General Knowledge Test - 7

A new law making it illegal to pay men more than women has taken effect in Iceland making it the first country in the world to legalize equal pay between men and women.

India ranked at the 62nd place among emerging economies on an Inclusive Development Index, much below China's 26th position and Pakistan's 47th.

Austria's capital Vienna once again defended its position as the city offering the best quality of life in the world, while Iraq's capital Baghdad remains the worst in an annual survey from consulting firm Mercer.

Australia defeated England in the finals of the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup by a 3-2 to win in the prestigious tournament for the 10th time.

Japan has overthrown China to become the world's second-biggest stock market after China's stock market fell to $6.09 trillion while Japan's market rose to $6.17 trillion.

India has slipped to 42nd place from 32nd place last year on an annual Global Democracy Index amid “rise of conservative religious ideologies” and increase in vigilantism and violence against minorities as well as other dissenting voices.

Neelam Kapur, the 1982 batch Indian Information Service (IIS) officer appointed as the new Sports Authority of India (SAI) director general (DG), was serving as the Principal Director General of the Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP).

Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj launched 'Exam Warriors', a book written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for students.The book, penned by the Prime Minister intends to reach out to the students and prepare them to face the difficulties ahead of their exams.

In a first in the country, the State government will be setting up an institute for artificial intelligence (AI) in Mumbai.

Sebastian Vettel won British Grand Prix in July 2018 for Ferrari and denied Lewis Hamilton his fifth successive home victory. The win is Vettel's fourth of the season and 51^st of his career.

Andhra Pradesh has topped the 'Ease of Doing Business' rankings 2017-18 for the 2^nd year in a row. The ranking was released by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in July 2018.

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) of Sikkim, the highest biosphere reserve in the country that includes the third highest mountain peak in the world, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), has been included in the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WHBR).

The decision was taken at the International Coordinating Council of Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme, UNESCO, in its 30th Session held at Palembang, Indonesia, a press release by Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change said.

With the inclusion of the KBR, one of the highest ecosystems in the world, reaching elevations of 1,220 m to 8,586 m above sea level, the number of biosphere reserves from the country included in World Network of Biosphere Reserves has increased to 11.

The last biosphere reserve to be included was the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in Kerala in 2016. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first reserve from the country to be included in the WNBR. India has 18 biospheres reserves, of which 11 have been included in the WNBR.

Explaining, the importance of the KBR for Sikkim, he said the biosphere reserve comprises 41% of the entire geographical area of the mountain State. “Of the 2,931 sq km area of the KBR, 1,784 sq km is the core area of the biosphere sphere, 835 sq km buffer area and 311 sq km comprises transition area between habitation and the biosphere reserve," Mr. Rao said.

The Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), which comprises the core area of the KBR, was inscribed as India's first “Mixed World Heritage Site" on July 17, 2016. Eighty six per cent of the core lies in the Alpine zone and the remaining portions are located in the Himalayan wet temperate and sub tropical moist deciduous forest.

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is one of the world's 34 biodiversity hotspots that has good species diversity with high levels of endemism, with many mountains, peaks, lakes, caves, rocks, stupas (shrines) and hot springs.

Jinson Johnson won gold in the men's 1500 metres at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. Johnson had won silver in the 800m final as well.

Johnson was pipped for gold by compatriot Manjit Singh in the 800m race but he did not give any chance to his rivals to win the race in 3 minute 44.72 seconds.

He crossed the finishing line after creating a huge opening in the last 80m stretch, leaving behind Amir Moradi (3:45.62) and Mohammed Tiouali (3:45.88).

Manjit Singh, who emerged a surprise winner in the 800m run, finished fourth with a timing of 3:46.57. Bahadur Prasad was last Indian to win a medal in men's 1500m at the 1998 Asian Games, where he won a bronze.

Johnson won the country's first 1500m gold medal in the men's competition after 56 years.

In the 800m earlier this week, plenty was expected from Majit and Johnson and they did not disappoint.

This is the third India have won two medals in the men's 800m race at the Asian Games.

In 1951, Ranjit Singh had won gold while Kulwant Singh won silver. In 1962, Daljit Singh won a silver medal and Amrit Pal finished with a bronze.

In June, Johnson ran one of the most memorable races in recent times as he smashed legendary Sriram Singh's 42-year-old 800m record, the oldest one in Indian athletics, to steal the spotlight on the second day of the 58th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships in Guwahati.

His effort there had helped him book a ticket for the Asian Games as the qualification mark was 1:47.50.