Current Affairs - Persons

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.

Jaismine Lamboria emerged victorious in the women’s 57kg category at the World Boxing Championships 2025 held in Liverpool. She defeated Poland’s Szermeta Julia with a 4-1 scoreline to secure the gold medal. This achievement highlighted her dominance in the ring and added to India’s success at the tournament. Alongside Jaismine, Nupur and Pooja also contributed by winning silver and bronze respectively in their categories. Meenakshi Hooda defeated Nazym Kyzaibay in the 48 kg category. However, it was Jaismine’s remarkable performance and determination that earned her the top spot, making her the standout achiever for India at the prestigious championship.

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Ravi Ranjan, who is currently serving as the Deputy Managing Director, for the role of Managing Director of the State Bank of India. He is set to replace Vinay M Tonse, whose tenure ends on November 30, 2025. The final approval of this recommendation will be decided by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This recommendation reflects FSIB’s key role in ensuring strong leadership in major financial institutions, and the appointment of Ravi Ranjan will mark a significant step in SBI’s leadership transition.

CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA nominee, has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India. He secured 452 votes, defeating Justice B Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes, in an election that recorded a 98.20% turnout. With 15 votes declared invalid and 13 MPs abstaining, the contest was significant but decisive. A seasoned politician, Radhakrishnan has previously served as a two-time Member of Parliament and also as the Governor of Maharashtra. His election was widely welcomed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting his long-standing service to society and administrative experience. He succeeds Jagdeep Dhankhar in this prestigious constitutional position.