Latest news with #WorldWarThree

Ireland nuclear bomb map shows potential catastrophic damage amid WW3 fears

Irish Daily Mirror

3 hours ago

Politics
Irish Daily Mirror

Ireland nuclear bomb map shows potential catastrophic damage amid WW3 fears

The prospect of World War Three is a deeply unsettling thought, but with escalating attacks between Iran and Israel this week - and Iran's growing alliance with China and Russia - the world feels closer to a global conflict than it has in years. The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified dramatically over the past week. Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Iranian military sites and Iran retaliated with missile strikes targeting Israeli cities. Iran has warned that any US intervention could trigger an "all-out war," while US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" and called for an increased US military presence in the region. In recent years, Iran has strengthened its ties with China and Russia, creating a powerful alliance that challenges the existing international order and could dramatically shift global power dynamics. Amid escalating tensions, fears of nuclear conflict have resurfaced, with experts warning that any wider escalation involving Iran, Israel and their powerful allies could dangerously increase the risk of nuclear weapons being used. This has left some people asking the ultimate hypothetical - what could happen if a nuclear bomb hit Ireland? The Irish Government has an emergency operation – called the National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures – in place to deal with any such incident. It sets out steps for a national response to such a crisis, and the subsequent transition to a managed existing exposure situation. Now, an alarming interactive map shows how much of Ireland could be destroyed if a nuclear bomb hit. Users can check the potential impact of a nuke being detonated in their area, including the number of fatalities and injuries it could cause. The website NUKEMAP was created by Alex Wellerstein, a historian of nuclear weapons, in a bid to "help people visualise nuclear weapons and get a sense of the scale of the bombs". He explained: "We live in a world where nuclear weapons issues are on the front pages of our newspapers on a regular basis, yet most people still have a very bad sense of what an exploding nuclear weapon can actually do." The map allows you to choose from a wide range of nuclear weapons already produced, tested or used. We used the Topol (SS-25), which is currently in Russian arsenal, to see what would happen if it hit various locations around Ireland. The warhead is 800 kiloton and can deliver a payload of 1,000 kg to a range of 11,000 km. If this nuclear bomb were to land in Dublin city centre, it could kill an estimated 330,150 people and injure a further 481,860 according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, including some living in neighbouring counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The people most impacted would be those living within 0.97 km of the blast, who would be in the 'fireball radius'. The map explains anything inside the fireball is effectively vaporized. Those living within 6.53km of the bomb would see 'moderate damage'. Areas included here include Dundrum, the Phoenix Park and Ballymun. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire". Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - like Blanchardstown, Dublin Airport and Tallaght - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation". The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This includes the likes of Lucan and Malahide, as well as parts of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities." If this nuclear bomb were to land in Cork city centre, it could kill an estimated 109,170 people and injure a further 95,730, according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, meaning it would reach as far as Crosshaven, Watergrasshill and Cobh. Those living within 6.53km of the bomb - which includes Cork Airport and Glanmire - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire." Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - such as Passage West, Carrigaline, Blarney and Ballincollig - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation." The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities." If this nuclear bomb were to land in Galway city centre, it is estimated that it could kill 48,510 people and injure 36,400 more, according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, including those living near the border in Clare. Those living between 6.53km of the bomb - which includes Salthill and the Atlantic Technological University - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire." Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - such as Claregalway and Oranmore - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation." The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This goes almost as far as Athenry. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities." If this nuclear bomb were to land in Belfast city centre, it could kill an estimated 182,440 people and injure a further 231,100, according to the NUKEMAP. People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, with it reaching as far as Bangor, Carrickfergus and Lisburn. Those living between 6.53km of the bomb - such as Balmoral, the Upper Falls and Springfield - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire." Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - including Holywood, Dundonald and Carryduff - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation." The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This include Carrickfergus, Bangor and Hillsborough. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities." You can try the map for yourself here. The only two times nuclear weapons have been dropped on inhabited areas was in 1945, when the US detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As many as 220,000 people were killed in the atrocity. However, over 2,000 nuclear tests have been conducted globally since then, primarily for research and military demonstration purposes.

Nigeria will hold a powerful card should World War III happen - Ben Murray-Bruce

Business Insider

13 hours ago

Politics
Business Insider

Nigeria will hold a powerful card should World War III happen - Ben Murray-Bruce

With the hostilities across the globe, including the recent bout between Israel and Iran, it seems like the threat of World War III looms with each passing year, leaving the state of Africa's future in question. While some think Africa would be negatively affected, Ben Murray-Bruce projected that Nigeria, would be in an advantageous position. Global tensions are heightened by conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and strategic actions by major world powers. Former Nigerian senator Ben Murray-Bruce predicts the inevitability of World War III due to nuclear proliferation and volatile leadership. He emphasizes Africa's non-involvement due to its peaceful diplomatic stance and lack of territorial ambition. Geopolitical fault lines are spreading as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and rising tensions among global giants such as the United States, Russia, China, and Iran. The prospect of these sparks igniting a worldwide conflagration, possibly World War III, is no longer the stuff of dystopian fiction. Adding weight to this concern is a bold statement by Ben Murray-Bruce, founder of Silverbird Group and former Nigerian senator, as reported by the Punch. In a recent interview with Global Affairs Expert Dane Waters, Murray-Bruce warned that another world war is 'inevitable,' citing the surge in nuclear armaments and the alarming presence of 'trigger-happy' leaders at the helm of powerful nations. 'We're in big trouble and as long as we have the kind of leaders we have in the world today, I see World War Three coming and it's going to be terrible,' he stated. The Middle East remains a major hotspot for conflict. The continuing battle in Gaza, Israeli-Iranian tensions, and the involvement of global forces on opposite sides of these wars all increase the risks. Add to that China's strategic military posture in the South China Sea and Russia's ongoing conflict against Ukraine, and the circumstances for a larger, deadlier conflict look ominously ripe. Murray-Bruce referenced historical events, stating, 'I think we are in trouble. I think there's too much violence in the world today. I think access to weapons is easy. I think we have a lot of trigger-happy leaders across the world, and because they are trigger-happy, they don't care. He added, 'We have a lot of despots and crazy people. So, war is inevitable. It goes back to like 1945, 1939, 1917. First world war, second world war, Korean war, Vietnam war. 'I think there are many crazy people in the world, and as long as we elect crazy people into leadership positions, this is what we're going to have because it's the leaders that cause the war, not the people.' Nigeria's Projection from Ben Murray-Bruce in the face of a third World War Despite this grim prognosis, Murray-Bruce has a rather optimistic view of Africa, particularly Nigeria. He argues that, while World War III might devastate most of the industrialized world, countries such as Nigeria may be spared the consequences. His explanation is twofold: Africa's overall lack of nuclear ambitions and its largely benign diplomatic posture. 'The beauty of World War III is that it's not going to affect Africa. Africa will be spared. You guys are going to fight all across the world, but we are going to be safe in Nigeria,' Murray-Bruce stated. 'Nobody is going to be fighting in Nigeria because we have no territorial ambitions, we have no desire to acquire nuclear weapons, we don't want to fight anybody, we're friends with all our West African neighbours,' he added. He also suggested that Nigeria might be able to accept displaced people from the West after a world war, but only under stringent visa requirements. 'So yeah, there's going to be a World War III, the rest of the world will be destroyed, and we'll be happy to welcome Americans, Israelis, and Iranians to Nigeria,' he said.

'We're heading for World War 3, but no-one knows why'

Daily Mirror

17 hours ago

Politics
Daily Mirror

'We're heading for World War 3, but no-one knows why'

How did it come to this? The world's most oppressed and misunderstood people, denied a state of their own for a thousand years, dropping bunker-busting bombs on the stateless, poor and oppressed people next door. People who live cheek-by-jowl with democracy and freedom and wealth and Eurovision, who see its benefits for others every single day, and still think they're a bad idea. A nation subject to United Nations inspections, swingeing sanctions, and an arse-backwards fundamentalism that thinks the Middle Ages were a bit too racy and modern, on the cusp of developing the most technologically-advanced weapons in history. And the most powerful nation on Earth, which has guaranteed the security and scrutiny and non-nuclear conflicts, reduced to trolling the world because it doesn't want to police the things that, if they're not policed, mean it's World War Three. Never has there been a time where so many people wake up in the morning, to so little reason for optimism, and ask themselves just what the f*** is going on. And when all the world seems powerless, everyone in it feels there's nothing they can do. Well, you're wrong there. Power comes from knowledge, and all you need to do is stop shouting or fretting or crying, and try to understand. Israel lashes out because its people have been under the lash for centuries, and within living memory they were all but exterminated in the most gruesome ways humankind has ever invented. Trauma can enter the bones and be transferred in utero. Ask yourself what your grandchildren would do, if they grew up knowing it had happened once to your family already and were daily attacked by the unhinged bloke down the road. Iran rains hellfire on Israel because it relies on fear and oppression and insularity for its sick interpretation of an otherwise-peaceful faith, for its power and its sense of self. Within living memory, the Satanic West has tried to overturn a popular uprising and prop up an oppressive monarchy for the sake of stripping its oil reserves. When that didn't work, the Satanists let their mate move in next door, and gave him missiles. And America - oh, America. A shining city on a hill, with an orange version of Jabba the Hutt unwilling to roll off his golden chaise longue unless there's something shiny in it for him. Donald Trump rejects war of all sorts not because he's a man of faith or peace, but because it's a net cost and his bone spurs prevent him from experiencing any sense of active duty. I've been around for almost half a century, and grew up watching TV footage of missiles and stone-throwers and bomb attacks and hostage-taking in the Holy Land. It's never been as scary as now, from this distance, because nuclear war wasn't a possibility. But the fear everyone closer to it felt then has led them to the place where there's a real risk of radiation, in all senses of the word. If Trump sends his B2 bombers in with the 13-ton bunker busters to destroy the enrichment plant buried inside an Iranian mountain, US troops and embassies and citizens worldwide will be targeted by Islamic terror. If he doesn't, Israel will step up its own military action and the entire Middle East will spiral into war that won't be a binary fight between two regimes, but a hydra-like conflict of infinite variety, with religions, sects, schisms, ethnicity, history and hatreds that you would never unpick. And all in a place where the oil is. Where the trade passes. Where the migration, the domestic security threats, and the arguments all arise. If you wanted to make the world a significantly-worse and more appalling place, the best way of doing it would be to lob a bomb into the Middle East. And yet, if he doesn't, the significant Jewish minority in his own country will turn against him, his arms industry would suffer, the US economy will hit the toilet and Iran could get a nuke inside a year and it'll all go bang anyway. There are so many areas of similarity between all these opposing arguments that you'd think they'd notice. They're all angry old men. They're ultra-conservative, corrupt, and absolutist. Trump's the only one who eats bacon, but they're all happy to send in the heavies and baton, tear gas, or shoot whoever gets in their way. And the power they wield all relies on making people afraid of the other guy, over there, even though he's just like them. You can ask how we got here by looking at eons of history, or the post-war consensus, or October 7. You can shrug your shoulders and say it's always been a troublespot, or - as loudmouths and social media are forever encouraging us to do - you can pick a side and join the shouting. But to steal a bit of fundamentalism back for the sake of common sense, what went wrong is everyone forgot what the Holy Land was for. All these men battle for power over a group of rocks in a part of the world where people used to have good ideas. It's been raging for centuries, with the occasional pocket of peaceful co-existence. But the ideas seem to have run out. Iran is a massive, beautiful country filled with the nicest people. Its regime is on its last legs, its leaders incompetent, and its citizenship thirsty for reform. Israel is tiny, disproportionately successful, and packed with lovely things, from Netta to diamonds and the vital ingredient for Jaffa cakes. Both have a total lack of hope, because the one nation in the world whose actual job is to be that beacon has put a grasping troll in charge of the light. Lots of people see it. You are not alone in how you feel. And if everyone realised that how we got here was by failing to understand what it's like to be someone else, then maybe we'd all be someone better. And to prove the point, I suggest Ayatollah Khameni runs America for a day, Trump takes over Israel, and Netanyahu works out of Tehran. I swear, it'd be no bloody different, and that's what people need to remember. There is no such thing as 'the other guy'.

Five vital jobs that won't be conscripted into armed forces if World War 3 breaks out

Daily Record

2 days ago

Politics
Daily Record

Five vital jobs that won't be conscripted into armed forces if World War 3 breaks out

Escalating attacks in the Middle East alongside Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine have sparked fears of WWIII. The terrifying prospect of World War Three feels closer than ever with escalating conflict in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Israel's ongoing bombardment of Palestine is approaching two years, following Hamas' massacre on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of over 1,000 people. The death toll in Gaza following Israel's retaliation has passed 50,000, according to UN experts, with the majority believed to be women and children. The Middle East conflict has sparked worldwide protests against the Israeli regime, with the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for PM Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. ‌ In recent days, Israel launched targeted attacks on Iran, with their strikes on nuclear bases killing dozens, mostly military commanders and nuclear scientists, according to Iran's UN ambassador. ‌ Iran retalliated by launching hundreds of missiles at Tel Aviv, claiming several lives and seeing locals hiding in bunkers. The tensions continue to mount, sparking fears of a global conflict. Iran has alligned itself with China and Russia - whose invasion of Ukraine continues with 18 reported dead this week after a series of strikes on Kyiv. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Israel has "a right to self-defence" but "reiterated the need for de-escalation" in call with Netanyahu. Donald Trump is still said to be weighing up his options, but officials from the President's administration have voiced support for Israel's operation. With lines seemingly being drawn on both sides, the grim possibility of WWIII looms ever closer. If another World War were to break out and the UK were to be involved, the idea of conscripting the population to the armed forces may be mooted in an attempt to boost Britain's military manpower. ‌ As reported by Yorkshire Live, during WWII men aged 20 to 22 were first conscripted in 1939, up to six months before the conflict broke out. The UK Parliament website explains: "During the spring of 1939 the deteriorating international situation forced the British government under Neville Chamberlain to consider preparations for a possible war against Nazi Germany. ‌ "Plans for limited conscription applying to single men aged between 20 and 22 were given parliamentary approval in the Military Training Act in May 1939. This required men to undertake six months' military training, and some 240,000 registered for service." When war was declared, the age range was immediately extended to men aged 18 to 41. But there were certain jobs that were exempt from conscription. These key workers were seen as crucial to keeping things running in the UK and, thus, weren't forced into military service. The roles were bakers, farmers, doctors, nurses, and engineers. ‌ The UK Parliament website continues: "On the day Britain declared war on Germany, September 3, 1939, Parliament immediately passed a more wide-reaching measure. "The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service. Those medically unfit were exempted, as were others in key industries and jobs such as baking, farming, medicine, and engineering." ‌ During the War, Brits who refused to comply with conscription due to moral objections to conflict were branded 'conscientious objectors'. They faced tribunals, but unlike during WWI when almost 6,000 were sent to prison and at least 70 died, they were then put to work aiding the war effort at home. As the war continued, conscription was advanced. By the end of 1941, women and 'all childless widows' between the ages of 20 and 30 were called up to the home front. Men aged up to 51 were also called upon for military service and those aged 52 to 60 were required to take part in "some form of military service". ‌ Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The UK Parliament website added: "The main reason was that there were not enough men volunteering for police and civilian defence work, or women for the auxiliary units of the armed forces." On the potential for modern day conscription, Mike Martin, an Afghanistan veteran and the MP for Tunbridge Wells, previously told the Express: "There's a significant chance that it [war with Russia] might happen so we must be prepared." The Liberal Democrat issued a warning, saying that we would "obviously" start conscription if war with Russia broke out. He added: "There's no question about that," but emphasised the importance of strength as a deterrent. He said: "Being prepared generates deterrence, which decreases the likelihood [of war]. The whole point about building the military up is it decreases the likelihood of this happening. I think that's an important caveat. I've fought in wars, I'm not a warmonger. But I recognise that you've got to [pursue] peace through strength."

Hindustan Times