The protective shield built over Reactor 4 in Chernobyl has cracked, sparking fears that the deadly radiation might start leaking.

Following the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986, a $2 billion protective shield, officially known as the New Safe Confinement (NSC) was constructed over the Reactor 4 to contain the radiation.

For context, the World Nuclear Association describes the Chernobyl nuclear disaster as an accident in 1986 that was the result of a flawed reactor design, operated with inadequately trained personnel.

According to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed that a Russian drone strike, in February, severely damaged the dome, which has already lost its primary safety functions.

A safety assessment conducted earlier this month found that though the dome remains intact and its monitoring systems are working, it has lost its confinement capability.

IAEA director Rafael Mariano Grossi urged the need for a comprehensive restoration process to ensure long-term nuclear safety. 

The agency has also suggested upgrades to the shield, equipping it with:

• Advanced corrosion monitoring
• A high-tech automatic system to keep the radioactive reactor under control
• Improved humidity control

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has put the facility under high risk.

Grossi said that the IAEA will do everything in its power to support and restore the nuclear safety and security of the Chernobyl nuclear site.

Additional temporary repairs at the site are scheduled to take place in 2026. 

Legendary actor Mark Hamill, known for his iconic role in Star Wars, has unveiled how he stepped into showbiz.

The 74-year-old is not only known for Star Wars, but he is also recognized for voicing Joker in multiple DC Comics media, starting from the 1992 Batman: Animated series.

During a chat at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Hamill revealed when he was in fourth fifth or sixth grade and was assigned to write a report on Andrew Scott, he would do the entire opposite and instead look up reviews of King Kong in the New York Times.

He was rather focused more on the showbiz people and special effects since school time.

The veteran actor knew from a very early age that there is no other business for him. “I didn’t know whether I was going to be an actor or what. But I thought whoever goes to work and makes dinosaurs come to life, I want that job.”

Mark wasn’t sure if he was going to be good at it or not, but he wanted to start by being an assistant.

Meanwhile, The Long Walk actor further confessed being inspired by Walt Disney.

“One of the things that made an impression on me was the Walt Disney Television program cause it was the first television show that showed you how movies were actually made.. there’s a camera crew, there’s wardrobe.”

Mark said that he couldn’t admit it to anyone at the time as he could get “ridiculed beyond belief.”

• India’s Department for Promotion of Industry launches new digital platform.
• Companies can generate sponsorship letters to invite foreign professionals.
• Visa forms simplified, and extra ministry approvals are no longer needed.
  

NEW DELHI: India has reformed its business visa regime to ease movement of foreign engineers and technicians, the government said in a statement, which will be a boost to local firms leaning on Chinese professionals for manufacturing services.

India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade said late on Wednesday that it had launched a new digital platform last month for companies to generate sponsorship letters to invite foreign professionals, has simplified visa forms, and will no longer ask relevant ministries for additional recommendations.

The visas have been eased for factory installation, commissioning, maintenance, and production, among other functions. Indian businesses predominantly depend on Chinese professionals for such services and to train local staff, especially in factories that deploy Chinese machinery.

Reuters reported last week that India has cut red tape to speed up visas for Chinese professionals in signs of improved ties between the two nations.

India had blocked virtually all Chinese visits after the nuclear-armed neighbours clashed on their Himalayan frontier in mid-2020, widening its vetting of business visas beyond the home and foreign ministries.

The removal of red tape comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China this year for the first time in seven years, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussing ways to improve ties.

In the face of punishing US tariffs, Modi has cautiously rekindled ties with Beijing.

Think tank the Observer Research Foundation estimates the tougher scrutiny on visas led to production losses of $15 billion over four years to Indian electronics makers, which import key machinery from China.

Major Chinese electronics companies, such as Xiaomi, have also struggled to get visas. Industry executives have said such curbs hit their plans to expand in India, while the solar industry was also hit by shortages of skilled labour.