AAMIR KHAN GETS US HONOUR FOR TACKLING SOCIAL ISSUES

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has been honoured with a prestigious US award in recognition of his successful effort to create debate on India's pressing social problems through his popular TV show "Satyamev Jayate".

Khan, 47, was presented with the Inaugural America Abroad Media Award along with Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow and the International Centre on Non-violent Conflict (ICNC) at a function here Monday night.

Douglas B Wilson former Assistant Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs honours Bollywood actor Aamir Khan at America Abroad Media's 2013 Inaugural Awards Gala Dinner in Washington on Monday.

 In glittering event held at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington the America Abroad Media (AAM) group feted Aamir Khan along with Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow and 2013 Nobel Prize nominee the International Centre on Nonviolent Conflict.

All three winners of AAM’s inaugural awards were commended for work that exemplified “the power of media to inform, educate and empower citizens about the critical, social, and public policy issues of our time.”

TURKEY’S UNDERWATER RAIL LINK OPENED, TO CONNECT ASIA TO EUROPE

Turkey has opened an underwater railway tunnel linking Europe and Asia, and the two sides of Istanbul on 29^th October 2013. ( trail started in 6^th august 2013)

The Marmaray tunnel runs under the Bosporus, the strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Istanbul between Asia and Europe. The tunnel is 13.6 kilometres long, including an underwater stretch of 1.4 kilometres.

The underwater portion of the tunnel wasn’t dug, but was dropped in sections to the sea bottom the immersed-tube method used around the world. Turkish officials say that at more than 55 metres deep, it is the world’s deepest railway tunnel of its type.

KAREENA KAPOOR HONOURED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor on 29 October 2013 was honoured in the House of Commons, London for her contribution to the global entertainment industry.

The 33-year old actress was presented a framed golden coloured plaque by NRI MP Keith Vaz, Chairman of Britain’s Home Affairs Committee. Kareena was also honoured by the Asian Sunday Newspaper.

Besides Kareena, singer Kimberley Walsh and magician Dynamo (Aka Steven Frayne) were honoured by the Asian Sunday Newspaper for their contributions to the global entertainment-industry.

Kareena is the only Bollywood artist to be honoured at British Parliament after Amitabh Bachchan and she is the first Bollywood actress to be honoured by UK Parliament.

VANCOUVER GETS WORLD'S FIRST BITCOIN ATM

The world's first publicly accessible ATM machine which can exchange digital currency - bitcoins - for any official currency has been launched in Canada by a group of young entrepreneurs.

The ATM machine, operated by Vancouver-based Bitcoiniacs and Nevada-based Robocoin, converts bitcoins to Canadian dollars and vice versa. It opened for business in a Vancouver coffee shop, on Tuesday.

Customers will need to have their palms scanned in order to exchange up to USD 3,000 worth of bitcoins per day.

The bitcoins will then be transferred to and from the customer's on-line bitcoin wallet.

Users will have the option to receive a paper voucher representing the transaction, the report said.

ASHOK AMRITRAJ GETS SOUL OF INDIA AWARD

Tennis player-producer Ashok Amritraj, who has produced 109 Hollywood films, was presented with the 'Soul of India Award' for his outstanding achievements in the film industry.

Leading NRI industrialist Dr Rami Ranger presented the award to the 57-year-old producer at the Indian Journalists Association's Diwali Dinner held at the Bombay Palace here last night.

 Mrs Paul, wife of Dr Virendra Paul (Acting High Commissioner of India to the UK), formally launched Amritraj's book 'Advantage Hollywood' on the occasion.

Amritraj has produced 109 Hollywood films. His hits, starting with 'Double Impact' in 1991, have included 'Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance', 'Bandits', 'Machete and Premonition'.

The latest, 'Life of Crime', starring Jennifer Aniston and Tim Robbins, closed the Toronto Film Festival and opened the one in Abu Dhabi on October 24.

In addition to his work in the entertainment business, Amritraj spends much of his time on his philanthropic endeavours. He lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and two children.