After 39 days of the West Asia conflict, Iran and the US announced a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, just one and a half hours before the expiry of US President Donald Trump’s 8 PM deadline for the deadly attack. Iran has also confirmed it will open the Strait of Hormuz during the two-week period.
Meanwhile, NASA's Artemis II mission successfully splashed down on 10 April 2026, thus marking a historic 10-day crewed lunar flyby. The success of Artemis II sets the path for a human landing on the Moon in 2028. India's ISRO also conducted the second Integrated Air Drop Test for the Gaganyaan mission on 10 April, which involved a simulated Crew Module representing the capsule carrying astronauts during a human space flight.
On 9 April 2026, the Archaeological Survey of India – Mumbai Circle discovered approximately a 1,500-year-old stepped reservoir on Elephanta Island, off the Mumbai coast. The findings from the excavation of the T-shaped reservoir included artefacts like brick structures, terracotta figurines, glass and stone bangles, and coins made of copper, lead, and silver, identified as belonging to Krishnaraja of the Kalachuri dynasty from the sixth century CE.
While these are a few of the national and international developments that made the headlines, let us now quickly look at the important term in the news this week.
Current Affairs Terms in News This Week (5-11 April 2026)
1. OPEC+
Why in news? On 5 April 2026, OPEC+ had agreed to increase oil production quotas by 206,000 barrels per day (bpd) for May 2026 amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions. This is the second consecutive month of increased production quotas.
What is it?
OPEC+ is an alliance formed between the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and several non-OPEC oil producers (including Russia, Mexico, and kazakhstan) to manage global oil supply and stabilise prices.
Key points
- OPEC+ was formed in 2016.
- OPEC+ differs from OPEC in that it includes 10 additional non-member countries
- In addition to OPEC members, the "plus" includes Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan, and Sudan.
2. Gourami Fossils
Why in news? Palaentologists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, on 8 April 2026, discovered the freshwater fish fossils from the Siwalik foothills in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This discovery marks the first fossil record of gourami in India and the second globally.
What is it?
Gourami fossils are rare, ancient remains of freshwater labyrinth fish which are identified through otolith structures (ear bone made of calcium carbonate) of three freshwater fish types: gourami, snakeheads (Channa), and gobies.
Key points
- The discovery in the Siwalik himalayas dates back 5 million years (Pliocene Epoch).
- It is the first gourami fossil record in India and the second globally. The first was in Sumatra.
- The Gourami species live in calm and stagnant water. The presence of these fossils indicates that the ancient habitat was a lentic freshwater ecosystem and heavily vegetated.
3. Kigali Amendment
Why in news? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on 1 April 2026, directed all state and central authorities to stop granting environmental clearances for new or additional Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) production after 31 December 2027, to meet its Kigali Amendment commitments.
What is it?
Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international agreement aimed at gradually phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in refrigeration and air conditioning. The Amendment divides countries into three groups (developed, most developing, and developing) with different timelines.
Key points
- India is a party to the landmark Montreal Protocol of 1989, which was agreed to tackle ozone depletion through phasing-out of CFCs, with a complete ban from 2010.
- India and parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed to reduce HFCs by 80 to 85 per cent by the late 2040s.
- India's will conclude its 4-step phase-down of HFCs from 2032 onwards with cumulative reduction of HFCs by 10 per cent in 2032, 20 per cent in 2037, 30 per cent in 2042, and 85 per cent in 2047.
4. Pulsars
Why in news? Indian scientists from IIT-Kanpur, have devised a new method to measure distances in the universe by using pulsar radio emissions. The scientists will study the delay in pulsar signals (dispersion measure) and how radio signals from pulsars are distorted (scatter broadening) as they travel through space.
What is it?
Pulsars are highly, magnetised, rapidly rotating neutron star formed from the remnant core of a massive star after a supernova.
Key points
- Pulsars emit beams of electromagnetic radiation from their magnetic poles, appearing like flash or pulse like a cosmic lighthouse as they spin.
- Pulsars act as highly precise cosmic clocks that aid in detecting gravitational waves, testing general relativity, and mapping the galaxy
- The first radio pulsar was discovered in 1967 by Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish.
5. Imported Inflation
Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), in its April 2026 policy meeting, has decided to maintain the Repo rate at 5.25%. The RBI's MPC maintained this stance amid the ongoing global conflicts in West Asia, which has been impacting global crude oil prices and increasing imported inflation.
What is it?
Imported inflation is an increase in the domestic prices driven by increased import costs of goods and services.
Key points
- Imported inflation occurs when a country's currency depreciates, global supply chain disruptions happen, or foreign prices rise, thus making imports more expensive.
- Imported inflation is also referred to as cost inflation.
Weekly Current Affairs Terms (29 March-4 April 2026): INS Aridhaman, Census 2027, and Jan Vishwas
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