Report: Security of Nuclear Materials Sees Improvement

Seven countries give up most of uranium and plutonium

A report issued Wednesday on the security of deadly nuclear materials found steady improvement, with seven countries in the last two years giving up most of their uranium and plutonium that can be readily turned into weapons. Their actions lowered the number of nations with appreciable fuel for atomic bombs to 25 from 32.

"World leaders can claim significant progress in addressing the threat," the report said. It cautioned, though, that "much work remains to be done."

The 148-page report card came from the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a private advocacy group in Washington that promotes safekeeping of nuclear materials and urges governments to strengthen their defenses against atomic terrorism. The group worked with the Economist Intelligence Unit, a company in London that analyzes risks.