elevated to critical fire weather conditions are predicted to continue through wednesday. these winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, will keep the fire threat in los angeles county high. the chancellor rachel reeves announces trade agreements worth £600 million during a visit to china, but is criticised for the timing of her trip. and america's top court appears poised to uphold a law that bans tiktok over national security concerns, unless its chinese parent company sells the platform. hello. i'm leila nathoo. let's start in los angeles, where strong winds that have spread wildfires over a wide

area are likely to continue for several more days. we can bring you these live pictures, where firefighters are still battling to contain the devastating wildfires. you can see the smoke billowing still. they began on tuesday across several different parts of the city. we've also heard from fire and community officials. these are the key points from a news conference earlier. at least 11 people have been killed and the number of homes and structures that have been destroyed stands at 12,000. thirteen people are missing. the evacuation zone has been expanded around the palisades fire, which has now burned more than 21,000 acres. it's now 11% contained. that's the area around which an effective barrier has been created, stopping it from spreading.

there are now four active fires in the area and the forecast is for more of the strong winds, which have proved so dangerous and helping fan the flames so far. the smoke has led authorities to declare a public health emergency for the entire los angeles area. residents have been advised to stay indoors with windows and doors shut. there is a night—time curfew in place of parts of the city. 20 people have now been arrested for curfew violations, trespassing and looting. with the latest, here is our correspondentjohn sud worth. it's a reminder that this disaster is far from over. the helicopters working relentlessly, dropping water to try to contain this flare—up, with the nearby communities now under new evacuation orders. with the fight still far from over. la county had another night of unimaginable terror and heartache, and even more angelenos

evacuated due to the northeast expansion of the palisades fire. 0n the other side of the city, in the neighbourhood of altadena, amid the shock and grief, there is mounting anger too. the water issue is... something happened there. there was no water. you turned on the hydrants and there were drips and drops coming out. it is not only the residents. the city's fire chief is also demanding answers from politicians. was the budget cut? yes, and it impacted our ability to provide services. the fires have affected the wealthy, burning the la homes of actors like anthony hopkins, and the ordinary alike. and the priority is not the politics, but the crisis itself. at one evacuation centre, harry and meghan met with survivors and emergency workers. many thousands have been made homeless. for now, lower wind speeds are helping contain the spread.

but they are expected to pick up again later. there has been some criticism of the shortages of staff and resources in dealing with the wildfires. los angeles mayor karen bass said county officials and emergency responders are working together to fight the fires and keep eve ryo ne everyone safe. in spite of the grief, anger, shock, we have got to stay focused until this time passes, until the fires are out. now, we need to stay focused, but i will say that when the fires are out, make no mistake, we will have a full accounting of what worked and especially what did not. and i know that this is a top priority of the people that are here behind me and the firefighters and the first responders that are on the front line.

there is nothing, nothing, nothing that i will not do for the city where i was born and raised. and i know that that goes for all of us. so let me be clear about something. the fire chief and i are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences that we might have will be worked out in private, but right now, our first and most important obligation to angelenos is to get through this crisis. let's speak to helena humphrey, in pasadena. bring us up—to—date with the latest where you are. 11 ii fatalities confirmed. today, authorities say 13 people are still unaccounted for, and that very grim news that cadaver dogs will now be going out into

communities, family assistance centres being set up for those who are looking for loved ones. so many people here in la county have lost everything, and as they have been fleeing, some of them, of course, losing their homes, have not been able to take their pets with them. some have not been able to drop their beloved animals at places like this one here, the pasadena humane society, at that shelter, hopefully dropping those animals off temporarily, overli50 dropping those animals off temporarily, over a50 animals here currently. they have never seen anything like this, and what you can see behind me as well, so many donations which have been coming in from volunteers, from members of the community, everything you could possibly need, from pet crates to food to litter, medicine, tennis balls to keep pets, dogs, amused, and i want to talk more about it now with kevin mcmanus, whojoins me. he is the head of pr and communications at pasadena humane society. thanks for being with us. have you ever

seen anything like this? it must be difficult to see so many animals coming on in these circumstances. we have not seen anything like this _ we have not seen anything like this we — we have not seen anything like this. we have had our share of near_ this. we have had our share of near misses with fire in the past, — near misses with fire in the past, some evacuations, and we have _ past, some evacuations, and we have had — past, some evacuations, and we have had to _ past, some evacuations, and we have had to mobilise because we are the _ have had to mobilise because we are the emergency pet shelter for the — are the emergency pet shelter for the area, that is affected by the — for the area, that is affected by the eaton fire. so, yes, i have — by the eaton fire. so, yes, i have never— by the eaton fire. so, yes, i have never seen anything like it. have never seen anything like it it — have never seen anything like it it is — have never seen anything like it. it is heartbreaking to see all these _ it. it is heartbreaking to see all these animals, and the pe0pte _ all these animals, and the people bringing them to us. the first night, when people didn't know. — first night, when people didn't know, and a lot of people still don't — know, and a lot of people still don't know if they have a home to go— don't know if they have a home to go back_ don't know if they have a home to go back to, but they need to have _ to go back to, but they need to have their— to go back to, but they need to have their pets with them when they evacuated, which is such a blessing. — they evacuated, which is such a blessing, and now they are here and we — blessing, and now they are here and we are _ blessing, and now they are here and we are trying to give them the best— and we are trying to give them the best experience possible untit— the best experience possible until their owners can come back— until their owners can come back and _ until their owners can come back and reclaim them and kind of go _ back and reclaim them and kind of go from _ back and reclaim them and kind of go from there. and and some of those animals too, as we are starting to see the destruction, they have been

coming in with injuries, and you have been treating them? yes, we have seen a lot of injured. _ yes, we have seen a lot of injured, especially dogs, cats, even— injured, especially dogs, cats, even wildlife, and the treatments are, it is mostly burns — treatments are, it is mostly burns and _ treatments are, it is mostly burns and smoke inhalation, a lot burns and smoke inhalation, a tot of— burns and smoke inhalation, a lot of what you would see with people — lot of what you would see with pebble ih _ lot of what you would see with people in a fire. unfortunately, animals don't quite — unfortunately, animals don't quite know what is going on and don't _ quite know what is going on and don't know_ quite know what is going on and don't know necessarily how to best _ don't know necessarily how to best escape, so now the next kind — best escape, so now the next kihd of— best escape, so now the next kind of wave over the next few days, — kind of wave over the next few days we — kind of wave over the next few days, we expect to find more animats— days, we expect to find more animals who have been in the smoke — animals who have been in the smoke and in the fire zone, so we witt— smoke and in the fire zone, so we will probably see worse injuries— we will probably see worse injuries going forward. and that is what _ injuries going forward. and that is what is _ injuries going forward. and that is what is so _ that is what is so heartbreaking, isn't it? animals are beloved pets, members of the family, and also so innocent in this when they are caught up in this increasing risk of wildfires being exacerbated by climate change. being exacerbated by climate chance. .. , , being exacerbated by climate chance. , , ., change. exactly. i 'ust fear that that change. exactly. i 'ust fear that this is h change. exactly. i 'ust fear that this is not _ change. exactly. i just fear that this is not the - change. exactly. i just fear that this is not the last - change. exactly. ijust fear. that this is not the last time we are — that this is not the last time we are going to have something like this— we are going to have something like this in— we are going to have something like this in our area, even. with— like this in our area, even. with climate change and how it

has made — with climate change and how it has made our state so dry for year— has made our state so dry for year after— has made our state so dry for year after year after year, it is scary _ year after year after year, it is scary l— year after year after year, it is scary-— is scary. i also want to ask about the _ is scary. i also want to ask about the volunteer - is scary. i also want to ask| about the volunteer effort. looking at your parking lot, it is remarkable how many people have come by, dropping stuff off, working here at the shelter as well. talk to me about that level of community spirit you are seeing here in los angeles. i spirit you are seeing here in los angeles.— los angeles. i think that is one of the _ los angeles. i think that is one of the silver _ los angeles. i think that is one of the silver lining - los angeles. i think that is one of the silver lining is l one of the silver lining is here _ one of the silver lining is here. we have had such an outpouring of support that this seems — outpouring of support that this seems like a lot of material behihd _ seems like a lot of material behind us, but we had a mountain the other day of beds, crates — mountain the other day of beds, crates, food, people knew we were — crates, food, people knew we were taking care of the animals and they— were taking care of the animals and they knew that everything helps, — and they knew that everything helps, and that is 100% true. so the — helps, and that is 100% true. so the community has come out in full— so the community has come out in full force. we actually had to divert— in full force. we actually had to divert a lot of donations today— to divert a lot of donations today to _ to divert a lot of donations today to another location so we could _ today to another location so we could manage the two days' with that were — could manage the two days' with that were filling this parking at the — that were filling this parking

at the other day. so it isjust really— at the other day. so it isjust really heart—warming to know that _ really heart—warming to know that people want to do something and especially for animal— something and especially for animal lovers like us, to do something for the animals. it�*s something for the animals. it's reall , something for the animals. it's really. really — something for the animals. it�*s really, really touching. lastly, briefly, if you don't mind, how are the animal is doing. you see them everyday and interact with them. how do they seem? an animal shelter is a scary and — an animal shelter is a scary and stressful place for an animal— and stressful place for an animal on our best day, so here, _ animal on our best day, so here, where we are impacted by so marry— here, where we are impacted by so many animals all at once, exemplifies the stress, so it is really— exemplifies the stress, so it is really hard. 0ne exemplifies the stress, so it is really hard. one great thing is, is really hard. one great thing is we — is really hard. one great thing is, we have a corps of volunteers and dedicated staff who are — volunteers and dedicated staff who are making sure dogs get out for— who are making sure dogs get out for potty breaks, get love and tlc, _ out for potty breaks, get love and tlc, some time to play before _ and tlc, some time to play before they are back in their kehhel, _ before they are back in their kennel, so it is by no means a home, _ kennel, so it is by no means a home, but— kennel, so it is by no means a home, but it is not the worst experience, and we are so lucky for that — experience, and we are so lucky for that. �* , experience, and we are so lucky for that. h .,, experience, and we are so lucky for that. �*, .,, ., , experience, and we are so lucky for that. �*, ., , ., for that. let's hope many of those pets _ for that. let's hope many of those pets and _ for that. let's hope many of those pets and owners - for that. let's hope many of

those pets and owners will. for that. let's hope many of i those pets and owners will be reunited in better circumstances. thank you very much for speaking to us, kevin mcmanus, and i think thatjust reinforces, of course, the level of destruction and human suffering we are seeing, but how it impacts everybody, animals, wildlife, everyone really, really touched by this crisis, which continues. we know those winds are not over, those blazes are continuing. really drastic and dire situation.— really drastic and dire situation. , ., ., situation. many thanks, helena humphreys_ situation. many thanks, helena humphreys reporting _ situation. many thanks, helena humphreys reporting from - humphreys reporting from pasadena in california. the cost of rebuilding after these fires is likely to be in the tens of billions of dollars. i asked davejones, california's former insurance commissioner, former insurance commissioner, for his assessment. most people have insurance, but as has been widely reported, private insurers some time ago, and with increasing ferocity, began to non—renew homeowners. we do have what is called the california fair plan, which is

the insurer of last resort to which homeowners and businesses can go if they can't get private insurance, and that is where many have gone. to give you some idea of when i left office in 2018, they had about 180,000 policyholders, and are now at about a50,000. the exposure of the fair plan in the pacific palisades alone is $5.8 billion, and that is a problem, because the fair plan has between its reinsurance and its reserves close to $3 billion in claims paying capacity. beyond that, what happens is, under new rules adopted last year, all policyholders in the state of california get assessed if the fair plan has a shortfall. we're not there yet, but that's where we might go. the overall insured losses are estimated to be as high as 20 billion. the overall economic losses from these fires, 50 billion, so on top of the deaths, injuries, destruction of people's homes and businesses and wipe—out of whole communities, we are talking about a substantial economic hit and hit to the insurance industry.

those are huge figures. people who have insurance, could they expect to be compensated fully for the damage caused by these fires? yes, thanks to california's strong insurance regulation, the insurers are required to have very strong reserves. there is no indication they will be unable to pay the claims or that any of them will go insolvent. but i think there is an additional point to be made. the main driver of this terrible, terrible catastrophe, and increasingly more of these extreme weather—related events, whether it is hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, atmospheric rivers, convective heat and wildfires, is climate change, driven by our failure to transition fast enough from fossil fuels and other greenhouse gas emitting industries. it might interest your viewers to know the insurance industry in the united states invests $536 billion in the fossil fuels industry,

whose emissions are making it impossible, they say, to keep providing insurance. globally, insurers write about $9.5 billion worth of insurance for the industry. in the us, we need state legislators to stand up and tell the industry, you have got to do that. you are investing in and providing insurance in the very industry that is killing people, injuring people, ultimately destroying communities and making it impossible for you to keep providing insurance. california's former insurance commissioner davejones talking commissioner dave jones talking to commissioner davejones talking to me earlier. let's turn to some of the other main stories now. chancellor rachel reeves has insisted that visiting china this weekend is squarely on the national interest, and that agreements reached in beijing would be worth £600 million to the uk economy over the next five years. the conservatives, however, said she should have cancelled the trip, and focus instead on recent increases in government borrowing costs and a fall in the value

of the pound. 0ur correspondent harry farley joined me earlier to discuss the logic behind the chancellor's business in the political risks she faces. rachel reeves argues that there is no choice but to engage with china as the second largest economy in the world. it is also the uk's fourth largest single trading partner. the cost of government debt is going up at the same time as the value of the pound going down, and you mention they're both the conservatives and liberal democrats have said

that she must return to address that upheaval. i suppose there are also questions for a longer term closer relationship with china. what might cheap chinese imports mean for british electric car makers, for example, or steel production, and it isjust over a week until donald trump re—enters the white house threatening tariffs on chinese goods, and he is unlikely to take kindly to the uk building closer ties to china. so her argument that this trip has been a success with £600 million worth of agreements, demonstrates that, but the political risks both domestic and international are clear to see. what sort of political landscape as she returning to in terms of this pressure, given the wider macro economic situation? a pretty fraught one. we mentioned market turbulence. it is a 16 year high in the cost of government debt. shadow chancellor mel stride has said her policies announced in the budget last year are taking us

back towards the 19705. the liberal democrats' dai5y cuba called on her to announce liberal democ