What happened to chess in Afghanistan recently?

The Taliban government announced a suspension of chess across the country on May 12, 2025, citing concerns over its alignment with Islamic law, particularly regarding the promotion of gambling.

Daily Current Affairs 12th May 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update) |

National News

Union Minister Manohar Lal Inaugurates ‘Bharat Bodh Kendra’ at India Habitat Centre

On May 10, 2025, Union Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Bharat Bodh Kendra at India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi.
Developed as part of the Habitat Library and Resource Centre, the Kendra is aimed at promoting India’s cultural and civilisational heritage through resources on art, philosophy, spirituality, and history.
The Minister praised IHC’s green initiatives and encouraged broader replication of its sustainable practices.
The Kendra is expected to become a vital centre for cultural research, heritage education, and public learning.

State News

Rajnath Singh Launches BrahMos Manufacturing Facility in Lucknow

On May 11, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production facility at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow.
Built with an investment of ₹300 crore, the facility aims to produce 80–100 BrahMos missiles annually, boosting India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing amid growing regional security concerns.

Delhi Police Launches ‘Nayi Disha’ to Reintegrate School Dropouts

The Delhi Police has initiated ‘Nayi Disha – A Path Back to Learning’, a community outreach programme designed to bring school dropouts back into the education system.
With the help of NGOs, schools, and counsellors, the initiative offers admission support, emotional guidance, and academic aid. I
t highlights a paradigm shift in policing from traditional enforcement to social empowerment.
The project is already yielding results and is set to expand citywide.

International News

India and European Will Restart FTA Talks

India and the European Union have entered the 11th round of FTA negotiations, adopting a two-phase strategy to fast-track trade liberalisation.
With a focus on reducing non-tariff barriers and expanding market access, this effort aims to finalise an interim agreement before moving to more contentious issues.
India’s recent diplomatic push, including agreements with the UK, US, and Australia, underscores its commitment to global trade integration and economic resilience amid global protectionist trends.

US-China Trade Talks Conclude with Promising Deal in Geneva

The United States and China reached a trade deal on May 11, 2025, after two days of high-level talks in Geneva, aimed at resolving a prolonged tariff war.
Officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer confirmed “substantial progress” had been made.
The talks focused on reducing the $1.2 trillion US trade deficit and restoring economic stability.
The agreement, though details are pending, marks a significant milestone in international trade relations and is expected to have a positive global impact.

Agreements News

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra Join Hands for Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project

The Tapti Basin Mega Recharge Project, launched through an MoU between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, aims to provide irrigation and drinking water to water-stressed districts using 31.13 TMC of Tapti river water.
Estimated at ₹19,244 crore, the project will cover over 3.57 lakh hectares and is likely to receive 90% Central funding.
This inter-State effort is seen as the world’s largest recharge scheme and reflects a significant move toward sustainable water management and cooperative federalism.

Appointments News

Justice Surya Kant Appointed as NALSA Executive Chairman

Justice Surya Kant has been appointed as the new Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), effective May 14, 2025.
His nomination under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, aligns with judicial tradition and marks a step forward in ensuring free legal aid and access to justice under Article 39-A of the Indian Constitution.
As the second senior-most Supreme Court judge, his leadership is expected to enhance legal reforms and expand NALSA’s outreach.

Ranks & Reports News

Key Findings From Global Methane Tracker 2025

The IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2025 reveals that methane emissions from the energy sector remain high and underreported, with abandoned infrastructure and fossil fuel operations driving much of the pollution.
Although technological solutions and international pledges exist, their implementation is weak, and satellite data continues to expose hidden emissions.
The report urges immediate action to enhance monitoring, enforce policies, and unlock energy security benefits by reducing leaks and flaring.

Sports News

Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket: End of an Iconic Era

Virat Kohli has announced his retirement from Test cricket, ending a remarkable 14-year career marked by 9230 runs, 30 centuries, and a transformative stint as India’s most successful Test captain.
His leadership saw India achieve milestones like the 2018–19 Test series win in Australia and the rise to No. 1 in ICC rankings. With Rohit Sharma also retiring,
Indian cricket enters a new phase, with Shubman Gill likely to take over leadership as India prepares for the upcoming England Test series.

Deepika Kumari Clinches Bronze at Archery World Cup Stage 2

Deepika Kumari secured a bronze medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, overcoming a semifinal loss to Lim Sihyeon.
Her victory in the bronze medal playoff against Kang Chae Young contributed to India’s growing medal count, with a strong performance in both recurve and compound archery events. India’s success at this global event highlights the nation’s rising stature in archery.

Taliban Suspends Chess in Afghanistan Over Sharia Law Concerns

The Taliban has imposed a nationwide ban on chess in Afghanistan, citing potential violations of Islamic law due to concerns over gambling. Announced on May 12, 2025, the move has disrupted social spaces in Kabul and raised alarm among human rights organizations.
The ban, though temporary, adds to a series of restrictions including those on MMA and women’s sports, symbolizing the regime’s tightening grip on public and cultural life.
The decision awaits religious review and highlights the regime’s broader policy of socio-religious control.

Science & Technology News

FaceAge: AI Tool Uses Selfies to Predict Biological Age and Cancer Outcomes

FaceAge, a new AI tool trained on over 58,000 portraits, estimates a person’s biological age using a selfie. It has shown the ability to improve cancer survival predictions and guide doctors on treatment intensity by identifying physiological frailty.
The study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, noted that cancer patients appear biologically older than their real age, which links directly to worse outcomes.
While promising for personalized care, the algorithm also raises ethical questions about potential bias, misuse, and the psychological impact of knowing one’s biological age.

Sarvam AI Launches Bulbul-v2 with Realistic Indian Accents

Sarvam AI has launched Bulbul-v2, an advanced text-to-speech model supporting 11 Indian languages with natural Indian accents.
Built for real-time speech synthesis, the model includes features like pitch, pace, and loudness control, smart text preprocessing, and multiple audio sample rates.
As the first Indian startup chosen to build a sovereign LLM under the IndiaAI mission, Sarvam AI is contributing significantly to linguistic accessibility and AI innovation in India.

Scientists Create First Pangenome of Asian Rice

Scientists have created the first-ever pangenome of Asian rice by analyzing 144 varieties using advanced HiFi sequencing.
This new genome map provides a broader genetic base, helping researchers design better rice cultivars with traits such as drought resistance, disease tolerance, and climate resilience.
The study highlights rice’s evolutionary roots in Or-IIIa wild rice, offering pathways to improve crop adaptation, yields, and food security, especially in vulnerable regions like India.

Important Days News

International Nurses Day 2025, Date, Significance, Theme

International Nurses Day 2025, celebrated on May 12, focused on the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies”.
It emphasizes the well-being, support, and funding required for nurses to sustain strong healthcare systems and enhance economic resilience.
The day, established by the International Council of Nurses, also commemorates Florence Nightingale’s contributions.
It raises awareness about nurse shortages, burnout, and advocates for policy changes to improve nurse conditions worldwide.

National Technology Day 2025: Celebrating India’s Scientific and Strategic Triumphs

National Technology Day 2025, celebrated on May 11, marks the anniversary of India’s 1998 nuclear tests in Pokhran and celebrates the country’s growing strength in science and technology.
With the theme “Empowering a Sustainable Tomorrow Through Innovation”, the day promotes sustainable tech solutions, encourages youth engagement in STEM, and honors milestones like the Hansa-3 flight and Trishul missile test, all of which symbolize India’s progress toward technological sovereignty and a greener future.

UN Observes International Day of Plant Health to Safeguard Global Food Security

The International Day of Plant Health (IDPH), celebrated on May 12, emphasizes the protection of plants as a key to achieving food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
Plants provide essential resources like oxygen and nutrition, yet nearly 40% of crops are lost annually due to pests and diseases. With increasing risks from climate change, global trade, and invasive species, the IDPH calls for international cooperation, investment in innovation, and adoption of sustainable practices.
The observance is part of a broader One Health approach, linking plant well-being with human, animal, and environmental health.

8th UN Global Road Safety Week 2025: Making Walking and Cycling Safer

The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week (12–18 May 2025) is a significant global initiative urging stakeholders to enhance road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
With the focus on safe infrastructure, reduced urban speed limits, and responsible driving behavior, the campaign supports the larger goal of halving road traffic deaths by 2030 under the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Through social media outreach and advocacy events, the initiative emphasizes the critical role of safe walking and cycling in promoting public health, environmental sustainability, and transport equity.