Jackie Leonard

Police in Los Angeles say they will rigorously enforce a curfew to prevent further looting of properties evacuated because of the wildfires. And Washington has increased its bounty on the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, on the day he was sworn into office. Also in this podcast. A violin that could go for as much as 18 million dollars.

Police in Los Angeles say they will rigorously enforce a curfew to prevent further looting of properties evacuated because of the wildfires. And Washington has increased its bounty on the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, on the day he was sworn into office. Also in this podcast. A violin that could go for as much as 18 million dollars.

The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, has become the first president to be criminally sentenced, but he won't face jail. The judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, imposed an unconditional discharge. Mr Trump was convicted last year of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his 2016 presidential campaign.

The president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, has become the first president to be criminally sentenced, but he won't face jail. The judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, imposed an unconditional discharge. Mr Trump was convicted last year of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal that threatened his 2016 presidential campaign.

Mr Trump, who has always denied wrongdoing, appeared by video link from Florida. Before the judge delivered his sentence, Mr Trump was allowed to speak in his own defence. Here's part of what he had to say to the court in New York.

Mr Trump, who has always denied wrongdoing, appeared by video link from Florida. Before the judge delivered his sentence, Mr Trump was allowed to speak in his own defence. Here's part of what he had to say to the court in New York.

Our correspondent, Neda Tawfiq, who's in New York, told us what happened in court.

Our correspondent, Neda Tawfiq, who's in New York, told us what happened in court.

But he could appeal. Do we have any indication of whether he's going to?

But he could appeal. Do we have any indication of whether he's going to?

That was Neda Tawfiq in New York. Russia has said that President Putin is open to talks with Donald Trump when he returns to the White House. welcoming what it calls his readiness to solve problems through dialogue. Mr Trump has repeatedly promised to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine, but hasn't provided any details on how he would do that.

That was Neda Tawfiq in New York. Russia has said that President Putin is open to talks with Donald Trump when he returns to the White House. welcoming what it calls his readiness to solve problems through dialogue. Mr Trump has repeatedly promised to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine, but hasn't provided any details on how he would do that.

His approach marks a change from that of President Biden, who's not believed to have spoken directly to Mr Putin since his full-scale invasion in 2022. Our Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford has this report from Kiev.

His approach marks a change from that of President Biden, who's not believed to have spoken directly to Mr Putin since his full-scale invasion in 2022. Our Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford has this report from Kiev.

Sarah Rainsford in Ukraine. The authorities in Los Angeles have issued a powerful warning against looting and other criminal activity in areas abandoned by people fleeing the wildfires raging in and around the city. As we record this podcast, over 150,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes by the authorities, leaving the empty properties vulnerable to opportunistic criminals.

Sarah Rainsford in Ukraine. The authorities in Los Angeles have issued a powerful warning against looting and other criminal activity in areas abandoned by people fleeing the wildfires raging in and around the city. As we record this podcast, over 150,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes by the authorities, leaving the empty properties vulnerable to opportunistic criminals.

A nighttime curfew has been imposed in some areas. Robert Luna is the Los Angeles County Sheriff.

A nighttime curfew has been imposed in some areas. Robert Luna is the Los Angeles County Sheriff.

Officials also said that anyone flying unauthorised drones will face prosecution after a firefighting plane was taken out of action after being hit by one, hampering efforts to contain the fires. Ten people are known to have died so far. Peter Bowes, our correspondent in LA, told us about the weather conditions and the difficulties the firefighters face.

Officials also said that anyone flying unauthorised drones will face prosecution after a firefighting plane was taken out of action after being hit by one, hampering efforts to contain the fires. Ten people are known to have died so far. Peter Bowes, our correspondent in LA, told us about the weather conditions and the difficulties the firefighters face.