Morning Digest: Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhupen Hazarika awarded Bharat Ratna; Trump to end government shutdown; and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day

Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhupen Hazarika awarded Bharat Ratna

President Ramnath Kovind on Friday conferred the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honour, on former President Pranab Mukherjee, along with social activist Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumous), and Assamese musician Bhupen Hazarika (posthumous).

U.S. President announces deal with lawmakers to end government shutdown

President Donald Trump said on Friday he has reached a tentative agreement with U.S. lawmakers for three weeks in stop-gap funding that would end a partial U.S. government shutdown now in its 35th day, with a senior Democratic aide saying money the President demanded for a border wall is not included.

Kyasanur’s ticking time bomb

Reckless human forays into eco-sensitive forest areas and lax public health monitoring have led to a deadly outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease, or Monkey Fever, in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, disrupting normal life and the local plantation economy. 

Live: India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI in Mount Maunganui

After a near perfect beginning, India would look to tighten the noose around a struggling New Zealand with a barrage of spin in the second ODI in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

How coach Rahul Dravid is bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket

You associate Rahul Dravid with resilience. His mental resources and discipline were force multipliers of his batting ability. A sterling work ethic and a value-system drawn from the heart of  cricket  made him what he was — a role model on and off the field.

Audit report on Rafale deal not yet complete, says CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has not yet completed its audit report regarding purchase of Rafale aircraft, according to its response to an RTI query this week. This erodes the basis of the Supreme Court’s December 2018 judgement on the Rafale case, according to RTI activists.

In rare honour, Army chief Bipin Rawat on medal list

In a rare gesture, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for distinguished service on the eve of the 70th Republic Day.

AIIMS Rishikesh dress code faces backlash

Doctors have demanded the immediate roll-back of a set of instruction issued for the undergraduate medical students at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh where they are told what to wear, where to sit in class and what to take to class.

Narthaki Natraj, Bangaru Adigalar, Sharat Kamal, Madurai Chinna Pillai get Padma Shri

Bangaru Adigalar, the founder of the spiritual Adhiparasakthi Movement in Melmaruvathur, ace table tennis player Sharath Kamal and accomplished transgender danseuse Narthaki Natraj are among the seven personalities from  Tamil Nadu  to be awarded the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian awards.