Recently, ICJ has ruled that it’s the jurisdiction to hear the case brought by Iran against the US, to unfreeze Iranian assets of nearly 2 billion dollars held in the US. America argues that Iran’s claims to retrieving its assets based on the Treaty of Amity, were now void, following the USA’s withdrawal. The case revolves around assets seized from Bank Markazi, which were taken by the US to compensate victims of a 1983 suicide bombing.

In a bid to go digital in classrooms, the Union Human Resources Development Ministry has launched Operation Digital Board on the lines of Operation Blackboard of 1987, which was started with the purpose of providing minimum basic facilities to all primary schools. The programme will be implemented in schools from this academic year to provide better digital education. Under the programme, 7 lakh classrooms of 9th, 10th and 11th standards and two lakh classrooms of colleges and Universities will be equipped with digital boards by 2022. It will improve the quality of education and offer new opportunities and new ways of teaching and learning. The initiative will convert the monologue classrooms into interactive ones. The move will revolutionize the education system in the country with different kinds of digital teaching materials, quality lectures and other facilities.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has recently launched the country’s first semi-heavy missile-equipped submarine, dubbed as Fateh (‘Conqueror’ in Persian). The new submarine will fill a gap between the light Ghadir class and the heavy Kilo-class submarines that the country possesses. The Fateh has subsurface-to-surface missiles with a range of about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles), capable of reaching Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.

President Ram Nath Kovind on February 21, 2019 promulgated the four ordinances, namely- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Second Ordinance, 2019; Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2019; Companies (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2019 and Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Ordinance, 2019.

World Corporate Social Responsibility Congress (World CSR Congress 2019) is one of the admired meetings which promote Entrepreneurship, Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Social Development. 8th World CSR Congress held between Feb 17 and Feb 18 ,2019 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.It was attended by participants from 33 countries to encourage the efforts of individuals and organizations.Theme of the year 2019 is ‘Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)’ to focus on corporate strategies,innovation, and strategic alliances.

The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of MoU between the South Korean National Police Agency, Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, India on combating transnational crime and developing police cooperation.Its objective is improving the effectiveness of both countries in the prevention and suppression of crimes, including crime relating to terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime, and to establish a framework for enhancing cooperation between the officials of intelligence and law-enforcement agencies of the 2 countries.

LIC launched a new micro insurance plan “Micro Bachat”. It is a regular premium, non-linked, participating endowment micro insurance plan, which offers a combination of protection and savings.

India’s first diesel to electric converted locomotive twin-engine having 10000 horsepower is an initiative under “Make in India”.

‘KALIA Chhatra Bruti’ scholarship for the children of farmers benefited under the KALIA scheme was launched by the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.

Simone Biles won Laureus World Sports Award  for  Sportswoman of the Year.

Aero India-2019, Asia’s biggest air show, has opened at Yelahanka Air force station, Bengaluru. It showcases aerospace majors and their technologies, which include transport aircraft, helicopters & fighter jets. It is a five-day-long biennial event, besides being a platform for aviation companies to forge new contracts & alliances.

The 7th National Photography Awards 2019 were presented by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore at a function held at the National Media Centre on 19th Feb. In it, ace photographer Ashok Dilwali has been bestowed with the Life Time Achievement Award, who is known for his work on the Himalayas. A total of 13 awards carrying cash prizes were presented to the winners in professional and amateur categories. Shanth Kumar won the ‘Professional Photographer of the Year’ award, while Gurdeep Dhiman won award for ‘Amateur Photographer of the Year’. The theme for the Professional category was “Women-led Development” and theme for Amateur category was “Fairs and Festivals of India”.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has recently launched the country’s first semi-heavy missile-equipped submarine, dubbed as Fateh (‘Conqueror’ in Persian). The new submarine will fill a gap between the light Ghadir class and the heavy Kilo-class submarines that the country possesses. The Fateh has subsurface-to-surface missiles with a range of about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles), capable of reaching Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.

The Astronomical Society of India will be presided over by a woman, GC Anupama for the first time in its history. She will succeed RK Tyagi and has been elected to this post for a tenure of 3 years.

Indian Oil Corporation(IOC), has signed its very first annual deal to buy U.S. crude oil, paying USD 1.5 billion for 60,000 barrels a day beginning April 2019 to March 2020 to diversify its crude sources.IOCL is the first Indian state refiner to buy U.S. oil under an annual contract, in a deal that will also help boost trade between New Delhi and Washington.

A Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, which has favoured 3% on the affordable housing category, down from 8%, has submitted its report to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council for taking it up and decide on it in the meeting to be held on 20th February 2019. The Council might also consider reducing tax on cement from 28%to 18% to boost the realty sector in the meeting.GST is currently levied at 12%on premium housing and 8% on affordable housing on payments made for under-construction properties, where completion certificate has not been issued at the time of sale.No GST is charged if a property is bought after the issue of completion certificate.

Tennis World no 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia won his 4th Laureus World Sportsman of the year and American record-holding gymnast Simone Biles bagged the World Sportswomen of the year award.

 Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated the 4th Agri Leadership Summit 2019 at the India Interntional Horticulture Market(IIHM) in Ganaur,Sonipat district,Haryana.

Eva de Goede from Netherlands and Arthur van Doren of Belgium were titled the International Hockey Federation’s Players of the Year for 2018. Eva de Goede, 29, was named the Female Player of the Year and Arthur van Doren, 24, won the Male Player of the Year award for the second year in a row.

83rd Senior National Badminton Championship was concluded in Guwahati, Assam.

Ashok Dilwali has won Lifetime Achievement Award at the 7th National Photography Awards.

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector, announced the launch of Trip Protector’ insurance policy, a pioneering policy in the non-life insurance segment in India.

Senior IRS officers Sandeep Mohan Bhatnagar and Ashok Kumar Pandey have been appointed as members in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the Personnel Ministry said in an order issued. Pandey is a 1983-batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) officer, while Bhatnagar a 1984-batch IRS officer. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved their appointment, the order said.