PS Core Engineer O&M (back Office Ericsson Sgsn/mme, Ggsn/mpg, Idns)

Posted date: Wed, 29th Apr

Location: Denmark 

PS Core Engineer O&M (Back Office Ericsson SGSN/MME, GGSN/MPG, iDNS, SAPC)

WaveTel requires a fully experienced PS Core Ericsson engineer for this contract position in Denmark.
Requirements:
More than three years of experiences within Telecommunication, mandatory experience in Core PS Operations
Bachelor or Master degree within Electrical, Telecommunication or Computer Engineering
Very good understanding of 2G,3G,4G PS networks and Traffic cases. For complimentary products, broad knowledge of Unix operating system is essential
Extensive hands on experience with: Packet Switch (Ericsson SGSN/MME, GGSN/MPG), DNS, Ericsson SAPC knowledge is a plus.
Basic knowledge of IP Networks (CCNA certification or similar)
Understanding of KPI (Key Performance Indicators) and operational processes: Fault Management, Change Management, Preventive maintenance, Performance management
Able to communicate fluently in English. Danish would be a plus
Responsibilities:
Second level service problem restoration
Perform Preventive Maintenance of nodes
Handle and analyze Trouble Tickets and respond with timely actions within SLA
Create or handle and execute the Change Request in stipulated time frame
Raise Trouble Tickets towards 3rd line support in consultation
Keeping KPIs within the SLA (service layer agreement)
Ability to manage incidents actions & resolution for critical cases ( identify,analyze, coordinate all problematic points)
Preparing, testing and implementing configuration changes on SGSN, GGSN and IpWorks iDNS
Acceptance test for PS Core nodes.
Involved in upgrade/updates of live nodes
On-call responsibility 1 week per month
Planned works during night time.

Job Title	PS Core Engineer O&M (back Office Ericsson Sgsn/mme, Ggsn/mpg, Idns)
Post Details
Posted By	Mr Henriksen
Start Date	asap
Salary	good
Category
Job Type	Either
Location	Denmark
City or State	copenhagen

HKT and Huawei Demonstrate 450Mbps Download Speeds over LTE-A

Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) and Huawei have demonstrated the world's first IP RAN based LTE A 450Mbps solution (3 FDD Carrier Aggregation) in Hong Kong.

At a press briefing, HKT and Huawei achieved a peak download rate of 435Mbps in a live test of the world's first demonstration of three component carrier (3CC) inter-site LTE-A carrier aggregation (CA) across three 20MHz spectrum blocks using an IP-RAN based solution.

HKT is already rolling out its LTE-A 450Mbps network using this IP-RAN based solution, and expects the network to be commercialized with compatible smartphones by 2016.

Being the most important feature of LTE-A, CA technology allows the combined use of fragmented spectrum resources to increase data throughput where implementations today require that the fragmented spectrum resources be hosted by the same cell site. However, many commercial CA networks today have coverage holes due to coverage differences between LTE cell sites using different spectrums, thus imposing difficulty of combining LTE carriers on different spectrums for CA realization, which in turn disrupts the user experience. To solve this problem, Huawei has invented an inter-site CA solution which is able to combine carriers from more than one cell site to maximize the CA coverage area.

For the Hong Kong test, Huawei provided HKT with this inter-site CA solution based on IP Radio Access Network (IP-RAN) backhaul. This IP-RAN based solution successfully integrated three 20MHz spectrum blocks to realize LTE-A 450Mbps without modifying the current transmission network.

Mr. David Wang, President of Huawei Wireless Network Product Line, said, "Huawei and HKT are committed to build a world-leading LTE-A commercial network for Hong Kong. Having achieved the world's first inter-site 3CC CA realization, we will now work together to plan for the full commercial use of this technology, aiming to further uplift the mobile experience for Hong Kong users."

Click on images to enlarge

Press demo

India's Micromax Close to Selling Stake to Chinese Investor

The Indian mobile phone manufacturer, Micromax is reportedly close to a deal to sell a 25% stake to China's Alipay, in a deal that could see the phone manufacturer valued at around USD5 billion.

The move follows several months of speculation that Micromax was looking for an outside investor to help it diversify and compete against Chinese rivals, especially Xiaomi.

According to Canalys, Micromax overtook Samsung (20%) as India's largest handset vendor with 22% of shipments in Q4 2014 quarter, although Samsung disputes the report.

Citing sources, the Economic Times newspaper reported that Alipay, an online payment portal would be working with 2-3 other companies to form a consortium for its investment.

The company had been reportedly to be looking for an investment of at least USD1 billion for the stake, so it looks as though the Alipay backed consortium is paying a modest premium for its stake.

In 2010, Micromax had filed for a stock market listing but later cancelled its plans citing poor market conditions.

Internet Provider Finally Refunds Consumer

Melbourne based internet provider Planet ISP has refunded over AU$5000 to a customer whose mobile phone was stolen in South Africa in August 2012 but was subsequently used to make 92 unauthorised international calls.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) issued a Determination in May 2014 requiring the company to refund $5,115.26 for international call charges incurred and arising from these unauthorised calls. The TIO noted the customer reported the theft to Planet ISP on the day the phone was stolen, that Planet ISP did not act on the customer's request and subsequently debited the charges from the customer's bank account. Finally, Planet ISP did not make the payment to the customer as mandated by the Determination.

Only when the Australian Communications and Media Authority issued a remedial direction to Planet ISP in December 2014 for its failure to comply with the TIO Scheme -- and then indicated its intention to start legal proceedings -- has Planet ISP now refunded the money.

"The ACMA notes that the provider has now finally refunded payments made by the consumer for charges that should not have been incurred in the first place. However, it is disappointing that this outcome has been so unnecessarily drawn out"' said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.

"It is unacceptable for an internet or phone provider to disregard the decisions of the TIO and regard themselves as outside of the system," he added.

BP and Shell to report 60% collapse in first-quarter profits

 Clouds over BP’s North Sea HQ in Aberdeen. The the oil firm is expected to reveal a 60% fall in profits. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod

BP and Shell will this week report a collapse in first-quarter profits of around 60% on the same period of 2014 underlining the financial damage being inflicted by low oil and gas prices.

Analysts predict BP will be hit the hardest putting further pressure on chief executive, Bob Dudley, as he tries to steer the company back to full health amid continuing fallout from the Deepwater Horizon accident.

A consensus of 22 analysts expect BP’s underlying replacement “costs profits” – an oil industry accounting measure that incorporates fluctuations in the price of oil - to be down to $1.3bn (£850m) from $3.2bn in the first three months of 2014.

“There will be a huge drop in earnings for all the large integrated oil companies but especially BP. It will be the worst set of results for everyone since 2009,” said Fadel Gheit, veteran analyst with the Oppenheimer brokerage in New York.

Iain Armstrong, analyst with investment manager Brewin Dolphin in London, said BP would be most exposed to the particularly large fall in US natural gas prices slightly tempered by stronger refining margins.

“Upstream (exploration and production) earnings will be most affected, although there could be the initial positive impact of the planned cuts in capital expenditure and the ongoing layoff programme,” said Armstrong.

Gheit believes BP income could fall by as much as 7o% while Shell will be down by 68% and Exxon Mobil by 67%. But he also predicts losses for the second tier of oil companies such as Anadarko Petroleum, Apache Corporation and ConocoPhillips.

Gheit believes the “devastating” losses of the oil sector will increase the likelihood of more merger and acquisition activity following the $70bn takeover plan unveiled earlier this month by Shell on BG.

“It is a dog-eat-dog world out there now. Basically all companies are potential takeover targets. Tony Hayward [the ex-BP boss now running Genel Energy] said he is looking for acquisitions but I have news for him that his own company is being looked at.”

Predators circle with BP still stuck in deep water

 

Read more

Gheit believes US domestic oil and gas producers will be the hardest hit with financial losses continuing throughout the year. “If there is not a bounce back (in oil prices) they could be even worse next year because they will not be so protected by a hedging strategy.”

The oil price over the first quarter of the financial year is roughly half the level that it was during the same period of 2014. It has since recovered a bit with Brent blend was last Friday trading at $65, 40% lower than the same time last year.

BG will not report its financial results until 8 May but the annual general meeting three days earlier will see lively debate over management’s decision to accept the takeover offer from Shell.

All the oil companies have been slashing their capital expenditure and many have been laying off staff causing enormous concern in offshore centres such as Aberdeen. Last Thursday BP announced its latest sell-off, a major North Sea pipeline system for £320m.

Nepal earthquake: rescue continues as death toll exceeds 2,500 - live updates

 A Buddha statue is surrounded by debris from a collapsed temple in the UNESCO world heritage site of Bhaktapur on April 26, 2015 in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Photograph: Omar Havana/Getty Images

• The death toll from the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday has risen to more than 2,500. More than 5,000 people have been injured. Powerful aftershocks today between Kathmandu and Everest unleashed more avalanches in the Himalayas and caused panic in the capital, where hospital workers stretchered patients out into the street as it was too dangerous treat them indoors.
• At least 17 people believed to have been killed on Everest, and 61 injured, by an avalanche which left mountaineers calling for helicopter assistance to evacuate the most badly wounded.
• The UK government has announced that it will donate £5m to help the rescue effort in Nepal.
• A state of emergency has been declared Many historic landmarks, including the Dharahara tower, have been reduced to rubble following the quake.
• Governments are scrambling to locate thousands of their nationalsand relatives took to social media to find their loved ones.
• The international community has also pledged support and aid packages to Nepal. The US secretary of state, John Kerry, has said the US will pledge $1m to the aid effort and will also assist with a disaster response team. Australia has also pledged a Aus$5m aid package, while India, Sri Lanka, the UK, China and others are all sending disaster response teams to assist in search and rescue.
• Pope Francis led prayers in St Peter’s Square for the dead, displaced and injured in Nepal and surrounding areas.
• Weather reports suggested that survivors of the quake - who are sleeping outside because of fear of unsafe building - will face heavy downpours in the next week.
• The quakes caused widespread damage to Nepal’s infrastructure which has further hampered search and rescue operations. Injured climbers at Mount Everest, where an avalanche struck following the quake, have been flown by helicopter to receive medical treatment.

The official number of dead from Saturday’s Himalayan earthquake has topped 2,500 and may continue to rise as remote areas near the epicenter are searched, according to the Associated Press.

Nepal authorities said Sunday that at least 2,430 people in that country had died in Nepal alone, not including the 18 people that the Nepal Mountaineering Association says died in an earthquake-triggered avalanche on Mount Everest. Another 61 people died from the quake in India and a few in other neighboring countries.

With search and rescue efforts far from over, it was unclear how much the death toll would rise.

This from reader Shashank Suman BTL about the Indian government’s efforts to help the rescue operation:

As part of the nation’s overall relief effort for Nepal, the Indian Army has launched Operation Maitri.

A Multi National Coordination Centre has been set up. In addition, in PPO Pokhra, Head quarters are being established for relief operations.

The following resources have been allocated so far as part of Operation Maitri, in support of the Nepalese Army’s relief effort:-

(a) 18 Medical Teams earmarked. Six Medical Teams have reached and have been deployed while the rest are on standby.

(b) 10 Engineer Task Forces(ETFs) consisting of manpower, skid steers and JCBs (One partial ETF has landed with stores. Balance are on standby in India).

(c) 10,000 blankets and 1,000 tents are on standby.

(d) 10 INMARSATs for satellite communications have reached Nepal.

Aviation assets of five ALH helicopters and two Cheetah helicopters have been staged forward to Gorakhpur.

“Further, taking cognizance of the request of the Nepalese Government for Oxygen on account of problems in the Kathmandu Oxygen plant, additional cylinders are being dispatched (300 located at Bengdubi for dispatch to Nepal),” read a statement.

Indian Army Everest Expedition was training at Base Camp when the Earth Quake struck. Their equipment was buried in the avalanche, however the team is safe and helped in recovery of dead bodies of other foreign climbers.

“19 dead bodies and 61 injured persons were rescued by the Indian Army Expedition Team,” read the statement

The Medical Officer has treated a number of injured international mountaineers.

New footage from Kathmandu shows the aftermath of Saturday’s magnitude 7.9 earthquake with houses toppled and multi-storey apartments reduced to rubble.

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 New footage from the day after a 7.9 earthquake hit Nepal shows the extent of the damage caused, and the situation facing survivors.

Debt-relief campaigners Jubilee USA Network have sent an interesting press release, pointing out that Nepal could qualify for assistance from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) newCatastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCR).

“Nepal could qualify for immediate relief,” said Eric LeCompte, executive director of Jubilee USA Network. “Nepal’s earthquake is why the International Monetary Fund created a new rapid response relief fund.”

The IMF created the CCR in February to provide debt relief to poor countries impacted by natural disasters or health crises. The new fund canceled nearly $100 million in debt for Ebola-impacted countries. In order to qualify for relief from the new fund after a natural disaster, a country must meet certain criteria. The disaster must destroy more than 25% of the country’s “productive capacity,” impact one third of its people or cause damage greater than the size of the country’s economy. It is not yet known if Nepal will qualify. Nepal owes the IMF $54 million, with $10 million due in 2015 and nearly $13 million due in 2016.

 A Nepalese cycle rickshaw puller pedals past buildings at the Basantapur Durbar Square that were damaged in Saturday s earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photograph: Bernat Armangue/AP

We have an updated story from our correspondents on the ground in Nepal.

A strong aftershock has caused panic and frustrated frantic efforts to reach possible survivors of Saturday’s earthquake in Nepal, as the death toll rose to 2,152 and the government declared a state of emergency.

Officials in the Himalayan country said they expected the number of dead and injured to rise again, while emergency supplies began to trickle in to affected areas after several countries pledged millions of dollars in desperately needed aid and sent in search and rescue teams.

More than 5,000 people were injured after the magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck late on Saturday morning. Local authorities said all but a few dozen of the deaths occurred in Nepal, and that at least 721 people had died in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu alone.

Dozens of aftershocks, including a powerful temblor on Sunday afternoon, have jolted Nepal over the weekend, forcing thousands of people to shelter where they can.

Nepalese authorities continually revised the number of dead upwards a day after the earthquake wrecked houses, flattened centuries-old temples and triggered avalanches on Mount Everest.

On Sunday afternoon, climbers left stranded by initial avalanches on Everest were again in fear for their lives after a magnitude 6.7 aftershock triggered more avalanches. It also sent terrified residents running into the streets in Kathmandu.

“Another one, we have an aftershock right now. Oh shit!” said Indian climber Arjun Vajpai over the phone from Makalu base camp near Everest. “Avalanche!” he shouted. Screams and the sound of snow cascading down the mountainside could be heard over the line as he spoke.

The aftershock was the most powerful since the initial earthquake – itself the strongest since Nepal’s worst earthquake, in 1934, in which 8,500 people died. 

Suzuki dismisses reports of Hayabusa assembly in India

A source in Suzuki Motorcycle India has disclosed to ZigWheels that there are no plans to assemble the Hayabusa in India anytime soon as reported. However, Suzuki Motorcycle India is open to introducing motorcycles in the Indian market via the CKD route if there’s significant demand

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Suzuki Motorcycle India has dismissed reports that the Hayabusa will be locally assembled in India, and once that happens, it would cost as much as Rs 5 lakh less.

A Suzuki official has told ZigWheels that as of now there are no such plans of assembling the Hayabusa in India, and it would continue to be brought in as a CBU.

The official dismissed reports that the Hayabusa would become cheaper by as much as Rs 5 lakh if it is assembled in India. He said that even if a decision to bring the bike via the CKD route is taken, it would be near impossible to slash the price by Rs 5 lakh.

Suzuki however is open to introducing high-end bikes via the CKD route in India, once economic considerations and market demands make it practical to do so. The official also didn’t rule out bringing in medium capacity motorcycles via the CKD route to India. 

So far, there is no word when Suzuki starts to assemble superbikes in India. But the writing on the wall is clear – the Indian superbike market is booming and it only makes sense to assemble bikes here to cut down on the high sticker prices CBUs carry.

Market leaders like Harley-Davidson and Triumph are already assembling several of their models in India, as is Kawasaki with several CKD options for the Indian market. Currently, Honda also offers as many as five different superbikes in India, brought in as CBUs. But all that is going to change when Honda launches the much-awaited CBR650F, made in India and to be exported to other markets from India.

Suzuki also offers as many as six superbikes in the Indian market, and all of them have also been brought in via the CBU route. If Suzuki does begin CKD assembly in India, we may very well get to see medium capacity superbikes like the GSX-R600, GSX-R750 and even the V-Strom 650 in India.

Looks like it’s game-on for superbike manufacturers in India. And for enthusiasts, there’s no better time to look forward to several mid-size superbikes making their debut in the Indian market.

2015 Jaguar XJ 2.0-litre Petrol Review

Jaguar's flagship XJ is now available with a 2.0-litre engine making a heathy 240PS of power and a competitive price tag to go up against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8. Should you consider it? Read on to find more.

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Not too many months ago, our new government’s Make In India campaign was front page news. And of course, all automotive manufacturers seemed to get on board without much of a fuss, putting out press releases about future plans to make some rather interesting cars in India. Jaguar, owned of course by Tata Motors has also gotten on board with the make in India campaign and makes their flagship XJ in India along with their XF. What makes this particular version of the XJ interesting though is the fact that it gets the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine making it the cheapest petrol powered luxury limousine you can buy. Read on to know more..

Exterior Styling  

The XJ is without a shadow of a doubt one the prettiest luxury cars in the world today. From its large grille reminiscent of Jaguars rich heritage to its aggressively designed headlamps, the XJ is a certified head turner.

And it gets even better around the back with its wraparound windscreen design that flows flawlessly into the blackened out c-pillar. And then there are the vertical tail lamps and the sheer scale of the thing to contend with. Throw in some large split 5-spoke wheels and a blacked out panoramic roof and what you get is a luxury limousine with enough street presence to put even a gold wrapped Bugatti to shame.

And even on this entry level version, there are no signs of cut corners or missing features which is something we really like about the XJ. Of course, if you are feeling generous, you could always add exterior trinkets like the leaping Jaguar hood ornament, chrome plated split exhaust tips and even a lip spoiler for the bootlid.

Google Sets Up Own Mobile Network

Google has become a virtual mobile network operator, and will be setting up its own service in the USA, relying on the Sprint and T Mobile USA networks.

However, the service will be limited to just Motorola Nexus 6 smartphone users, at least initially.

The MVNO based service, called Project Fi will also, in some unspecified manner aim to connect users via either Wi-Fi or LTE depending on which of the two cellular networks offers the best coverage options.

With Project Fi, the phone number has also been split from its traditional reliance on a SIM Card and lives in the cloud, so users can talk and text with their number on just about any phone, tablet or laptop.

The service will come with a $20 per month flat fee, and then users will be charged at US$10 per GB of data.

As usual with Google, it's an invite only service at first, and potential customers have to register for an invite.

Hue Launches End-to-end Enabler of Virtual Mobile Networks

Hong Kong based Hutchison Whampoa has launched a end to end mobile wholesale enabling business, branded as Hue.
The company said that it can now act as a single point of entry for MVNOs wanting to create global coverage by accessing Hutchison Whampoa's networks across Europe and Asia.

By giving its customers the ability to access multiple markets via a single enabler, Hue aims to support the rapid expansion of international MVNO offerings.

Hue's Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) platform offers a wide range of services, from mobile network access through to CRM, billing and provisioning as well as the potential to interface with third-party providers, such as credit management agencies and logistics partners.

Hutchison Whampoa operates in Austria, Australia, Denmark, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Ireland, Macau, Sri Lanka, Sweden, UK and Vietnam. For MVNOs wanting to launch their service in countries outside of Hutchison Whampoa's current footprint, Hue will negotiate with local operators in order to provide connectivity.

"Today's mobile wholesale market is fragmented and new entrants to mobile are often challenged with needing to understand market nuances and regulations in different countries," said Jarrod Nink, CEO of Hue.

Hue is expected to announce partnerships with a number of MVNOs in the coming months.

Bharti Airtel is expected to launch its LTE service in Delhi shortly

Bharti Airtel is expected to launch its LTE service in Delhi shortly after it agreed to make a payment ahead of a legal appeal it is engaged in.

Bharti Airtel gained spectrum in the city following the acquisition of the former Qualcomm subsidiary, Wireless Business Services in April 2013, but the government demanded a fee of Rs 436 crore for merging the two companies.

Merging the companies is unusually important this time as they hold different types of spectrum licenses. A merger would enable Airtel to run all its services across spectrum held by both companies.

Airtel appealed to the dispute resolution service, TDSAT, which ruled that Airtel can proceed with launching the service ahead of the final ruling. However, Airtel had to give an undertaking to a court that it would make the payment within 8 weeks if its appeal failed.

Huawei is understood to have been given the contract to deploy LTE infrastructure in the city.

Earthquake news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People rest on debris at Durbar Square after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. Photo: APA powerful earthquake struck Nepal and sent tremors through northern India on Saturday, killing nearly 1500 people, toppling a 19th-century tower in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu and triggering a fatal avalanche on Mount Everest.Watch Video 

An injured child receives treatment outside Medicare Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. Photo: APThere were reports of devastation in outlying areas of the Himalayan country after the quake struck with a magnitude of 7.9, its epicentre 50 miles (80 km) east of Nepal's second largest city, Pokhara.

Here are the LIVE updates: 

11:20 pm: 2 Indians killed in Nepal earthquake

 

2 Indians, including the daughter of an Indian embassy employee, were killed in the powerful earthquake that struck Nepal, leaving nearly 1,500 people dead in flattened houses and building.

10:50 pm: United Nations promises help to Nepal after devastating quake.

10:35 pm: At least 30 people were killed and 81 injured in roof and wall collapse in Bihar after a high intensity earthquake rocked several parts of India and Nepal.

10:21 pm: Nepal was on Saturday struck by the worst earthquake in 80 years, leaving nearly 1,500 people dead in flattened houses and buildings including the iconic Dharhara tower and renowned Darbar Square.

10:20 pm: Earthquake epicentred in Nepal kills 44 in India, over 237 injured

At least 44 people were killed and 237 injured in various parts of India in a powerful earthquake, with epicentre in Nepal, which destroyed or damaged several houses and buildings.

09:15 pm: Death toll mounts to 1,130

The death toll in Nepal from the severe earthquake has risen to 1,130, a police spokesman said. Of the total, 634 were reported dead in the Kathmandu Valley and at least 300 more in the capital.

08:30 pm: Haryana offers food packets, blankets for quake-hit Nepal 

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar offered to provide 20,000 food packets to Nepal, that was hit by a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale.

While expressing deep shock over the loss of more than 1000 lives in Nepal following the disaster, the chief minister said that his government will provide every help to the people.

08:00 pm:  PM Modi promises all help to Nepal

Avalanche at Mount Everest base camp-1 & 2With Nepal being hit by a massive earthquake, Prime Minister Narendra Modipromised all possible help to it in this "tough" time as he spoke to its President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

"Nepal's pain is our pain," Modi said while expressing sadness over the loss of lives and property caused by the quake in Nepal as well as in India.

07:30 pm: BSNL to charge local rates for calls to Nepal for 3 days

Telephone calls made on BSNL network to earthquake-hit Nepal for the next three days will attract only local call rates, the state-owned company said.

The move is aimed at enabling Indians to connect with their near and dear ones in Nepal, which saw several hundreds dead following a massive earthquake.

7.14 pm: Indians in Nepal may please contact our mission in Kathmandu. Our mission will provide you all help: Sushma Swaraj

6.30 pm: India sends 4 aircraft with relief supplies, team to Nepal

As many as four aircraft including a C-130 plane carrying three tonnes of relief supplies and a 40-member rescue team were today pressed into service to assist Nepal after it suffered a devastating earthquake.

6.30 pm: 18 feared dead at Mount Everest due avalanche after earthquake 
Atleast 18 people are feared dead at Mount Everest base camp-1 & 2 in the avalanche after earthquake. Several bodies are feared trapped.

Indian Army Mount Everest expedition has been rushed to the spot for rescue work. Till now 18 bodies have been recovered and the rescue operation in on at both the base camps.  

6.15 pm: Pak offers help to Nepal, India after 7.9-magnitude quake
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today extended all assistance to India and Nepal that were hit by a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake.

"The Government and people of Pakistan express solidarity with the affected people of Nepal and India and offer all possible help that may be required in their hour of grief," Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement.

Sharif, who is visiting Britain, offered condolences and help besides instructing its Missions in the two countries to approach their respective host governments to ascertain the damages caused and the requirement of relief assistance, according to the FO.

6.05 pm: One dead in Indian embassy in Kathmandu

The daughter of an employee of the Indian embassy in Kathmandu died in the massive earthquake in Nepal, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Saturday.

"A house in our embassy complex collapsed. Unfortunately, the daughter of our employee Madan has died. His wife's condition is serious," she tweeted.

5.55 pm: Nepal quake death toll reaches 758 - Nepal Home Ministry official
The death toll in Nepal has risen to 758, a home ministry official said, of which 467 were in the Kathmandu Valley that is the most heavily populated part of the Himalayan country.

Volunteers work to remove debris at the historic Dharahara tower, a city landmark, after an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. Photo: AP5.45 pm: We have mobilised all resources to support Nepal in the wake of devastating earthquake: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

5.30 pm: According to United States Geological survey, death toll may reach 10,000 and GDP losses might reach 50 per cent in aftermath of Nepal earthquake.

5.15 pm: Delhi L-G calls meeting of disaster management agency
To check the city's preparedness in the event of an earthquake, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has called a meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and various other government agencies later this evening as reports emerged of the devastation caused by the high- intensity tremors in Nepal.

Patients wait at the parking lot of Norvic International Hospital after an earthquake hit Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. Photo: AP5.06 pm: Toll mounts to 688
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday has risen to 688, a senior home ministry official told Reuters, with 181 people killed in the capital Kathmandu.

The quake measuring 7.9 is the strongest to hit the country in 81 years.

5.04 pm: Nepal death toll reaches 688 - senior Nepal Home Ministry official

5.00 pm: Nepal quake death toll reaches 618 - Nepal Home Ministry official on Indian TV

4.56 pm: NDRF personnel, relief material rushed to Nepal

Indian Air Force's C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft took off from the Hindon airbase near New Delhi carrying NDRF personnel and relief material to Nepal in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

Defence sources said a C-17 Globemaster is being prepared for take off and will be carrying about 40-member strong Rapid Reaction Aero Medical Team and doctors besides relief material to the country after India assured Nepal of all help.

4.45 pm: Nearly 125 Indians stranded in Nepal 
Nearly 125 people from Maharashtra and Telangana are stranded in Nepal. According to officials at the Maharashtra Information Centre in Delhi, around 80 people from Nashik had gone to Nepal for pilgrimage while 15-20 people were on a trekking expedition.

A damaged house in Kathmandu after earthquake. Photo: PTI4.35 pm: Quake avalanche kills 8 at Nepal's Everest Base camp
An avalanche triggered by a deadly earthquake in Nepal buried a part of the base camp for climbers bound for Mount Everest, killing at least eight people, Nepal's tourism ministry said.

"The toll could go up, it may include foreigners as well as sherpas," tourism official Gyanendra Shrestha said.

4.30 pm: Three people dead in West Bengal due to earthquake, says CM Mamata Banerjee

A damaged road after a powerful earthquake in Kathmandu. Photo: PTI4.25 pm: As many as 500 people have been killed in the earthquake, said a Nepalese official in DelhiDeputy Chief of Mission of Nepal High Commission in New Delhi, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, told the media that according to local reports reaching here, at least 500 people have been killed across Nepal.

"We are trying to ascertain the exact number (of casualties)," he said.

He also said that the Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who had gone to Thailand on an official visit, is cutting short his sojourn and coming back immediately.

4.20 pm: Nepal death toll from quake rises to 449, say police

The death toll from a powerful quake that struck Nepal on Saturday has risen to 449, most of it in the Kathmandu Valley, police said.

The quake measuring 7.9 is the strongest to hit the country in 81 years. "The number of dead so far is 449," police deputy inspector general Kamal Singh Bam said.

4.14 pm: 24-hr control room in MEA, Nepal thanks India for assistance

A control room has been set up in Ministry of External Affairs to provide all help and information round the clock. The numbers to the 24-hour Control Room are +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104 and +91 11 2301 7905, an official statement said.

Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh has expressed solidarity with Nepal, saying India stands by it in this hour of distress.

4.00 pm: There are reports of 10-12 casualties in some states but we are awaiting confirmation. Damage to property also reported: Rajnath Singh

Damage due to earthquake in Nepal.3.45 pm: Indian flights to Kathmandu put on hold
Indian Domestic airlines on Saturday put on hold their services to the Nepal capital Kathmandu, following the closure of runway due to a powerful earthquake that rocked central part of the Himalyan country, causing extensive damage to buildings.

All Indian carriers- national airline Air India and private carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet, have put on hold their flight services till they get a go-ahead from the Nepalese aviation authorities.

3.40 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala, assures him all help.

Nepal emergency numbers

 

There was no immediate word on casualties. The quake was 31 km deep.

3:20 pm: 25 people from Hyderabad have been struck in Kathmandu.

3:19 pm: Delhi L-G calls a high level meeting with all the DM's, top police officials, all 3 MCD commissioners on earthquake. Alert has been issued.

3:18 pm: Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu is safe but Dharhara tower collapsed: Nepal Ambassador Deep K Upadhyay

3: 17 pm: MEA opens 24 hour Control Room for queries regarding tragic #NepalEarthquake. Numbers:
+91 11 2301 2113
+91 11 2301 4104
+91 11 2301 7905