In a recent development, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India, and The Public Service Division of the Republic of Singapore signed a Protocol Document. This agreement extends the currently active Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2018. The extended MoU, set to last until 2028, primarily covers Cooperation in the field of Personnel Management and Public Administration.
It aims to strengthen the partnership between the two countries by promoting cooperation among their Public Service officers. The areas for collaboration consist of Administrative Reforms & Public Sector Transformation, Public Service Delivery, Leadership and Talent Development, E-Governance, Capacity Building, and Training.
Methane-Rich Groundwater Springs Discovered in the Arctic
According to a study published in Nature Geoscience, climate change is causing Arctic glaciers to retreat, revealing methane-rich groundwater springs. These springs, located in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic, are reportedly releasing over 2,000 tonnes of methane annually.
This figure is comparable to 10% of Norway’s oil and gas industry emissions. High methane levels detected throughout the year suggest the presence of trapped methane under glaciers. Unfortunately, these springs do not form part of the global methane budget, which estimates the amount of methane released through sources and captured through sinks. Groundwater springs typically form when pressure builds up within an underground aquifer, forcing water to flow through fractures or openings in rocks.
Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant: Lower Risks Than Chernobyl
The ongoing conflict has led to safety threats at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Ukraine, currently under Russian control. However, a recent report by the Bellona Foundation suggests that the risks and possible consequences at Zaporizhzhya NPP are not expected to be as severe as Chernobyl.
Known as the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhya accounts for roughly 40% of the total electricity generated by all Ukrainian NPPs, contributing to a fifth of Ukraine’s annual electricity production.
Cheetahs Relocation Initiative in Madhya Pradesh
To ensure the preservation and expansion of the cheetah population in India, Indian officials have announced plans to shift some African cheetahs from Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh to the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary within the same state.
The wildlife warden of KNP mentioned that this relocation would strictly follow the Cheetah Action Plan, which involves identifying appropriate habitats for the cheetahs. The decision comes after the Supreme Court’s directive to spread cheetahs over a wider geographic range, following the deaths of three cheetahs within a 45-day period earlier this year.
