April 12, 2006 (Wednesday)
- United Front for Democratic Change rebels approach N'Djamena, the capital of Chad. (BBC)
- Coronary specialist Sir Magdi Yacoub operates on Welsh schoolgirl cardiomyopathy patient Hannah Clark, whose original heart is reconnected, after a donor heart was rejected by her body. This is a UK-first organ-replacement reversal. (BBC)
- The UK's Terrorism Act 2006 comes into force, making illegal the act of glorifying terrorism. (BBC)
- Sri Lankan Civil War: coordinated bombings and rioting in the north-eastern part of the country leaves 16 dead. A claymore anti-personnel mine explodes in Trincomalee, killing two policemen in their vehicle. Another blast set off in a crowded vegetable market kills one soldier and civilians. Ensuing rioting leaves more than a dozen dead. Authorities have blamed LTTE rebels for the recent attacks since Monday. (BBC) (Reuters)
- Fossils of Australopithecus anamensis help bridge a long gap during a crucial phase of human evolution. (BBC)