NEWS 14-01-2024. News For 15th-Jan (Monday) INTERNATIONAL 1. India and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral agreement under which New Delhi has been allocated a quota of 1 lakh 75 thousand pilgrims for the annual Haj pilgrimage in 2024. This further bolsters India's relation with the middle east nation. 2. Three deputy ministers of Maldives, Mariyam Shiuna, Mahzoom Majid, and Malsha Shareef, have been suspended indefinitely for making derogatory remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NATIONAL 1. ISRO successfully entered its Aditya L1 satellite into final orbit known as Halo Orbit at Lagrange point on 6th Jan 2024. 2. ONGC began its 'First Oil Production' from Deep-Water Block in Krishna-Godavari Basin on 7th Jan 2024. 3. Indore was ranked as India’s cleanest city for the 7th year in a row, in Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023. 4. The 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) took place from January 10–12, 2024 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. SPORTS 1. The pair of Rudrankksh Patil and Mehuli Ghosh have won the 10m air rifle mixed team event to maintain the Indian shooting contingent's dominance in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers. 2. Aman Sehrawat , a 20 year old wrestler clinched gold in the 57kg category at United Wolrd Wrestling Ranking Series. 3. Cricketer Mohammed Shami, Chess player R Vaishali, Archers Ojas Pravin & Aditi Gopichand, Golfer Diksha Dagar and Kabaddi players Pawan Kumar and Ritu Negi received the Arjuna Award. The Arjuna Award is given for outstanding performance in Sports and Games & is the second-highest sporting honour of India, the highest being the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. DEFENCE 1. IISc has developed a CO2-Powered Cooling System for Ships and Submarines. This system, powered by carbon dioxide (CO2), marks a significant step towards reducing the Navy's environmental footprint and enhancing its energy efficiency. 2. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has achieved a significant milestone as an aircraft C-130 J executed a night landing at the Kargil airstrip. The mission demonstrated the IAF's capabilities in challenging environments. 3. In a significant achievement for both the Make in India mission and the Indian Army, DRDO successfully test-fired the ATAGS-based mounted artillery system at the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan. 4. To cope with the swarm drone attacks, an Indian Army officer and a jawan have developed an integrated anti-drone system that includes an indigenous jammer integrated with an upgraded Russian-origin Schilka Weapon System. 5. DRDO has unveiled its "Ugram" rifle, which has been indigenously built in 100 days and has a 7.62mm caliber, which is more powerful than India's current INSAS rifle. < < Back