hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. a setback for two of the world's biggest economies — the uk and japan fall into recession. we'll get a sense of the mood among the uk's smallerfirms. the uk tipped into recession in the second half of last year as the economy shrank for two consecutive quarters between july and december. the figures from the office for national statistics estimate that gross domestic

product, a key measure of economic activity, fell by 0.3% in the last three months of 2023. that followed a contraction of 0.1% the previous quarter. it's the third time the uk has fallen into recession in the past 25 years. the first was during the financial crash in 2008, and the second at the start of covid, when much of the economy was forced to shut down. this latest recession is smaller than both, but the difficulty for the prime minister is that one of his five key pledges was to grow the economy. 0ur economics editor faisal islam reports. signs of the times in harlow town centre. 0n the one hand, some evidence of the struggle for hairdressers, retailers, restaurateurs and others on the high street. 0n the other, the need to fill recruitment gaps, too. it may look like a recession — indeed it is now officially a recession — but it's not a very normal one. we went to the foodbank because some of the products are so expensive. for example, meat. never got any money, can't go out,

everything's expensive now. things have changed. hopefully they're going to get better, or they'll get worse, won't they? we'll have to ride it through, like we've all done. - here's one way of comparing recessions. in the �*80s, �*90s and 2000s, the hit to the economy can be seen here, both how deep and long the recession lasts, with the worst during the great financial crisis of 2008 onwards. but here red is what we've seen so far in the recession now confirmed to have started last year. and how things might pan out over the next year if forecasters are right. it is still a recession, but a more moderate dip. the bigger picture here, though, is an economy that's failed to grow over nearly years. chancellor, do you accept that this is a recession? well, the numbers speak for themselves. but the underlying picture here is that our plan has been to tackle inflation, first and foremost. that does mean higher interest rates.

and so that's why it's a very important period now, despite this challenging data, that we stick to a plan that is seeing inflation really start to fall. but you've again called this a turning point. how can it be a turning point when growth is going in the wrong direction? the turning point will come when inflation falls to its target level of 2% and the bank of england feels it can bring down interest rates. the shadow chancellor blamed the recession on the prime minister. our economy is now smaller than when rishi sunak entered 10 downing street in 2022. having spent years in the slow lane, rishi sunak has now put our economy into reverse. this is rishi's recession. and it is the british people who will pay the price. 0n the outskirts of cambridge, some house building is getting going. but, as this morning's figures confirmed, it's been a tough period for construction. in 2023, the word - probably was turbulent.

the first nine months- were extremely challenging. we were still feeling the ripple effects of inflation running - through the industry. and then that was, . in a way, compounded with rising interest rates. as we came into the back end of the year, probably- the final three months, - there was a level of optimism that there was a bit of calmness coming to the market, - albeit a little bit. if he and the forecast are right, this recession won't last long. but that can't mask an economy that's failing to grow normally, or at all right now. faisal islam, bbc news. let's get the thoughts of our panel on this is a quick reminder, claire ainslie, former director of economic policy forfor lewis, ainslie, former director of economic policy for for lewis, and public domestic former policy adviser to governor mitt romney in the us.

great to have you both off of this. let's talk about the uk economy, what do you make of those figures there, a recession?— there, a recession? well, it's not aood there, a recession? well, it's not good news _ there, a recession? well, it's not good news and — there, a recession? well, it's not good news and there's _ there, a recession? well, it's not good news and there's been - there, a recession? well, it's not good news and there's been a - there, a recession? well, it's not good news and there's been a biti there, a recession? well, it's not. good news and there's been a bit of a debate about a technical recession, but people are not feeling better often part of the reason why it's been declared that we are in a recession is because consumer spending is contracting. ie people are not feeling better off enough that they can go out and spend and get the economy growing. in the way that we know that it needs to. so this is not good news for the economy and this is not the direction we wanted to go in and i think it's interesting that british people have actually been quite generous to our political leaders at different points. the understand that some of the reasons that costs increased were to do with the war in ukraine, to do with the pandemic and global supply, and don't think they will be quite generous this time when there has currently been time to set us in a different course. so

i think it spells economic trouble and political trouble, too. fin i think it spells economic trouble and politicaltrouble, too. on the olitical and politicaltrouble, too. on the political trouble _ and politicaltrouble, too. on the political trouble there, _ and politicaltrouble, too. on the political trouble there, how - political trouble there, how significant or not do you think that it's been, obviously one of the prime minister's pledges, grow the economy and yet recession is here. performance of the economy is the single biggest factor ultimately in the british general election that will take place at some point this year we believe. it's where people then feel any headline of a performance actually translates into whether they feel better or not. so todayis whether they feel better or not. so today is not a good day for consumers but is not a good day for the conservative party either, who would have been hoping for a growing economy, at least some signs of live so they might be able to start to make an argument that their actions are working. i think that makes it a lot more difficult for them to do that as a result today.—

that as a result today. very quickly. — that as a result today. very quickly. the _ that as a result today. very quickly, the uk _ that as a result today. very quickly, the uk is - that as a result today. very quickly, the uk is not - that as a result today. very i quickly, the uk is not alone that as a result today. very i quickly, the uk is not alone in academic performance was of the us is a bit of an outlier, doing very well. can you tell us all the secret? i well. can you tell us all the secret? . . well. can you tell us all the secret? .., , well. can you tell us all the secret? , . , secret? i cant pay the secret but i will tell you _ secret? i cant pay the secret but i will tell you this, _ secret? i cant pay the secret but i will tell you this, voters _ secret? i cant pay the secret but i will tell you this, voters to - will tell you this, voters to necessarily feel like the economy is doing _ necessarily feel like the economy is doing well— necessarily feel like the economy is doing well here. there is a lag between — doing well here. there is a lag between neck and a performance and how they _ between neck and a performance and how they feel we will see where they are come _ how they feel we will see where they are come the election in november. 0k, very— are come the election in november. 0k, very good, thank you very much for that. 0k, very good, thank you very much forthat. let's 0k, very good, thank you very much for that. let's go straight to greece. been keeping an eye on this vote in parliament there and i want to show you these life scenes outside, people pretty excited and jumping and cheering outside. there we go, let's take a look at what's happening there, people gathering outside expecting a vote to legalise same—sex marriage. significant increase because it will be the first christian 0rthodox country to legalise same—sex marriage. so a

huge moment for the supporters of that vote outside there. the vote taking place inside and if you've been watching the last couple of hours, we have been keeping across and try to work out exactly what's going to happen when images speak now to a journalist in greece. can you tell us what is happening? it seems expectations we all had have _ it seems expectations we all had have been proven right and the marriage — have been proven right and the marriage equality bill is passing. support— marriage equality bill is passing. support for the first articles is essentially the one that equates the film essentially the one that equates the right to _ essentially the one that equates the right to marriage to same—sex couples— right to marriage to same—sex couples has been passed with a 176 votes _ couples has been passed with a 176 votes and _ couples has been passed with a 176 votes and a — couples has been passed with a 176 votes and a 300 so that's with a clear_ votes and a 300 so that's with a clear majority. it is a clear majority _ clear majority. it is a clear majority. but as i said earlier, in the it_ majority. but as i said earlier, in the it is— majority. but as i said earlier, in the it is comprised of multiple parties — the it is comprised of multiple parties and that includes parts of the governing party, the centre—right party as well as a three — centre—right party as well as a three teft— centre—right party as well as a three left and centreleft opposition that of— three left and centreleft opposition that of coalesced together and made sure that _ that of coalesced together and made sure that this bill is now a reality _ sure that this bill is now a reality. this means that for many

greeks _ reality. this means that for many greeks ih — reality. this means that for many greeks in a — reality. this means that for many greeks in a same—sex relationship, their— greeks in a same—sex relationship, their rights — greeks in a same—sex relationship, their rights will be recognised and their rights will be recognised and their kids — their rights will be recognised and their kids protected and so this certaihty— their kids protected and so this certainly is because as celebration for everybody who cares about equality — for everybody who cares about equality and inclusion in greece. remind — equality and inclusion in greece. remind us— equality and inclusion in greece. remind us of the background because there has been strong opposition from the orthodox church. absolutely. so it certainly has not been _ absolutely. so it certainly has not been an _ absolutely. so it certainly has not been an easy endeavour to get here. this is— been an easy endeavour to get here. this is something that as a discussion in public discourse has stagnated — discussion in public discourse has stagnated for a couple of months now since the _ stagnated for a couple of months now since the prime minister was reelected and placed that he would push forward with marriage equality. so for— push forward with marriage equality. so for these past months there has been _ so for these past months there has been some — so for these past months there has been some backlash from the most pious— been some backlash from the most pious and _ been some backlash from the most pious and more conservative parts of society, _ pious and more conservative parts of society, specifically a very vocal opposition from the church. so it's quite _ opposition from the church. so it's quite historic to see a majority of the mps — quite historic to see a majority of the mp5 sort of going ahead and embracing this bill and to also see support— embracing this bill and to also see support from a centre right wing party _ support from a centre right wing

party i— support from a centre right wing party. i have to say this is something similar but we saw in the as well— something similar but we saw in the as well where the marriage equality bill was _ as well where the marriage equality bill was put forth by the torah government of david cameron at the time _ government of david cameron at the time so— government of david cameron at the time so it's — government of david cameron at the time. so it's a similar situation here _ time. so it's a similar situation here where _ time. so it's a similar situation here where you see the lawmakers coming _ here where you see the lawmakers coming forward and this really affected — coming forward and this really affected public opinion as well which — affected public opinion as well which is — affected public opinion as well which is today stands a majority in favour _ which is today stands a majority in favour of — which is today stands a majority in favour of the rights of same—sex couples — favour of the rights of same—sex couples -- _ favour of the rights of same—sex couples. —— the tory party. favour of the rights of same-sex couples. -- the tory party.- couples. -- the tory party. let's aet into couples. -- the tory party. let's get into the _ couples. -- the tory party. let's get into the detail _ couples. -- the tory party. let's get into the detail here - couples. —— the tory party. let�*s get into the detail here because the law on marriage as you just mentioned and adoption, but there are some nuances and things like surrogacy, is that right? surrogacy is excluded- _ surrogacy, is that right? surrogacy is excluded. not _ surrogacy, is that right? surrogacy is excluded. not in _ surrogacy, is that right? surrogacy is excluded. not in this _ surrogacy, is that right? surrogacy is excluded. not in this bill- surrogacy, is that right? surrogacy is excluded. not in this bill so - is excluded. not in this bill so there — is excluded. not in this bill so there is— is excluded. not in this bill so there is obviously more sort of uncharted _ there is obviously more sort of uncharted territory for lgbt activists _ uncharted territory for lgbt activists that needs to be covered in the _ activists that needs to be covered in the future. there is also a couple — in the future. there is also a couple of— in the future. there is also a couple of other niche exceptions to the law _ couple of other niche exceptions to the law as — couple of other niche exceptions to the law as of the everybody is happy, — the law as of the everybody is happy, but what people think is that this is— happy, but what people think is that this is certainly a stepping stone

towards — this is certainly a stepping stone towards a — this is certainly a stepping stone towards a much more inclusive and equal— towards a much more inclusive and equal greece. the point of the fact the in _ equal greece. the point of the fact the in other— equal greece. the point of the fact the in other countries went marriage equality— the in other countries went marriage equality was established, slowly exceptions for people in society of other— exceptions for people in society of other bt— exceptions for people in society of other bt grew tremendously. 0n the other— other bt grew tremendously. 0n the other hand. — other bt grew tremendously. 0n the other hand, hate speech or violence against _ other hand, hate speech or violence against them decreased and we have seen this— against them decreased and we have seen this in— against them decreased and we have seen this in a lot of the other countries _ seen this in a lot of the other countries that have legislated for same-sex— countries that have legislated for same—sex marriage and we expect the same _ same—sex marriage and we expect the same to— same—sex marriage and we expect the same to happen here. you've been very right — same to happen here. you've been very right to — same to happen here. you've been very right to point at this is kind of a landmark case in the global contest — of a landmark case in the global contest because greece does become the first— contest because greece does become the first majority christian orthodox country to establish a marriage — orthodox country to establish a marriage equality. it's also the easternmost country in the eu and the only— easternmost country in the eu and the only one in southeast europe and i the only one in southeast europe and i have _ the only one in southeast europe and i have to _ the only one in southeast europe and i have to imagine italy has not done this yet _ i have to imagine italy has not done this yet. certainly a landmark decision— this yet. certainly a landmark decision and might be not complete but certainly plenty of reason to celebrate. �* , ., . ., celebrate. let's touch on the olitics celebrate. let's touch on the politics again. _ celebrate. let's touch on the politics again. the _ celebrate. let's touch on the politics again. the prime - celebrate. let's touch on the - politics again. the prime minister here is centre—right so what is the significance of that? the

here is centre-right so what is the significance of that?— significance of that? the prime minister himself _ significance of that? the prime minister himself has _ significance of that? the prime minister himself has come - significance of that? the prime minister himself has come for. significance of that? the prime i minister himself has come for the support— minister himself has come for the support of— minister himself has come for the support of this bill for quite a few years— support of this bill for quite a few years now — support of this bill for quite a few years now. he has signalled his support— years now. he has signalled his support towards the community. a couple _ support towards the community. a couple of— support towards the community. a couple of years ago, he established the committee for a road map for a quality— the committee for a road map for a quality of— the committee for a road map for a quality of lgbtq citizens and some of the _ quality of lgbtq citizens and some of the more peripheral legislation there _ of the more peripheral legislation there have been put forth but a bit more _ there have been put forth but a bit more quietly and i think there is significant — more quietly and i think there is significant here because certainly divergence within the new democracy party and _ divergence within the new democracy party and have tell you that the previous — party and have tell you that the previous leader, you might recall him previous leader, you might recall hirn as— previous leader, you might recall him as a — previous leader, you might recall him as a former prime minister of greece _ him as a former prime minister of greece during the austerity crisis, he represents a much more conservative faction of that party. he really— conservative faction of that party. he really spoke against the bill earlier— he really spoke against the bill earlier today and he does have his troops _ earlier today and he does have his troops with— earlier today and he does have his troops with them as well, so some of the government party mps did vote against _ the government party mps did vote against this marriage equality bill but the _ against this marriage equality bill but the majority embraced it. so the hope is _ but the majority embraced it. so the hope is that— but the majority embraced it. so the hope is that if the centre—right party— hope is that if the centre—right party sort _ hope is that if the centre—right party sort of rallies behind the

progressive cause, this is likely going _ progressive cause, this is likely going be — progressive cause, this is likely going be reflected in society and sort of— going be reflected in society and sort of knowledge more conservative voters _ sort of knowledge more conservative voters perhaps to consider this a probably— voters perhaps to consider this a probably a — voters perhaps to consider this a probably a good thing for the equality. and essentially for democracy and the state of human rights _ democracy and the state of human rights in _ democracy and the state of human rights in this country.— rights in this country. thank you very much _ rights in this country. thank you very much for— rights in this country. thank you very much for that. _ rights in this country. thank you very much for that. just - rights in this country. thank you very much for that. just want. rights in this country. thank you very much for that. just want to | rights in this country. thank you - very much for that. just want to see if there is... let's take a listen and quickly as he was happening in these life pictures here. music. laughter. music: here comes the bride. so no coincidence there with that song choice, clearly someone is had a

think about that. let's bring in our panel. we can just react to the news out of greece. claire, your thoughts?— out of greece. claire, your thoughts? out of greece. claire, your thou~hts? h ., .,, , . out of greece. claire, your thou~hts? h ., ,. ., thoughts? it's great to see such a progressive _ thoughts? it's great to see such a progressive piece _ thoughts? it's great to see such a progressive piece of— thoughts? it's great to see such a progressive piece of legislation i progressive piece of legislation being passed in greece and congratulations to the campaigners there. and it's great to have some good news because there is a lot of very difficult issues going on in the world right now. so it's great that the progress for a quality marches on.— that the progress for a qualityj marches on._ i that the progress for a quality - marches on._ i think marches on. your thoughts? i think this is a number— marches on. your thoughts? i think this is a number of— marches on. your thoughts? i think this is a number ofjurisdictions - this is a number ofjurisdictions here _ this is a number ofjurisdictions here in— this is a number ofjurisdictions here in the _ this is a number ofjurisdictions here in the us _ this is a number ofjurisdictions here in the us where _ this is a number ofjurisdictions here in the us where this - this is a number ofjurisdictions - here in the us where this continues to be _ here in the us where this continues to be a _ here in the us where this continues to be a very— here in the us where this continues to be a very contentious _ here in the us where this continues to be a very contentious issue - to be a very contentious issue in actually— to be a very contentious issue in actually someplace _ to be a very contentious issue in actually someplace of— to be a very contentious issue in actually someplace of a - to be a very contentious issue in actually someplace of a people i actually someplace of a people would be surprised — actually someplace of a people would be surprised to — actually someplace of a people would be surprised to hear, _ actually someplace of a people would be surprised to hear, for— actually someplace of a people would be surprised to hear, for example, i be surprised to hear, for example, there _ be surprised to hear, for example, there are _ be surprised to hear, for example, there are still— be surprised to hear, for example, there are still restrictions - be surprised to hear, for example, there are still restrictions on - there are still restrictions on these — there are still restrictions on these issues. _ there are still restrictions on these issues. for— there are still restrictions on these issues. for example,�* there are still restrictions on - these issues. for example, here in my state— these issues. for example, here in my state of— these issues. for example, here in my state of california, _ these issues. for example, here in my state of california, there - my state of california, there remains _ my state of california, there remains some _ my state of california, there remains some restrictions i my state of california, there i remains some restrictions that my state of california, there - remains some restrictions that were put in _ remains some restrictions that were put in place — remains some restrictions that were put in place by— remains some restrictions that were put in place by voters _ remains some restrictions that were put in place by voters may— remains some restrictions that were put in place by voters may be - remains some restrictions that were put in place by voters may be about| put in place by voters may be about a decade _ put in place by voters may be about

a decade or— put in place by voters may be about a decade or two— put in place by voters may be about a decade or two ago _ put in place by voters may be about a decade or two ago and _ put in place by voters may be about a decade or two ago and those - put in place by voters may be about a decade or two ago and those are i a decade or two ago and those are things— a decade or two ago and those are things that — a decade or two ago and those are things that i — a decade or two ago and those are things that i imagine _ a decade or two ago and those are things that i imagine will- a decade or two ago and those are things that i imagine will be - things that i imagine will be debated _ things that i imagine will be debated and _ things that i imagine will be debated and discussed - things that i imagine will be debated and discussed as i things that i imagine will bel debated and discussed as we things that i imagine will be - debated and discussed as we move ahead _ debated and discussed as we move ahead over— debated and discussed as we move ahead over the _ debated and discussed as we move ahead over the next _ debated and discussed as we move ahead over the next couple - debated and discussed as we move ahead over the next couple of- debated and discussed as we movel ahead over the next couple of years here in _ ahead over the next couple of years here in the — ahead over the next couple of years here in the us— ahead over the next couple of years here in the us because _ ahead over the next couple of years here in the us because there - ahead over the next couple of years here in the us because there is - ahead over the next couple of years here in the us because there is no. here in the us because there is no question— here in the us because there is no question that _ here in the us because there is no question that we _ here in the us because there is no question that we are _ here in the us because there is no question that we are seeing - here in the us because there is no question that we are seeing this i question that we are seeing this movement— question that we are seeing this movement not— question that we are seeing this movement notjust _ question that we are seeing this movement notjust here - question that we are seeing this movement notjust here in- question that we are seeing this i movement notjust here in america but obviously — movement notjust here in america but obviously on _ movement notjust here in america but obviously on the _ movement notjust here in america but obviously on the screen - movement notjust here in america but obviously on the screen if - movement notjust here in america but obviously on the screen if you l but obviously on the screen if you see around — but obviously on the screen if you see around the _ but obviously on the screen if you see around the word _ but obviously on the screen if you see around the word as _ but obviously on the screen if you see around the word as well. - but obviously on the screen if you see around the word as well. indeed. plenty more — see around the word as well. indeed. plenty more reaction _ see around the word as well. indeed. plenty more reaction and _ see around the word as well. indeed. plenty more reaction and coverage i plenty more reaction and coverage from athens and greece in a moment. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bbc news, bringing you different stories from across the uk. people living in bath say this is not only an eyesore, it's starting to become an environmental problem, too. houseboats moored on the river avon have sunk, a number in the recent storms and flooding. there've been some really recently that looked like they were floated and moored quite happily. we had a heavy storm, the river came out up overnight and then the boat went down. i mean, it's a tragedy for the people who own the boats, but once the boats are sunk,

in terms of what's going to happen to them. i mean, at the moment, theyjust seem to be left to disintegrate into the river. my problem with that is this is a wildlife—rich area, believe it or not, in a city. we see cormorants here, we have kingfishers, otters on the river, even beavers apparently. and this is just openly polluting the avon. the amount of rain we get, the river goes up, goes down. unless you adjust your boats, you're going to get caught and then that pulls the boat under. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. now it's time for the panel. this is the part of the programme where our panelists get to talk about pretty much whatever they want to talk about within reason. the floor is yours. to talk about within reason. the floor is yours-— to talk about within reason. the floor is yours. there was a recent

re ort floor is yours. there was a recent report that _ floor is yours. there was a recent report that united _ floor is yours. there was a recent report that united airlines, - floor is yours. there was a recent report that united airlines, and i report that united airlines, and american — report that united airlines, and american airline here, had a fleet of new_ american airline here, had a fleet of new aircraft, the a3 t—1 airbus, they— of new aircraft, the a3 t—1 airbus, they had _ of new aircraft, the a3 t—1 airbus, they had to — of new aircraft, the a3 t—1 airbus, they had to be grounded for a few days because of an antiquated us law that requires the no smoking sign beat manually operated by the crew. now, _ beat manually operated by the crew. now. what _ beat manually operated by the crew. now, what they have been doing a lot of airlines— now, what they have been doing a lot of airlines been doing is seeking exemptions to this rule from the federal— exemptions to this rule from the federal aviation administration here in the _ federal aviation administration here in the us— federal aviation administration here in the us and apparently they forgot that they— in the us and apparently they forgot that they had these new planes and so the _ that they had these new planes and so the exemption did not extend to these _ so the exemption did not extend to these planes and they had to be grounded for really what was largely a clerical— grounded for really what was largely a clerical error. the egg everyone's faces— a clerical error. the egg everyone's faces from — a clerical error. the egg everyone's faces from the airline to the country— faces from the airline to the country that has a law from 1990 that it _ country that has a law from 1990 that it cannot fix the link with no smoking — that it cannot fix the link with no smoking signs which i'm pretty sure the left _ smoking signs which i'm pretty sure the left of— smoking signs which i'm pretty sure the left of my check, no one has smoked — the left of my check, no one has smoked on — the left of my check, no one has smoked on an aeroplane in a very long _ smoked on an aeroplane in a very long time — smoked on an aeroplane in a very long time-— smoked on an aeroplane in a very lona time. . , ., long time. remarkable. good on them that someone — long time. remarkable. good on them that someone is _ long time. remarkable. good on them that someone is checking _ long time. remarkable. good on them that someone is checking at _ long time. remarkable. good on them that someone is checking at least - long time. remarkable. good on them that someone is checking at least to i that someone is checking at least to let obviously but someone is finally checking these things. thank you for that. what do you want to talk

about, claire?— that. what do you want to talk about, claire? ., ._ ~._ ., ., about, claire? today, the mayor of london has — about, claire? today, the mayor of london has named _ about, claire? today, the mayor of london has named six _ about, claire? today, the mayor of london has named six unnamed i london has named six unnamed overground lines, and interestingly he has chosen stories of londoners to mark the naming of these lines. so the next time your viewers are in london, there might be able to travel on the liberty line or the suffragettes line or even the lioness is and i thought this was just interesting because it's a way of reminding us that politicians can make their imprint notjust through policies and economic change, but also through culture and the way people talk about their stories. some of this was quite an interesting development in london and a good reminder to us about how we can use our social history to say a bit about who we are today. i like it was that — a bit about who we are today. i like it was that we _ a bit about who we are today. i like it was that we all _ a bit about who we are today. i like it was that we all know _ a bit about who we are today. i like it was that we all know about the two blind names of course now we've got six more to learn on the overground trains. claire, thank you

both very much for being such a good panel this evening and we appreciate your time, thank you. just before i 90, your time, thank you. just before i go, one at that you back to greece for that little moment of history there and this is live in athens, there and this is live in athens, the capital. politicians there have just voted and they have voted to legalise same—sex marriage. significant they are in greece because it is the first christian orthodox majority country to do so. we have a breakdown from the voting, 176 mp5 we have a breakdown from the voting, 176 mps voting in favour, 76 against and two registering absent. so they vote in favour of legalising same—sex marriage and adoption, too. with 176 mp5 same—sex marriage and adoption, too. with176 mps voting in favour, 76 against, two abstentions in the face of a lot of opposition from the

orthodox church, strongly opposed, but public opinion in favour. and the mps voting in favour there and i imagine lots of people out on the streets in athens will be celebrating for a good few hours to come. that's it, this bbc news. hello from the bbc sport centre. i'm hugh ferris. christian horner says claims of inappropriate and controlling behaviour that have been made against him are "a distraction" for his red bull team, but insists it's "business as usual" as they prepare for the new formula 1 season. horner, seen on the right here at the launch of this season's car today, is the subject of an internal investigation after complaints from a female colleague. he denies the allegations and spent several hours being questioned by a lawyer last week, but he told the bbc�*s laura scott he will be in place for the opening

grand prix of the 2024 campaign in bahrain at the beginning of next month. it is a distraction for the team, but the team are very together. they're very focused on the season ahead, and they've been tremendously supportive. so, yeah, looking forward to the season ahead of us. given that you've said it's a distraction, would it be better if you stepped aside while the investigation ran its course? no, because i deny any of the allegations that have been made. for me, it's absolutely business as normal, focusing on preparing for the season ahead. do you stand by your leadership at red bull racing? yes, absolutely. well, england started well, but india ended day one of the third test in rajkot in a good position, recovering from 33—3 to 326—5 at the close. a century each for rohit sharma and ravindra jadeja did the damage for the home side, asjoe wilson reports.

traffic at rajkot pace outside the stadium. inside, mark wood, 90 mph. he took two indian wickets rapidly. then tom hartley bowled his slow stuff, 33—3. well, hold that sign high, india's players needed to see it. captain rohit sharma on 27 should've been caught there. instead he started attacking here. respect to the bowler, but the day was now for the batters. rohit making his way to 100. ravi jadeja added his experience and controlled aggression. their partnership was over 200 runs together. just when it seemed rohit could hit the ball anywhere,

he found ben stokes. he was gone, mark wood was back. making his debut, looking at ease for india, got to 50. making his debut, he looked at ease for india. jadeja batting on 99, seeking another run, at the other end they responded and ran him out. spot the reaction from india's captain. england misused their reviews, they couldn't remove him. his flourish and he's still there. india 326—5 setting the pace. joe wilson, bbc news. the opening night of the new super league season could barely be going better for hull kr. they started their campaign with a comfortable victory over rivals hull fc, who ended the game two men short. franklin pele is from auckland, not hull, but was perhaps affected a little

too much with derby fever. the prop was sent offjust before half time on his hull fc debut. rovers were already on top by that point, and it was matt parcell with a second—half try that stretched their lead. kylian mbappe has told paris saint—germain he will leave the club at the end of the season, setting up a summer transfer of one of football's biggest stars. the france forward's contract at psg is due to expire, and he's been free to talk to other clubs since january. he has long been linked with a move to real madrid. there've been two gold medals for britain in the world aquatics championships today, with both athletes achieving the feat for the first time. aidan heslop won the high diving event in doha. the platform is 27 metres high, and heslop's final dive had the toughest rating possible. he nailed it — all high dives end feet first into the water — to finish nine points clear of the rest in an event heslop hopes to eventually be included at the olympics. there was a maiden world title, too, for laura stephens. she won the women's 200—metre butterfly, becoming britain's first individual female world champion since rebecca adlington in 2011. elsewhere, gb�*s women took silver in the 4x200—metres freestyle.

i'm really proud of it. i've been in a lot of world championships... a few world championship finals and a lot of the time i come away disappointed or feeling like lot of the time i come away disappointed orfeeling like i did not put my better was out there. boris and not flood wi boris and not flood w i could've done better than this. i'm really happy with that and really proud of that. and that's all the sport for now. hello there. we're certainly seeing quite a lot of rain so far this february, but it's also been incredibly mild with it at times. and this warmer and wet story is perfect growing ingredients for those early spring bulbs out there. now, temperatures at this time of year should be sitting around 8—9 degrees as an average, butjust take a look at what happened during thursday. we saw temperatures widely into the mid—teens, and for some as high as 18 celsius. so, yes, it was incredibly mild. the mild theme is set to continue, perhaps not quite as mild, but nevertheless pleasant enough.

and on friday, we should start the day with some sunshine coming through. a westerly wind just feeding in a few isolated showers across wales and northern england, but on the whole, pleasant enough. bit more of a breeze down towards the south, and the cooler northerly breeze across the far north of scotland. so here, a little bit cooler, but generally temperatures between 12—14 celsius. now, into the start of the weekend, we've still got that little ridge of high pressure with us to begin with, but this weather front starting to push in from the atlantic. so, first thing on saturday, some early brightness in eastern areas, clouding over quite quickly and it will be quite drizzly with it as well. the further west you go, we'll start to see some rain, some of it heavy by the end of the afternoon. but still the wind direction coming from a southerly, so still those temperatures above where they should be for the time of year, 944 celsius the high. that rain will sweep its way steadily south and east overnight saturday into sunday morning, so a bit of a contrast first thing on sunday morning.

we could see some rain lingering for a time through the east midlands and down into south—east england, but it will slowly improve, brightening up across the far north in scotland, northern ireland, northern england, eventually western areas by the end of the afternoon. and in the sunshine, well, it'll still feel pleasant enough, but it could stay rather grey in the south—east through much of sunday. into the early half of next week, it's a similar weather story. we'll have one frontal system easing away, a ridge of high pressure building, but not lasting, another front pushing in. and the isobars squeezing together, the winds could be a feature. so it's not a wash—out by any means. there will be some sunnier moments. it stays relatively mild, but also some rain at times.

tonight at ten — the uk goes into recession. we'll look at the economic and political repercussions. the r word, recession, is one that spooks elected governments the world over. why? because they fear voters will blame them. will we get a sense of that here tonight? this is the count at one of two parliamentary by—elections that have happened today. also tonight — donald trump becomes the first former us president to face criminal trial, as a judge sets the date for next month.

chaos inside southern gaza's largest hospital, as israel says it has captured dozens of hamas gunman. we speak to christian homer, the boss of formula one racing team red bull, as he appears in public for the first time since allegations of inappropriate behaviour. president putin on who he wants to be the next us president — the answer may surprise you. and more than 50 years after it went missing, how sir paul mccartney has been reunited with his treasured bass guitar. and stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world. good evening. the uk went into recession in the second half of last year.

it's the third recession in the uk since the financial crash in 2008.