Situation at Zaporizhzhia plant ‘perilous’, UN warns | First Thing

Nuclear plant relies on single backup power line; EU leaders to discuss Ukraine's armament needs; plus, 10 writers face their fiercest food fears

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Good morning.

The UN nuclear agency's chief said yesterday that the situation at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) remains perilous" after a Russian missile strike this month disconnected the plant from the grid.

What else is happening? President Vladimir Putin's ally Dmitry Medvedev has said this morning that any attempt to arrest Putin after the international criminal court (ICC) issued a warrant for him would amount to a declaration of war against Russia, directly threatening to attack the seat of any government that allowed it to happen.

Where are the Paracel Islands? They are a disputed archipelago spread across about 7 sq km in the South China Sea. China has de facto control of the islands and has built installations and outposts, but Taiwan and Vietnam also claim ownership.

What did the US say? The US's Indo-Pacific Command at the time said China's statement was false" and that the US ship was conducting a freedom of navigation operation (Fonop) in line with international law. The Fonop sought to challenge restrictions imposed by various parties - including China, Taiwan and Vietnam - on innocent passage" through the disputed area, and to challenge China's claim of straight baselines that enclose the Paracel Islands.