Three? British border guards found radioactive metal at an airport. Some worry it could have been used to make a nuclear weapon.
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'Nuclear bomb' threat stopped at UK border
Could nuclear terrorism start World War Three? British border guards found radioactive metal at an airport. Some worry it could have been used to make a nuclear weapon.
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What's happening?
It was the nightmare after Christmas. At Heathrow Airport near London, workers found uraniumA very heavy, silvery-grey metal that is naturally radioactive. in a shipment coming into the UK.
Uranium is a metal that can be used to make nuclear weaponsA bomb or other weapon that uses nuclear energy to cause a big explosion. . The police were called. They were worried it could be used to make a bomb that would spread radiationEnergy given off when radioactive material decays. It can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal, causing vomiting, skin damage, hair loss and cancer..
After looking at the uranium, experts found there was probably not enough for a bomb.
But many think this is a warning about a real problem. There are nine countries with nuclear weapons.
Find out more
If a nuclear bomb did go off, it could cause other countries to use their weapons too.
Could nuclear terrorism start World War Three?
Yes! It might only take one nuclear attack or even accident to star a war. And once started, it would be very hard to stop.
No! Nuclear weapons are stopping World War Three. Each country knows that if they start a war, they could be destroyed.
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Keywords
Uranium - A very heavy, silvery-grey metal that is naturally radioactive.
Nuclear weapons - A bomb or other weapon that uses nuclear energy to cause a big explosion.
Radiation - Energy given off when radioactive material decays. It can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal, causing vomiting, skin damage, hair loss and cancer.
‘Nuclear bomb’ threat stopped at UK border
Danger: Experts disagree on whether nuclear weapons are saving us from or pushing us further towards war. Glossary
Uranium - A very heavy, silvery-grey metal that is naturally radioactive.
Nuclear weapons - A bomb or other weapon that uses nuclear energy to cause a big explosion.
Radiation - Energy given off when radioactive material decays. It can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal, causing vomiting, skin damage, hair loss and cancer.