6. IAEA chief sees promising prospects for N-energy
• Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has a positive outlook for nuclear energy in Pakistan.
• Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad, on Thursday, the IAEA director general noted the political will in Pakistan and the country`s technical capacity and nuclear safety record as the reasons for his optimism about the prospects for the expansion of nuclear energy.
• `There is strong political support for new nuclear power plants in Pakistan, said Mr Grossi. He observed that Pakistan has a world-class and impeccable nuclear safety record. Moreover, he said, the country has technical and engineering capacity for new nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors (SMRs), which indicated a promising future for nuclear energy and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
February 17, 2022: International Current Affairs MCQs
7. US launches `disruptive technology` strike force
• A top US law enforcement official on February 16, 2023 unveiled a new `disruptive technology strike force` tasked with safeguarding American technology from foreign adversaries and other national security threats.
• Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the No. 2 official at the US Justice Department, announced the new strike force at a speech in London at Chatham House.
• The initiative, she said, will be a joint effort between the US Justice and Commerce departments, with a goal of blocking adversaries from `trying to siphon our best technology,` she said in prepared remarks
8. Most baby formula health claims not backed by science: study
• The vast majority of health claims used to advertise baby formula worldwide are not supported by rigorous scientific evidence, a study said on February 16, 2023, leading researchers to urge the breast milk substitutes be sold in plain packaging.
• The study comes a week after a group of doctors and scientists called for a regulatory crackdown on the $55-billion formula industry for `predatory` marketing which they said exploits the fears of new parents to convince them not to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is widely recognised to have huge health benefits for babies. The World Health Organisation and the US CDC recommend breastfeeding exclusively during the first six months of a newborn`s life.
• However that recommendation is followed for less than half of infants globally, according to the WHO
9. Spain passes law for Europe`s first `menstrual leave`
• Spain`s parliament approved on February 16, 2023 a law granting paid medical leave to women suffering severe period pain, becoming the first European country to advance such legislation.
• The law, which passed by 185 votes in favour to 154 against, is aimed at breaking a taboo on the subject, Spain`s left-wing government has said. Menstrual leave is currently offered only in a small number of countries across the globe, such as Japan, Indonesia and Zambia.
• `It is a historic day for feminist progress,` tweeted Equality Minister Irene Montero, who says the move is a step toward addressing a health problem that has been largely swept under the carpet
10. US says Iran-based Saif Al Adel is new Al Qaeda chief
• Saif Al Adel, an Iran based Egyptian, has become the head of Al Qaeda following the July 2022 death of Ayman Al Zawahiri, the US State Department said on Wednesday.
• `Our assessment aligns with that of the UN that Al Qaeda`s new de facto leader Saif Al Adel is based in Iran,` a state department spokesperson said.
• Iran`s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian responded by denouncing Washington for publishing `misinformation about the leader of Al Qaeda`, and dismissing the link to his country as `laughable`
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