whole neighbourhoods are burnt to the ground. devastation in los angeles with wildfires still raging completely uncontained. at least 7 people have died and nearly 200,000 people are fleeing their homes. the president—elect donald trump is set to be sentenced tomorrow, after the supreme court denies his bid to delay his hearing. and former us presidentjimmy carter will be buried in his hometown of plains, georgia, after a state funeral in washington. hello, i'm steve lai.

more than 6,000 buildings have been destroyed in the worse fires in the history of los angeles. five people are confirmed to have died but officials expect that number to rise. emergency crews are struggling to contain a number of powerful blazes. the body of one man was found outside his levelled home, a garden hose in his hand. about 180,000 people have been ordered to flee their homes. so strong went set to continue overnight. —— wins. many neighbourhoods have been left unrecognisable. residents have described the firestorm as "apocalyptic". there are still 5 fires alight around the city — 2 completely uncontained. one is the palisades fire, which was the first to erupt on tuesday. it spread rapidly to become one of the most destructive in the history of los angeles — burning 17,000 acres.

the second largest spread to 14,000 the second largest spread to 111,000 acres. more than 10,000 homes have been destroyed. authorities say they are hopeful the tide is turning with one of the fibre content. we will be live shortly but first, a report from our correspondent emma vardy. still, they burn — the most catastrophic fires los angeles has ever seen. 0vernight, the hollywood hills resembling a disaster movie. a huge crescent of flame engulfing an iconic community of california. more than 130,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes. here, just one of many properties engulfed turned to a shell. at least five major fires have been burning across los angeles county.

the scale and spread has stretched firefighting crews on the ground, and in the air. 16,000 acres and counting consumed by the inferno. 0ne street filmed by a local resident moments before he left. i thought maybe i would be able to get some extra stuff that we didn't take and come to see that the whole street isjust gone. it's like a war zone. and we had so many memories in here that cannot be replaced. i had these great old pictures of my grandfather from world war ii, both grandfathers, and i was going to get them framed. and now they're gone and they're lost. and i had so many things that are just lost forever. itjust — i know we're safe, but i don't i don't understand.

the scale of this disaster is clear to see. this is pacific palisades, block after block a blanket of destruction. more than a thousand buildings burned in this community alone. emergency services unable to save them. we had everything, like the sentimental things. like my mum passed away, we had only a few things of hers left. my wedding dress, our wedding album, we left everything. 0uralbums, our... we have just whatever we're wearing. we're wearing the same thing for the last two days. copy that. fuelled by hurricane force winds, these fires have struck at a vulnerable time. la hasn't seen any significant rainfall for months abandoned neighbourhoods are now falling prey to crime. in the midst of the emergency

we've all seen individuals who are targeting vulnerable communities by burglarising and looting homes. this is simply unacceptable. as dawn came in the palisades, it revealed the grim reality of what the fire has left behind. there are miles and miles of streets like this and utter shock at the devastation here. communities just vanished now ghost towns and once dream homes turned to dust. no one is immune, mansions now ash. the homes ofjennifer aniston, adam sandler and paris hilton among those evacuated. and this was filmed by the wife of take that star, mark 0wen, as they escaped through the flames. some are returning to the ruins to see what remains. a scene that will be repeated in this ravaged city over

the coming days. emma vardy, bbc news, los angeles. for the latest joined by eleanor for the latestjoined by eleanor humphreys in altadena. it is now 6pm the city. what has been going on as firefighters continued to fight these blazes?— firefighters continued to fight these blazes? firefighters are very much _ these blazes? firefighters are very much continuing - these blazes? firefighters are very much continuing their - very much continuing their battle, notably because the warnings from the authority is that we're not out of the woods, far from that we're not out of the woods, farfrom it in that we're not out of the woods, far from it in fact. that we're not out of the woods, farfrom it in fact. we see 0% containment in some of those blazes right now. have seen fire crews, even ourselves today, doing, as they've been coming into communities like this in altadena, trying to put out the hotspots because the concern is today is have had a

bit of a lyle in the santa ana winds but they could be coming back tonight over the weekend next week and they can re— fan the flames. —— lull. you can see behind me, this burned—out family home, it is one house in scenes repeated up and the street in altadena. it is still under an evacuation. some residents have been able to come back and take a look at the devastation and understandably they have been incredibly emotional, tearful. i was speaking to one family who came back on behalf of their grandmother who leftjust their grandmother who left just with a their grandmother who leftjust with a suitcase and they have been trying to find and earn containing their grandfather's ashes and sadly they were not able to retrieve that. we know president biden has spoken once again today and he said people in communities like this one, that they will have all the resources they need to recover

and to rebuild but run out for these residents, listening to that and looking at this destruction, the fact that ash is still falling from the sky, so much of that feels unfathomable right now. how do you rebuild as a destruction as you rebuild as a destruction as you can see isjust you rebuild as a destruction as you can see is just so fast. and heartbreaking for these residents but where are they now and how they with the day to day? it now and how they with the day to da ? , . now and how they with the day toda? ., to day? it is an important oint to day? it is an important point to _ to day? it is an important point to mention - to day? it is an important point to mention that - to day? it is an important point to mention that la| to day? it is an important - point to mention that la county is a very diverse set of communities. you have the wealthy neighbourhoods of pacific palisades for example and also places like these with these well loved family bungalows for example so people are going through different things in order to seek shelter. some people go to evacuation centres that remember schools have also

bowed down here. i was hearing from one person that three generations of family have lost their homes and media go to when you cannot go and stay with your aunt for example, with your aunt for example, with your aunt for example, with your cousin? perhaps people in some financial means going to hotels. we know airbnb is offering accommodation for free to help people who have been effected by this but i think the fact that president biden promised firefighting resources for 180 days just shows you the scale of the challenge right now and how long these fire crews, this community could be facing this. they are in it for the long haul. . ~ , ., they are in it for the long haul. . ~' , ., , they are in it for the long haul. . ~ , . ., haul. thank you very much for that. haul. thank you very much for that for— haul. thank you very much for that. for more _ haul. thank you very much for that. for more on _ haul. thank you very much for that. for more on these - haul. thank you very much for that. for more on these firesl that. for more on these fires and how they are being followed i am joined by a battalion chief. i know you are on the move and thank you for making

time. what is the current thinking under these fires and what are you anticipating into the night?— what are you anticipating into the niuht? ., ~' . the night? thank you so much for letting _ the night? thank you so much for letting me _ the night? thank you so much for letting me speak. - the night? thank you so much for letting me speak. it - the night? thank you so much for letting me speak. it is - the night? thank you so much for letting me speak. it is so l for letting me speak. it is so important for us to get information out here. as you have mentioned, these fires are growing so rapidly. 0ne have mentioned, these fires are growing so rapidly. one of the issuesis growing so rapidly. one of the issues is that the wind is beginning to slow down, however the challenge there is, although it is slowing from one direction, it is increasing and the other so many of these areas have been hit so hard with these devastating went and now as it switches direction, the other side of the fire, there is concern and that is why we are diligent in making sure they are taken care of. it is very difficult to stay ahead of the fires when you do not know which way the wind is going to be blowing on some of these large fires f0 containment, why is that? is it 'ust a containment, why is that? is it just a scale? — containment, why is that? is it just a scale? not _ containment, why is that? is it just a scale? not entirely. ——

have zero containment. we are not certain the fire will cross the containment line. while there is so much fire is so much area devastated, and again, because we have these winds that are continually moving back and forth, and we are expecting another wind event potentially this weekend, we cannot say it is not going to cross so we would rather identify that we will continue to stand by 0% so we maintain readiness and diligence. find readiness and diligence. and s - eakin . readiness and diligence. and speaking of _ readiness and diligence. and speaking of being able to fight these fires, calls for volunteers have been going up. are you struggling for resources? . , ., , resources? resources have been ”ourin resources? resources have been pouring in _ resources? resources have been pouring in from _ resources? resources have been pouring in from all _ resources? resources have been pouring in from all over- resources? resources have been pouring in from all over the - pouring in from all over the state and in fact prior to the event on monday, california fire had moved resources from the north of the fire down to the north of the fire down to the south and they were

immediately engaged as soon as the fire started. now to the point where even is getting down so we are asking for help from surrounding states. more than 200 people have been requested by us.— than 200 people have been requested by us. david, are you still there? _ requested by us. david, are you still there? we _ requested by us. david, are you still there? we are having - still there? we are having trouble hearing you? 2500 --eole trouble hearing you? 2500 peeple coming _ trouble hearing you? 2500 people coming from - trouble hearing you? 2500 people coming from out i trouble hearing you? 2500 people coming from out ofj people coming from out of state. ~ state. david, ithink we managed _ state. david, ithink we managed to _ state. david, ithink we managed to reconnect. | state. david, i think we . managed to reconnect. we state. david, i think we - managed to reconnect. we know that with these failures out of control, popping up in different areas across los angeles, the cause is also something that is investigated. is there a time frame about knowing about that? the investigation _ knowing about that? the investigation has - knowing about that? tue: investigation hasjust knowing about that? tte: investigation hasjust barely investigation has just barely begun because all personnel, law enforcement and fire, were immediately engaged in safety

but now we have begun the investigation into how they have started, although they will be watching diligently, do have a timeframe.— will be watching diligently, do have a timeframe. thank you so much for speaking _ have a timeframe. thank you so much for speaking to _ have a timeframe. thank you so much for speaking to us - have a timeframe. thank you so much for speaking to us today. | much for speaking to us today. all the best. battalion chief for cal fire, david. the destruction caused by their destructive fire in la history has been widespread and devastating with many buildings destroyed. a synagogue was completely gutted and this business entity pacific palisades, whetherfires began, palisades, whether fires began, was palisades, whetherfires began, was not spared. many neighbourhoods now look like this, completely deserted for block after block. many people who have escaped have talked of the speed with which this fire spread but also there are stories the incredible bravery

people have shown in the face of a terrifying situation. 0ne helped his father—in—law get out. this is his story. we've just been evacuated. we've just been evacuated from this good samaritans car. you got it, dad. we're having to walk. this is crazy. there's a fire right, right outside our car. we got it. no, not that way. dad! my father in law has parkinson's. he can barely move. this was a heroic effort on his part. very wobbly. here, let me try to get you some help. which way do i go? this way. dad. to the sidewalk. let me guess. i went outside. i saw smoke and fire near my father in law's house and realised we need to go. the problem is, we didn't have a car. uh, by circumstance, we had no car in the house. iran up and down the street where he was. glen haven finally found a neighbour who was willing to swing by and pick us up. most people had already gone at that point, and at that point, i grabbed his medicine. that's the only thing i could think to grab. turn around. dad, we got this. and at that point,

wejumped in his car. this guyjeff, a neighbour we'd never met before. but, you know, salt of the earth saved our lives. as we're driving down, there's fires on both sides of the car. we're driving. we're suddenly seeing fires. you can feel the heat. and then the fires were getting closer and closer. and at that point, just being stuck there, surrounded by fire, these — the policemen started running up the street. "get out of the car, get out of the car" and started screaming. you don't really realise how serious it is. you don't think this is a life, a life threatening situation? you don't think this is a life, a life threatening situation. a resident talking about how he managed to get his father—in—law to safety. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news: the pound fell 0.9% against the us dollar on thursday, to its lowest level in more than a year, as uk borrowing costs hit their highest level for 16 years. economists warn rising costs could lead to further tax increases or spending cuts.

treasury minister darrenjones has played down economic concerns, saying there is "no need for an emergency intervention". former health secretary jeremy hunt has apologised to the families of lucy letby�*s victims at the thirlwall inquiry at liverpool town hall. the inquiry is looking into how letby was able to kill seven babies while working at countess of chester hospital. mr hunt said letby�*s crimes had been committed on his watch and apologized "for anything that didn't happen that "could potentially have prevented "such an appalling crime". temperatures in parts of the uk could fall below minus 16—degrees celsius overnight as a major cold front continues. fresh weather warnings have been issued, with snow, ice and fog forecast across southern england, wales, northern ireland and northern scotland. disruption to road and rail services is expected. you're live with bbc news. the us supreme court rejected

donald trump's request to halt his sentencing in his hush money case in new york, and it means that the sentencing will now go ahead as planned on friday morning in new york. president—elect trump has been convicted in new york court. two conservative judges joined the two liberals. donald trump is a ready expressed his anger at the decision. they have called for an appeal and as you know they acknowledged what the judge said, no penalty and there is no penalty but we're going to appeal anyway just psychologically because frankly it is a disgrace, it is a judge that should not have been on the case, he is a highly conflicted judge and they called for an appeal so i read it and i thought it was a fair decision, actually, so i'll do my little thing tomorrow, they can have fun with their political opponent. as you know i am under a gag orderfrom a judge — this is a first. this was an attack of

a political opponent, and if you take a look at it, i'm not supposed to be talking about it, so i won't. after the news broke, we spoke to sarah krisoff. i am not particularly surprised this is where they handed out. the ruling shows again how divided the court is, 5—4. i imagine it was a very contentious day. not surprised the court basically said you can appeal this case in the normal course of business. as every other criminal defensive does. not going to stop this from going forward, appalate issues to raise you can raise like everybody

else does after that. in many ways, i really think president trump is the luckiest defendant in the world because he has a judge that has essentially told him what is going to happen. most defendants go into sentencing scanners it can be because it is one of the most contentious and pressure filled moments but we know what it is going to happen in this case. judge merchan's statements were qualified a little bit, obviously we need to consider this and that and follow all the rules but essentially mr future president you're not getting present time or a fine or any supervision by this court going forward, we are ensuring this conviction stays in place. ina in a separate case a ruling that the justice department can release a report on the efforts by president—elect trump to overturn his 2020 election loss. donald trump wants to block the release and he will ask the supreme court will block the report written by special counseljack smith.

jimmy carter is to be laid to rest alongside his wife, rosalynn, at their home in the town of plains, georgia. a private family service was held at the maranatha baptist church, after president carter's casket was flown to georgia from washington dc. earlier in the day, there was a state funeral service at the national cathedral in the us capitol. jimmy carter's casket was draped in stars and stripes, and accompanied by his family. this formal farewell came with military precision and the full grandeur of the american state on display, asjimmy carter's coffin left the us capitol on this finaljourney. inside the national cathedral all five living former presidents. donald trump chatting amiably with barack 0bama, as george w bush and bill clinton took their seats alongside them. joe biden, now in the dying days of his own presidency, has just 11 days left in the white house. carter's achievements in office were lauded.

the peace deal between israel and egypt, and his humanitarian efforts afterwards, culminating in a nobel peace prize. we have all heard a lot lately about guinea worm disease. it's an ancient and debilitating disease of poverty and that disease will have existed from the dawn of humanity untiljimmy carter. # amazing grace... joe biden, a friend ofjimmy carter's for over 50 years, praised above all his predecessor's character. a white southern baptist who led civil rights. a decorated navy veteran who brokered peace. a brilliant nuclear engineer who led on nuclear non—proliferation. a hard—working farmer who championed conservation and clean energy. # imagine allthe people... jimmy carter, born one century ago in a house with neither

electricity nor running water, who made it to the white house, now returning to plains, georgia, where he will be laid to rest alongside rosalind, his wife of 77 years. sarah smith, bbc news, washington. you are watching bbc news. it has been an incredibly busy start to the year. i want to checkin start to the year. i want to check in with you and see how you are getting on with your new year's resolution. are you still going to the gym every day? have you kept away from the junk food and alcohol? have you been successful in your diet? if you have not, you not alone because today is known as quetta stay. 1562 00:22:43,983 --