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Former Spy Poisoned By Radiation In UK

An anonymous reader writes "BBC new is reporting the death of the ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko with a major dose of radioactive polonium-210. But nobody knows how it got there. Suspicions have fallen upon the Russian security services (who deny involvement). The task of the pathologists now is to unpick what really killed him and how it was administered. Quite what techniques they will use to solve this puzzle is unclear." From the article: "A post-mortem examination on Mr Litvinenko has not been held yet. The delay is believed to be over concerns about the health implications for those present at the examination. But Roger Cox from the HPA said a large quantity of alpha radiation emitted from polonium-210 had been detected in Mr Litvinenko's urine."

21 of 432 comments (clear)

  1. Reading the artcle...... by 8127972 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ......found this curious comment:

    "Mr Putin himself has said Mr Litvinenko's death was a tragedy, but he saw no "definitive proof" it was a "violent death"."

    Clearly the term "violent death" has a different definition in Russian than it does in English.

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    1. Re:Reading the artcle...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      We have always been allied with Russia. We have always been at war with Islamic fundamentalists.

    2. Re:Reading the artcle...... by goddidit · · Score: 5, Funny

      Minitrue mark the post doubleplusfunny.

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    3. Re:Reading the artcle...... by goddidit · · Score: 2, Funny

      Here comes the woosher to woosh up your head!!

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    4. Re:Reading the artcle...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Sure! They are part of the new axis of evil... it's well known that they have lots of WMD... we should just invade Russia so we can have lower energy prices ... I think I've seen this movie before... :-/

  2. In Soviet Russia... by Fuckin+ROBOTS! · · Score: 0, Funny

    Joke Punches YOU!

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  3. Symptoms are a dead giveaway by 1992+Called · · Score: 1, Funny

    Heartburn, Nausea, Indigestion
    Upset Stomach, Diarrhea!

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    1. Re:Symptoms are a dead giveaway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Oh shit, I knew should have passed on that Dhansak last night. Am I fucked?

  4. Re:History repeating, sort of by peragrin · · Score: 3, Funny

    for polonium to kill you with alpha radiation, it would have to be ingested. The real question is what seasonings they use to cover up the taste. Of course it is british cuisine we are talking about. So they may never know.

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  5. Apparently by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    When it comes to things to avoid eating, apparently, he forgot Polonium!

  6. polonium-210 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Who's to blame? Poland, obviously.

  7. Re:History repeating, sort of by dewie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Not sure if they would be able to put polonium into sushi without him realising?

    Isn't it obvious? The wasabi! You could hide anything in that stuff, and no-one would ever taste it. It'd even cover up the telltale green glow!

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  8. Re:History repeating, sort of by CmdrGravy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes. Sushi stalwart cornerstone of British cusine since time immemorial.

  9. The same seasoning they use... by fuego451 · · Score: 2, Funny

    to cover up most dishes: Curry. I had so much curry as a child I now need it to survive. Mmmm, kidney pie.

  10. Re:you fail 1t.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Red fox, this is blue panda. Please repeat your 3AS, over.

  11. screenplay by Roald Dahl by BorgCopyeditor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well, you only live twice.

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    1. Re:screenplay by Roald Dahl by dances+with+elks · · Score: 1, Funny

      or so they say

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  12. Re:examination by chrisbtoo · · Score: 2, Funny

    A quick read about Polonium shows that its soluble in dilute acids. I wonder if thats how it was introduced?


    Pickled ginger FTW!
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  13. Re:Polonium-210? What legitimate uses does it have by udderly · · Score: 2, Funny

    What if rogue clowns from some other planet drove their flying space armadillo to the UK, abducted this guy and used an anal probe to implant the polonium in his ass?

    Seriously, have you never heard of Occam's Razor?

  14. Re:Worried, me? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    Now that we know that our "ally" is putting the finishing trim on his capitalist dictatorship, how will our millionaire media airheads and our millionaire government respond? Do I hear crickets?

    Easy, Terrorism, Islam, Arabs, Tree-Huggers, Gays, Commies, Atheists. Fear, Uncertainly, Doubt.

    Forgotten all about our inconvenient ally yet? No?

    Look over there, Paris Hilton! That crazy chick. hehehe. I wonder what she will do next. Yeah, we all know she's crap, so why don't we watch more of her advertising-sponsored videos and let's make fun of her together, hehehe. Crazy chick. hehehe. Oh, oh, oh, you so won't believe what TomKat did yesterday...

  15. Merry Christmas... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    Slow, painful, and irreversible death from radiation poisoning [Litvinenko]
    Death is usually irreversible. There was this one guy, though...