people — a major rescue operation is under way. protecting commerical ships in the red sea. the us is to lead a taskforce of ten countries to counter attacks by houthi rebels. as calls for a ceasefire in the israel—gaza war grow, there are intense negotiations at the un to agree a new resolution. this is the scene, live in iceland, where a volcano has erupted after weeks of earthquake activity. and we meet the couple who drove from the north to south pole — in an electric car. hello. a walmul come to the programme. we start with breaking news out of china. more than 100 people have died after an earthquake struck the north western

gansu province. more than 250 other people have been injured in the 6.2 magnitude quake. rescuers are braving freezing weather — with temperatures below —13c — to search for survivors. the government has dispatched teams of rescue workers to assist local emergency crews. let's go live to our china correspondent, stephen mcdonell who is in beijing, what more can you tell us? a what more can you tell us? powerful, shallow earthquakes struck the plateau as before midnight, bringing down people's homes and killing 118 residents as they slept, of those we are told 105 people died in gansu province and 13 in neighbouring qinghai. the rescue effort started through

the night into the early hours of the morning and has continued today in very difficult, freezing conditions. we are told that 11100 firefighters have been sent to assist in the rescue effort. we are getting footage of emergency tents being set up. you can imagine one of the terrible things when this sort of accident happens is that the electricity and the water is cut. if you are an emergency team trying to get into a home where rubble has been collapsed and you don't have electricity, you have to use your own generators, you have to get a lot of equipment in the. for that reason, local officials have said that they don't want ordinary people by tearing and the like —— volunteers and the like, they wanted to stay clear from the roads so they can get

more in there. these ultimate areas, difficult terrain. the roads have been in some cases destroyed to bulldozers and the like to clear them or repair them to get people in there. helicopters that they have put obviously used also, but very tough situation up the. the only blessing i suppose you could say about this is because it is a remote area, not that many people live here and although this has been a very powerful, shallow earthquakes, very destructive, if it had beenin very destructive, if it had been in a city you would be talking about a much higher death toll.— death toll. i'm reading here that nearly _ death toll. i'm reading here that nearly 5000 _ death toll. i'm reading here that nearly 5000 buildingsl death toll. i'm reading here i that nearly 5000 buildings and structures have been damaged. it is assumed that those who have survived this are outside in these freezing temperatures and that is a real concern, isn't it?— isn't it? yes, and if the numbers _ isn't it? yes, and if the numbers of—

isn't it? yes, and if the numbers of those - isn't it? yes, and if the i numbers of those missing isn't it? yes, and if the - numbers of those missing are to be believed, and the death toll may not go up that high. who knows if those are correct figures? of course, china is experienced in terms of dealing with big earthquakes. and so they will be able to quite quickly put up emergency shelters and the like. we are getting footage of locals setting up fires and cooking noodles on them to try and stay warm. it will not be long before they have emergency shelters put up in the area. of course, there will be trying to move as many people as possible out of the way towards the bigger cities.— bigger cities. taiwan has offered help _ bigger cities. taiwan has offered help in _ bigger cities. taiwan has offered help in the - bigger cities. taiwan has i offered help in the situation i've noticed that the president said she has expressed condolences to china and what can they do to help in the situation. that is interesting, isn't it? a, a, ,

situation. that is interesting, isn'tit? ., a, , , isn't it? taiwan is very experienced _ isn't it? taiwan is very experienced when - isn't it? taiwan is very experienced when it . isn't it? taiwan is very - experienced when it comes to earthquakes, they have good teams, sniffer dogs and the like. i remember in the 2008 earthquake, the terrible huge earthquake, the terrible huge earthquake here when we had more than 80,000 dead. they were rescue teams from taiwan but i was a different time. you know, i don't expect that the chinese government will accept that help, because of the political differences that are currently existing between taipei and beijing. it is nice of them to offer, and partly because they have a lot of experience dealing with earthquakes and they may be able to in some way help. stephen, for now, thank you so much for the latest on that. we have a live page on the website, you can follow the latest on the rescue efforts there in china. 0n the bbc news website or the bbc news app,

take a look. let's bring you up—to—date on the wider impact of the israel gaza war. the united states is leading a new international taskforce of ten countries to protect commerical ships in the red sea from attacks by houthi rebels. the iranian backed group says they are in response to israel's attacks on gaza. the group targeted two more vessels on monday. the us defence secretary lloyd austin called it reckless and dangerous behaviour. the attacks are beginning to disrupt global maritime trade. this is the route taken by around 12% of world shipping which then passes through the suez canal. but several major freight companies have stopped passing through here and are now taking the much longer route all the way around africa instead — adding costs and delays. here's our diplomatic editor, james landale. the threat to shipping in the red sea is very real. this was an attack by iranian—backed houthi fighters last month, storming a cargo ship registered in britain.

the militia from yemen claiming that any vessels owned by allies of israel were legitimate targets. there have been drone and missile attacks, so many that shipping companies are pulling out of the red sea, sending their vessels around southern africa instead. in response, the us secretary of defence is visiting the middle east and formed an international military coalition to protect ships and ensure freedom of navigation. ships and ensure freedom of navigation-— ships and ensure freedom of navigation. these attacks are reckless. _ navigation. these attacks are reckless, dangerous - navigation. these attacks are reckless, dangerous and - navigation. these attacks are reckless, dangerous and it i navigation. these attacks are j reckless, dangerous and it by navigation. these attacks are l reckless, dangerous and it by a wide international law. we are taking action to elder an international coalition to address the threat. this is not address the threat. this is not a us issue, it is an international problem and it deserves an international response. deserves an international resnonse-_

deserves an international resonse. ., response. the coalition, called operation _ response. the coalition, called operation spirited _ response. the coalition, called operation spirited guardian i response. the coalition, called operation spirited guardian is i operation spirited guardian is made up of ten countries including the us, uk, canada, france, italy and bahrain. some already have warships in the area. what is not clear is how far they are ready to go to protect commercial shipping. the seaway between the suez and the north and the street in the south carry about 12% of world trade including many of the consumer goods we get online. here at the insurance markets, premiums for shipping already going up, the price of fuel could rise and some consumer goods could take a little longer to arrive. much will depend on how many shipping firmsjoin the red sea boycott and for how long. the impact of this war is now being felt outside of its borders. diverging ships, damaging trade, the risks of escalation still very present.

the price of oil has been impacted by all this, one of the biggest oil producers, bp, is giving the red sea wide berth currently. we will look at in detail in our business coverage in 20 minutes. in the meantime. international pressure is growing for israel to ease its military campaign in gaza. this is the scene live, looking into gaza from israel. negotiations will continue at the united nations in new york during the day to agree a new resolution on gaza. a vote had been expected on monday but it was postponed. 0ur un correspondent, nada nawfik, says diplomats are trying to avoid the us vetoing the resolution. after postponing the boat numerous times to allow for continued negotiations, diplomats are expected to vote today in new york on the security council text. it

demands the usable land, air and sea routs to get humanitarian aid in and request that the united nations deploy a monitory mechanism for aid. the toughest discussions have been around the language in this resolution on a ceasefire. the us and israel oppose one, saying it will only benefit hamas. just 11 days ago the us bit owed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the security council, despite the secretary general warning that gaza was on the brink. washington is increasingly feeling the pressure to take a tougher stance on israel. 153 nations in the general assembly demanded a ceasefire in a non—binding resolution and presidentjoe biden acknowledged that israel is losing international support because of its indiscriminate bombing. initially the resolution called for a sustainable session of hostilities, in order to avoid ausveg of the text has changed. it now calls for urgent suspension of hostilities with

urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities. a bit of word gymnastics there from diplomats but it is important. diplomats say there has been a real effort made to avoid ausveg and to show that the security council is responding to this crisis. the votes will show if the negotiations were successful a that is the first hurdle. the second will be if it passes, ensuring it is permitted on the ground. next to iceland where a volcano has erupted following weeks of intense earthquake activity. this is the moment of the eruption captured by on webcam from the icelandic broadcaster ruv. you can see the red hot lava start to erupt from the ground like a fountain. the icelandic coastguard then flew over the area in a helicopter capturing these amazing images of the lava erupting and spewing across the landscape. the authorities have already

evacuated the nearly 4,000 inhabitants of the fishing town of grindavik. the areas is a volcanic and seismic hot—spot southwest of the capital. and these are the live picture atjust gone 5am local time in iceland. these are the live pictures we are receiving, it isjust gone five am local time in iceland. live now to hallgrimur indridason, a journalist at iceland's public broadcaster, ruv who is in their newsroom in reykyjavik. welcome to bbc news. astonishing photos, we are trying to take it in here, talk is the route.— trying to take it in here, talk is the route. yes, this started 'ust is the route. yes, this started just after _ is the route. yes, this started just after ten _ is the route. yes, this started just after ten o'clock - is the route. yes, this started just after ten o'clock last i just after ten o'clock last night and an hour before then some more intense earthquakes started and they were shallow.

but still, it caught scientists a bit by surprise, although the seismic activity that happened previously had made the kind of tunnel for the lover underneath the surface —— lav. it seems that, the sense that you are seeing is the fourth ruptured in the peninsular in almost three years. this is by far the strongest one according to geologists. it has, the lava low is more intense, it is more powerful although it has diminished a bit in the last few hours since it started. but of course, the most important and may be most dangerous thing is this eruption is much closer

to grindavik than the previous eruptions. i’m to grindavik than the previous eruptions-— eruptions. i'm reading it is about four _ eruptions. i'm reading it is about four kilometres i eruptions. i'm reading it is| about four kilometres away eruptions. i'm reading it is- about four kilometres away from grindavik, where the eruption has taken place and actually the activity is now moving towards the town?- the activity is now moving towards the town? yes, it is kind of moving _ towards the town? yes, it is kind of moving in _ towards the town? yes, it is kind of moving in both i towards the town? yes, it is| kind of moving in both ways, both the south and the north and the movement is may be more powerful in the north which is away from it. but geologist and the scientists are taking every close look at this, because worst—case scenario, the flow in the south towards grindavik will increase at some point. 0r will increase at some point. or will increase at some point. or will reach... will increase at some point. or will reach. . ._ will reach... presumably there is nothing _ will reach... presumably there is nothing they _ will reach... presumably there is nothing they can _ will reach... presumably there is nothing they can be - will reach... presumably there is nothing they can be done i is nothing they can be done about this in terms of trying to manoeuvre elsewhere or prevented? it's very powerful,

you cannot really stop this, can you?— you cannot really stop this, can ou? a, can you? well, you could always try fortification _ can you? well, you could always try fortification and _ can you? well, you could always try fortification and that - can you? well, you could always try fortification and that is i try fortification and that is something that has been done to prevent critical infrastructure like the powerplant that is just north of grindavik. the fortification started after the earthquakes took place and they were just about finishing it when the eruption started. that is a way but the risk is it will only slow down the flow. this will, the big question is how intense will it be and how long will it last? that is something nobody knows. find long will it last? that is something nobody knows. and we shau something nobody knows. and we shall be keeping _ something nobody knows. and we shall be keeping a _ something nobody knows. and we shall be keeping a very _ something nobody knows. and we shall be keeping a very close i shall be keeping a very close eye, hallgrimur indridason,

thank you forjoining us from reykyjavik from the broadcaster ruv. from a volcano, to floods. the australian military has been deployed to queensland's far north in a race against time. tropical cyclone jasper has unleashed unprecedented floods, isolating towns and leaving residents without power, food, and clean water. in cairns, a vital gateway to the great barrier reef, 150,000 residents are restricted to emergency water usage. as major roads, railways, and the region's airport remain submerged. live now to cairns, where we can speak with brett moller deputy mayor of cairns regional council. hello to you. what is the situation where you are? took us the route. we situation where you are? took us the route.— situation where you are? took us the route. we have had that significant _ us the route. we have had that significant event, _ us the route. we have had that significant event, major - significant event, major flooding, record flooding coming out of cyclone jasper. it crossed because last

wednesday as a category two about hundred and a0 kilometres gusts coming from it. what normally happens here in the tropics, we get cyclones in the coral sea to the east and it comes across the coast and heads west into the gulf of carpentaria but the unpredictability ofjasper, unpredictability of jasper, onceit unpredictability ofjasper, once it hit the coast it actually stopped. we had torrential rain for five or six days, which resulted in this record flooding. we do all of our modelling in a one in 100 year event. this water and torrential downpour was even more than the one in 100. we called a majorflood more than the one in 100. we called a major flood a 3.5 metre rise on our rivers. this was lt.5 metres, unprecedented. about 4000 was 4.5 metres, unprecedented. about 4000 houses at this stage were inundated, evacuations were inundated, evacuations were to take place but this is our first day without the

reins, so we are still forming our assessment in relation to damage, infrastructure and the human and social impacts from this tropical cyclone and massive flood that we have had. as you have illustrated there are challenging circumstances for those people right now. for those who are cut off, those on the bare basics, what is the plan for them, in those places that are very remote? that is right. our crews, we have all the , a , right. our crews, we have all the , . , ,, . right. our crews, we have all the , a , ,, a, a, the services, state emergency services. _ the services, state emergency services. the _ the services, state emergency services, the queensland i services, the queensland police, fire services, they have all come together to look at those who are in need and vulnerable. we have had the assistance of the navy in the evacuation and we now have the

a tf coming into the city. it is a massive cleanup now in terms of the mud that was deposited and the damage to houses so we are already, there is an influx of people wanting to volunteer which is just wonderful to see in terms of our community spirit so we are transitioning from a disaster management action group into the disaster recovery now as we identify the recovery plan, what needs to be done. the state and federal governments in australia are waiting for our briefing as soon as we know the impact on our infrastructure. 0ur residents are being supported in terms of conserving their water intake, treatment plants are down and currently, as i said as the rain eases they can get in and effect repairs but everything

rests on the community and in disasters like this it is important and wonderful to see how people do come together to get us through the other side. we wish you all the best, brad. thank you forjoining us on bbc news and taking the time to tell us what is happening in your area. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the homeless charity — crisis — is urging police to take reports of abuse towards rough sleepers more seriously. a survey it conducted in england indicated that they're regularly abused by members of the public. the traditional model of nhs dentistry where people get treatment for no upfront cost or at a subsidised rate is gone for good according to a leading health think tank. the nuffield trust says there isn't enough money being put into the system.

wasted wind power will add £40 to the average uk household's electricity bill. that's according to the independent think tank carbon tracker. it says the grid can't handle it. the government says reforms will halve the time it takes to build energy networks to cope with extra wind power. the annual bbc sports personality of the year takes place this evening. the contenders are cricket's stuart broad, horse racing's frankie dettori, football's mary earps, wheelchair tennis's alfie hewett, athletics' katarina johnson—thompson and golf�*s rory mcilroy. will you're live with bbc news. the actorjonathan majors has been dropped by marvel studios after he was found guilty, by a court in new york, of assaulting his ex girlfriend. the 34—year—old was know for playing the villian kang. jericka duncan from cbs, our us partner broadcaster, reports. jonathan majors walked out of court with heavy security after being found guilty of assault and harassment. he was acquitted of two other charges

that required prosecutors to show he intentionally committed those acts. d0 show he intentionally committed these acts-— those acts. do you think your son tot those acts. do you think your son got a _ those acts. do you think your son got a fair— those acts. do you think your son got a fair trial? - those acts. do you think your son got a fair trial? the i son got a fair trial? the 34-year-old _ son got a fair trial? the 34-year-old star i son got a fair trial? the 34-year-old star has i son got a fair trial? the | 34-year-old star has -- son got a fair trial? the i 34-year-old star has -- was 34—year—old star has —— was arrested in march. he played roles in marble films and creed three but it was his role in lovecraft country that made hollywood take notice. during deliberations injurious to rewatch surveillance video in slow motion where it appears that majors shoves his girlfriend into a black car. another video shows him that make her running after majors following the incident. she testified she had the phone after seeing a text message from another woman. in a criminal complaint, jabari accused majors of assaulting her leaving a cut behind her ear and fractured her finger. majors and his family did not say anything to the media when they left court. his ex—girlfriend was not in the court when the third it was

reached incentive statement saying she was gratified seeing justice served. majors faces up to one year behind bars and are scheduled to be sentenced on february six. now some people with electric cars are familiar with what's known as charging anxiety — they fear the battery will run out before they reach their destination. but how about this? a couple from scotland have driven from the north to south pole in an electric car. that's 29,000 kilometres. chris and julie ramsey set off in march and have just competed the trip — believed to be a world first — as ben philip reports. touch the pole! a moment years in the planning. a first—of—its—kind adventure, driving pole to pole in an electric car. it is such a relief to finish this expedition. six years in the planning, six years in the making, and we are finally here. it is a bit surreal to be in antarctica and to have been at the south pole, right? it's exactly that. i mean, we've been on the road ten

months and, as chris says, huge sense of relief. we can't believe we've made history and it's just absolutely amazing. chris and julie's expedition started in march on arctic sea ice. the 18,000—mile journey took them through 17 countries, from north to south america. their car, powered by charging points along the way, or portable solar panels. adventure wasn't in short supply, but at times their relationship was put to the test. what? it's just a little twig! it wasn't a twig! it was a twig! it wasn't a twig! and our mission is to show how exciting and capable electric vehicles are, and to debunk all those myths out there that currently are surrounding electric vehicles. can they work in the cold? can the batteries work in the cold? can they drive in the snow? so many, so many questions. modifications to the car were kept to a minimum but bigger tyres were added to help cope with harsh terrain. the story has been seen by thousands around the world. this is a message forjulie and chris. you are crazy! so, you go to the north pole,

to the south pole? and i think you're going to do it. and after you have to come here to manchester, and explain me the experience. nearly a year on the road is a long time so a few home comforts kept them going. so, we have some irn—bru, which has been chilled by the arctic sea ice. we have the tunnock's caramel wafer... 0ther scottish products are available! chris and julie are looking forward to a rest over christmas but haven't ruled out more adventures in the future. ben philip, bbc news. i wonder what they will come up with next. their new adventure. i will be back with the top business stories next. hello there.

it's a rather cloudy start to the new week but there should be a lot more sunshine emerging for most of us on tuesday. that's quite a mixed week of weather ahead. it will be tricky for travelling at times in the run—up to christmas with more rain to come in the forecast, turning very windy too on thursday and friday. and in the colder—feeling air, there could even be a few wintry showers at times, especially over the higher ground, of course. and there's currently cold air sinking southwards. milder air lasts across southern areas of england and south wales for a time too, but then it's gradually moving away. it's a soggy, very wet start to the day on tuesday across southern england and wales. that heavy rain eventually clearing, but not until we get to the afternoon. it's still a legacy of cloud across parts of kent and sussex until the end of the day. but lots of more sunshine emerging further north and west with a brisk northwesterly wind and some showers just moving through into northwest scotland. again, wintry over the hills, temperatures dropping through the afternoon. but it's only a brief colder spell, because then things will start to turn a lot milder from the west as we head through tuesday night. temperatures dropping lowest

out towards the east, rising through the night for these western spots with that warm front gradually pushing further eastwards through the day on wednesday. you can see the winds turning a little bit more westerly. and there will be some rain across northwest scotland, northwest england and northern ireland, western wales for a time. the further south and east you are, the drier your wednesday is likely to be, but there'll be a lot of cloud around, some rather murky conditions and some hill mist and fog too. but temperatures rising back up again into double figures pretty much across the board. but again, that mild air is not set to last because it's going to turn colder again. very cold for some spots on thursday with this cold front sinking southwards. a very brisk northwesterly wind — tight squeeze on the isobars there, and there'll be gales across the far north of scotland — gusts of wind here of up to 70—80mph. very brisk winds for irish sea coasts and also for north sea—facing coasts, there could be a coastal surge too. possibly blizzard—like conditions with wintry showers across parts of scotland. again, a very tight squeeze on those isobars as we head into friday, so strong winds yet again. we're into colder—feeling air and there'll be plenty

of added wind chill. but as you can see, the mild air is still not too far away and that will be working its way in from the west again as we head through saturday, possibly turning colder once more for the second half of the weekend. bye— bye.

live from london.

this is bbc news. shipping security: the us announces a new international taskforce to tackle a deepening crisis over shipping in the red sea. eu ministers thrash out whether to extend emergency energy measures adopted following russia's invasion of ukraine. stop the clock! apple halts the sales of some of its newest watches — just days before. we'll explain why. and we'll take a sneak peak at the first legal cannabis being produced in the netherlands. hollo. let's rattle through the top business stories and we have touched one of them already. the us has announced a new international taskforce

to protect commercial ships in the red sea.