live from london. this is bbc news a powerful earthquake hits china's tibet region, near mount everest, chinese state media say 95 people are dead and hundreds more injured. flood warnings are in force across large parts of the uk, with a danger to life alert in south leicestershire. mcdonald's staff say they are still facing sexual abuse and harrassment, despite the company promising to clean up behaviour at its uk operations. claims that exams forjobs in india's civil service are being rigged trigger protests across the north—eastern state of bihar. hello, i'm nicky schiller. we start with the latest

on that major earthquake that has struck china's tibet region. chinese state media says at least 95 people have been killed and dozen more injured. these are some of the latest pictures from the scene, where search and rescue teams are pulling people out of buildings that have collapsed, with rubble on the ground. there is someone on a stretcher, we are told many of the survivors are afraid to go inside buildings, as strong aftershocks continue to shake the area. there are dozens of rescuers trying to pull people out. the magnitude 7.1 quake struck at around 9am local time.the epicentre was tibetan city of shigatse, which is holy the magnitude 7.1 quake struck at around 9am local time.the epicentre was tibetan city of shigatse, which is holy for tibetan buddhists and is in the same region as mount everest.

the tremors were also felt in neighbouring nepal's capital kathmandu, as well as parts of northern india and bhutan. the magnitude 7.1 quake struck at around 9am local time.the epicentre was tibetan city of shigatse, which is holy for tibetan buddhists and is in the same region the magnitude 7.1 quake struck at around 9am local time.the the tremors were also felt in neighbouring nepal's capital kathmandu, as well as parts of northern india and bhutan. chinese state media say hundreds of houses have collapsed in mountain villages and power and water are cut off. temperatures in the area are well below zero. the chinese military has launched rescue efforts. it is using drones to reach those most in need as authorities start to assess the impact of the earthquake. quakes are common in the region, which lies on a major geological fault line. let's speak to our china correspondent laura bicker1. so, laura what is the latest that you are hearing from chinese state media of the situation on the ground? obviously we are several hours on from this earthquake, it

happened at nine in the morning, in that as you say, remote mountainous area and now we are beginning to see the impact of that 7.1 magnitude quake, we are seeing on cctv, which is the chinese state broadcaster many people being taken from under the rubble. it does seem that rescuers have managed to reach the area, despite its distance from any major city, they have managed to reach some of the worst hit areas and the reason they have managed to do that is because the chinese air force launched a drone, an unmao manned drone which it flew over the mount everest national park area, to try to find the cities, the villages that have been most affected. you can see i am here this beijing, you can see the tall buildings, that is not the case in those mountainous regions, these houses are low lying, made of bricks and you

have seen them, certainly we have seen them, certainly we have seen them, certainly we have seen footage coming in of just collapsed and they have fallen on people and rescuers are combing through the rubble, trying to found survivors, we have also seen many people, elderly, children out on the street being treated by both the army, by the police, and by rescuers themselves, hundreds of people, hundreds of rescuers have been dispatched, president xi announced this morning that heissued xi announced this morning that he issued instructions to ensure that civilian casualties are at a minimum and those who have lost their homes can be at least housed somewhere warm, and somewhere dry for the time being. that is going to be a challenge, becausejust being. that is going to be a challenge, because just as getting rescuers is going to be difficult it is going to be difficult it is going to be difficult to get aid trucks into the regions so what we are doing right now is monitoring chinese state media, we are seeing the pictures coming in and hearing the updates through

press conferences and the last one we had in the last hour, said that 95 people had been killed and 135 have been injured. that is the latest figure we have but we are continuing to give you updates on here. we are seeing the pictures of the severe damage to the buildings in that area. you mentioned the temperature, i was reading that it might drop to minus 18 overnight, and i know that there is a fear in that area, because it has had earthquakes before, that people don't want to go inside any buildings, so they are going to be outside during this period. we can imagine how terrifying it must be, within the last few hours there have been at least 40 hours there have been at least a0 aftershocks since that first major earthquake, and they are round a.1 in magnitude, still a lot less than the 7.1 they experienced according to the us

geological survey but terrifying nevertheless, many won't know if their buildings are structurally safe. thank you very much. we will keep you updated if there are any change in the casualty numbers. here in the uk, a number of major incidents have been declared as the country deals with severe weather, ranging from ice and snow in the north of england, wales, and scotland, to flooding in the midlands. more than 180 flood warnings are in place across england — that means flooding is expected — and there's one severe flood warning, affecting caravan parks near barrow upon soar, which means there's potential danger to life. graham satchell reports. large parts of the leicestershire and lincolnshire countryside are under water this morning. in both counties, fire services have declared major incidents. my friend is coming. dozens of people have been rescued from cars and houses,

as heavy rain and melting snow caused rivers to burst their banks. there are almost 200 flood warnings still in place across england, and one severe warning, meaning danger to life at this caravan park near barrow upon soar in leicestershire. east midlands ambulance service has for the first time declared a critical incident, saying flooding has significantly added to existing pressures of patient demand and a lack of beds in local hospitals. 50 children at ednam primary school in lincolnshire had to be driven to safety by volunteers, after their school was cut off by the rising water. two inches of water in here. this is everything we'd bought from last year's flood that still hasn't been fitted yet. for many, like tom, who has twin three month old daughters, today will be about assessing the damage and starting to clean up. although the forecast is for drier, calmer weather in the coming days, there are new warnings for snow and ice in some

parts, which could lead to more travel chaos. despite the pleas from emergency services not to drive in flooded areas, some couldn't resist the temptation for some inland rural water skiing. graham satchell, bbc news. our reporter natasha turney is in leicestershire, which has seen some of the worst flooding, including a severe warning in barrow upon soar. ican i can see behind you the floodwaters are there, what is the latest where you are? well, es, as the latest where you are? well, yes. as you _ the latest where you are? well, yes. as you said _ the latest where you are? well, yes, as you said that _ yes, as you said that floodwater here is expected to rise over the next few hours, and it is causing a lot of problems in the local area, we have a few houses up this way, which have been affected and this pub behind me here, we have had the brewery team in trying to salvage what they can of the brewery equipment. that is flooded for the second time then in two years. this water

level is expected to rise with the latest flood warning but there are 300 flood alerts out across the uk, and one severe warning now that is just up the road from here in barrow on soar where they have evacuated people living in a caravan park because of that expected rise in the flooding and it could be a possible danger to life. now, we have had a number of schools closed, the roads and railways affected, and a number of airports, as well. manchester and bristol airport they were closed for a while and then re—opened, but liverpooljohn lennon, that has been closed, we are told, until 10am this morning. as the flood levels dissipate in some places, in others they are expected to rise like here. people are preparing for what they do in that, but most people getting ready then for that big clear up ready then for that big clear up ahead. ready then for that big clear up ahead-—

ready then for that big clear up ahead. ready then for that big clear u- ahead. �* . ., ., ., ., up ahead. and natasha what are the authorities _ up ahead. and natasha what are the authorities doing, _ up ahead. and natasha what are the authorities doing, have - the authorities doing, have they set up emergency centres for people affected to go to? yes, there is an emergency refuge centre at the memorial church hall up the road, for everyone affected by that severe alert, you will know if you are in that area because you are in that area because you phone will go off with a loud buzz alert to let you know to be alert for rising floodwater n the local area here they have had an emergency meeting by the parish council and it was decided they are going to put barriers up to try and stop people and cars going through the floodwater, where it is making it worse in different areas, so plans in place, but yeah, i think everyone looking to that clear up everyone looking to that clear up ahead which could be long and difficult. i5 up ahead which could be long and difficult.— and difficult. is there any resite and difficult. is there any respite on _ and difficult. is there any respite on the _ and difficult. is there any respite on the way - and difficult. is there any respite on the way in - and difficult. is there any i respite on the way in terms and difficult. is there any - respite on the way in terms of the forecast for the next few days? the forecast for the next few da s? , , , , days? yes, there is in places, today we _ days? yes, there is in places, today we are _ days? yes, there is in places, today we are looking - days? yes, there is in places, today we are looking at -

days? yes, there is in places, today we are looking at lovely blue sky, not rain happening here at the moment, so here at least, there is some reprieve but different areas of the country, well that could differ, and as i said, up in liverpool, there are still problems with the airport there, causing restrictions on flights, so the advice given by the local authorities is to keep an eye on your area, keep those floodwatch alerts handy, and keep an eye on that all—important weather forecast all—importa nt weather forecast to see all—important weather forecast to see what is coming our way, over the next few days.- over the next few days. very aood over the next few days. very good advice. _ over the next few days. very good advice. natasha - over the next few days. very good advice. natasha live i over the next few days. very good advice. natasha live in| good advice. natasha live in leicestershire and we have a live page up and running on the website and anne with the latest from our correspondents across the country on the latest, we mentioned the airport in liverpool shut at the moment, also, you can get details on what lincolnshire police are saying, they are saying the improved slightly overnight but there is still more flooding, that all on the bbc news website and app. heavy snow, freezing rain

and sub—zeros temperatures are also facing millions of people across the united states. at least five people have died as a huge winter storm sweeps across the eastern us. tens of thousands have been left without power, with thousands of flights cancelled or delayed and disruption to schools, colleges and businesses. our north america correspondent, david willis, reports. across central and southern states, all the way to the east coast, america is experiencing some of its heaviest snowfalls on record. dumps of up to 16 inches in depth led seven states to declare a state of emergency, and left nearly a quarter of a million people without power, as the temperatures plunged. blizzard conditions caused thousands of flights to either be cancelled or delayed. and at least five people have reportedly died in the storm. and so treacherous are the driving conditions, particularly at night, that officials are urging residents to stay at home.

fresh powder, right? yeah, it's fresh. improvisation, the name of the game for those determined to travel. the storm left the us capitol building in washington dc cloaked in a veil of snow. schools cancelled lessons, boosting attendance at the city's annual snowball fight. participants take part at their own risk. you may not believe it from these pictures, but no casualties were reported. i did not come here to make friends, that's for sure. - there's no tiring of it for those with a fur coat. pandas bao li and qing bao were pictured frolicking in the winter wonderland at washington's national zoo. sent from china in an attempt at warming relations between the two nations, this was their first snowfall in the us, and both were clearly determined to make the most of it. david willis, bbc news.

here the issue of grooming gangs has dominated the headlines over the last few days, in part due to posts on social media from elon musk. now the academic who led a seven year inquiry into child sexual abuse says the "time has passed" for another national investigation into grooming gangs. opposition parties are pushing the government to open one, with the conservatives claiming during previous reviews it was not clear how widespread the issue was. last night, the home secretary, yvette cooper, told mps that legislation making it mandatory to report child sexual abuse would be introduced in the spring. she also said grooming would be made an aggravating factor in abuse cases. speaking to the today programme on bbc radio, professor alexis jay was asked whether there's a good argument for another national inquiry. i don't agree with that in the sense of requiring

further, more detailed national inquiries into child sexual exploitation. we have learned quite a lot from what those review that have already been undertaken, but locally, people need to step up to the mark, and do the sorts of things that have been recommended. i think there is something like a00 recommendations that we identified through a national charity, in all the reviews that had already been carried out, and many of those were simply not met. let's speak to our chief political corresponddnet henry zeffman. this has been dominating the headlines after elon musk posted, it is interesting to note professorjay saying it is note professorjay saying it is not the time for a new national probe. it not the time for a new national robe. , ., , not the time for a new national robe. , . , , probe. it is really interesting because though _ probe. it is really interesting because though this - probe. it is really interesting because though this has - because though this has propelled to the top of the headlines here in the uk in an unconventional manner by the world's richest man posting

about it nonstop, where it has got to this morning is a conventional government v opposition result. there does not need to a new national inquiry according to keir starmer, but instead the government needs to implement the recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse which spent several years investigating abuse in various forms and reported in 2022. the opposition�*s view is there does need to be a new national inquiry into grooming gangs, alexis jay led that report and she has given herfirst interview, you heard a bit there, so it is a very important intervention she says that o doesn't need to be a new inquiry, notjust because she says her inquiry was the final definitive word, what she was arguing, is that if there are more inquiries, or a arguing, is that if there are more inquiries, ora new inquiry, then that risks slowing down action which she

believes is needed to protect children who are victims of sexual exploitation. where do ou see sexual exploitation. where do you see this — sexual exploitation. where do you see this going _ sexual exploitation. where do you see this going politically l you see this going politically next? i you see this going politically next? ., , you see this going politically next? ~' , ., next? i think we still have that very _ next? i think we still have that very live _ next? i think we still have that very live debate - next? i think we still have | that very live debate about whether there should or should not be an inquiry, the conservative party is going to try to force a vote on that in the house of commons tomorrow. it is not completely certain they be able to have that vote, if they do i don't think they would win it but they would seek to generate political energy saying the labour party over there are roting against this and the conservatives are voting for it. this is a classic parliamentary tactic, but moving forward beyond that, i think the question will be about how fasting the government will —— fast the government will —— fast the government will —— fast the government will implement the recommendations of that report which came out in 2022. they are saying hang on a second, why are we getting all the heat when the conservative government that was in place in ground 22, when this inquiry reported and then 23a place for

nearly two years after didn't implement the recommendations? and i am sure we will hear more of that from the labour party, from the labour government but nevertheless they are in government, the onus is on them, yesterday, they announced various measures they would be bringing forward first and a lot of people will be watching to see how fast they get on with it. ., ~ , ., , to see how fast they get on with it. ., ~ ,, , . with it. thank you very much. if ou with it. thank you very much. if you are _ with it. thank you very much. if you are are _ with it. thank you very much. if you are are watching - with it. thank you very much. if you are are watching us - with it. thank you very much. | if you are are watching us here in the uk, we will have much more on that story with nicky campbell in a little while at 9.30. this is bbc news.

to the middle east now. the united nations has warned that its work delivering aid to people in gaza is at breaking point, following what it said was a deliberate and dangerous pattern of sabotage and disruption by both israeli soldiers and palestinian gangs. the un's relief chief, tom fletcher, accused the israeli army of attacking a clearly marked un aid convoy

in central gaza and striking a known food distribution point in the past a8 hours. he also accused armed palestinian gangs of hijacking six fuel tankers, leaving aid operations with little fuel. let's speak to our correspondent in jerusalem, emir nader. so what are they saying? well he is raising — so what are they saying? well he is raising the _ so what are they saying? well he is raising the alarm, - so what are they saying? -ii he is raising the alarm, he is saying that the ability of the un to deliver life—saving aid in gaza is being pushed to breaking point. he has called out a number of incidents in the past few days alone, as you mentioned an attack on a world food programme convoy of three vehicles which had all the necessary clearances and approval, it was clearly marked and came under gunfire, he said the incident was horrifying but thankfully none of their staff were injured and another strike on a known distribution point

of food, the statement also calls out palestinian criminal gangs who are taking advantage of the break down of law and order in the gaza strip, stealing and looting, and aid including fuel deliveries, the israeli military for their part hasn't commented on this statement, we have reached them for comment about the particular accusations they have been targeting, attacking, aid deliveries, they have said however previously they are continuing to facilitate a delivery on sunday, facilitated the delivery of 182 trucks but the delivery of 182 trucks but the humanitarian community is saying it is nowhere near enough. before the war there was 500 tray trucks that day getting into gaza, and the un has called out in parts of gaza there a near total siege on the ability for aid to get in, including in northern gaza, so it is notjust the violence of the war around them but it is

the war around them but it is the ability of palestinians to access their basic needs including food and shelter which is being hampered by these attacks on aid deliveries are. ., ~' these attacks on aid deliveries are. ., ~ , ., mcdonald's staff have told the bbc they still face sexual abuse and harassment, a year after its boss told mps safeguarding had been strengthened. the uk's equality watchdog says it has intervened again, after fresh complaints from employees, and has asked mcdonald's to improve its hr practices. the firm said it has a " relentless focus on eliminating all forms of harassment and had rolled out company—wide programmes to improve safeguarding, awareness and training. its uk boss will again face questions from mps today. zoe conway reports. mcdonald's does 100% have a problem with sexual harassment. teenagers speaking out about working at mcdonald's. he started saying the n—word to two boys in the kitchen and then started referring

to me as a monkey n—word. hundreds of mcdonald's workers spoke to the bbc in 2023 during our investigation into a culture of harassment, bullying, abuse. i am absolutely determined to root out any of these behaviours. but how much has the company changed? there are things that have been happening within mcdonald's which shouldn't even have ever happened. it was horrible. matt left mcdonald's seven months ago after two years of working there. i don't think they care at all. he says it was a toxic place to work. for myself, it was being bullied for having a learning disability, having some astigmatism with my eye. and then it was stuff you noticed, managers and staff being racist to other staff, managers trying to touch other staff up.

mcdonalds said it has created a head of safeguard, established five ways for employees to speak up confidentially, including a new digital channel allowing instant and confidential reporting of issues, created an investigation�*s handling unit, drawing on independent legal expertise. in 2023 mcdonalds signed a legally binding agreement with the equality watchdog pledging to protect its staff from sexual haar vastment, since then there have been 300 reports of harassment made and so it has been forced to take stronger action against the company in the light of the serious allegations that it has heard. alan, not his real name, a teenage crew member in south—west scotland says he and his colleagues are routinely subjected to verbal abuse, his words are spoken by a producer.

very degrading, humiliating, it is homophobic slurs, sometimes to my face, sometimes behind my back. he to my face, sometimes behind my back. ,., to my face, sometimes behind my back. , ., ., back. he says he complained to a senior manager, _ back. he says he complained to a senior manager, but - back. he says he complained to a senior manager, but nothing l a senior manager, but nothing was done. do you think there is a speak up culture? that was done. do you think there is a speak up culture?— a speak up culture? that is not happening. _ a speak up culture? that is not happening. i — a speak up culture? that is not happening, i have _ a speak up culture? that is not happening, i have heard - a speak up culture? that is not| happening, i have heard people who are faced bullying who are scared to talk up just because they feel as if they are not going to get the help they need. n ., , ., going to get the help they need. ., , ., “ need. mcdonalds told the bbc that keeping _ need. mcdonalds told the bbc that keeping its _ need. mcdonalds told the bbc that keeping its workers - need. mcdonalds told the bbc that keeping its workers safe l that keeping its workers safe was their most important responsibility. and it says it has undertaken extensive work over the last year to ensure we have industry leading practises in place, to support this priority. any incident of misconduct, and harassment is subject to rapid thorough investigation and action what is happening _ investigation and action what is happening shouldn't - investigation and action what is happening shouldn't be - is happening shouldn't be happening and people need to know about it. br; happening and people need to know about it.— know about it. by “oining hundredsfi know about it. by “oining hundreds ofh know about it. by joining hundreds of mcdonalds i know about it. by joining - hundreds of mcdonalds workers in a legal action against the company, matt hopes to improve the lives of the teenagers

still working there. stay with us here on bbc news. we will bejoining nicky campbell's phone in after a check on we are looking at sharp overnight frosts, particularly on wednesday and thursday, the risk still of snow and ice, but it looks like by the weekend, we will see something a bit less cold coming our way, not so today, the low pressure that brought all the rain that caused the flooding and the snow has moved away but we are in this north—westerly airflow, and you can see from the blues on that chart it is going to be another cold day today. so a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine, we have seen a few wintry showers, and snow showers, they will continue in the north of scotland, a wintry

mix of showers coming in across the west, a few getting inland and temperatures today, three to about nine degrees so another day for wrapping up warmly, through this evening and overnight we continue with the snow showers across the north of scotland, few of those blowing in across northern ireland, isle of man, north—west england, north—west wales, we will see freezing fog patches form under clearer skies and light winds, by the end of the night we will have rain starting to show its hand in south—west england. but a widespread frost, the risk of ice tomorrow morning on damp surfacings and we could see temperatures fall to minus 8. tomorrow any freezing fog will be slow to clear, there will be a lot of dry weather round but looking at the risk of snow showers still across the far north of the country. and we have also got the rain coming in across southern england. now on its leading edge we could also see some wintriness on especially the tops of the hills, this is an area where we

haven't really seen much snow, the met office has a warning out for this, the exact exact position could change. at the moment we think it will be south with the ma corridor but in system bringing it will move away which means on thursday we open the doors to still northerly winds, still snow showers, some freezing fog again slow to clear, central england, north wales north—west england, north wales north—west england as well and the snow showers in the north accompanied by a blustery wind. temperatures 3—a degree, seven in the channel islands. then the outlook sees the chance of rain and some snow on friday, where some of us but it gets less cold.

welcome to our viewers on bbc news. we are discussing the grooming gangs, a better phrase is the rape and torture gangs. we are asking you if there should be a national inquiry. there are so many arguments raging at the moment, at the heart of this are victims, at the heart of this, survivors, all too easily forgotten in all the noise that is going on. reading the court papers on these cases going way back, it is such a difficult read. as i said, grooming is a woefully inadequate word. what happened

to these young women