Usha Vance becomes the first Indian-American Second Lady

Usha Vance created history by becoming the first Indian-American Second Lady. Her husband J.D. Vance was sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2025.

Usha Vance is a lawyer and has also served as a clerk for US Supreme Court judges Kavanaugh and John Roberts. She will also be known as the youngest Second Lady.

Her achievement has instilled a sense of pride in the Indian-American community. This milestone symbolizes the growing participation of Indian immigrants in global politics.

CCPA issues notice to Ola and Uber on pricing

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to cab aggregators Ola and Uber over differential fare determination based on smartphone model. According to Union Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, consumers had complained of huge disparity in fares for the same route on iPhone and Android devices. The issue was raised after different smartphone users noticed different prices.

The CCPA has sought clarity from these companies on their pricing algorithms and the factors that cause variations in fares. The aim of this investigation is to protect consumer rights and ensure fair competition on digital platforms.

The move is part of the company's commitment to take consumer complaints seriously and resolve their problems. The CCPA wants to ensure that all users benefit from the same pricing policy. This action will not only increase consumer confidence but it will also help bring transparency in the digital economy.

UP government's Aerospace and Defense Policy approved

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the new Aerospace and Defense Unit Policy 2024. The aim of this policy is to make the state a leader in the aerospace and defense sector. This policy will generate more than 1 lakh jobs and attract investments of about Rs 50,000 crore.

The state government has also implemented a new policy to encourage foreign investment (FDI). Under this, foreign companies will be given up to 80% subsidy on land. This move will accelerate industrial development in Uttar Pradesh and make the state an attractive destination for investment.

The main objective of the Aerospace and Defense Policy is to strengthen indigenous capabilities, promote innovation and encourage global partnerships. The government aims to make Uttar Pradesh a leading defense and aerospace hub of India by promoting development in this sector.

India's first human-powered underwater submersible

India plans to launch its first human-powered underwater submersible under the Deep Ocean Mission. This submersible will be able to reach a depth of 500 meters, and there are plans to increase its capacity to 6,000 meters by 2026.

The Deep Ocean Mission aims to promote the exploration of resources within the ocean and understanding of the deep-sea ecosystem. This includes identifying rare minerals, metals and marine biodiversity.

This mission will also contribute to sustainable fisheries and biodiversity conservation. Through this, India's scientific community will be able to make maximum use of the potential of the deep sea. This project will provide long-term benefits to the country's economy and science.