this is bbc news with the latest headlines. hundreds of people are killed in turkey and syria by a huge earthquake. the 7.8 magnitude tremor was felt as far away as egypt. this is the scene live in one of the worst affected areas, diyarbakir in south eastern turkey. we'lljoin our colleagues on bbc world news in a moment. our other main story this hour, ambulance workers are joining nurses taking strike action in what will be the biggest ever nhs walk—out in england.

welcome to bbc news. more now on the news that a massive earthquake has killed more than 500 people in turkey and syria, and i canjoin my colleague for more. welcome to all of you watching on pbs and around the globe. we are bringing you special coverage of breaking news this hour. a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has struck northern syria and also south—eastern turkey.

official figures say officialfigures say more official figures say more than 650 people have been killed, that figure will rise. the earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8 struckjust before dawn. the epicentre was in the turkish province of gaziantep. buildings collapsed, hundreds of miles away. there were also reports of many of the casualties in northern syria, across the border. the tremor was also felt in lebanon, gaza, jordan, cyprus and iraq. turkey has declared a state of emergency. syria's government, meanwhile, has also held an emergency meeting in order to decide how they will respond. witnesses from rebel held areas in northern syria say that the situation there is a disaster. the casualty figures

are horrific. turkey's vice president says at least 284 people have died in his country. more than 2300 people injured. those figures will increase over the coming hours. syrian government figures say at least 237 people have been killed. and the white helmets rescue group, which operates in opposition—held parts of syria, says that more than 120 people are known to have died in those areas. with thousands of people missing, and thousands of buildings having collapsed, those figures are certain to rise. this is the scene live in diyarbakir in south eastern turkey. volu nteers volunteers and rescue workers have been there for hours, from the moment that the earthquake struck,

in dawn and daylight. a number of people have been brought out alive, but those efforts continue. as millions slept, the ground shook. rescuers raced to the scene as the horror quickly emerged. videos show survivors picking through the rubble of collapsed buildings in freezing conditions. the epicentre is close to the turkish city of gaziantep, where eyewitnesses described people rushing towards open spaces as three massive tremors hit. building after building flattened. the governor of one turkish province says at least 130 buildings are reported to have collapsed in his region alone. the worst damage appears to be across a huge area of southern turkey and northern syria. the latter already a region devastated by war, and home to millions of refugees

living in camps. turkey lies on major fault lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes. the country has appealed for international help as the full scale of the disaster is yet to be fully realised. munaza rafiq, bbc news. turkey's interior minister, suleyman soylu, addressed turkish media this morning, emphasising the damage caused by the earthquake. translation: at about 4.17 am, a 7.4 mannitude translation: at about 4.17 am, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake _ translation: at about 4.17 am, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit _ translation: at about 4.17 am, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the - translation: at about 4.17 am, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the region. l magnitude earthquake hit the region. the affected provinces included gaziantep. as

a 7.4 magnitude is seriously destructive. at the moment, all of our governors are at the head of their duties. police, turkish armed forces, disaster and emergency teams, turkish red crescent and search and rescue teams from all over the country are being dispatched to the region. that was a turkish interior minister. the defence minister has also been speaking via reuters. we understand that the turkish armed forces have set up an air corridor to enable search and rescue teams to reach the zone affected by the major earthquake in that southern turkish region. that was coming from the country's defence ministry. we have mobilised our planes to send medical

teams, search and rescue teams and their vehicles to the earthquake zone. our correspondent is in beirut. it was really felt hard here in lebanon. we have not had something of this scale and magnitude in the past, of course, with the exception of the port explosion that happened in 2020, august 2020, killing more than 200 people. but that was almost a similar experience. i also felt by building a shaking, and i thought it was an earthquake. however, today was an earthquake. however, today was even worse. you know, really, i felt the building was about to collapse. luckily, did not happen in this part of the region. lebanon has no reports yet on any damages or injuries or death, or casualties. of course, the lebanese government still did not hear any comments from them at the moment. really, eyes

should turn to turkey and syria. turkey is a country with great infrastructure, prone to earthquakes infrastructure, prone to earthquakes in the past, and they are prepared. they have developed their skills, they have developed the rescue and response facilities, and health facilities for this. yet they have called for international assistance and declared a four emergency. at the border, the area that was hit hard in the south of turkey, and north of syria, it is an area held by the opposition, fully equipped, infrastructure flattened by russian bombardment over a decade of war. the operating a run by ngos and syrian experts who are on the ground, like the white helmets, the

syrian american medical association. and both of them said that the numbers of deaths are rising, and more than 600 injured in those areas, including ruralaleppo. six hospitals were destroyed already, and the other hospitals that are operating are overwhelmed with people rushing for help. this is an area that needs a lot of international attention, because it is not an area with an infrastructure that can support it and help with the rescue, getting people under the rubble. don't forget these are internally displaced people, these are refugees in camps, these are people that have suffered from ten years of war, trauma and bombardment, and i am now living in the cold weather with the storm hitting this whole region, it is really unprecedented with little support to be provided. but in the

government controlled areas, they are also reporting a high level of damages. the government announced more than 200 deaths so far. we have seen reports and pictures of more buildings collapsing in the city of aleppo, while people are still inside the building, hours after the earthquake itself. unfortunately, the coming hours will only unfold with more tragic news to come. but the hope is that there will be little loss of life there. hopefully the rescue operation will unfold and try to get people alive from under the rubble. �* try to get people alive from under the rubble-— try to get people alive from under the rubble. �* ., the rubble. beirut in lebanon, where the rubble. beirut in lebanon, where the effects of— the rubble. beirut in lebanon, where the effects of the _ the rubble. beirut in lebanon, where the effects of the earthquake - the rubble. beirut in lebanon, where the effects of the earthquake were i the effects of the earthquake were also felt. i'm going to take you live to the scene in the town of diyarbakir, in south—eastern turkey, one of the areas that was hardest hit. rescue efforts continue.

officials have been at this particular spot now for a number of hours. there is obviously a situation there that they are trying to get under control and also hopefully bring some survivors out of those buildings. many of those buildings that collapsed where residential buildings. the earthquake struck at 4am in the morning. people would have been in their beds. those buildings would have been full. it would have been quiet on the streets, but the buildings themselves, particularly those that collapsed, would have had people inside of them. terrible images coming from southern turkey. and a number of international responses have come. and support for turkey. for example, emmanuel macron is one of the latest leaders to respond and pledge help. this was the message he posted on twitter. terrible images coming to us from turkey and syria. an earthquake of

unprecedented force. france stands ready to provide emergency aid to the populations on the spot. our thoughts are with the bereaved families. so, notjust turkey that was affected across the border into northern syria. the situation with their is really quite challenging. many of the areas are held by rebel groups, and so accessibility is a problem. the pictures we are about to show you now were filmed in idlib. they are in the early hours. you can say it is still dark, soon after the earthquake struck, just after the earthquake struck, just after the earthquake struck, just after the other extracts, just after for a local time. the building simply collapsed. the infrastructure in syria is poor. it was feared that many people were inside, they would have been sleeping when that 7.8 magnitude quake struck. the white

helmets are the medical group, they are also a rescue group, which works in many of the rebel held areas. you can see one of them dashing away from the scene with a toddler they had managed to rescue. the building that the toddler was in had just collapsed. it's a few miles away from the border with syria. the syrian governor and has given estimates of how many kills, estimates of how many kills, estimates of how many kills, estimates of 230 people. more than 600 so far have reportedly been injured. and that is only within government areas. we don't know the situation in the rebel held territories. a lot of the information is coming to us from the white helmets. those areas are pretty close to the epicentre. the epicentre was across the border in southern turkey, in the area of

gaziantep. here's ismail alabdallah, a spokesman for the syrian white helmets, outlining the situation. many buildings in different cities and villages in north—west syria collapsed, destroyed by this earthquake. ourteams collapsed, destroyed by this earthquake. our teams responded to all of the sites and the buildings, and still now many families are under the rubble. our teams are trying to save them, trying to save their people, to save the other people from in the rubble with all of the casualties. it's a very difficult task for us. we need help, we need the international community to do something, to do something to support us, north—west syria now is a disaster area. we need help from everybody to save our people. just

to u date everybody to save our people. just to update you very quickly, the white helmets have confirmed that they have rescued a man, his wife and their child alive from under the rubble, and this is coming from the city of samara, in the north of idlib, but they also confirm that most villages across that region have been affected. there are people that remain under the rubble, with many fatalities as well. mohammed hassan is a a local journalist in northern syria. he says he was woken when the earthquake started. i was iwas in i was in this house, which is then likely capital in north—western syria. it was affected by the earthquake that happened in turkey. it went on for 120 minutes, in my bedroom. i thought maybe my wife wanted to wake me up. but then

suddenly i saw the cupboard, my christmas tree fell down, sunflowers fell, some glasses were broken. i told her, it is an earthquake, we must leave the house. we got to the public street, and then i saw convoys of cars of civilian people. they were in the streets, in parks and gardens. according to some sources from the kurdish administration, if you move to aleppo, six people were killed there also. according to syrian government

ministry of health, 239 people were killed in aleppo and surrounding areas. most of them are in aleppo. 600 people i wondered now. and still, untilthis 600 people i wondered now. and still, until this moment, a lot of bodies, they are under rubble as a result of the earthquake. in the opposition area, like idlib, according to some sources, i called with them, at least 30 people, they killed, and 60 people wounded. there are also wounded in the west of syria. i got a video from one friend from there. and he is saying, hello,

international world, please, from there. and he is saying, hello, internationalworld, please, hear me, my family, they are under the rubbles. so we are in a situation like this. as we know, syria, for ten years, the structure, it is destroyed. so i think this earthquake would make the situation here tragic and difficult, more and more. ., .,, ., here tragic and difficult, more and more. ., ., more. so, that was a local journalist _ more. so, that was a local journalist operating. - more. so, that was a local journalist operating. just l more. so, that was a local- journalist operating. just bringing us the latest from northern syria, mohammad hasan, a localjournalist there. more international pledges of help coming in. this was the german chancellor, olaf scholz. through twitter again, saying we are following the news of the earthquake in the turkish syrian border region with horror. the death toll keeps

rising. we mourn with the relatives and we fear for those buried rising. we mourn with the relatives and we fearfor those buried under rubble. germany well, of course, send help. this was the german chancellor, olaf scholz. we also have news concerning support from poland. our warsaw correspondent has said that turkey has accepted the polish offer to send rescue teams. 76 firefighters and eight rescue dogs will be sent by poland to help search for earthquake victims. the interior minister, confirming that. we have received official confirmation of the acceptance of our help from turkey. firefighters will go to turkey later today. that was the polish interior minister. so, help and support continues to flood in for turkey. live shots on

your screen of diyarbakir in turkey. it is going to be intensive and slow, but we have seen some of the people coming out of that rubble alive. i believe, if you just stay with me on this, there we go, another survivor has just been pulled... ijust caught sight of that. emre tamil is in istanbul the rescue efforts are important. just update us on what is taking place and what the turkish government is saying. the turkish armed forces _ government is saying. the turkish armed forces have _ government is saying. the turkish armed forces have set _ government is saying. the turkish armed forces have set up - government is saying. the turkish armed forces have set up an - government is saying. the turkish armed forces have set up an air. armed forces have set up an air corridor to enable search and rescue teams to reach the zone affected by this major earthquake. the defence

minister released a statement a short while ago, saying that turkey mobilised its planes to send medical teams, search and rescue teams, and vehicles to the earthquake zone. 284 people had been killed, 2323 people were injured in ten provinces. however, it is feared that the toll will rise because of the heavy damage. in only one province, the governor said that 630 buildings were crumbled down in the province. there were more than 70 after—shocks, the magnitude of the biggest one was 6.6. authorities are scrambling with supply aircraft to the affected zone. they also declared a state of emergency in affected provinces, and urged people not to use their mobile phones, to allow rescuers to coordinate all of these efforts. turkey is calling for

international assistance as well. the chief of the turkish red cross relief agency issued an appeal for donations. i relief agency issued an appeal for donations. , ., relief agency issued an appeal for donations. , . ., relief agency issued an appeal for donations. , ., ., ~ , donations. i understand that turkey is caettin a donations. i understand that turkey is getting a lot _ donations. i understand that turkey is getting a lot of _ donations. i understand that turkey is getting a lot of support _ donations. i understand that turkey is getting a lot of support from - donations. i understand that turkey is getting a lot of support from the | is getting a lot of support from the international community. at what is their main concern? what did any of their main concern? what did any of the most right now?— the most right now? obviously it is the most right now? obviously it is the middle of _ the most right now? obviously it is the middle of winter _ the most right now? obviously it is the middle of winter in _ the most right now? obviously it is the middle of winter in turkey. - the most right now? obviously it isj the middle of winter in turkey. the weather conditions are severe. there have been severe weather warnings before. that is why it is kind of racing against the time right now, and rescue teams are doing their utmost best to save people from the rubble. ~ ., ., , , rubble. what are the buildings, the buildin: rubble. what are the buildings, the building quality. — rubble. what are the buildings, the building quality, what _ rubble. what are the buildings, the building quality, what is _ rubble. what are the buildings, the building quality, what is that - rubble. what are the buildings, the building quality, what is that like i building quality, what is that like in the southern area of turkey? is there a federal approach to

standards when it comes to buildings? we have seen over the last few hours some buildings completely flat, and yes just metres away buildings still standing. yes. away buildings still standing. yes, obviously turkey _ away buildings still standing. yes, obviously turkey is _ away buildings still standing. yes, obviously turkey is one _ away buildings still standing. ye: obviously turkey is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. this latest earthquake is the most severe earthquake in turkey since 1991, when a similar magnitude, 7.4, devastated the country's bigger city, istanbul, and be heavily populated eastern region. this earthquake killed more than 70,000 people then. obviously the government issued a new regulation following the earthquake, and lots of buildings have been renewed as well. but now we are talking about the relatively underdeveloped regions that have been affected. lots of buildings have been tumbled

down, due to this earthquake. aha, down, due to this earthquake. a number of energy facilities have also been discussed over the last few hours. oilfacilities, for example. gaziantep is quite close to the coast. that is where the epicentre was. i'm just getting information via the reuters news agency, saying there has been no damage to the nuclear power plant which is under construction in turkey after that quake. this is coming from russia. what are you able to tell is about facilities like that in turkey that may be a concern? this like that in turkey that may be a concern? �* , ., ., , like that in turkey that may be a concern? ~ , . .,, ~ ., , like that in turkey that may be a concern? ~ , . ~ ., , ., concern? as far as we know, they are continuin: concern? as far as we know, they are continuing operations. _ concern? as far as we know, they are continuing operations. however, - concern? as far as we know, they are continuing operations. however, at l continuing operations. however, at the oil terminal in southern turkey, they were suspended because this eastern mediterranean terminal is 155 kilometres away from the area where the earthquake happened.

turkey's state news agency said that natural gas supplies have been disrupted to gaziantep, and 80 people lost their lives in that city, gaziantep.— people lost their lives in that city, gaziantep. thank you very much, city, gaziantep. thank you very much. and _ city, gaziantep. thank you very much, and update _ city, gaziantep. thank you very much, and update there - city, gaziantep. thank you very much, and update there from l city, gaziantep. thank you very - much, and update there from istanbul on the situation across southern turkey. this is the worst affected area following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. the scene you can see on your screen is coming to us live from one of those towns, one of those cities, diyarbakir in southern turkey. and local volunteers, rescue workers who have come from outside the area, have been working for hours, in the short time following

the earthquake, since daybreak, and now you can see the rescue efforts have not ended and there is more help on the way to help them. the turkish garment has said clear the roads and stop using mobile phones. more in a moment. we will have more under that developing story in response to the ethic that has hit turkey and syria, as well as all of the main news in the uk. now the weather forecast with carol. it has been a cold and frosty start for most of us this morning. where we have had the frost is also where we have had the frost is also where we had the clear skies and we are looking at some sunshine. also some mist and fog, that is now lifting. for most of us it is going to be a dry day with a lot of pleasant weather. high pressure still firmly in charge. we have a with weather front coming across the north west, producing patchy light rain and drizzle, and then a more active one

later again. a lot of dry weather across england and wales, and a bit of sunshine, as we push towards eastern england and scotland, a similar story. a weather front coming in and producing all of this cloud across scotland, and eventually northern england, eventually northern england, eventually north west wales and also northern ireland, with some splashes of rain. white circles represent the average wind speed. we are looking at gusty wind across the north west of scotland today. here we have highs of about 9 degrees, with a top temperature of about ten. as we head through the evening and overnight, as soon as it gets dark, under the clear skies, temperatures will fall away quite rapidly. we will have some freezing fog, perhaps fog patches a bit more widespread tonight. ourfirst patches a bit more widespread tonight. our first weather front slip southwards as a band of cloud, and then the second, more active one comes in behind across northern and western scotland, and also northern ireland, producing some rain. so, under the cloud, temperatures holding up. but where we have a clear skies, holding up. but where we have a clearskies, it's holding up. but where we have a

clear skies, it's going to be another cold night, with some frost. in fact, in some rural areas, like last night, temperatures can fall away to about —6 or —7. we start tomorrow with mist and fog, and also the frost. some of the mist and fog will be stubborn to clear, and may well last into the afternoon. but where it does left across southern england and wales, we are looking at some sunshine. meanwhile, weather fronts continue to slip southwards as a weak affair, just introducing some cloud. even within that cloud, particularly in the east, we will see some holes developing, some sunshine coming through, and it will brighten up a behind it across scotland. these are the temperatures, seven or 11 degrees. as we move through wednesday, look at those isobars. the wind really ramps up and overnight on wednesday we will have really strong wind, significant wind across parts of scotland. we also have a weather front sinking south across wednesday and into thursday. a cold front, behind it, cold airfollow zen. it

doesn't last too long because we also have this war front coming our way, introducing some milder air as we head through friday. in short, as we head through friday. in short, as we go through the ensuing days, you can see still a lot of dry weather. if there is likely to be any wet weather, it's going to be more than likely across the north and west. temperatures moving up to about ten or 11.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: hundreds of people are killed in turkey and syria by a huge earthquake. the 7.8 magnitude tremor was felt as far away as egypt. here in the uk, ambulance workers are joining nurses taking strike action in what will be the biggest

ever nhs walk—out in england. we are still hopefully on track to reach that target of getting the waiting list below a year and a half at the end of march, but the more strikes we have, the more challenging that becomes. but at the moment, ourstaff challenging that becomes. but at the moment, our staff are working incredibly hard to get those waiting list down. the cloud — it stores all our photos and emails. but how much harm is it having on the environment? and beyonce breaks records at the grammys, and harry styles picks up album of the year at the music awards. let's turn to the nhs strike action today. health leaders have warned that a strike today by nurses and ambulance staff could be the most disruptive so far of this winter's nhs pay dispute. let's take you through what's happening over the next few days. tens of thousands of members

of the royal college of nursing will walk out in england, along with ambulance workers in the gmb and unite. in wales, some ambulance staff will strike, but most health workers have suspended their walkout after an improved pay offer from the welsh government. nurses in england will continue their strike tomorrow. physiotherapists in england will then go on strike on thursday. and on friday, some ambulance staff in england will take part in another day of action. our health correspondent dominic hughes has been talking to nhs workers. with 19 years' experience in the ambulance service, joanne never thought she'd find herself striking. but while this dispute is primarily about pay, forjoanne, it's also about the state of the health service and the delays patients and ambulance crews face because of the pressures on the system. ifeel sick sometimes, because i think those people outside waiting for ambulances, it could be your auntie, uncle,

mum, dad, brother, sister. the morale is in its boots at the moment. and once we arrive at a patient�*s house and they've been waiting, say, ten hours for an ambulance, we then get the backlash. "we've been waiting for hours for this ambulance." and then we have to try and explain then that it's not been our fault and we're really sorry and we just feel so sorry and sad and frustrated. ambulance — is the patient breathing? the strike action will inevitably have an impact on the number of ambulances out on the street. has she lost any blood? but managers and unions have been planning how to keep the service going for the most essential calls. the response is going to look different during periods of industrial action, as it would do during normal activity. it's about understanding that this is a dispute between the trade union membership and the government and not with the ambulance service. so it's about appreciating and understanding that. it's then our responsibility to make sure that we ensure we continue to provide a life and limb threatening service.

for many, the decision to strike has not been easy. concerns about the care that's offered to patients now balanced against the impact a strike could have on those who are vulnerable. i never, ever thought we would strike as nurses. the decision to make to actually go out on strike is very, very difficult. but it's come to a point now where we have to make a stand. there is an issue, it's not being addressed and we need to address it as soon as possible to ensure the patient safety and the patient care. this is set to be the biggest day of industrial action in this dispute so far. and as with previous strike days, the message for the public is simple. please think carefully before, for example, calling an ambulance. but if it is a life—threatening emergency, then the ambulance service and hospitals are open for business. with no end in sight to this industrial action, health bosses across merseyside are braced for another strike day, caught in a row they have no part in resolving.

of course, we want to get to a point where we've got that dispute agreed and there's an outcome, so that we can get back to delivering the services that we know we need to. we have got the plans in place to make sure that the hospital is safe and we continue to deliver those things. but the sooner we can get over the other side of this disruption and end this dispute, the better. notjust for us as a hospital, but for our patients. the most recent strikes have seen fewer ambulance call—outs and relatively quiet a&e departments. across merseyside, as in all those areas affected by strike action, it's hoped the public will once again not overburden an already stretched nhs. dominic hughes, bbc news, merseyside. professor sir stephen powis is the national medical director of nhs england. this is his advice to patients this week. this is the first time this winter we have industrial action being

taken by ambulance staff and nurses on the same day, so there is no doubt it will be challenging, but our message is the same. for life—threatening illnesses, call 999, ambulances will respond, and if it is not life threatening, go to 111 first. if you have an appointment, please turn up unless you have been told it is postponed. and there are many services, such as general practice and community pharmacy, which is still open. our health correspondent jim reed is at aintree hospital in liverpool. come to a very busy and noisy aintree hospital, this is all unnerving staff, royal college of nursing members who have been on strike since 7:30am this morning. at here is the thing, if you walk down this road about 200 metres, you would see an ambulance station with a second picket line, gmb and united

members, paramedics and call handlers on a 24—hour strike. it is that combination of ambulance workers and nurses on strike at the same time that we have not seen before, which has got nhs bosses worried about the impact on patients. i should say we were expecting to see strike action today across much of wales, but it was cancelled or suspended in most cases at the tail end of last week when there was a new pay offer from the welsh government worth around 7.5%. what the royal college of nursing have said is if there was a similar offer in england, they would have also suspended the strike action here, but that has not happened and looks unlikely to happen. rishi sunak said in an interview at the tail end of last week that he would love to give nurses a massive pay rise — who wouldn't? — but his argument is that the nhs has other spending priorities. as things stand, that the dispute is very much deadlocked in england, and it is

likely we will see further industrial action running through the winter and perhaps into next spring. let's talk more about this tojoel gould, who joins us from a picket line outside southmead hospital in bristol. he isa he is a member of the royal college of nursing. good morning to you. my first question, how are you feeling today? first question, how are you feeling toda ? ,., ., first question, how are you feeling toda ? , ., ., ., first question, how are you feeling toda ? ., ~ ., ., today? good morning, annita, i am in disbelief that— today? good morning, annita, i am in disbelief that we _ today? good morning, annita, i am in disbelief that we are _ today? good morning, annita, i am in disbelief that we are out _ today? good morning, annita, i am in disbelief that we are out for _ today? good morning, annita, i am in disbelief that we are out for a - disbelief that we are out for a second month on the picket line, i didn't think it would continue as long, i hope we will be contacted suing about negotiations over pay. but the atmosphere is great, there is lots of support behind me, a big presence here, we have some members from the gmc supporting us in solidarity. yeah, it is, luckily, dry and a really good atmosphere

here, we are here for a second month running. here, we are here for a second month runninu. ~ ., , here, we are here for a second month runninu. ~ . , i. here, we are here for a second month runnin~.~ . , ., running. what is your message to the ublic running. what is your message to the public today. — running. what is your message to the public today. who _ running. what is your message to the public today, who may _ running. what is your message to the public today, who may be _ running. what is your message to the public today, who may be affected . running. what is your message to the public today, who may be affected by| public today, who may be affected by the industrial action? this public today, who may be affected by the industrial action?— the industrial action? as the advice has been from _ the industrial action? as the advice has been from my _ the industrial action? as the advice has been from my other _ the industrial action? as the advice l has been from my other colleagues, if you need 999 for an emergency, do call it, but think twice before coming into hospital. we have safe levels of staffing to maintain essential services. as we always have, we always put patient safety and care at the forefront of our working day, and we will continue to do so. but we have been left with no option but to come out on strike. [30 option but to come out on strike. do ou option but to come out on strike. do you feel like the government was listening to you? i you feel like the government was listening to you?— listening to you? i think it is reassuring _ listening to you? i think it is reassuring that _ listening to you? i think it is reassuring that the - listening to you? i think it is reassuring that the welsh i listening to you? i think it is - reassuring that the welsh assembly government has engaged with nurses in wales and are negotiating with them about pay, that is really

helpful. i am sad and disheartened that england has not done so yet. i am hopeful that, as we continue to strike, that it will encourage them to get around the negotiating table with us so that we can start talking about better pay and conditions. but in the meantime, it sounds as though you are prepared to continue with strikes and industrial action, is that right?— strikes and industrial action, is that riuht? , ~ , , ., that right? yes, i think this is our only course _ that right? yes, i think this is our only course of— that right? yes, i think this is our only course of action _ that right? yes, i think this is our only course of action left - that right? yes, i think this is our only course of action left to - that right? yes, i think this is our only course of action left to us, i that right? yes, i think this is our| only course of action left to us, we are quite literally desperate. it takes a lot for us as nurses to do this, because it goes against everything we stand for, but we are definitely resolute, because at the end of the day, we want better conditions for our patients, and we do that by retaining nursing staff

and recruiting nursing staff, and the only way we do that is with better pay. collect ok,- the only way we do that is with better pay. collect ok, joel, i am also nowjoined _ better pay. collect ok, joel, i am also nowjoined by— better pay. collect ok, joel, i am also now joined by the _ better pay. collect ok, joel, i am also nowjoined by the gmb - better pay. collect ok, joel, i am| also nowjoined by the gmb union better pay. collect ok, joel, i am - also nowjoined by the gmb union rep simon day, whojoins us from the west midlands. good morning to you as well. i was just asking that nurse on the picket line in bristol whether he feels the government is listening — what is your take? we have heard from unions that they have heard from unions that they have not been substantial talk since the beginning of january. have not been substantial talk since the beginning ofjanuary. that have not been substantial talk since the beginning ofjanuary.— the beginning ofjanuary. that is correct, the beginning ofjanuary. that is correct. the _ the beginning ofjanuary. that is correct, the government - the beginning ofjanuary. that is correct, the government seems| the beginning ofjanuary. that is i correct, the government seems to the beginning ofjanuary. that is - correct, the government seems to be content _ correct, the government seems to be content to— correct, the government seems to be content to leave the situation as is, to— content to leave the situation as is, to tell— content to leave the situation as is, to tell the public that we are not responding to emergencies on strike _ not responding to emergencies on strike days, which is completely untrue, — strike days, which is completely untrue, i— strike days, which is completely

untrue, i don't know what he just said the — untrue, i don't know what he just said the ambulance go out, but that was a _ said the ambulance go out, but that was a crew— said the ambulance go out, but that was a crew that are taking strike action— was a crew that are taking strike action with — was a crew that are taking strike action with exemptions and have just responded _ action with exemptions and have just responded to a category two, a heart attack— responded to a category two, a heart attack or— responded to a category two, a heart attack or stroke or serious infection _ attack or stroke or serious infection. they have gone out. we are doing — infection. they have gone out. we are doing what we say we will do, which _ are doing what we say we will do, which is _ are doing what we say we will do, which is protect the public as much as we _ which is protect the public as much as we can — which is protect the public as much as we can and reduce the risk on strike _ as we can and reduce the risk on strike days _ as we can and reduce the risk on strike days. the government does not seem _ strike days. the government does not seem to _ strike days. the government does not seem to be _ strike days. the government does not seem to be doing what they say that they are _ seem to be doing what they say that they are doing and talk to us. what is it auoin they are doing and talk to us. what is it going to _ they are doing and talk to us. what is it going to take _ they are doing and talk to us. what is it going to take to _ they are doing and talk to us. twist is it going to take to bring this industrial action to an end, both in terms of a settlement on pay and on conditions? ~ ~ terms of a settlement on pay and on conditions?— conditions? well, i think what we need to understand _ conditions? well, i think what we need to understand is _ conditions? well, i think what we need to understand is that - conditions? well, i think what we need to understand is that pay i conditions? well, i think what we | need to understand is that pay and conditions — need to understand is that pay and conditions are inextricably linked. we are _ conditions are inextricably linked. we are losing staff hand over fist because — we are losing staff hand over fist because the situation with the underfunding that we have experienced under this government

have become absolutely unrealistic in terms _ have become absolutely unrealistic in terms of sustaining our members in terms of sustaining our members inthe— in terms of sustaining our members in the current climate. you know, we are experiencing delays, it is creating _ are experiencing delays, it is creating 13 or 14 hour days without a break. _ creating 13 or 14 hour days without a break, patients are suffering because — a break, patients are suffering because of that, and the standards that we _ because of that, and the standards that we can — because of that, and the standards that we can actually provide to the patients— that we can actually provide to the patients is— that we can actually provide to the patients is suffering, and the only thing _ patients is suffering, and the only thing that— patients is suffering, and the only thing that will change that is a realistic, — thing that will change that is a realistic, meaningful negotiation from _ realistic, meaningful negotiation from the — realistic, meaningful negotiation from the government to settle this dispute _ from the government to settle this dispute on — from the government to settle this dispute on pay and then to look forward — dispute on pay and then to look forward at — dispute on pay and then to look forward at how we protect our nhs and our— forward at how we protect our nhs and our patience. do forward at how we protect our nhs and our patience.— and our patience. do you think the ublic are and our patience. do you think the public are with _ and our patience. do you think the public are with you _ and our patience. do you think the public are with you on _ and our patience. do you think the public are with you on this - and our patience. do you think the public are with you on this for - public are with you on this for however long it takes?- public are with you on this for however long it takes? well, they are with us _ however long it takes? well, they are with us at _ however long it takes? well, they are with us at the _ however long it takes? well, they are with us at the moment, - however long it takes? well, they are with us at the moment, i - however long it takes? well, they| are with us at the moment, i don't are with us at the moment, idon't know— are with us at the moment, i don't know about — are with us at the moment, i don't know about however long it takes. i would _ know about however long it takes. i would like _ know about however long it takes. i would like to think so. i think they understand — would like to think so. i think they understand why we are doing what

we're _ understand why we are doing what we're doing. think they understand the reasons— we're doing. think they understand the reasons behind our fight over pay and _ the reasons behind our fight over pay and our explanation of why that is linked _ pay and our explanation of why that is linked to— pay and our explanation of why that is linked to the standards in our service — is linked to the standards in our service i— is linked to the standards in our service. i sat with a woman outside an a85 _ service. i sat with a woman outside an a&e department on christmas day, for seven— an a&e department on christmas day, for seven hours while we waited for a bed _ for seven hours while we waited for a bed i_ for seven hours while we waited for a bed i felt — for seven hours while we waited for a bed. i felt so guilty that i felt i a bed. i felt so guilty that i felt i had _ a bed. i felt so guilty that i felt i had to— a bed. i felt so guilty that i felt i had to explain what we were doing. that elderly— i had to explain what we were doing. that elderly lady said to me at the end of— that elderly lady said to me at the end of the — that elderly lady said to me at the end of the conversation, simon, it is ok, _ end of the conversation, simon, it is ok. if— end of the conversation, simon, it is ok. if you — end of the conversation, simon, it is ok, if you win, we win and the nhs— is ok, if you win, we win and the nhs wins — is ok, if you win, we win and the nhs wins. and from my perspective, the public— nhs wins. and from my perspective, the public have that appreciation that if— the public have that appreciation that if we — the public have that appreciation that if we win in our fight for the nhsand— that if we win in our fight for the nhs and for ambulance workers up and down the _ nhs and for ambulance workers up and down the country, then patients win as welt _ down the country, then patients win as well. ,, ., down the country, then patients win as well, ,, ., ., down the country, then patients win as well. ,, ., ., ., , as well. ok, simon today, “oining us from the as well. ok, simon today, 'oining us from the west— as well. ok, simon today, “oining us from the west midlands, _ as well. ok, simon today, joining us from the west midlands, thank- as well. ok, simon today, joining us from the west midlands, thank you i from the west midlands, thank you very much indeed.

the headteacher of one of the uk's most prestigious schools — epsom college in surrey — has been found dead, along with her husband and seven—year—old daughter. the bodies of 45—year—old emma pattison and her family were found early yesterday morning. police say it was an isolated incident and they don't believe anyone else was involved. sean dilley has this report. 45—year—old emma pattison became head of epsom college five months ago. this was her speaking in 2020, in a video for her previous school. working with them has been quite humbling, they are sensationally dedicated. surrey police say her body was found in a property on school grounds along with her husband george and seven—year—old daughter lettie yesterday morning. detectives have launched what they describe as a thorough investigation. they don't believe anyone else was involved and they're not looking for anyone else. they have reported the deaths to the coroner, which would be usual, but officers will be visible in the coming days to offer reassurance. epsom college has around 850 students. fees are more than £42,000 for those who board here,

or £28,000 for day pupils. the college, which was founded in 1853, was named the best independent school in 2022. the chair of the board of governors said... it's little more than 24 hours after the pattison family's bodies were found. staff, students and the local community are trying to make sense out of a situation that can make none. sean dilley, bbc news. more divers are joining the search to find missing nicola bulley, who was last seen ten days ago walking her dog next to the river wyre in lancashire. the private specialist divers have hi—tech sonar and have offered their services for free, enabling the search to cover a wider area. police have said they believe nicola, who's 45, may have

fallen into the river. for the latest on the search, our correspondent phil mccann is at the scene in st michael's on wyre in lancashire we arejust we are just slightly downstream from the spot on the riverside path next to a bench where nicola was last seen, the friday before last, and research so far has been focusing down the river from research so far has been focusing down the riverfrom here research so far has been focusing down the river from here and research so far has been focusing down the riverfrom here and out into the estuary and morecambe bay, and this is a new development, the company involved, sgi, have spoken to lancashire police, who have spoken to nicola's family and friends, who have decided this is what they want to do. emma is one of nikola's friends, who has been playing a very active role in the search for nicola. how are you feeling this morning, knowing you have this new company getting involved with this equipment? yeah,

it is treat, involved with this equipment? yeah, it is great. we _ involved with this equipment? yeah, it is great, we saw— involved with this equipment? yeah, it is great, we saw peter— involved with this equipment? yeah, it is great, we saw peter come - involved with this equipment? yeah, it is great, we saw peter come on . involved with this equipment? yeah, it is great, we saw peter come on a i it is great, we saw peter come on a media _ it is great, we saw peter come on a media bulletin, and it was a plea as to how— media bulletin, and it was a plea as to how we _ media bulletin, and it was a plea as to how we get people here, i think a video— to how we get people here, i think a video i_ to how we get people here, i think a video i went — to how we get people here, i think a video i went to him, asking for him to come _ video i went to him, asking for him to come to — video i went to him, asking for him to come to saint michael's, and lo and behold, we got his mobile number, — and behold, we got his mobile number, and he and his team arrived last night _ number, and he and his team arrived last niuht. ., ., , ., number, and he and his team arrived last niuht. ., . , ., ., last night. potentially a new way to rovide last night. potentially a new way to provide answers. _ last night. potentially a new way to provide answers. following - last night. potentially a new way to provide answers. following the - provide answers. following the hypothesis _ provide answers. following the hypothesis of _ provide answers. following the hypothesis of the _ provide answers. following the hypothesis of the police, - provide answers. following the hypothesis of the police, we i provide answers. following the i hypothesis of the police, we need some _ hypothesis of the police, we need some evidence to find out either way, _ some evidence to find out either way, and — some evidence to find out either way, and i— some evidence to find out either way, and i think peter and his amazing — way, and i think peter and his amazing kit, too technical for me, they will— amazing kit, too technical for me, they will sweep the river bed and gave _ they will sweep the river bed and gave us— they will sweep the river bed and gave us answers. the they will sweep the river bed and gave us answers.— they will sweep the river bed and gave us answers. the police talked about the treatment _ gave us answers. the police talked about the treatment of _ gave us answers. the police talked about the treatment of witnesses i gave us answers. the police talked i about the treatment of witnesses by people online using speculation, evenin people online using speculation, even in some cases abuse, has been

and acceptable, that must have been distressing. to be honest, we haven't had that much time to digest anything. obviously, we are looking for the good stories, and this is one. what i would say is that you can be anything the world, but be kind, and the acts of kindness from family and friends is what is keeping people go on, the support network around here is positive, at the end of the day we have got two little girls who have lost their mummy, so whatever people are saying, whatever speculation, the end goal is to bring nikki home. thank you very much, emma isjust one person who has been very active in the search effort here, the company sgi will be getting under way in this river a little later on this morning. free hiv tests that can be done at home will be available this week to people in england as part of a government drive to improve diagnosis. the kit is small enough to fit through the letterbox and arrives

in plain packaging through the post. about 4,400 people in england are living with undiagnosed hiv, which comes with serious health risks, and diagnosis dropped off during the pandemic. now let's speak with ian green, the chief executive of terrence higgins trust, a charity which campaigns about and provides services relating to hiv and sexual health. your hope must be to get diagnosis because there are treatments. yes. because there are treatments. yes, and it is really _ because there are treatments. yes, and it is really important _ because there are treatments. yes and it is really important that around this week, which happens every year, that we provide people with an easy opportunity to get tested for hiv. as you say, there are about 4400 people in england to have undiagnosed hiv, and that means their health is at risk, and also without effective treatment, they can pass the virus on to their sexual partners, so that is one of

the reasons why we are looking at expanding the approach to hiv testing, with support from the government, so for the first time, as well as taking blood and sending out to a laboratory, you can actually do a test at home, in a similar way you do a covid test, and have our result in up to 15 minutes. so this is the process of normalising hiv testing. [30 so this is the process of normalising hiv testing. so this is the process of normalisin: hiv testinu. . normalising hiv testing. do you have any concerns — normalising hiv testing. do you have any concerns around _ normalising hiv testing. do you have any concerns around someone - normalising hiv testing. do you have any concerns around someone doing | any concerns around someone doing this test at home, perhaps alone, without any professional support to hand? brute without any professional support to hand? ~ ., without any professional support to hand? ~ . , without any professional support to hand? . . , , hand? we have been running self testin: is hand? we have been running self testing is a _ hand? we have been running self testing is a charity _ hand? we have been running self testing is a charity for _ hand? we have been running self testing is a charity for about - hand? we have been running self testing is a charity for about ten i testing is a charity for about ten years now, and we have never had any concerns raised by anybody in relation to that. if somebody does feel, though, by having a reactive result, it might cause them real difficulties and challenges, then perhaps there is option of testing is not best for them, there are other options available, such as sending something back to a laboratory or going into a community

test setting, we can get a test with somebody present with you. so i think it is about trying to make sure there are different options available to people, and if somebody does have a reactive test when they take a self—test, there will be a telephone numberfor take a self—test, there will be a telephone number for them to take a self—test, there will be a telephone numberfor them to phone immediately, somebody will be available to support them, but they will also have to go through confirmatory tests at a sexual health clinic, so there is a range of support available for people, so we are not concerned about that. would it be ok to tell us about your personal experience, ian?— personal experience, ian? yeah, i was diagnosed — personal experience, ian? yeah, i was diagnosed with _ personal experience, ian? yeah, i was diagnosed with hiv _ personal experience, ian? yeah, i was diagnosed with hiv 27 - personal experience, ian? yeah, i was diagnosed with hiv 27 years i personal experience, ian? yeah, i. was diagnosed with hiv 27 years ago now, and at that point i was told i would have eight years to live, and i had to wait two weeks to get the result from my hiv test. things have changed dramatically since then, so somebody testing for hiv and having a positive result today will go on effective treatment, they can have a normal life expectancy, and the really important news is, because of

the amount of virus in the blood being reduced to an undetectable level, that means they cannot pass it onto their sexual partners. so things have changed dramatically, thatis things have changed dramatically, that is why we are encouraging people to get tested, this week in england. people to get tested, this week in encland. �* , ., england. and there is an hiv storyline _ england. and there is an hiv storyline in _ england. and there is an hiv storyline in eastenders - england. and there is an hiv storyline in eastenders at. england. and there is an hiv| storyline in eastenders at the moment, what sort of impact does that have on bringing the conversation around testing into the public debate?— conversation around testing into the public debate? yeah, we have worked with the producers _ public debate? yeah, we have worked with the producers of— public debate? yeah, we have worked with the producers of eastenders - with the producers of eastenders over that story over the course of the last six months or so, and we are really pleased with the way that they are demonstrating, you know, they are demonstrating, you know, the progress in hiv through that storyline, and when he went for an hiv test, we had a 75% increase from people inquiring about testing for hiv on our website, so all of this is encouraging people to talk about hiv testing and normalise hiv testing, and that is all for the

good. testing, and that is all for the aood. ., ~' ,, , testing, and that is all for the ood. ., ~' , . testing, and that is all for the aood. ., ,, , ~ ., testing, and that is all for the ood. ., ~' y., , . ., ,., good. thank you very much for your time, good. thank you very much for your time. ian- — they called it the black summer — the period during 2019 and 2020 when a series of huge bushfires swept across large parts of australia. millions of hectares of land were destroyed, and more than 30 people died. an unknown number of animals also lost their lives. now conservationists are trying to boost wildlife numbers, as the bbc�*s tim allman explains. they are one of australia's most iconic symbols. the koala is beloved, but it is also in serious danger. here, at a wildlife centre on the slightly inappropriately named kangaroo island, they are trying to do something about that, although finding and looking after these animals is easier said than done. it can be used, transfusion sets, a long net. we usually have two cages on here.

we put that on the road. the bushfires of late 2019 and early 2020 were truly devastating. koalas were already listed as a vulnerable species before they began, but the situation was made dramatically worse. by one estimate, 5,000 of them were lost, and now there may only be 50,000 of them left in the wild. this facility looks after injured koalas, providing veterinary care, bringing them back to full health. see how sharp these are? some will then be returned to the mainland and moved to other parts of the country. slowly, hopefully, animal numbers will start to rise, and maybe the koala will continue to be a symbol of australia for generations to come. tim allman, bbc news. in taiwan, people have gathered to celebrate the lantern festival. locals and foreign visitors launch

sky lanterns after they've written their new year wishes on them. the event is held annually during the lunar new year celebrations. this year is the year of the rabbit, and the first lantern festival since the end of covid restrictions. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. good morning to you. this morning, it was a cold start to the day, some of us had frost, mist and fog. it was a cold start to the day, some of us had frost, mist an- of us had frost, mist and fog, and that is because _ of us had frost, mist and fog, and that is because through _ of us had frost, mist and fog, and that is because through the - of us had frost, mist and fog, and | that is because through the course of the week it will be largely dry. we have high pressure across our shores at the moment, so anything coming our way from the atlantic will bring cloud and rain across the north and west, but not much more than that. further frost and fog through the week, and by wednesday particularly windy across the far north of scotland. as we go through the evening and overnight, just as

much as 80 mph. what we have today under this area of high pressure is dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine. for the rest of scotland, northern england and also in northern ireland, there is more clout, and that will slip into north—west wales through the day, and in the north—west we could see patchy light rain and drizzle from that. gusty winds across the north west as well with our temperature range 8—10 . as we head through the evening and overnight, as soon as it gets dark, the temperature will fall away rapidly across england and wales, and under those clear skies, widespread mist and fog patches forming. the weather front will continue to head south, not making much progress, not much more on it than a band of cloud. then a second one comes behind, introducing thicker cloud and once again rain across northern and western scotland and also north—western parts of northern ireland. under this cloud, temperature holding up. we have got

clear skies, temperature holding up. we have got clearskies, it temperature holding up. we have got clear skies, it will be told, and in rural areas temperatures could fall away between minus five and minus seven. so a frosty start to the day, the mist and fog stubborn to play in some areas, for some not clearing until the afternoon, and then for much of england and wales, a lot of sunshine. the weather fronts continue to slip across southern scotland, northern england and ireland, and once again behind it we are into clearer skies. these are our temperatures, 7—11 degrees in newcastle. as we move through wednesday, well, note how the isobars are tightening up across the north of the country, the winds are strengthening through the course of the day, just as much as 70 mph, and there is a weather front coming our way as well. move away from the north, we are looking again at a frosty start, so mist and fog patches forming, and when they lived, there will be sunshine, and

these are the temperatures, 7—10 . as we go through wednesday evening and overnight, this is when the wind picks across the far north of the country, just as much as 80 mph, something we are keeping a very close eye on. but as we move through the course of thursday, you will find very slowly the window started to ease, and i were weather front comes in, a cold front, behind it there will be wintry showers, turning much colder. behind that band of cloud, sunshine and showers, but wintry across the north and west of scotland, even at lower levels for a time. the wind slowly easing, gusting at about 16 mph.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. hundreds of people are killed in turkey and syria by a huge earthquake. the 7.8 magnitude tremor was felt severely in northern syria. our teams responded to all of the sites and buildings, and still many families are under the rubble. this is one of the _ families are under the rubble. this is one of the worst _ families are under the rubble. this is one of the worst affected areas, diyarbakir. our other main story this hour, in the uk, ambulance workers are joining nurses taking strike action in what will be the biggest