The head of the UN atomic energy agency said on Thursday that ensuring water for cooling was a priority of his visit to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine.
He added that the station could operate safely for “some time”.
Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency was inspecting the state of Europe's largest nuclear plant following last week's breach of the Kakhovka dam, downstream on the Dnipro River.
“What is essential for the safety of this plant is that the water that you see behind me stays at that level,” Mr Grossi said in two tweets issued from near the station, including next to a pond that supplies water for cooling.
“With the water that is here, the plant can be kept safe for some time. The plant is going to be working to replenish the water so that safety functions can continue normally.”
Mr Grossi said the visit, his third to the plant in southern Ukraine since Russian forces occupied it in the first days of the February 2022 invasion, had gathered “a good amount of information for an assessment”.
Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of shelling near the plant, endangering its safe operation. The station's six reactors are now shut down.
An IAEA spokesman said that gunfire briefly halted Mr Grossi's convoy as it headed back to Ukrainian-held territory following the visit, but the delegation was in no immediate danger.
A Russian energy industry official was earlier cited by Tass news agency as accusing Ukraine of opening fire on the convoy.
Earlier in the day, Mr Grossi said it was unrealistic to expect Moscow and Kyiv to sign a document on the site's security while fighting raged nearby.
The Kakhovka reservoir was normally used to refill the cooling pond adjacent to the plant, but cannot do so now because of its falling water level following the breach, officials say.
Instead, the pond, which is separated from the reservoir, can be replenished using deep underground wells, they say.
Mr Grossi was earlier quoted by Russian news agencies as saying the situation at the site was “serious” but that the level of cooling water was sufficient.
He also said that IAEA inspectors would remain at the site.
“We have a political agreement which was formulated at the [UN] Security Council. Reaching a written agreement would be unrealistic at this stage because, as we know, there are no peace or ceasefire negotiations between the parties,” Tass quoted Mr Grossi as saying.
Mr Grossi's trip was delayed by a day for security reasons amid heavy fighting.
Russian forces captured both the nuclear plant and the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam shortly after President Vladimir Putin sent them into Ukraine on February 24 of last year.
The IAEA chief has repeatedly called for an end to fighting in the vicinity of the facility to avoid any catastrophic accidents.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Trolius, Ryan Powell, Simon Crisford
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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What are the regulations?
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Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
Sour%20Grapes
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
