Current Affairs - Persons

Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri was recently sworn in as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court at Raj Bhavan, Patna. The oath was administered by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. The Patna High Court, established in 1916, has been pivotal in delivering landmark rulings across constitutional, criminal, and socio-economic matters. This appointment strengthens the leadership at the court, ensuring continuity in judicial excellence and upholding constitutional values in the state of Bihar.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone achieved a historic feat by winning the gold medal in the 400m at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo. She clocked 47.78 seconds, which is the fastest time recorded by a woman in the event since 1985. This performance not only earned her the gold medal but also placed her as the second-fastest woman in history, just behind Marita Koch’s longstanding 47.60s record. Marileidy Paulino secured the silver medal, while Salwa Eid Naser took the bronze. McLaughlin-Levrone’s achievement underscores her dominance in athletics and her place among the sport’s greatest performers.

Anish Raj achieved a historic milestone for India by securing a bronze medal in the Junior Men’s One-Lap Road Sprint at the 73rd Inline Speed World Championships held in Beidaihe, China. With a time of 39.714 seconds, he became the first Indian ever to win a medal in this category at the global level. His victory not only highlighted his personal talent and dedication but also marked a breakthrough for India in international roller sports. In addition to this, Anish has also proven his consistency by winning a gold medal at the 20th Asian Roller-Skating Championships in South Korea.

Daniel Katz, a senior U.S. Treasury official and Chief of Staff to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has been nominated by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as the next First Deputy Managing Director, the second-highest position at the IMF. If approved by the IMF Executive Board, his appointment will take effect on October 6, 2025. Katz brings over a decade of experience in domestic and international economic policy, including work on U.S.-China trade, financial stability, and coordination with multilateral institutions like the IMF and World Bank. His nomination follows Gita Gopinath’s departure and reflects strategic leadership continuity in global finance.

Marium Fatima, a young chess talent from Muzaffarpur, has created history by becoming Bihar’s first Woman FIDE Master (WFM). This achievement marks a significant milestone not only in her personal career but also in Bihar’s sporting legacy. The WFM title, awarded by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), recognises players who achieve a rating threshold of over 2100 and consistently perform at an international standard. Marium’s accomplishment reflects her strategic acumen, dedication, and perseverance in the sport of chess. Her success has drawn recognition from the Bihar State Sports Authority and will inspire upcoming players, especially young women, to pursue excellence in chess.