World Bank approves $250 million loan for J&K flood recovery project 

World Bank has approved 250 million US dollars loan for Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project for reconstruction of flood-affected public infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. The project will be funded by credit from World Bank’s concessionary – International Development Association.

Ali Smith won 2015 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction

Renowned United Kingdom author Ali Smith on won the 2015 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction for her novel “How to be Both”. Earlier, the book was shortlisted for the 2014 Man Booker Prize and the 2015 Folio Prize.

Snowden awarded freedom of expression prize in Norway

Former security contractor Edward Snowden won a Norwegian prize for freedom of expression. Snowden, a former analyst at the US National Security Agency, has lived in exile in Russia since 2013 after revealing mass spying programmes by the United States and its allies. Snowden was awarded Sweden’s Right Livelihood Award in 2014. 

Kalmadi conferred with the Asian Athletics Association President’s award

Scam-tainted Suresh Kalmadi has been conferred with the Asian Athletics Association President’s award for his ccontribution towards the development of athletics in Asian continent.

Barcelona lifts fifth Champions League crown

Barcelona were crowned European champions for the fifth time after beating Juventus 3-1 in a superb Champions League final in Berlin. Goals from Ivan Rakitic after four minutes, Luis Suarez in the 68th and Brazilian Neymar in stoppage-time sealed a treble for the Catalans, who also won La Liga and the Spanish King’s Cup.

Rahul Dravid named India A and U19 Coach

Former captain Rahul Dravid was appointed coach of the India A and Under-19 cricket teams after the first meeting of BCCI’s advisory committee. The panel — comprising retired legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman — met at the Cricket Association of Bengal office at the Eden Gardens and also present was BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya.