Current Affairs - Persons

Aravindh Chithambaram, an Indian Grandmaster, won the 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial chess tournament held in Jermuk, Armenia. He scored 6.5 points over 9 rounds, tying with fellow Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa. However, Aravindh secured the title by winning on tie breaks using the Sonneborne-Berger system, which considers the strength of the opponents defeated. This victory highlights Aravindh’s strong performance and strategic gameplay in an internationally competitive field.

Annalena Baerbock of Germany has been elected as the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In her new role, she has committed to acting as an honest broker and unifier for all 193 member states, emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration. Her election marks a significant moment in international diplomacy, reflecting Germany’s growing influence on the global stage. Alongside her appointment, Niger was selected to occupy the first seat in the Assembly Hall, and several Vice-Presidents and officers were also elected to support the functioning of the session.

Stefan Schaffer has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank’s India-based Global Capability Centre (GCC) as of June 2, 2025. In addition to this role, he will serve as the Global CIO for Corporate Functions and Head of Global Technology Centres. With prior experience leading the Bucharest Technology Center and the Shared Applications and Services vertical, Schaffer brings a strategic focus on reusability, simplification, and innovation. His leadership marks Deutsche Bank’s continued emphasis on India’s role in global operations, where over 20,000 employees contribute across cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Jaipur.

S. Padmanabhan, a distinguished Tata Group veteran and an alumnus of IIM Bangalore (PGP 1982), has been appointed as the Chairman of Tata Chemicals effective May 30, 2025. His appointment marks a significant moment in Tata Chemicals' leadership journey, highlighting the Tata Group's tradition of nurturing internal talent. Padmanabhan has held key roles at TCS, Tata Power, and Tata Chemicals over a career spanning four decades. Recognized for his operational acumen and strategic leadership, his new role comes at a critical time as Tata Chemicals expands its global presence and focuses on sustainability and speciality chemicals.

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh achieved a landmark victory by defeating reigning World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen in a classical game at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament. This win is Gukesh’s first classical victory over Carlsen and marks a significant milestone in the 19-year-old’s rapidly rising chess career. Despite being in a tough position earlier in the game, Gukesh showed remarkable patience and tactical sharpness to turn the game in his favour during the endgame. The victory highlights his growing strength on the international stage and showcases the emergence of a new wave of Indian chess prodigies ready to challenge the elite.