Current Affairs 12 April 2026

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Government Boosts Shipbuilding with Naval Architect Appointments to DGS

•The government plans to appoint naval architects to the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).
•This initiative aims to significantly improve India's domestic shipbuilding capabilities.
•The primary objective is to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign-built vessels.

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Indian-Origin Amit Kshatriya Leads NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission Efforts

•Indian-origin scientist Amit Kshatriya holds a pivotal leadership role in NASA's Artemis II mission.
•He serves as NASA's Associate Administrator, overseeing various operational and mission directorate functions.
•Artemis II is a critical crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft, orbiting the Moon as part of NASA's broader lunar return program.

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India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor: A Nuclear Energy Milestone with Oversight Concerns

•India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is set to achieve criticality, marking a significant step in the country's three-stage nuclear power program.
•The PFBR is designed to produce more fissile fuel (Plutonium-239) than it consumes, utilizing the spent fuel from the first stage of the nuclear program.
•This reactor is crucial for India's long-term energy security by enabling the eventual utilization of its vast thorium reserves.

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Report Calls for Dual Study on Bat Guano: Crop Nutrition vs. Zoonotic Risks

•A recent report advocates for quantifying the nutritional value of bat guano for agricultural crops.
•Simultaneously, it calls for studies on the risks of exposure to zoonotic pathogens through long-term use of guano.
•The initiative aims to balance the potential benefits of natural fertilizer with public health concerns related to bats as pathogen reservoirs.

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Centre Hikes Export Duties on Diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)

•The Indian government has increased the export duties, also known as windfall tax, on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).
•The windfall tax on diesel exports has been raised to ₹55.5 per litre.
•The export duty on ATF has been set at ₹42 per litre.

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Tamil Nadu's Match Industry Faces Threat from Cheap Chinese Lighters

•Tamil Nadu's century-old match industry, centered in Sivakasi, is facing a severe threat from the influx of cheap, imported plastic lighters.
•This competition from limited-use Chinese lighters is significantly impacting the demand for traditional safety matches.
•The phenomenon jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of workers dependent on the domestic match manufacturing sector.

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Iran-US Diplomacy Stalls Amid 'Excessive Demands' and Trust Deficit

•Recent diplomatic discussions between Iran and the United States concluded without a resolution.
•Iran's Foreign Ministry attributed the failure to "excessive demands" from the U.S. and a lack of mutual trust.
•Despite the impasse, Iran reiterated its commitment to using diplomatic channels to secure its national interests.

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Russia Offers Conditional Gas Supply to EU Amidst Evolving Energy Dynamics

•Russia has expressed its readiness to supply natural gas to the European Union, provided it has a surplus available.
•The statement from the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, also acknowledged Europe's capability to secure gas from alternative global sources.
•This development highlights the ongoing and complex energy relationship between Russia and the EU, influenced by geopolitical factors.

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Ukraine-Russia Accuse Each Other of Easter Truce Violations Amidst Ongoing Conflict

•Ukraine and Russia mutually accused each other of violating an Orthodox Easter ceasefire.
•Ukraine reported over 2,200 breaches, including significant use of FPV and attack drones.
•Russia countered with claims of nearly 2,000 violations by Kyiv.

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Nepal Journalist Arrested for Criticizing Kathmandu Mayor, Released After Protests

•Roshan Pokharel, a Nepali journalist running the YouTube channel 'Hades', was arrested in Panchthar district for criticizing Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah.
•The arrest sparked widespread protests from media organizations and human rights activists, leading to his subsequent release.
•The incident highlights concerns regarding press freedom and freedom of expression in Nepal, a key neighbour for India.

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Bangladesh's China Outreach: Teesta Project Raises Geopolitical Stakes for India

•Bangladesh is sending a high-level 20-member delegation to China this week to strengthen commercial ties.
•China is actively involved in several major infrastructure projects across Bangladesh.
•A key project mentioned is the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, with Chinese support.

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Centre Supports Seafood Exporters as India's Exports Cross ₹68,000 Crore

•India's seafood exports reached approximately ₹68,000 crore this year, marking a significant milestone.
•This represents a growth of about ₹6,000 crore from the previous year's exports of ₹62,000 crore.
•The Central government has met with seafood exporters to offer support for the sector's continued growth.

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Netanyahu Claims Existential Threats Removed, Campaign Against Iran Continues

•Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the campaign against Iran is ongoing, but existential threats to Israel have been neutralized.
•He highlighted significant achievements against threats posed by Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza.
•The statement underscores Israel's proactive security posture and its engagement in various regional conflicts.

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US Warships Conduct Mine Clearance in Strait of Hormuz Amidst Iranian Rejection

•US warships conducted a mine clearance operation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
•Iran 'strongly rejected' Washington's claims regarding the entry of US vessels into the strait.
•The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for international oil shipments.

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U.S.-Iran Two-Week Ceasefire: Pakistan Mediates Amidst Israeli Opposition

•A two-week ceasefire agreement was established between the United States and Iran.
•Pakistan played a pivotal role as a mediator, facilitating the negotiations between the two nations.
•The discussions took place in Islamabad, focusing on de-escalation and potential future talks.

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