hello, i'm azadeh moshiri. welcome to the programme. the uk — which is the world's sixth largest economy — has gone into recession. and japan has unexpectedly fallen into a recession after its own economy shrank for two quarters in a row. the office for national statistics reports that in the three months to december, the economy shrank by 0.3%. that follows a shrink of 0.1% from july to august, meaning the uk ended the year in recesssion. now, a reminder that gdp is a way of measuring all the economic activity of companies, governments and individuals in a country. it's a blow for prime minister rishi sunak, given one of his so—called five pledges announced last year was to have the economy growing by the end of 2023. he has admitted he's likely to fail to meet that one. with more on this, our chief economics correspondent, dharshini david, joins us

from the newsroom. thank you so much for your time. we mentioned japan there, how does the uk compared to other countries around the world? i uk compared to other countries around the world?— around the world? i think the crucial thing _ around the world? i think the crucial thing to _ around the world? i think the crucial thing to understand i around the world? i think the . crucialthing to understand here, crucial thing to understand here, because quite frankly everyone measures their economy slightly differently and there are different factors going on, but the uk is not alone by any means. if you look at the factors that lie behind the uk's depth in the second half of last year, and it is really a dip, it is a very mild recession by most standards, you're talking about the cost of living crisis, of course, those high prices which hit consumers and businesses particularly hard, and the measures deployed to combat those issues, the high interest rates. what you get as a result is this impact on activity. so the uk is not alone by any means.

the eu hasjust very so the uk is not alone by any means. the eu has just very narrowly avoided going into recession, but it has pretty much flatlined. germany flatlined, like the uk debt in the final months of 2023. and we learned in recent hours that japan has unexpectedly gone into recession in recent months. a lot of common factors, each country has slightly different issues going on if you start putting beneath the bonnet, so to speak. in the uk, we have also had brexit, that has impacted investment. perhaps also the availability of skilled workers. so there are individual factors, availability of skilled workers. so there are individualfactors, but availability of skilled workers. so there are individual factors, but a very common problem. we should see all of these figures relate to what happened last year. the initial signs, very tentative, is that this kind of downturn, based in the uk, may be pretty short—lived. it is may be pretty short-lived. it is important _ may be pretty short-lived. it is important what _ may be pretty short-lived. it is important what you _ may be pretty short—lived. it is important what you decide, pretty short—lived, because hasn't the director of economic statistics at the ons director of economic statistics at the 0ns said that we should be looking at the broader picture? how

do economists view this news? is the word recession tending to scare people? we word recession tending to scare --eole? ~ , ., word recession tending to scare eo le? . , ., ., word recession tending to scare --eole? ~ , ., ., people? we should not get too tied u - . .. we people? we should not get too tied un- -- we could _ people? we should not get too tied up... we could pick— people? we should not get too tied up... we could pick it— people? we should not get too tied up... we could pick it until- up... we could pick it until tomorrow about what actually is a recession, there are different ways of measuring it. the most common measure used by economists is to look at where you have got to consecutive quarters where output is falling, that is what has happened in the uk. it is a very marginal fall, that is one of the reasons why people are going, hang on a minute. if you look at some of the other indicators, thejobs market in the uk has been quite resilient. what we have seen recently happening in the uk is that wages have overtaken inflation. alike there had been for a couple of years. so what you have got as you go into 2024 is a slightly better picture for a lot of households. that is why a lot of economists are saying, hang about, things could get slightly better. but when we say that, it is important to put this into context, because if you look at the uk's track record over recent years, it

has been pretty much flatlining in the most recent years. on the whole, the most recent years. on the whole, the last 15 years, growth has been a fraction of what it was prior to 2008, which makes a very important person, how do you turbo boost productivity?— person, how do you turbo boost roductivi ? ., ~ , ., ., , productivity? thank you for putting that into perspective _ productivity? thank you for putting that into perspective for _ productivity? thank you for putting that into perspective for us. - let's speak now to our political correspondent helen catt in westminster. downing street is going to be looking at these results very closely. how challenging is this news for the government? figs closely. how challenging is this news for the government? as you heard, this _ news for the government? as you heard. this is _ news for the government? as you heard, this is a _ news for the government? as you heard, this is a mild _ news for the government? as you heard, this is a mild recession, i news for the government? as you | heard, this is a mild recession, but does that mean that the government can just completely brush it off? well, it does not. having a economy thatis well, it does not. having a economy that is not growing as a challenge for any government. and for this one in particular because one of rishi sunak has backed big promises that he made last year was that he was going to get the economy growing. you did not set a specific timescale on that. what we are hearing this morning from the government as an

explanation or an argument that what is happening as it is going to grow, just not yet, and it has been a result of the actions that have been taken by the bank of england to put up taken by the bank of england to put up interest rates, for example, to try to bring down inflation, which is their priority last year. so jeremy hunt, the chancellor, has been downplaying this fall. we always expected growth to be weaker while we prioritised tackling inflation, and that means higher interest rates, and that is the right thing to do because you cannot have long—term, healthy growth with high inflation. but also for families, when there is a cost crisis, —— but also for families, when there is a cost of living crisis, when the cost of their weekly shop is going up, their energy bills are much higher, it is the right thing to do. the underlying picture here is an economy that is more resilient than most people predicted, inflation is coming down, real wages have been going up now for six months. and if we stick to our guns, independent forecasters say that by the early summer we could start to see interest rates falling, and that will be a very important

relief for families with mortgages. what do you make of reports that the chancellor could be considering tax cuts after this? just chancellor could be considering tax cuts after this?— cuts after this? just before we get to that, i cuts after this? just before we get to that. i want _ cuts after this? just before we get to that, i want to _ cuts after this? just before we get to that, i want to give _ cuts after this? just before we get to that, i want to give you - cuts after this? just before we get to that, i want to give you a - to that, i want to give you a flavour of some of the reaction we have had from opposition politicians here in the uk to this news this morning. labour, the main opposition party, has talked about the chancellor's comments and said that they are insulting and out of touch. they are trying to pin this, very clearly, both they and the liberal democrats, are trying to pin this fall very clearly on the prime minister, rishi sunak. they are calling this rishi sunak�*s recession. partly because of the pledges, partly as a reminder that rishi sunak and hisjob before this was the chancellor. so they are very much going on the offensive about this this morning. labour saying it means rishi sunak can no longer credibly claim that his plan is working. the liberal democrats suggesting that the recession has savaged the british economy by

decimating growth and leaving families to cope with spiralling prices. so, to a question about these reports that the chancellor might be planning to reduce public spending further to fund tax cuts in his budget, which is due next month, that comes against the backdrop of the government having already pencilled in some pretty low spending rises over the next few years, which economists have questioned as being not even fiction. so there is a context background to that.- fiction. so there is a context background to that. helen catt, thank ou background to that. helen catt, thank you so — background to that. helen catt, thank you so much _ background to that. helen catt, thank you so much for- background to that. helen catt, thank you so much for that. - to the us next — and 22 people have been shot at a super bowl victory parade in kansas city. at least one of the victims was killed and seven have life threatening injuries. the kansas police chief said three suspects are in custody, and firearms have been recovered. the shots were fired west of union station, the train station in downtown kansas city. thousands were celebrating the victory of the kansas city chiefs in american

football's premier event. the shooting ended all that, and instead many were running to safety. will vernon reports from washington. gunshots ring out in central kansas city — the streets packed with families and sports fans. police rushed to the scene, as the injured are given first aid. this reporter for local tv about to go live as the chaos unfolds. eyewitnesses described scenes of panic. all of a sudden, people started crushing forward. everybody started running. there was screaming. we didn't know what was happening. but this day and age, when people run, you run. people had gathered for this — a victory parade to celebrate the local american football team's win in the super bowl — america's

biggest sporting event. over 800 police had been deployed to protect the crowds. the mayor of kansas city said that shootings like this were becoming all too common in america. i think that's something that all of us who are parents, who are just regular people living each day have to decide what we wish to do about it. parades, rallies, schools, movies. it seems like almost nothing is safe. the kansas city chiefs' star player posted on social media that he was heartbroken over the tragedy. travis kelce said... "kansas city means the world to me." another wrote simply... "praying for kansas city." in a statement last night, president biden said... "joy had been turned to tragedy," and he called on americans to find the resolve to end what he called the senseless epidemic of gun violence.

will vernon, bbc news, washington. the victim of this attack has been named as lisa lopez—galvan — she's a local radio dj. a kansas city radio host dana wright spoke to the bbc and paid tribute to lisa lopez—galvan. she is a beloved member of our community and i spoke with one of her friends today who is absolutely heartbroken. her cousin actually called into our programme when she was in critical condition and was trying to explain just the disbelief that this beloved member of our community and who djs all of the weddings, she isjust a huge light and beautiful person in our community, that is really well—known for all of the weddings. and he called in when she was in critical condition. and about an hour later called in again to share the news with us live on our programme that she had in fact passed away at the hospital. and she, like everyone else, joined the 800,000, 900,000

others going down just to have a great time and celebrate. this was a day of celebration. and the fact that this happened between what appears to be two groups of idiots who don't understand conflict resolution, he lot with 850 law enforcement officers there, including snipers, the fbi, homeland security, that somehow thought they could come in with guns and disrupt this day, are now so many families are shattered because of it. quite frankly, the town is heartbroken. but we are angry, we are so angry that this has happened here on ed that is reserved to bring everyone together. i want to bring everyone together. i want to give you a quick story. i have four children, these were the kids that grew up with school shooter drills. there was a moment today that i thought my youngest son, who was about to graduate high school,

was about to graduate high school, was there at the parade. it turns out he was not downtown. and i walked in today and i hugged him and i... it was hard for me when i saw him because i know there are people tonight that are not getting to hug their loved ones. and he said to me, "mum, i know the drill. i know the drill when you hear the shots. you duck and cover." he goes, "i am going to be fine." and i would remind everybody, this is on us, as americans, this is on us full stop and we are raising an entire generation of children who think this is normal. it is not. it is not normal and it is no longer something that we can say happens in other communities because it has now happened here. foreign secretary david cameron and the polish foreign minister are speaking now. transition back we

speaking now. transition back we: talked speaking now. transition back we talked about concrete steps we want to take together in the coming weeks to take together in the coming weeks to strengthen ukraine's defence capabilities. i also discussed my efforts at eu level to increase the production capacity of the arms industry in the european men —— european union member states. we have also changed national lessons in terms of enforcing sanctions imposed by our countries and the eu on russia. i am very happy with his visit. we will continue our efforts tomorrow at the munich security conference. thank you very much once again to the foreign secretary, and i would like to kindly ask him to convey my best wishes for a speedy recovery to his majesty king

charles. recovery to his ma'esty king charles. ., ~ , ., , . , charles. thank you very much. it is treat to charles. thank you very much. it is great to be — charles. thank you very much. it is great to be with _ charles. thank you very much. it is great to be with you _ charles. thank you very much. it is great to be with you again. - charles. thank you very much. it is great to be with you again. as - charles. thank you very much. it is great to be with you again. as you | great to be with you again. as you say, _ great to be with you again. as you say, we _ great to be with you again. as you say, we have had several conversations since you got your new 'ob conversations since you got your new job and _ conversations since you got your new job and i_ conversations since you got your new job and i got— conversations since you got your new job and i got my newjob. it is great — job and i got my newjob. it is great to— job and i got my newjob. it is great to be back in poland. i made several_ great to be back in poland. i made several visits to this country as prime — several visits to this country as prime minister, and i am very proud to be _ prime minister, and i am very proud to be back— prime minister, and i am very proud to be back your as foreign secretary. it is good to see that the british— polish relationship is in such_ the british— polish relationship is in such a — the british— polish relationship is in such a strong position. a strong position— in such a strong position. a strong position diplomatically, economically, in terms of our cooperation on so many levels. as you did, _ cooperation on so many levels. as you did, let— cooperation on so many levels. as you did, let me pay tribute told the over 700,000 polish people who live in the _ over 700,000 polish people who live in the uk _ over 700,000 polish people who live in the uk and make such an incredible contribution to our country _ incredible contribution to our country. one of the ways they have contributed — country. one of the ways they have contributed so well, and i have seen this first _ contributed so well, and i have seen this first hand, is the over 300,000 ukrainians— this first hand, is the over 300,000 ukrainians we have welcomed into the uk, the _ ukrainians we have welcomed into the uk, the polish community has played an absolutely key role in helping them _ an absolutely key role in helping them to — an absolutely key role in helping them to access services and to find homes _ them to access services and to find homes and — them to access services and to find homes and work and to find a solid

future _ homes and work and to find a solid future in _ homes and work and to find a solid future in the uk. we pay tribute to them _ future in the uk. we pay tribute to them we — future in the uk. we pay tribute to them. we are partners in so many ways, _ them. we are partners in so many ways, we— them. we are partners in so many ways, we are— them. we are partners in so many ways, we are very strong nato partners. — ways, we are very strong nato partners. indeed, there are 400 british— partners. indeed, there are 400 british troops serving here in poland _ british troops serving here in poland. we want to see a stronger nato, _ poland. we want to see a stronger nato, as_ poland. we want to see a stronger nato, as you do. you are making huge commitments on defence spending, which _ commitments on defence spending, which we _ commitments on defence spending, which we applaud, and both of us are delighted _ which we applaud, and both of us are delighted to see finland join nato, we want _ delighted to see finland join nato, we want to see swedenjoin nato. we ur-e we want to see swedenjoin nato. we urge our— we want to see swedenjoin nato. we urge our hungarian counterpart to make — urge our hungarian counterpart to make that _ urge our hungarian counterpart to make that happen as soon as possible _ make that happen as soon as possible. i think the strengthening of nato _ possible. i think the strengthening of nato in — possible. i think the strengthening of nato in this difficult and dangerous and uncertain world is one of the _ dangerous and uncertain world is one of the ttest— dangerous and uncertain world is one of the best thing is that we can do, notiust_ of the best thing is that we can do, notiust for— of the best thing is that we can do, notjust for european of the best thing is that we can do, not just for european security but for global— not just for european security but for global security. we are very strong — for global security. we are very strong economic partners, retreat has reached over £30 billion, that is record — has reached over £30 billion, that is record levels, and we want to continue — is record levels, and we want to continue to— is record levels, and we want to continue to make that expand. as you said, continue to make that expand. as you said. we _ continue to make that expand. as you said. we are _ continue to make that expand. as you said, we are also partners in fighting _ said, we are also partners in fighting organised crime and infighting illegal migration. we both face challenges in this regard, and i_ both face challenges in this regard, and i think— both face challenges in this regard, and i think it is important to look

at new— and i think it is important to look at new ways that we can combat illegal— at new ways that we can combat illegal migration and demonstrate to our countries... you illegal migration and demonstrate to our countries. . ._ our countries... you were 'ust listeningfi our countries... you were 'ust listening there i our countries... you were 'ust listening there to i our countries... you were 'ust listening there to the i our countries... you were 'ust listening there to the uk b our countries... you were just i listening there to the uk foreign secretary david cameron and the polish foreign minister discussing global security, as well as support for ukraine. let's look at some other stories. you are watching bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. voters are going to the polls to elect new mps in kingswood and wellingborough. the by—elections will decide who'll replace former conservative mps chris skidmore and peter bone — with both seats won by the tories at the last general election in 2019. polling stations close at ten pm, with results expected from early on friday morning. in northern ireland, public finances and childcare provision will be on the agenda when stormont ministers meet later. it's the first substantive meeting of the executive since power—sharing returned after a 24—month hiatus.

the focus on finances comes amid a dispute between the uk government and stormont over a £3.3 billion financial package for restoring devolution. actor david harewood has been named the new president of the prestigious british drama school rada. harewood — who appeared in homeland and supergirl — is taking overfrom sir kenneth branagh — who's stepping down after nine years in the role. you're live with bbc news: let's look at the latest in the middle east now. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has promised to press ahead with a ground offensive against hamas in rafah. that's despite a growing international outcry. benjamin netanyahu said powerful action was needed after civilians had been allowed to leave battle zones. but france's president emmanuel macron and germany's foreign minister have held talks with the israeli leader and added their voices to those

urging israel against this offensive. translation: these people cannot simply j vanish into thin air. if the israeli army were to launch an offensive on rafah under these conditions, it would be a humanitarian catastrophe in the making. people need safe places and safe corridors to avoid being caught in the crossfire. and we have talked about this intensively today. let's speak to our correspondent jenny hill injerusalem. thank you for your time. the concern here is the palestinians sheltering in rafah right now. what do we know about any evacuation plan? weill. in rafah right now. what do we know about any evacuation plan? well, the israelis about any evacuation plan? well, the israelis said — about any evacuation plan? well, the israelis said that _ about any evacuation plan? well, the israelis said that they _ about any evacuation plan? well, the israelis said that they would - about any evacuation plan? well, the israelis said that they would make i israelis said that they would make arrangements to get civilians out of the city before that ground operation commences. but what we do not have are any details of their apparent plans. that is what is really concerning so much of the

international community and aid agencies, governments, as you said there. the latest three leaders of australia, canada, new zealand, have expressed their concerns anyjoint statement saying a ground operation there right now would be devastating. israel's position is that it believes there are hamas fighters holed up in that city, who may have been responsible for the attacks on october seven. they want to seek them out and destroy them. but of course, of such concern are the i but of course, of such concern are thei million or so people who have fled, civilians who have sought refuge in rafah. it is the southernmost city of the gaza strip. they are living, many of them, and tented accommodation, in some cases right up against the egyptian border. a border which right now is closed to them. as you saw there, the german foreign minister speaking for many of her peers when she said there is simply nowhere for those civilians to go. so, urgent calls, pressure mounting on benjamin netanyahu to change his strategy

there. he, as you have already pointed out, remains pretty resolute, saying that he intends to press ahead with that powerful ground offensive. all of this as talks continue to try to broker some kind of temporary ceasefire, as well as the return of the more than 130 israeli hostages taken into gaza by hamas on october seven. none of what is going on seems to bode particularly well for those talks. there has been no significant official breakthrough, the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has dismissed hamas's demands during those negotiations as delusional. thank you for that update. there is plenty more unaware bbc news website. let's ta ke let's take it back to that press conference in poland. this let's take it back to that press conference in poland. as david says, this is a fundamental— conference in poland. as david says, this is a fundamental decision - conference in poland. as david says, this is a fundamental decision that i this is a fundamental decision that will influence the credibility on

the us— will influence the credibility on the us globally among its allies, so we appeal— the us globally among its allies, so we appeal for this assistance package _ we appeal for this assistance package to be voted on. thank you very much — package to be voted on. thank you very much. thank you very much. well, _ very much. thank you very much. well, you — very much. thank you very much. well, you just heard the polish foreign minister talking about the credibility of the united states when dealing with this ukrainian military package for ukraine. let's look at the war in ukraine now. the secretary general of nato — jens stoltenberg — has warned that us failure to approve an aid package for ukraine is already having an impact on the battlefield. mr stoltenberg was speaking after kyiv described the situation on the front line as "increasingly difficult". here's more of what he said. let's speak to solomiia bobrovska who is a ukrainian mp, and deputy head of the ukrainian delegation in the nato parliamentary assembly. thank you so much for your time. i do not know if you cut a bit of that

press conference we were just playing, but the polish foreign minister was talking about the us aid package. at what point is this delay going to result in a serious problem for ukraine? first delay going to result in a serious problem for ukraine?— delay going to result in a serious problem for ukraine? first of all, this aid is vital— problem for ukraine? first of all, this aid is vital for _ problem for ukraine? first of all, this aid is vital for ukraine. - problem for ukraine? first of all, this aid is vital for ukraine. what| this aid is vital for ukraine. what we see, what aid is coming to ukraine, it is almost on the zero point unfortunately. that is having an impact on the front line, especially in a small town, one of the hardest points on the front line. this will be vital for ukraine, everybody must understand this. this delay of the aid, delay in support, that is showing russia that they can continue to push and

show the resolve before the elections in russia. the washington nato summit, which has finally, we hope, to announce invitation to ukraine, that is how the response can be for russia, from the partner site. , , ., site. there is this momentum in the united states. _ site. there is this momentum in the united states, isn't _ site. there is this momentum in the united states, isn't there? - site. there is this momentum in the united states, isn't there? it - site. there is this momentum in the united states, isn't there? it was i united states, isn't there? it was just over the weekend we had donald trump make those comments that it would tell russia that it could do whatever the hell it wants with nato members who aren't meeting their spending commitment to defence. from your ukrainian perspective, how do your ukrainian perspective, how do you believe that would have been received by president putin? i you believe that would have been received by president putin? i think president putin _ received by president putin? i think president putin will— received by president putin? i think president putin will applaud - received by president putin? i think president putin will applaud the - president putin will applaud the decision. that is another way for

europe to be more independent and finally be more aggressive, actually, with their position towards russia. it is the time that europe has to take responsibility for itself and show that they can defend their interests by itself. not only the brits, nordic, baltic states can lead in this situation, but also the old europe has to seek leadership and responsibility. that is the way and the time for europe to be more independent and more serious in taking decisions, especially about defence. russia is not somewhere in the middle of nowhere, it is hundreds of kilometres from the capital. just briefl , i kilometres from the capital. just briefly, i want _ kilometres from the capital. just briefly, i want to _ kilometres from the capital. just briefly, i want to ask you in that case, do you believe that we nato

membership should be increasing that spending, if you are saying they need to stand on their own? absolutely. the war in ukraine shows the differences and the gap between the differences and the gap between the capacities with russian capacities. the capacities with russian capacities-— the capacities with russian caacities. , ., ., ., capacities. sorry, we are going to have to leave _ capacities. sorry, we are going to have to leave it _ capacities. sorry, we are going to have to leave it there, _ capacities. sorry, we are going to have to leave it there, but - capacities. sorry, we are going to have to leave it there, but thankl have to leave it there, but thank you so much for your time. please stay with us, there is plenty more on bbc news. hello again. today is going to be very mild for the time of year. it is notjust across the uk where we are seeing these milder conditions, it is across europe as well where temperatures are a good 10—15 above average. what we have is this where the front moving from the west towards the east and another one taking rain steadily northwards. this will continue through the afternoon. if anything, the rain popping up across the south—west, south—west wales back at the midland will top this will be heavy and

persistent, following an already saturated ground. towards the east, some brighter skies. i'm the weather front, brighterskies. it is some brighter skies. i'm the weather front, brighter skies. it is on the brighter skies in the east where we could have temperatures of 17—18. temperature is higher today in scotland than they were yesterday. through this evening and overnight, or whether pant continues to push towards the south and east, weakening, to the rain is turning more patchy. more cloud in the west with some scattered showers, but in between some clearer skies. it is not going to be as mild a night as it was last night, but nonetheless it was last night, but nonetheless it is still going to be pretty mild for most of us. tomorrow, front clears away from the south—east, we have got a little ridge of high pressure coming in, but you can see it is going to be breezy in the south and pretty windy in the north tomorrow. it is a chilly northerly wind that is coming here. we start up wind that is coming here. we start up with the cloud in the west, some scattered showers, it will start to break up through the course of the day. for many of us, it will turn out to be quite a bright day. temperature wise, down a touch on

today, but nonetheless still above average for the time of year. six in lerwick to a high of 14 in norwich and london. as we head into saturday, we start off on a dry note, again variable amounts of cloud, some brighter skies, but the cloud, some brighter skies, but the cloud thickens up out towards the west, heralding the arrival of our next weather front bringing in some rain and strengthening winds. temperatures, five in lerwick, ten in stornoway, to 14 in london. 0vernight saturday into sunday, the weather front crosses us, clearing slowly from the south—east during the course of sunday. a lot of dry weather behind, some sunshine, a few showers coming in towards the west. the next weather front never too far away. these are our maximum temperatures. eight in lerwick to a highs of 13—14 in the south.

this is bbc news, the headlines: a setback for two of the world's biggest economies — the uk and japan fall into recessions. president biden makes a new appeal for gun control — after a mass shooting at a super bowl victory parade in kansas city. launch control room: three, two, one, ignition. and lift—off. and a rocket blasts off from florida — carrying a commercial robotic lander

to the moon. returning to our top story — and the uk has gone into recession. it's the world's sixth largest economy. the office for national statistics reports that in the three months to december, the economy shrank 0.3%. that follows a shrink of 0.1% from july to august, meaning the uk ended the year in recesssion. now a reminder that gdp is a way of measuring all the economic activity of companies, governments and individuals in a country. it's a blow for prime minister rishi sunak, given one of his so—called five pledges announced last year was to have the economy growing by the end of 2023. he has admitted he's likely to fail to meet that one. speaking to our economic editor faisal islam, chancellorjeremy hunt insists the government's plan to revive the economy is working despite the latest indications.