Daily GK Updates - 21st September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ISRO to set up the emergency control room in MHA for internal security : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has signed a MoU for setting up a state-of-the-art integrated control room for emergency response in the ministry.ISRO will provide its technical expertise for setting up of proposed ICR-ER whereas the project will be executed under the overall supervision of MHA.The control room will cater to the requirement of internal security as well as disaster management.

2.  The Union Govt. launches sex offenders’ registry with 4.5 lakh entries :

The union government has come out with a National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO), containing a list of 4.5 lakh convicts with photos of about 3.5 lakh of them available.The registry makes India the ninth country in the world to set up and maintain a national database of sexual offenders.The database includes the name, address, photograph and fingerprint details for each entry.

3. Cyclonic storm 'DAYE' crosses Odisha coast : Cyclonic storm ‘Daye’ crossed near the Gopalpur coast in Odisha.Under the impact of Daye, heavy rain accompanied by high-speed wind occurred in coastal and southern parts of the state.The cyclone system lay centred over south Odisha, about 40-kilometre west-north-west of Gopalpur coast and 150-kilometer east-south-east of Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day of Peace observed today : The International Day of Peace is observed around the world annually on 21st September.It is dedicated to world peace and specifically the absence of war & violence such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access.The theme for 2018 is “The Right to Peace - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”.The theme celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2.  World Alzheimer’s Day : The World Alzheimer’s Day is observed every year on 21^st September to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia.Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning.

3.  India & Niger signed MoU for establishing Mahatma Gandhi convention centre : India and Niger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi International Convention Centre(MGICC) in Niamey, Niger, with the Indian government’s grant assistance.The Convention Centre is being established in the context of the African Union (AU) Summit that Niger is set to host next year.

4. Romania will open a consulate in Chennai : Romania will open a consulate in Chennai (India).This was decided in a meeting between Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Viorica Dancila (Romania Prime Minister) in Bucharest.Romania will take the lead for negotiations to restart on the early conclusion of India-EU free trade agreement with balanced outcomes

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1. India successfully test fires 'Prahaar' missile : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the indigenously developed surface-to-surface tactical missile ‘Prahar’ from Balasore, Odisha.‘Prahar’ is a contemporary weapon system capable of carrying multiple types of warheads and neutralizing a wide variety of targets.It is capable of filling the gap between the multi-barrel rocket system 'Pinaka' and medium-range ballistic missile 'Prithvi'.

SPORTS:

1. irat Kohli & Mirabai Chanu to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2018 : Virat Kohli (Indian Cricket Captain) and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (world champion Weightlifter) have been selected for this year's prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2018.Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years.Virat Kohli has 6147 runs in 71 Tests with 23 centuries and 9779 runs in 211 ODIs, including 35 tons.Chanu was chosen for the prestigious award following her gold medal in 48-kilogram category at the World Championships last year.Neeraj Chopra (Javelin thrower) is among 20 sportspersons picked for the Arjuna Awards.