Daily GK Update - 25th April 2015

1. 7.9-earthquake leaves Nepal devastated

i. A massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck east of Pokhara in Nepal on Saturday, causing widespread damage to buildings in the capital Kathmandu and killing more than 100 people in the country.

ii. The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially said the temblor measured at 7.7 but later upgraded it to 7.9-magnitude. It said the quake hit at 11:56 am local time (0611 GMT) at a shallow depth of 15 km.

iii. The quake was followed by at least four aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 6.6 to 4.8.

iv. It was the worst quake in the Himalayan nation in over 80 years, the world’s strongest earthquakes since 1900

v. Tremors were also felt in north and east India. The tremors were felt in most cities, including Delhi, Guwahati, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata and Jaipur.

2. Delhi govt to launch Labour Development Mission on May 1

i. The Delhi government today announced that it will launch 'Labour Development Mission' on May 1, aimed at ensuring payment of notified minimum rates of wages to all contractual workers in the national capital. 

ii. "The Delhi government is in the process of carrying out a review on the issue of contractual employees to finalise a policy framework," Delhi Labour Minister Gopal Rai said during a public hearing with contractual workers at Shah Auditorium. 

iii. Rai also directed all employers, including contractors, to upload the details of their employees such as category, nature of work, bank account numbers, payment details etc on their websites. 

iv. To ensure payment of notified minimum wages to workers and bring transparency in the system, the employers were also directed to pay wages to workers by ECS/Cheque. 

3. India delivers 3 Cheetal helicopters to Afghanistan 

i. India has delivered three military choppers to Kabul weeks ahead of the first visit by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to New Delhi since taking over charge. 

ii. Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh informed the Parliament that India has already dispatched the three unarmed helicopters to Kabul.

iii. The choppers are suited for operations from high altitude regions as well as areas with difficult terrain and unprepared landing areas, for which Afghan pilots and technicians have been trained.

4. Bank of India, New India and Star Union tie up for Social Security Scheme

i. Bank of India has partnered with insurance companies New India Assurance Co and Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance to roll out the government’s social security insurance schemes.

ii. The New India Assurance and Star Union Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company will issue a group policy to the bank and the policy would start on June 1, 2015 for one year. Enrolment is likely to start from May 1,

iii. An accountholder has to give auto-debit request form to the bank and will get acknowledgement- cum-certificate by the bank immediately. The claim request will be forwarded through the respective bank branch for settlement of claim.

5. World Malaria Day observed

i. World Malaria Day (WMD) was observed on 25 April 2015. The theme for the 2013-2015 campaign is Invest in the Future. Defeat Malaria.

ii. The day is observed to recognise the global efforts to control malaria. It is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria control and elimination

iii. World Malaria Day was instituted by World Health Organization (WHO) Member States during the 2007 World Health Assembly.

iv. WMD is one of eight official global public health campaigns currently marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day and World AIDS Day.

6. Japan set to host continental champions in 2015 and 2016

i. FIFA confirmed that Japan will host the 2015 and 2016 editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, the tournament that has been held annually since 2005 among the champions of each member confederation.

ii. Japan has hosted six of the last 10 events, with the United Arab Emirates hosting in 2009-10 and Morocco hosting 2013-14. 

iii. Brazil hosted the first edition of the tournament, played under a different format, back in 2000.

7. Paula Radcliffe to receive London Marathon Lifetime Achievement Award

i. World record holder Paula Radcliffe will receive the inaugural John Disley London Marathon Lifetime Achievement Award after she completes the 2015 London Marathon.

ii. The three-time winner will run what is expected to be her final competitive race at the 35th London Marathon.

iii. Radcliffe will be presented with the trophy by John Disley, who co-founded the event with Chris Brasher in 1981.