Current Affairs 30 April 2025

Scientists Discover Bacteria That Can Conduct Electricity.

• Scientists have discovered Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, a new bacterium capable of conducting electricity, found in Oregon's mud flats.
• The bacterium's nickel-based fibers enable long-distance electron transport, which could lead to applications in bioelectronics and pollutant cleanup.
• This discovery could provide new insights into bacterial evolution, and sediment chemistry.

India’s Gold Demand Surpasses 800 Tonnes in 2024.

• India’s gold demand crossed 800 tonnes in 2024, driven by a rise in jewellery consumption (563 tonnes) & a 60% increase in bar and coin investments (239 tonnes).
• Value of jewellery consumption was estimated at Rs 3.6 lakh crore, with the country becoming largest consumer of gold jewellery globally.
• Gold ETFs also saw growth, with holdings increasing from 21 tonnes to 63 tonnes over 5 years.

Amazon Launches First Kuiper Satellites to Rival Starlink.

• Amazon has launched 1st 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper, aiming to offer global broadband internet & compete with SpaceX's Starlink.
• The Kuiper network is part of a $10 billion initiative to deploy 3,236 satellites in low-Earth orbit by 2026, with a focus on rural areas.
• The project has faced delays, but Amazon expects to begin service later this year after confirming satellite contact.

PM Modi Promotes "Sachet" App for Early Disaster Alerts.

• Sachet app, launched by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), offers real-time geotagged alerts on natural disasters like floods, cyclones, and earthquakes.
• It provides weather reports and updates from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), available in 12 Indian languages.
• PM Modi urged people to download the app for safety and to stay informed during natural disasters.

IN-SPACe Launches Satellite Bus Service for Private Space Missions.

• IN-SPACe introduces the Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) program, inviting Indian private firms to design modular satellite bus platforms for hosted payloads.
• The initiative aims to lower costs and accelerate access to space for startups by offering standardized satellite bus platforms.
• Up to four private firms will be selected to develop satellite bus systems.