New nuclear watchdog is formed

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VIENNA, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Vienna-based World Institute for Nuclear Security will work with the IAEA on nuclear safety.

According to British newspaper The Telegraph, the newly formed WINS will work with the International Atomic Energy Agency to help expand nuclear energy while at the same time working to make sure nuclear materials do not stray into the wrong hands for the wrong purposes.

"We have come to realize we have to become more intelligent and act in a preventative way against terrorist groups seeking to steal nuclear materials and technology," IAEA Director Mohammed ElBaradei said.

WINS will be tasked with helping to investigate the more than 200 reports each year of nuclear material being misplaced.

Funding for WINS was provided by the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Norwegian government.