Marlon James’s ‘A Brief History of Seven Killings’ wins the 2015 Man Booker Prize

The Jamaican novelist Marlon James won the Man Booker Prize for his novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” a raw, violent epic that uses the attempted assassination of Bob Marley in 1976 to explore Jamaican politics, gang wars and drug trafficking. Mr. James is the first Jamaican-born author to win the Man Booker, Britain’s most prestigious literary award.

The other shortlisted books were:

  • Tom McCarthy (UK), Satin Island
  • Chigozie Obioma (Nigeria), The Fishermen
  • Sunjeev Sahota (UK), The Year of the Runaways
  • Anne Tyler (US), A Spool of Blue Thread
  • Hanya Yanagihara (US), A Little Life

The shortlisted authors each receive £2,500 and a specially-bound edition of their book. The winner receives a further cheque for £50,000.

Note: Australian author Richard Flanagan won last year’s prize for his wartime novel ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’. First awarded in 1969, the Man Booker is recognised as the leading award for high-quality literary fiction written in English.

KP Sharma Oli was sworn as the new Prime Minister of Nepal

Veteran Communist leader K P Sharma Oli has sworn in as Nepal’s 38th Prime Minister, a day after he was elected in Parliament with support from smaller parties. Mr. Oli (63), was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Baran Yadav. Prime Minister Oli has formed a small cabinet incorporating two Deputy Prime Ministers and five ministers.

Note: He is the first Prime Minister under the newly adopted Constitution of Nepal. It was adopted on 20 September 2015.

Jioji Konrote elected as Fiji’s President

Fiji’s Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jioji Konrote, has been elected by Parliament as Fiji’s next President. Konrote, who was nominated by the ruling Fiji First party, fetched 31 votes in the presidential election held in the parliament. On the other hand, the opposition SODELPA party’s candidate Ratu Epeli Ganilau received 14 votes.

Sania Mirza-Martina Hingis win China Open 

Sania Mirza (India) and Martina Hingis (Switzerland) pair won 2015 Women’s Doubles title of China Open. In the final match, they defeated Chinese pair Hao-ching and Chan Yung-jan.

Note: In Men’s Singles, Novak Djokovic of Serbia defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain.

Lewis Hamilton wins 2015 Russian Grand Prix of F1

Lewis Hamilton of Britain and Mercedes racing driver won the 2015 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix title. He defended the title at the final race held at Sochi Autodrom in Sochi, Russia.

  • While Hamilton topped the table, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel (Germany) and Sergio Perez (Mexico) of Force India stood at second and third positions respectively.
  • It was the ninth title for Hamilton in the 2015 season as he won the titles in Australia, China, Bahrain, Canada, the UK, Belgium, Italy and Japan prior to the present victory.
  • Hamilton won more races compared to any other British driver in the history of Formula 1 One and currently tied for the fourth position with Sebastian Vettel on the all-time wins list, with 42 wins.

Ajay Jayaram wins 2015 Dutch Open Grand Prix Badminton tournament

Ace Indian shuttler, Ajay Jayaram has won the 50000 dollars 2015 Dutch Open Grand Prix badminton tournament. In the title clash played at Almere in Netherlands, Jayaram defeated Estonia’s Raul Must by 21-12, 21-18 score. With this victory, he deafened this title which he had won earlier in 2014.