US President Barack Obama presents Medal of Freedom to Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Diana Ross and Bill Gates

In one of his last acts as commander-in-chief, the US President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Freedom to 21 "extraordinary Americans" who have "lifted our spirits, strengthened our union and pushed us towards progress".
Prominent among them are Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Diana Ross and Bill Gates. Medal of Freedom is America's highest civilian honour.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 23 November 2016.

In the course of the ceremony at the White House, President Obama said the groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes, philanthropists and scientists had inspired millions around the world.
Others in the list of awardees are - basketball stars Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, actor Robert Redford, comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres, sports broadcaster Vin Scully and scientists Richard Garwin and Margaret Hamilton.
In his closing speech, the President said the recipients were people who made America special, adding: "This is what makes us the greatest nation on Earth."
Incidentally, the award is presented to people "who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavours". Previous recipients honored by President Obama include Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep and Stevie Wonder.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


Some more interesting links -

President Pranab Mukherjee to be present for Vikramshila Mahotsav

Baliyatra fair on the banks of the Mahanadi sees over one lakh visitors on opening day

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to bury the hatchet and work together to fight terrorism


Lord Shiva and long ATM queues - bullock carts and ATM don't gel (satire)

Moody fires cannons to eliminate mosquitoes (satire)

Fuchka Festival in Kolkata and selfies (satire)


Spanish police arrest two suspected ISIS terrorists in Barcelona and Madrid

At least 52 killed and more than 100 injured in a bomb blast at a remote Sufi shrine in Pakistan

Joint action by RFA, Royal Navy and US Coast Guard nets huge haul of cocaine from the sea


La La Land to have its Indian premiere at the Jio MAMI Film Club

Jackie Chan gets an Oscar after a 56-year career

Spider-Man: Homecoming will see Michael Keaton as Spider-Man's main adversary Vulture

Jackie Chan gets an Oscar after a 56-year career

Jackie Chan has finally got an Oscar after a career spanning 56-years. He has more than 200 films under his belt and he was awarded an honorary Oscar at the Eighth Annual Governors Awards at the Hollywood and Highland Center in Los Angeles.
The award was presented to him by Tom Hanks, Michelle Yeoh and Chris Tucker. Hanks compared Chan to the likes of John Wayne and Buster Keaton.
This has been reported in thehindu.com dated 15 November 2016.

While accepting the award, he called it a “dream” and shared his memories growing up and watching the Oscars with his parents. He thanked his fans and promised them to keep working and making movies. He also thanked Hong Kong which is his hometown. He also thanked China, his country and Hollywood which has taught him so many things, and also make him a little bit famous.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


Some more interesting links -

British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India - mango and visa on the agenda

Air India Express to provide improved air connectivity between Kolkata and Singapore

Mamata Banerjee to visit the United States in 2017 to woo industries


Lord Shiva’s views on Kalighat and marriages (satire)

Moody and the half pant brigade (satire)

Didi’s idea - deflate tyres to punish unruly drivers (satire)


Iraq special forces advanced into Mosul while ISIS militants killed 20

British police have foiled 12 terror plots against Britain in the last three years

No-fly zones to be imposed over jails to prevent drones from being used to smuggle drugs into prisons


Michael Fassbender says no to next James Bond - will a woman take over?

Second trailer of Wonder Woman released- will be in the cinemas in July 2017

Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) begins 11 November

Tom Hanks to receive the lifetime achievement award at the Rome Film Fest

Hollywood star 59-year-old Tom Hanks will receive the lifetime achievement award at the upcoming Rome Film Fest. He has won two Academy Awards and will join in a public conversation with the fest’s director Antonio Monda about his body of work. The festival will also host a 15-film retrospective of his top hits.
This has been reported in indianexpress.com dated 24 June 2016.

Tom Hanks has delivered three decades of blockbusters that include movies like Saving Private Ryan, Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code and Bridge of Spies, and he won the best actor Oscar for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. His 2004 movie 'The Terminal' is proof that Tom Hanks is an actor par excellence.
Appreciating the actor, Antonio Monda has said that "I consider Tom Hanks to be one of the greatest actors of all time ... for the versatility that he commands extending from drama to comedy, for the psychological finesse with which he immortalizes characters who will remain forever in our imagination.”


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

HTT-40, India's homegrown basic trainer aircraft, to debut in Aero India 2017

Maithon Dam to be venue for kayaking and canoeing national championships

KVIC brings out Yogasutra, clothes made of khadi for yoga exercises


Moody’s whirlwind trip - five countries in six days (satire)

Didi’s Delhi dreams – from telebhaja to aloo chat (satire)

All about chest size and happy days (satire)


Christina Grimmie shot dead by unidentified gunman in Florida

TE3N first day box office collection of Rs 2.61 crores in India fails to impress

Sonu Nigam opens up on technology and modern day music


Suicide bomb attacks by Taliban kill more than 20 in Afghanistan

Two brothers arrested from Long Island - another possible massacre prevented

Delhi police unearths a kidney transplant racket - arrests kingpin from Kolkata