this is bbc news with the latest headlines. the uk economy at a standstill — new figures show even though we narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, there was no growth at all in the final three months of the year. we are not out of the woods, inflation is still much too high, thatis inflation is still much too high, that is causing pain for families inflation is still much too high, that is causing pain forfamilies up and down the country, which is why we need to stick to our plan to have inflation. more than 21,000 people are now known to have been killed in earthquakes in turkey and syria. the united nations warns the full extent of destruction still isn't clear. an raf plane has been sent to turkey providing aid for those left homeless by the quakes.

two weeks since nicola bulley disappeared whilst walking her dog in lancashire. now the police are extending their search downstream. and 10,000 tickets to a concert to mark the king's coronation in may are on offer via a ballot. the uk saw no economic growth in the final three months of last year according to the latest official statistics released this morning. it means the country narrowly avoided what's defined as a recession — two consecutive quarters when the economy shrinks. the government says it shows the uk was more resilient than expected, after the bank of england had warned of a long period of stagnation.

but the economy did shrink by 0.5% in december, and business leaders warn that firms are still struggling. the chancellor, jeremy hunt, says there is reason for optimism. well, the fact that we have avoided a recession, in fact we were the fastest growing major country last year, shows there is underlying resilience in the uk economy. but we are not out of the woods, inflation is still much too high, that is causing pain forfamilies up is still much too high, that is causing pain for families up and down the country, which is why we need to stick to our plan to halve inflation. if we do that, and play to our strengths in science and technology, we really can be one of the most prosperous countries in europe. so that was chancellorjeremy hunt speaking earlier. let's get more on this from ben boulos, who was in

manchester, talking to us about what all of this means on the ground. ben, overto all of this means on the ground. ben, over to you. yes, this is what economic activity looks like, including at this construction site, it is all about building things, it is about making things, producing things, selling things, buying things. that is what the figure out today tells us, a gauge of how much economic activity there was in the uk economy as a whole over the three—month period of october, november and december compared with the three months before that. why do we look for economic growth? it generally means there is an increase in prosperity and a rise in living standards. so the figures showed that the economy was stagnant, it was flat, it was no bigger in that three—month period at the end of last year than it was in the previous three months. why does that matter? it suggests that people are not more, businesses are not producing more, it might be harder to find a job, not as many people

are paying taxes, so the government gets less to spend on public surfaces. 0n gets less to spend on public surfaces. on a positive note, a flat economy, while not ideal, is better than a shrinking economy. it means the uk avoided tipping into recession, which is when you see the real problems. so a bit of relief on that front, but there are so many respected economists warning that, over the coming year, the uk economy is likely to shrink. i am on this building site here in manchester, one of about 25 in the area that have got started in the past year. let's speak to zoe from deloitte, you specialise on the state of construction in the uk. this is interesting, if the economy is flat, you wouldn't expect to see as much construction activity, would you? you are right, ben, the statistics show economic headwinds, but we are finding in the regional cities across the uk, especially the four

that we surveyed, that actually this sector is really resilient, and the fact that we have had 7a new studs on sites across those four cities means we are going to see continued activity in the sector and construction over the next couple of years on those sites in development, and in manchester and salford, for example, residential developments are having a real boost, 12,000 units currently in development in the city centre. mil units currently in development in the city centre.— the city centre. all very well for the city centre. all very well for the city centre. all very well for the city centres, _ the city centre. all very well for the city centres, but _ the city centre. all very well for the city centres, but what - the city centre. all very well for| the city centres, but what about people lives and towns and rural areas away from city centres? do they see the benefit? is there activity going on in those areas in construction?— activity going on in those areas in construction? well, there is, but it is fair to construction? well, there is, but it is fairto say— construction? well, there is, but it is fair to say the _ construction? well, there is, but it is fair to say the cities _ construction? well, there is, but it is fair to say the cities are - is fair to say the cities are definitely a hive of activity, and they are really the centres for growth in the region is at the moment, and what we will see is government support looking towards the towns as well as the cities, to try to make sure the economic boost continues, so we continue to see the cycle deliver through 2024—25. we

cycle deliver through 2024-25. we are cycle deliver through 2024—25. we are aware of lots of uncertainties in the economy, energy prices, cost of living pressures, lots of uncertainty. what is it, then, that is prompting construction to go ahead when normally if there is uncertainty businesses might not decide to pay for a new office building, for example? i decide to pay for a new office building, for example? i think what we are seeing _ building, for example? i think what we are seeing is _ building, for example? i think what we are seeing is a _ building, for example? i think what we are seeing is a really _ building, for example? i think what we are seeing is a really long - building, for example? i think what we are seeing is a really long term| we are seeing is a really long term view, development and the construction industry need to take a long—term view, you cannot switch on and off building sites like this, but what you can say is that sites that came live last you will need to continue to work through the next few months, and we will see that continue. ., ., ~ , ., , few months, and we will see that continue. ., . ~' , ., , . continue. zoe, thank you very much, zoe davidson — continue. zoe, thank you very much, zoe davidson from _ continue. zoe, thank you very much, zoe davidson from deloitte. - continue. zoe, thank you very much, zoe davidson from deloitte. you - continue. zoe, thank you very much, | zoe davidson from deloitte. you may have heard the buzz in the background, it doesn't mean we are out of time, but we are on a live working, busy construction site. just to illustrate the point about how important construction is, this one site alone, when it is completed in about two years' time, will be a

nine storey office building, and in the course of construction, it will have created about 500 jobs for people working on it. so that gives you one example of why construction is such an important part of the economy and why we are down here today. all right, ben, thank you very much indeed. rescue teams in turkey and syria are still trying to find survivors almost 100 hours after two powerful earthquakes. more than 20,000 people are known to have died. the un says more help is on its way and has urged governments not four days on, and time is running out to find survivors of monday's double earthquake. but this british team working in turkey is still delivering results. against the odds, a mother is reunited with her young daughter.

an unforgettable hug matched by a priceless smile. elsewhere, in north—west syria, baby aya recovers. the scars on her body tell the story of her harsh entry into the world. she was born under the rubble of the earthquake, found in her mother's arms. she is now having to survive alone. her mother, herfather and all four of her siblings have perished. translation: she arrived on monday in such a bad state. _ she had knocks and bruises. she was cold and barely breathing. her plight has moved people all over the world, but for now the hospital manager is taking care of her, his wife breast—feeding aya alongside her own daughter. translation: i won't allow anyone to adopt her. - she has some distant family, and until they come, i will treat her like one of my own. sadly, these survival stories

are becoming increasingly rare. in turkey, a family's desperate shout goes unanswered. "the children are four and six years old." "it has been four days," says this woman. her nieces are trapped inside. "my god, my god, please return them to us," she says. they dig deep into the building. but there is no sign of the children. with thousands dispossessed and in freezing conditions, there is an acute need for aid. 0vernight, a royal air force flight packed with a field hospital and emergency supplies set off for turkey. the uk's disasters emergency committee is appealing for donations, with the uk government matching the first £5 million raised by the public. howard johnson, bbc news. the bbc�*s nick beake is in gaziantep. he's just sent us this report.

more than 100 hours have passed now since the first of the two devastating earthquake struck, and with every hour, the hopes of finding survivors have been evaporating into the bitterly cold air. but still, teams are out. you can see some of the rescuers here. we're told that 22 people were pulled to safety from the rubble, but that was really in the immediate aftermath of the quakes. and the numbers being saved has really not increased since then. we are told that in one part of turkey today, there is an operation under way, because overnight teams spotted a hand moving in the darkness, and of course, in that particular location gave great hope, and so lots and lots of work started to try and save that person. but these sort of stories are few and far between. a lot of the focus now is on the recovery effort. you can hear and see the heavy machinery,

and in the days to come that will be used to clear the huge amount of debris that's been caused by the earthquakes. we're told that 140,000 tents have now been set up across the affected region, and 100,000 of them are now being used. that's a reflection of the number of people who can't go back to their homes, either because they're unsafe or they've been destroyed. and in terms of the international effort, more than 50 countries in some way are assisting turkey. of course, the focus on northern syria as well. people really concerned about the lack of aid getting through to the people who've been affected there. in terms of this city, the operation continues. no—one here will say that they've given up hope. but really, if you look at people's faces, you can see that the adrenaline, frankly, from the early hours has faded away, and that's been replaced by a mixture of exhaustion and grief, and that's etched onto people's faces here and elsewhere.

0ne story of tragedy and survival in the earthquake zone is that of a baby girl, born under the rubble in syria, the only member of her family to survive. bbc arabic�*s special correspondent nawal al maghafi has more on her story. the signs of a life only a few days old. but already the wounds on aya's body tell the story of her harsh entry into this world. translation: she arrived on monday in such a bad state, _ she had knocks and bruises, she was cold and barely breathing. now in the safety of a hospital in afrin in syria's northwest, but only with staff by her side. she was born under the rubble of syria's earthquake. found in her mother's arms, she is now having to survive life alone. her plight has moved people all over the world. 0n social media, thousands of people asking for details to adopt her.

"i'd like to adopt her and give her a decent life," says one person. "i'm ready to take care of and adopt this child if legal procedures allow," from an arab tv anchor. but for now, dr attia, the hospital's manager, is taking care of her, his wife breast—feeding aja alongside their own. translation: i won't allow anyone to adopt her. - she has some distant family, and until they come, i will treat her like one of my own. doctors say if she had stayed just one more hour under the rubble, she would have died. for nearly three days now, the search has been relentless, dangerous and exhausting. but every person saved renews hope that there are more people still alive to be found. yesterday, 36 hours into the search, another story of survival. a family of six was miraculously pulled from their fallen

building in idlib. mustafa tells us how he had little hope they would be found, but his six—year—old daughter mariam kept praying to keep them calm. translation: they took us out of the rubble just like that. - glory to allah! it was an absolute miracle. and now that they've survived, she dares to dream. "i want to be a doctor when i'm older," she says. rare stories of hope at a very dark time. nawal al maghafi, bbc news. well, we're continuing to hear incredible stories of survival coming from the earthquake zone. this is the moment a ten—day—old baby was pulled from the rubble in hatay in turkey last night. he was trapped for more than 90 hours — nearly four days — in a collapsed building, before rescuers could free him. his mother was also rescued alive, with paramedics rushing them both for emergency treatment.

sewers some rays of hope amidst all the tragedy of what has happened in turkey and in syria. the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, who is being investigated after claims that he bullied staff, has told the bbc he is confident that he behaved professionally at all times. mr raab is the subject of eight formal complaints, covering his time at three different government departments. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blakejoins me now. what has he been saying? as you might expect, he has not given many interviews in recent weeks without investigation which he mentioned hanging over him, eight separate formal complaints being looked into by a senior lawyer appointed by the prime minister, relating to his

previous roles in government. his spokesperson and he, when asked, has repeatedly denied any accusations against him and also maintains that he behaved professionally through out. that is very much the tone of his answer when he was asked about the investigation and the claims against him by home affairs correspondent daniel sandford. look, i'm not going to comment on the anonymous reports in the media. my experience is they are mostly incorrect. i'm confident i have behaved professionally at all times, and, _ of course, i called for an inquiry and i will respect it. there has been a steady flow of newspaper reports and stories quoting anonymous sources, people who have worked with dominic raab in the past, criticising his behaviour, talking about specific instances of what they view to be bullying, which of course dominic raab denies, including one interview given to bbc newsnight recently where he was described as being nasty and difficult and not faint to run a

department. 0thers difficult and not faint to run a department. others have defended dominic raab as a man with high standards but not someone who has bullied others who worked with him. many of his parliamentary colleagues have supported him as well. there have supported him as well. there have been calls for him to step back from his role, labour, the liberal democrats and the union representing civil servants have all called for him to be suspended while the investigation takes place, but the prime minister, rishi sunak, has said that it is right that the inquiry should take its course but that he will not hesitate to take swift action if necessary. find that he will not hesitate to take swift action if necessary. and while we have you. _ swift action if necessary. and while we have you. a _ swift action if necessary. and while we have you, a by-election - swift action if necessary. and while we have you, a by-election result. swift action if necessary. and while l we have you, a by-election result to we have you, a by—election result to tell us about. we have you, a by-election result to tell us about-— we have you, a by-election result to tell us about. yes, west lancashire, labour held — tell us about. yes, west lancashire, labour held onto _ tell us about. yes, west lancashire, labour held onto the _ tell us about. yes, west lancashire, labour held onto the seat _ tell us about. yes, west lancashire, j labour held onto the seat overnight, a labour held seat for the past 30 years, so no great surprise at all that the party held on there, but the level of swing, which we always look at in these sort of results, to get some kind of an idea of what it

can tell us about the national political picture, was just over 10%, so the amount of people who had voted conservative in 2019 shifting their support to labour this time. that is about the level it would need to be for sir keir starmer to win a general election if it was repeated nationally, but onlyjust, so labour, while they will look to this result and probably be heartened by the fact that they have managed to consolidate support in a seat they have held for some time, cannot point to an overwhelming, tub thumping victory which might project a landslide at the next general election. not a good night for the conservatives, and a reminder to the new party chairman, greg hands, of the big job he has to do to get the party into some sort of shape to tackle the local elections in england, which are coming in may, then of course the general election at some point towards the end of next year. at some point towards the end of next ear. , ., ., ., �* ., ~ at some point towards the end of next year-— next year. jonathan blake, many

thanks. the headlines on bbc news: the uk economy at a standstill — new figures show even though we narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, there was no growth at all in the final three months of the year. more than 21,000 people are now known to have been killed in earthquakes in turkey and syria — the united nations warns the full extent of destruction still isn't clear. an raf plane has been sent to turkey providing aid for those left homeless by the quakes. friends of the missing lancashire woman nicola bulley are marking two weeks since her disappearance with fresh attempts to find information. they will hold up posters of her along the roads close to where she was last seen walking her dog in st michael's on wyre. police believe she fell into the water but say they're keeping an open mind and have expanded the search area. nick garnett has this report.

two weeks ago, nicola bulley spent the morning getting her children ready for school and taking the dog for a walk. nicola was seen by a fellow dog walker at 8:50. and then again at 9:10 in a field further along the river bank. at 9:20, police have now established her phone was left on a riverside bench. 13 minutes later, her phone was found, along with her dogs harness. but nicola had disappeared. and that is all we know for sure. the police think that she fell down into the river and drowned. but it is a theory. there is no actual evidence for it. nevertheless, a specialist search team volunteered to help and, using sonar equipment, combed the bottom of the river in the village, but nothing was found in the stretch of river they were working in. if nicola was in that river, i would have found her, i can guarantee you that. we would have found her, and she is not there in that section of the river up there. for her partner,

it has been two weeks of hell. right now, it is as though she has vanished into thin air. like, yeah, just insane. police have consistently called this a missing persons inquiry. there is no evidence of a crime. our main working hypothesis, therefore, is that nicola has sadly fallen into the river, that there is no third party or criminal involvement, and that this is not suspicious, but a tragic case of a missing person. but that has not stopped some people thinking otherwise. social networks are awash with conspiracy theories. there have even been wannabe detectives coming to buildings like this, breaking into them and starting to search through them. police say they have thoroughly searched everywhere in a one—mile radius and will take action against anyone found making offensive comments online. they have also issued what are called dispersal orders against anyone committing

anti—social behaviour. despite the police's thorough search, there is one blind spot. this is the only path out of this whole area that is not covered by a cctv camera. so if she came out of this way, where did she go at this point? if you turn around and look here, it is a busy road. hundreds of cars were going past here at nine o'clock on a friday morning, and since then the police have tracked 700 vehicles going past at the time nicola went missing. with there being no sign of nicola at st michael's on wyre, the search has been widened downstream. but instead of a small meandering river, the wyre estuary, it is huge. from here, the river becomes the sea. the police are now tasked with searching the inlets and marshland. two weeks after nicola bulley went missing, the mystery surrounding her disappearance continues.

nick garnett, bbc news, lancashire. let's speak to our correspondent mairead smyth in st michael's on wyre. two waits on and her friends are doing what they can to try to get more information about what might have happened yes, good morning, ben. , , . . have happened yes, good morning, ben. , , ., ., , ben. this is a wet and drizzly mornin: ben. this is a wet and drizzly morning here _ ben. this is a wet and drizzly morning here in _ ben. this is a wet and drizzly morning here in st _ ben. this is a wet and drizzly morning here in st michael's| ben. this is a wet and drizzly i morning here in st michael's on wyre, exactly two weeks since nicola bulley was last seen here in the small village, where she had been walking her dog along the river wye. behind me, you can see some people have posters with her face on, the date that she was last seen and a plea for people to call 101 if they have information they have not shared with lancashire police. family and friends are desperate for any —— camera footage, anyone with information that they may have and have not shared. this area would

have not shared. this area would have had hundreds of cars passing through it that morning on the 27th of january. through it that morning on the 27th ofjanuary. the through it that morning on the 27th of january. the desperate through it that morning on the 27th ofjanuary. the desperate plea through it that morning on the 27th of january. the desperate plea from her family is to find anything that helps the police and helps the family find out what has happened to her. police believe that she fell into the river wye about immediate searches around the area where they believe she may have fallen in have been ended by because there was absolutely no sign of her. police searches, a private company had done their searches as well, and that search has now moved out along the river towards the irish sea and morecambe bay. but there is a long stretch of water, around ten miles, so that search will take an awful long time, but police will continue with that. in the meantime, they are desperate for any information that may help with their inquiries, pleading for people not to speculate online and be mindful of comments they might make on social media,

remembering that there is a partner, two young girls desperate for the return of nicola bulley. thank you very much indeed, mairead smith. thousands of ambulance staff in england are on strike today. the walk—outs by members of unison are taking place in five regions — london, yorkshire, the south west, the north east and the north west. staff at 150 universities across the uk from the university and college union are also continuing their industrial action in their row about pay, conditions and pension cuts. this a committee of mps is calling on the government to explain how it will help thousands of afghans who are eligible for evacuation to the uk but are still living at risk of harm in their country. the commons defence committee is demanding a detailed review of the uk's involvement in afghanistan from 2001 to its chaotic withdrawal in 2021, which resulted in the taliban's return to power.

the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, will address a summit of sports ministers, chaired by the uk, which is being held to discuss russian participation in next year's paris 0lympics. the international olympic committee wants russian and belarussian athletes to compete as neutrals, but ukraine has threatened to boycott the games if those athletes take part. the launch of the most powerful rocket system in history is a step closer after spacex said it had carried out a successful static test of its super heavy booster for its starship craft. a live stream showed the engines firing at the launch site on the texas—mexico border. the company's billionaire owner, elon musk, tweeted that the power was enough to reach orbit. yahoo has become the latest big technology firm to announce job losses. it says it will cut more than a fifth of its workforce by the end of this year by restructuring its advertising department. a thousand jobs will go this week.

hogwarts legacy, a big—budget video game set in the world of harry potter, has been released today. it's expected to sell millions of copies, but some campaigners are calling for a boycott because of the authorjk rowling's views on transgender issues and how they effect women's rights. it's being billed as the hottest ticket in town — 10,000 people are being given the chance to go to a concert at windsor palace to celebrate king charles' coronation in may. the tickets will be free, but you'll have to enter a ballot. 0ur royal correspondent sarah campbell has the details. less than a year after pop and rock royalty came together to celebrate the late queen's platinum jubilee, a coronation concert will be staged to celebrate the ceremonial beginning of her son's reign. windsor castle will provide a spectacular backdrop, with some of the world's biggest entertainers, according to the bbc, which will stage

and broadcast the event. i tell you now, this is going to be something like we have never ever experienced. it will be a world—class orchestra. we have the best of the british and commonwealth acts from all over, between singing, dancing, performing, the arts. the orchestra will be playing along with every single performance that happens. it really, really is going to be incredible. there are going to be 10,000 members of the public there as well. you can't imagine the vibe that is going to be about. there are 5000 pairs of tickets, all free, which will be allocated via a national ballot. members of the public can apply up until the 28th of february. tickets will be allocated to ensure a fair geographical spread across the uk, so not on a first come, first served basis. the remaining tickets will also be made available to various charities, including those working with young people and the military. it is now less than three months until king charles is crowned at westminster abbey. the long weekend is taking shape, but between now and then,

there will be plenty more detail to come. sarah campbell, bbc news. fight, let's see what is happening with the weather forecast with matt taylor. morning to you. good morning, a bit of sunshine still holding on across the south, this is the view in the isle of wight, just a short while ago, but it is pretty chilly, temperatures still minus fourin chilly, temperatures still minus four in banbury. 11 degrees in the highlands, and a milderair four in banbury. 11 degrees in the highlands, and a milder air is going to win through for all of us for the weekend, but with that milder air, a lot more cloud around. across east anglia and the south—east, sunshine turning hazy, grey skies for many, light rain or drizzle in the west, it is across the highlands and islands where we see more persistent rain, especially this morning. when the across scotland, winds close to 40 the across scotland, winds close to a0 mph and gusts, but as it bounces over the hills, 13 or 1a degrees as

possible in aberdeenshire, well above the february average, and even after the chilly start in the south, temperatures above where we expect this time of year. through this evening and overnight, more cloud around with further patchy rain and drizzle, but frost free, with temperatures starting around 5—9 degrees. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... the uk economy at a standstill — new figures show even though we narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, there was no growth at all in the final three months of the year. more than 21,000 people are now known to have been killed in earthquakes in turkey and syria, the united nations warns the full extent of destruction still isn't clear. an raf plane has been sent to turkey providing aid for those left homeless by the quakes. two weeks since nicola bulley disappeared whilst walking her dog in lancashire, now the police are extending their search downstream.

and, 10,000 tickets to a concert to mark the king's coronation in may are on offer via a ballot. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh. good morning. two of football's most ruthless strikers scored four goals apiece last night, creating a bit of history in the process. chelsea's sam kerr helped her club become only the second team to reach four women's league cup finals in a row. her four included a first half hattrick in a 7—0 win in their semi final against west ham who were three down afterjust 22 minutes. chelsea will now play arsenal for the trophy at selhurst park next month. meanwhile in the rather different surroundings of saudi arabia. cristiano ronaldo scored all four goals in his new team al nassr�*s a—0 win over al wehda.

that takes him past the milestone of 500 club goals, with only four other players managing that in history. it was also the 61st hattrick of his career, a record he continues to extend. ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky will address a gathering of more than 30 nations that'll be discussing later today how to respond to the prospect of russian and belarusian atheletes competing at the 202a paris 0lympics. ukraine has already threatened to boycott the games if those athletes are allowed to compete. britain's culture secretary lucy frazer has said that russian athletes shouldn't line up alongside team gb and everyone else on the world stage. the international olympic committee has been trying to develop a pathway enabling russian and belarusian atheletes to compete as neutrals under strict conditions, following russia's invasion of ukraine. anthonyjoshua says he's as serious as ever about his boxing career as he prepares to face americanjermaine franklin at the o2 arena in london in april. he's looking for his first victory since 2020

after successive defeats to unified champion 0leksandr usyk. i've put myself through a lot and, at the same time, it wasn't enough, because i did not get the victory in the last fight. so imagine how far i now have to push myself again. that is not to say that this fight has to be a statement for any reason. ijust need to do what i do and keep on building on what i build on. who am i making a statement for? this is for me. everything i do is for me. ijust need to do my best and that's all. the joshua today reminded me of the old joshua. _ the joshua today reminded me of the old joshua, a bit edgy. and when he is edgy— old joshua, a bit edgy. and when he is edgy and — old joshua, a bit edgy. and when he is edgy and the old joshua, when he had his— is edgy and the old joshua, when he had his old — is edgy and the old joshua, when he had his old head on, you know what he does? _ had his old head on, you know what he does? he — had his old head on, you know what he does? he swears. it slips out. he did that _ he does? he swears. it slips out. he did that today, he did it well. i liked _ did that today, he did it well. i liked the — did that today, he did it well. i liked the look of him today, he looked — liked the look of him today, he looked focused. i said to him that afterwards, and he laughed. no, i'm telling _ afterwards, and he laughed. no, i'm telling you. — afterwards, and he laughed. no, i'm telling you, he looks like a different man.

india are extending their first innings lead on day two of the first test agianst austrlaia. a meeting of the world's top two sides in nagpur. despite a century from captain rohit sharma, they've been pegged back by todd murphy, an off spinner who's got five wickets on his debut. is the final session of the day, india are 2a6 for seven. that is a lead of 69 runs. british number one emma raducanu has been handed a wild card for indian wells next month. the former us open champion missed the cut for direct entry to the women's main draw after her world ranking slipped to 80th. she's not played since she lost to american teenager coco gauff in the australian open second round. andy murray and cameron norrie have been included in the men's singles draw. great britain's women must beat portugal in manchester on sunday to keep their hopes of qualifying for this year's eurobasket finals alive. they set up that must—win fixture after swatting aside estonia 100—a5 last night, avenging a defeat to the same opponents back in november 2021. temi fagbenle top scored for team gb with 23 points. and as he prepares for

the super bowl on sunday kansas city chiefs quarterback patrick mahomes has been named nfl�*s most valuable player for the second time. the 27—year—old led the nfl with a1 touchdown passes in the 2022 regular season and a career—high 5,250 passing yards. mahomes received a8 of the 50 first—place votes after helping the chiefs to a 1a—3 record in the regular season. he'll try and win a second lombardi trophy against the philadelphia eagles in arizona on sunday. a lot of build—up to that big game on the bbc sport website. that's all the sport for now. the uk saw no economic growth in the final three months of last year according to the latest official statistics released this morning. it means the country narrowly avoided what's defined as a recession — two consecutive quarters when the economy shrinks. the government says it shows the uk was more resilient than expected, after the bank of england had warned

of a long period of stagnation. but the economy did shrink by half of 1% in december, and business leaders warn that firms are still struggling. the chancellor, jeremy hunt, says there is reason for optimism. 0ur economics editor, faisal islam, asked the chancellor if the figures came as a relief. welcome i think it does show there is underlying resilience in the economy, and the fact that we grew faster than any other major economy last year shows that the situation is better than some people feared. but we still have a big issue with inflation, we are by no means out of the woods. that is why the most important thing we can do to help families up and down the country that i worried about the cost of their shopping bill is to stick to our plan to halve inflation. that is also important for businesses worried about high interest rates. then we believe we have tremendous growth prospects, if we play to our

strengths in science and technology. we think that we have the chance to be one of the fastest—growing in europe. be one of the fastest-growing in euroe. ,, x' be one of the fastest-growing in euroe. ,, w ., be one of the fastest-growing in euroe. ,, ., , europe. sticking to the fastest urowth in europe. sticking to the fastest growth in the _ europe. sticking to the fastest growth in the g7, _ europe. sticking to the fastest growth in the g7, a _ europe. sticking to the fastest growth in the g7, a lot - europe. sticking to the fastest growth in the g7, a lot of- europe. sticking to the fastest growth in the g7, a lot of that| europe. sticking to the fastest - growth in the g7, a lot of that was pandemic rebound. the situation at the end of december, with the falling monthly gdp, is it not quite concerning, going into 2023? do you think we can avoid recession in 2023 now? ., , think we can avoid recession in 2023 now? . , ., ., now? that is not what the forecasters _ now? that is not what the forecasters are _ now? that is not what the forecasters are saying, i now? that is not what the l forecasters are saying, and now? that is not what the - forecasters are saying, and we should listen to what people like the bank of england and the office of budget response to say about the risks of high inflation becoming entrenched. we need to stick to our plan to bring down inflation. but we do think that if we do that, we have tremendously exciting prospects as a country, because of our strengths in the industries of the future. to get to that point, we need to stick to our plan. to that point, we need to stick to our lan. ., ., , .,, our plan. you need to get people investin: our plan. you need to get people investing and _ our plan. you need to get people investing and spending _ our plan. you need to get people investing and spending again, . our plan. you need to get people| investing and spending again, but one of the key factors over which you have power over the next couple

of months, both for inflation and growth, is energy bills. it's going up, the energy guarantee, do your plans, to £3000. you are also getting rid of the £a00 support. that could be almost 50% increase in domestic energy bills for two or three months, at a time when you have benefited by tens of billions of pounds from the fall in the energy price. why don't you stop the rise in those energy bills, and help inflation, and help households? indie inflation, and help households? we know inflation, and help households? - knowjust how tough it is for many people dealing with these huge spikes in their energy bills. and thatis spikes in their energy bills. and that is why we are giving about £3500 for the average family this year and last, to help with those pressures, absolutely unprecedented support. we always look at what else we can do. we also have to be responsible with public finances, because if we are not, we willjust see interest rates going up, and people will face a different kind of cost, that is why we have to get

that balance right. the business case for the _ that balance right. the business case for the energy _ that balance right. the business case for the energy price - that balance right. the business - case for the energy price guarantee was that it costs seven —— 70 billion. it will only cost £a0 billion. it will only cost £a0 billion now. there is money you can deploy to make sure that bills don't go deploy to make sure that bills don't 9° up deploy to make sure that bills don't go up again. they are already suffering. i don't know why you don't give that clarity now? indie suffering. i don't know why you don't give that clarity now? we have civen don't give that clarity now? we have given people — don't give that clarity now? we have given people clarity. _ don't give that clarity now? we have given people clarity. we _ don't give that clarity now? we have given people clarity. we are - don't give that clarity now? we have given people clarity. we are giving l given people clarity. we are giving people £99 billion of support, last year and this year. at the same time as energy prices are coming down, so to have our receipts from the windfall taxes. so we have to you look at everything in the context of what is responsible for public finances, because if we don't, we willjust finances, because if we don't, we will just see finances, because if we don't, we willjust see interest rates go up and everyone who has a mortgage up and everyone who has a mortgage up and down the country will face a different kind of cost. shire and down the country will face a different kind of cost.— different kind of cost. are you rulin: it different kind of cost. are you ruling it out? _ different kind of cost. are you ruling it out? is _ different kind of cost. are you ruling it out? is there - different kind of cost. are you ruling it out? is there a - different kind of cost. are you | ruling it out? is there a chance different kind of cost. are you - ruling it out? is there a chance you might do something? indie ruling it out? is there a chance you might do something? we constantly kee the might do something? we constantly keep the help _ might do something? we constantly

keep the help we — might do something? we constantly keep the help we can _ might do something? we constantly keep the help we can give _ might do something? we constantly keep the help we can give families l keep the help we can give families under review. if you are saying do you think we will have the headroom to make a major new initiative to help people, i don't think the situation will have changed very significantly from the autumn statement, which was just three months ago. indie statement, which was 'ust three months ago-h months ago. we are here at the francis crick _ months ago. we are here at the francis crick institute, - months ago. we are here at the francis crick institute, very - francis crick institute, very important for pharmaceuticals, you say they have a grand future. today, astrazeneca, one of our big champions of pharmaceuticals, have said they are moving the factory to ireland because of the business conditions here.— ireland because of the business conditions here. that is a decision they announced _ conditions here. that is a decision they announced several _ conditions here. that is a decision they announced several months . conditions here. that is a decision i they announced several months ago. they are a fantastic company. we are disappointed that we lost out this time. and we agree with the fundamental case they are making, that we need our business taxation to be more competitive and we want to be more competitive and we want to bring business taxes down. but the only tax cuts we won't to consider are ones that are funded by borrowing, because they are not a real tax cut, they are just passing on the bill to future generations. all i would say is if you look at life sciences, we have £1 billion

investment announced by biontech, moderna, by merck, other pharmaceutical companies, and we think we are in a strong position with the biggest life sciences companies in europe. let's go live to darlington and speak to martin mctague, national chair of the federation of small businesses. just looking at all of this from the business point of view, what the chancellor was saying there was that our economy is actually more resilient than many people had feared. is that what it looks like on the ground where you are? h0. feared. is that what it looks like on the ground where you are? no, it doesn't, on the ground where you are? no, it doesn't. i'm — on the ground where you are? no, it doesn't, i'm afraid. _ on the ground where you are? no, it doesn't, i'm afraid. the _ on the ground where you are? no, it doesn't, i'm afraid. the drop - on the ground where you are? no, it doesn't, i'm afraid. the drop in - doesn't, i'm afraid. the drop in december was really worrying. we are getting lots of reports, especially from a retail and hospitality businesses, christmas was really disappointing. and the fact that we have somehow avoided a technical recession is cold comfort. the point i would make to the chancellor is that in the past, when recessions

have happened, it has only been smes they have managed to rescue the economy. they are the ones that invest, they are the ones that recruit, innovate. at the moment, their confidence is very low. now, he has an opportunity when the budget comes up in march to try and inject some ambition into what the country wants to do. and it would be a wasted opportunity if he took a low risk route. 50. a wasted opportunity if he took a low risk route.— low risk route. so, a gloomier ticture low risk route. so, a gloomier picture from _ low risk route. so, a gloomier picture from you. _ low risk route. so, a gloomier picture from you. what - low risk route. so, a gloomier picture from you. what are i low risk route. so, a gloomier| picture from you. what are the underlying factors, would you say, behind what is our sluggish economic performance? how do you see it? people talk about the effects of covid, the effects of brexit. what are the longer term, underlying factors, as you see them? well, i think there _ factors, as you see them? well, i think there are _ factors, as you see them? well, i think there are several— factors, as you see them? well, i think there are several of - factors, as you see them? well, i think there are several of these . think there are several of these sort of longer term factors that are still affecting the economy. but the biggest problem is lack of confidence. because if i am a

business owner and i can't see the future clearly mapped out, i can see a lot of problems on the horizon, my instincts are to not invest, to not recruit, to take a more cautious view of the future. 50. recruit, to take a more cautious view of the future.— recruit, to take a more cautious view of the future. so, why is there a lack of confidence? _ view of the future. so, why is there a lack of confidence? what - view of the future. so, why is there a lack of confidence? what is - view of the future. so, why is there a lack of confidence? what is the l a lack of confidence? what is the reason for that? the a lack of confidence? what is the reason for that?— reason for that? the principal reason for that? the principal reason is. _ reason for that? the principal reason is, if _ reason for that? the principal reason is, if you _ reason for that? the principal reason is, if you look - reason for that? the principal reason is, if you look at - reason for that? the principalj reason is, if you look at some of the businesses that the chancellor was talking aboutjust now, they have locked in very high energy prices in the summer, based on the commitment that the government gave them that they would cap those prices. they are now going to be left from march in a position where they can barely afford, and in some cases won't be able to afford, the increases. and the discount that the government is offering is pitiful. jeremy hunt, the chancellor, was saying there were tremendously exciting prospects for the future. that's not really how you are

looking at it at the moment? you know, looking at it at the moment? you know. most _ looking at it at the moment? you know, most small _ looking at it at the moment? gm, know, most small businesses don't have the cash reserves to see far into the future. they have to make short—term decisions. 0ne into the future. they have to make short—term decisions. one thing is for sure, when they are given the opportunity, they are the people that invest. it's mostly the big businesses that retract during recessions. its smaller businesses that invest, and smaller businesses will rescue us from the situation. 0k, good to talk to you. the national chair of the federation of small businesses. let's speak to the labour mp, tulip siddiq, who is the shadow economic secretary to the treasury. very good morning to you. thank you very much for being with us. what jeremy hunt has been saying is that these figures show that, actually, our economy is more resilient than many people had feared, and also that we have got the fastest growth in the g7. he is painting a very

upbeat picture. it in the g7. he is painting a very upbeat picture.— upbeat picture. if the situation wasn't so _ upbeat picture. if the situation wasn't so dire, _ upbeat picture. if the situation wasn't so dire, i _ upbeat picture. if the situation wasn't so dire, i would - upbeat picture. if the situation wasn't so dire, i would be - upbeat picture. if the situation - wasn't so dire, i would be laughing at his attempts to mask the reality of the situation. the reality of the situation is that my constituents cannot afford to buy basic food items like eggs, milk, bread, because of the situation we are in. the reality of the situation is that we have just narrowly missed being in a recession. and that is the technical phrase of being in a recession. the reality of the situation is that we have had stagnant growth for the last six months last year of the economy. we are the smallest economy, the only economy that hasn't recovered post covid in any of the countries in the g7. whyjeremy hunt is talking of such an upbeat tone, i don't know. but i do know that constituents are feeling the pinch. i do know that we are an economy that has not recovered after covid. i do know

that the imf have protected that this year we will have the lowest growth of any country in the g7. —— have predicted. ihe growth of any country in the g7. -- have predicted.— growth of any country in the g7. -- have predicted. he says in terms of the g7, have predicted. he says in terms of the g7. we — have predicted. he says in terms of the g7. we had _ have predicted. he says in terms of the g7, we had the _ have predicted. he says in terms of the g7, we had the fastest - have predicted. he says in terms of the g7, we had the fastest growth. | the g7, we had the fastest growth. maybe it is a statistical sleight of hand, because this is a comparison with pre—covid levels. but that is still statistically correct, whether you like it or not. it still statistically correct, whether you like it or not.— you like it or not. it can't be the fitures you like it or not. it can't be the figures for _ you like it or not. it can't be the figures for last _ you like it or not. it can't be the figures for last year, _ you like it or not. it can't be the figures for last year, because i you like it or not. it can't be the l figures for last year, because the figures for last year, because the figures for last year, because the figures for last year, there are two countries that still haven't provided the for qa. he needs to look at the facts. why is the imf and 0ecd saying that out of the g7 we will have no growth this year? why are we in a situation where the growth rate for our country has been zero point zero per cent? hagar

growth rate for our country has been zero point zero per cent? how would labour zero point zero per cent? how would labour change _ zero point zero per cent? how would labour change that _ zero point zero per cent? how would labour change that and _ zero point zero per cent? how would labour change that and increase - labour change that and increase growth? the chancellor say that inflation is still a central concern. what would you do to tackle inflation and boost growth? there concern. what would you do to tackle inflation and boost growth?— inflation and boost growth? there is no doubt about _ inflation and boost growth? there is no doubt about the _ inflation and boost growth? there is no doubt about the fact _ inflation and boost growth? there is no doubt about the fact that - no doubt about the fact that external factors have played a role in the fact that our economy is fragile. there is no doubt about that. at the truth is that we were uniquely exposed to shocks because we didn't prepare. when you ask about labour's plan, the main thing we ask for is a proper plan for growth in the budget that is coming next month. so, we have asked over and over again for the government to strengthen the windfall tax. this is a short—term, right now, we need this, to help people who are struggling to make ends meet. they are worried energy bills will go up even higher in april. so we are asking in the budget to strengthen the windfall tax. i know you're going to say they have already brought in the windfall tax, but it's not the windfall tax that we suggested. the one we suggested

would bring in £13 billion. we are saying backdate that to january 2022, which is when the labour party first asked for it. we are asking for oil and gas rates to be taxed at the same rate as in norway. we are asking them to close a loophole that currently exists in terms of fossil fuel allowance. currently exists in terms of fossil fuelallowance. if currently exists in terms of fossil fuel allowance. if they do all of that, strengthen the windfall tax, they will get £13 million which we can then help our constituents with, to reduce their energy bills in april. to reduce their energy bills in a-ril. ., , ., to reduce their energy bills in a-ril. ., i. ., to reduce their energy bills in a-ril. ., ., april. forgive you, i asked you for our tlan april. forgive you, i asked you for your plan for— april. forgive you, i asked you for your plan for growth. _ april. forgive you, i asked you for your plan for growth. a _ april. forgive you, i asked you for your plan for growth. a win - april. forgive you, i asked you for your plan for growth. a win full i april. forgive you, i asked you for| your plan for growth. a win full tax is not really a plan for growth. what is your plan for growth? you said the government doesn't have one. that implies you have got one, what is it? iovate one. that implies you have got one, what is it? ~ ., . one. that implies you have got one, what is it? . ., ., ., one. that implies you have got one, what is it? ., ., ., one. that implies you have got one, what is it? . ., ., ., , ., ., what is it? we do have a plan for trowth, what is it? we do have a plan for growth. we _ what is it? we do have a plan for growth, we have _ what is it? we do have a plan for growth, we have talked - what is it? we do have a plan for growth, we have talked about i what is it? we do have a plan for growth, we have talked about it| growth, we have talked about it continuously. i can start on all of them if you want. just continuously. i can start on all of them if you want.— them if you want. just in a nutshell. _ them if you want. just in a nutshell, give _ them if you want. just in a nutshell, give us- them if you want. just in a nutshell, give us the - them if you want. just in a - nutshell, give us the headlines. we're talking about clean power by 2030, we want to talk about investing £28 billion when it comes to our green industry. we have

talked about a value for money, in terms of an office we would create, to make sure tax payer money is not wasted. we have talked about upscale britain, where we want to look at how we include skills, to meet the challenges of the new century and make sure that regional inequality is addressed. we talked about investment in finn —— fintech, we talked about looking at the childcare system, because only people can't go back to work, because we haven't sorted out the high cost of childcare. we talked about the fact that we would generate money into state school education systems by removing the vat exemption on private schools. there is a list of things that our industrial strategy, which we have seen, proper policies where we want to make sure the economy is firing on all cylinders, and make sure we are on the plan for growth. what we

haven't heard from the conservatives as a single idea of how to grow the economy. flan as a single idea of how to grow the econom . ., as a single idea of how to grow the econom . . ., ,~ as a single idea of how to grow the econom . . ., a i. ., , as a single idea of how to grow the econom. . ., ., , ., economy. can i ask you finally about inflation? the _ economy. can i ask you finally about inflation? the chancellor _ economy. can i ask you finally about inflation? the chancellor said - economy. can i ask you finally about inflation? the chancellor said that l inflation? the chancellor said that was the central economic concern. what would be labour's plan to tackle that? the government have said they can't afford to pay public sector and other workers more money, because that would be inflationary. do you agree with that position? iovate do you agree with that position? we have do you agree with that position? - have to see, when we come into government, hopefully when we win the next election, what the state of the next election, what the state of the economy is. i don't think you can keep blaming just inflation for the fact that our country is so uniquely exposed to all of the factors that have happened. why are we the only country, going back to the stat in the g7, the hasn't got the stat in the g7, the hasn't got the economy back to pre—covid levels? 0ther the economy back to pre—covid levels? other countries have had external shocks and have had to deal with inflation as well. we've done worse than other countries. in terms of public sector workers, my main problem, and i will say this over and overagain, problem, and i will say this over and over again, nobody goes on

strike on a whim. people strike because it is a last resort and they have no other option. they are undervalued and underpaid. would you -a them undervalued and underpaid. would you pay them more? _ undervalued and underpaid. would you pay them more? we _ undervalued and underpaid. would you pay them more? we would _ undervalued and underpaid. would you pay them more? we would get - undervalued and underpaid. would you pay them more? we would get people| pay them more? we would get people around the table _ pay them more? we would get people around the table and _ pay them more? we would get people around the table and negotiate - pay them more? we would get people around the table and negotiate a - around the table and negotiate a deal which both sides are happy with. i genuinely think if you are running the country as grown—ups and adults, you should be able to get round the table and speak to people, and say, what are your demands, and let's see how much money we can pay, to try to reach a compromise. of course not every side is going to be happy. at the fact is, steve barclay ignored calls from the health unions all summer and ignored calls from the health unions all summerand did ignored calls from the health unions all summer and did not speak to them. that is why we are on the situation, because they won't speak to each other and we can't reach a compromise. the labour party would not be doing that. they would be sitting around a table, talking to them, reaching some sort of solution. in 13 years of a labour government, we never had a strike on the nhs. ., ~ _, government, we never had a strike on the nhs. ., ~ i. . ., _, the nhs. thank you so much for your time, the nhs. thank you so much for your time. tulip — the nhs. thank you so much for your time. tulip siddiq, — the nhs. thank you so much for your time, tulip siddiq, shadow _ the nhs. thank you so much for your time, tulip siddiq, shadow economicj time, tulip siddiq, shadow economic secretary to the treasury.

one of the justifications vladimir putin gave for invading ukraine was the need to protect russia from what he claimed was a threat to national security. but, his so—called special military operation has left many in his country feeling less secure. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg has been to russia's belgorod region to see how life there has changed after a year of war. this part of russia, more than any other, feels like a war zone. near the border with ukraine, they are digging trenches, building fortifications. a year ago there was none of this. or this. close by, a market has been hit by a mortar. the people here say they now live in constant fear of ukrainian shelling. but they forget to mention that it was their country that invaded ukraine.

translation: almost every day there are booms, bangs. - people here are scared. we have travelled a lot across russia over the last year, and i found that for many people, this is a virtual war happening on television, a long way away from them. but for people living here, just a few miles to the border of ukraine, it is very real, they can feel it, they can see it and they can hear it, and no—one knows how it is going to end. war feels close when you meet men like these. the group calls itself death to spies after a notorious stalin—era security unit. they are training a local defence force. they will talk but they won't show their faces. translation: the local force will defend

belgorod region if there is an attack on russia. but we will carry out any task we are given in any town, anywhere in the world. in the city of belgorod a few miles away, there have been explosions as well. like here at the airport. and a reported strike on a power station. suddenly, people here are having to think about where to take cover. shelters have been opened in cellars and in basements of apartment blocks. this one is pretty basic, one wooden bench and some water. in belgorod, on display, the symbol of president putin's war in ukraine. i can remember soviet russia. i reported on post—communist russia. but this is z russia. gone — security, stability, peace. but state propaganda and patriotic messaging aim to convince russians this war is just. "for the motherland," it says.

"thank you for your heroic deed." and it seems to work. take this family. masha is a teacher but works from home now. all belgorod schools have closed due to the danger of shelling. her dad has gone away. he'ss a volunteer fighter. as for mum 0lga, she accepts the official narrative that it is ukraine and the west who are the aggressors, not russia. translation: russia | didn't provoke this war. russia didn't attack ukraine. russian people are peace loving and generous. a russian will give you the shirt off his back. russians will never attack. 0nly protect you. in z russia, invasion is liberation. and war is peace. steve rosenberg, bbc news.

now it's time for a look at the weather. it isa it is a sunny morning across some parts, but as you can see in st albans, still some ice on top of the pond. that's thanks to a pretty chilly night. that sunshine giving way to more cloud, and the cloud is with those in scotland, in the past 30 minutes, those shots coming in from the highlands. 0utbreaks 30 minutes, those shots coming in from the highlands. outbreaks of rain turning heavier and more persistent. the cloud is spreading across the uk right now. you can see what has been happening through the night and into the morning. a stream of cloud coming off the atlantic and edging its way towards the south and east. the sometime turning increasingly hazy here. that cloud is actually coming with some milder air. temperatures on the rise, relative to the last few days. temperatures sub zero and southern areas at the moment, up to 11 in the north—west highlands, the rain turning heavier and more persistent. patchy rain and drizzle from the thick plywood across western parts.

many will be dry, some hazy sunshine to the south and east, brighter breaks further north, especially east of high ground. punctured by quite a blustery wind and east of scotland, but temperatures hear 13 or 1a degrees in aberdeenshire through the afternoon. even where we saw temperatures at —6 overnight, across the south, we will get up to nine celsius, still above where we should be for early february. into tonight, still plenty of cloud around. there will be some light rain or drizzle in parts of scotland. many will have a dry night. what you will notice, especially in the southern part of the uk, a much milder night. it will be frost free. many knoxing temperatures drop below five or 6 degrees. a male star to your weekend, but plenty of cloud round on saturday. it might be a bit grey for some of you. that said, there will be some cloud breaks here and there. the best of which will be too high ground in scotland. here, temperatures 13 or 1a degrees. more widely across the uk tomorrow, 1113 celsius. so, a mile start to the weekend. it will be a little bit more chilly through saturday night

into sunday morning. this area of high pressure to the south and east, we have collaborating across southern and eastern areas. a touch of frost possible. 0verall, southern and eastern areas. a touch of frost possible. overall, a similar day to saturday. many will see dominant cloudy skies, some sunny breaks. wind is going to a more southerly direction, believe it or not, that will bring in slightly cooler air, or not, that will bring in slightly coolerair, but or not, that will bring in slightly cooler air, but still a mild day. ten or 11 degrees for the vast majority. attending to drop a little bit further, only a little bit into monday. it will be a mild week across the uk, southerly wind, rather than easterly ones, which will eventually bring rain to parts of scotland and northern ireland. temperatures of up average for this stage of february.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. more than 21,000 people are now known to have been killed in earthquakes in turkey and syria. the united nations warns the full extent of destruction still isn't clear. translation: i can't believe it, i can't believe this, _ i just cannot believe what's happened. yesterday, we pulled out my mother and brother dead, and today we pulled my sister, my nephew and my father. a newborn baby has been rescued from the rubble. ten—day—old yagiz and his mother were found around 90 hours after the first of the quakes. aid is sent from all over the world to those displaced by the quakes. an raf plane from the uk sends thermal blankets to turkey as survivors face freezing temperatures.