A strong earthquake shook north-eastern India and Nepal tonight, killing at least 16 people, damaging buildings and sending MPs in Nepal’s capital running into the streets.

Nepal’s government says it will hold a Cabinet meeting on Mount Everest on December 4 to highlight the threat from global warming which is causing glaciers to melt in the Himalayas.

Nepal’s government today suspended the national police and intelligence chiefs while they are being investigated for alleged human rights abuses against protesters during last month’s pro-democracy movement, an official said.