ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

• 1983 The first shaft of the world's longest tunnel is completed
• 1967 3 astronauts die in a cabin fire while preparing for the Apollo 1 mission
• 1967 U.S., U.K. and Soviet Union sign the Outer Space Treaty

NATIONAL

• Bembem Devi delighted with Padma Shri recognition. A flag-bearer of Indian women’s football for over two decades, Bembem was also conferred with the Arjuna award in 2017.

INTERNATIONAL

• Coronavirus: China bans wild animal trade. The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus that killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-03 also has been traced to wild animals, with scientists saying it likely originated in bats, later reaching humans via civets.
• Paris cancels Lunar New Year parade after coronavirus outbreak in China. A precautionary lockdown of Wuhan city has since been expanded to much of the rest of Hubei province.

DEFENSE

• Gallantry medal for downed pilots. The President approved nine Shaurya Chakras, of which four were posthumous. Six Shaurya Chakras were to Army personnel, while three were to security forces personnel under the Home Ministry.

SPORTS

• Padma Vibhushan for Mary Kom, PV Sindhu awarded Padma Bhushan. Rated as one of the most successful amateur boxers of all time, Mary Kom won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and has won gold at the boxing World Championships for a record six times.

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