Parts of southern england that are inundated. At a quarter to eight, private eyes editor ian hislop joins the bbcs media editor to look back ona the bbcs media editor to look back on a fascinating year of front covers, cartoons, and satire. Good evening. Three and a half years after the uk voted to leave the eu, mps have resoundingly voted in favour of the government cosmic brexit bill. It paves the way for borisjohnson to deliver his promise that the uk will leave the eu at the end of next month. Well, the per minister won the vote easily by 358 votes to 234. Six labour mps rebelled and voted with the government. Now, the Withdrawal Agreement, now approved in principle by mps, says that the uk will leave the eu on the 31st of january and allows a transition period until the end of 2020. During which time, we will still abide by eu rules. It also says that we will pay the eu a divorce bill of around £33 billion, and it sets out a plan for dealing with the Northern Irish border with what amounts to a Customs Border down the i receive. Our deputy political editor, john pienaar, has more. Were leaving. Were through the looking glass. Everything looks the same, but nothing will be the same again. The last lonely protester was there, fighting a cause that, today, became officially lost. The eyes to the right 358. The noes to the left 234. Cheering. A thumping victory for borisjohnsons eu divorce deal. But from the start, today, his big win was guaranteed. He came with an appeal for unity on his terms, to seek reconciliation in tones of triumph. This is a time when we move on and discard the old labels of leave and remain. In fact, the very words seem tired to me, and so now is the moment to come together and write a new and exciting chapter in our national story, to forge a new partnership with our european friends, to stand tall in the world, to begin the healing this moment in history was his. Three and half years after the referendum, the new pm felt Strong Enough to declare britain after brexit would set its own rules and standards, not follow the eus. The very essence of the opportunity of brexit is that we will no longer outsource these decisions. With renewed National Self confidence, we will take them ourselves. And thats what worried his beaten rival. We warned before the general election the Prime Ministers brexit deal was a terrible deal for our country, and we still believe its a terrible deal today. This deal will be used as a battering ram to drive us down the path of yet more deregulation. And towards a toxic deal with donald trump and. Whats new in the Withdrawal Agreement bill . The pledge to match eu workers rights, like other earlier compromises, has gone. Ministers now say a new uk law will guarantee those rights. On child migrants, no eu obligation now to take in unaccompanied minors with british relatives. But the pm says the uk will go on taking them in. And no extended brexit transition. The law will require the uks clear of eu rules by december 2020, with or without a deal. So the pm winning the brexit war doesnt mean peace. The snp sees brexit as a spur to independence. The people of scotland must have their say over their future, rather than the broken Brexit Britain that he wishes to impose upon us. The election and brexit has left a bitter legacy, wounded brexiteers feeling vindicated, remainers defiant on their pro european values. Those values are now under threat from this trumpian, populist government from right wing populism bigots everywhere. We were told we were fascists, we were nazis, we are extremists, and what did we do . All we wanted was to honour the referendum. Brexiteer ministerjacob rees mogg kept a low profile during the election. Not today. At last, weve got the result we need. We will now get brexit with the majority of 124 and the sun is metaphorically shining. And look at this at the bottom of your screen. The uks celebrity pm signing autographs for tory mps. So, reason for celebration in government tonight, we will leave the eu by january the 31st at the latest. But, defining and negotiating britains future relationship with the eu and the world could be tougher and take longer than Boris Johnson predicts. No doubt whos in charge now or whose job it is to make brexit work. John pienaar, bbc news, westminster. So, how will the Brexit Process pan out . First off, both the house of commons in the house of lords will debate and vote on that Withdrawal Agreement bill throughout january, before its enacted into law. The uk will leave the eu then onjanuary the 31st and enter into whats called a transition period, where a new trade deal between the uk and the eu will be negotiated. Now, they have until december of 2020, thats the 31st of next year to reach an agreement. If they dont come of the uk could find itself out of the eu without any kind of trade deal in place. Well, the conservative mp, merck friends while, is the deputy chairman of the pro Brexit European Research group. Earlier, he told Anita Mcveigh that this results should allow the government to fulfil the result of the 2016 referendum. Its tremendous. I mean, im looking at that vote, and i double checked the figures with diane abbott some of the government cosmic majority was 124. So, even biggerthan of the government cosmic majority was 124. So, even bigger than its actual majority of 80 in the house of commons. Who all started with you . We will have to go through the division lists to be accurate. Perhaps some labour mps that have got the message from what happened in the general election, i would be surprised if there were many liberals. I think probably the dup wouldve voted with us i suspect. So, we will need to go through all the details when the dust is settled, but the bottom line point is that the house of commons has voted emphatically for the brexit bill to take us out of the european union, and we have obeyed the instruction that was given to us by the british people in the general election. That was mark francoise, the deputy chairman of the European Research group. Well, for the shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, tony lloyd who voted against the brexit bill, the issue of trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom remains his concern. One of the most difficult things with my role as shadow Northern Ireland secretary is that we know it when Prime Minister johnson ireland secretary is that we know it when Prime Ministerjohnson says that there will be no impact on trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, that simply isnt right. Thats not simply isnt right. Thats not simply me that saying that, its businesses, particularly Small Businesses, particularly Small Businesses in Northern Ireland, who are really worried about what that means for the future. Now, if Prime Minister johnson means for the future. Now, if Prime Ministerjohnson is ministering for the whole of this country, hes got to level up and say how hes going to level up and say how hes going to avoid those kind of problems, and not simply brush these aside with fa st not simply brush these aside with fast rhetoric and a quickjoke. We need better. Tony lloyd there. Now, the duke of edinburgh has been admitted to hospital in london to be treated for a pre existing condition. Buckingham palace has Prince Philip travel from sandringham and no effect this morning from advice from his doctor. Our royal correspondent was outside the hospital earlier. A precautionary measure is how the palaces describing it, and certainly, i dont any alarm. Concern, of course. He is 98 years old, but not alarmed. He was brought, as you say, from sandringham by road this morning, not in an ambulance, in an ordinary royal vehicle, and we were told that he walked into the hospital. Perhaps most telling indicator is that as the duke was coming by road from norfolk to london, the queen was travelling from london to norfolk by rail to travelling from london to norfolk by railto begin travelling from london to norfolk by rail to begin her christmas holiday. Now, what might this pre existing condition be . The palace is saying absolutely nothing about that. Its absolutely nothing about that. Its a yearand absolutely nothing about that. Its a year and have since the duke had a hip replacement operation, six years since he had abdominal surgery, eight years since the most Serious Health episode, that was when he was admitted as an emergencyjust before christmas as well to pack forth hospital having suffered chest pains. He had a stent inserted in an artery. Whether any of those conditions are involved in this location, we simply dont know. But it is certainly the case that we are being told that they expect him to stay in hospitalfor a being told that they expect him to stay in hospital for a few days, and i sensed the hope is that he will be back at sandringham with the royal family in time for christmas. Nicholas witchel there. The wife of aus Nicholas Witchel there. The wife of a us diplomat has been charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of the teenage motorcyclist, harry dunn, who died in a road crash and northhamptonshire in august. After the accident, she flew back to the United States under diplomatic immunity. Extradition proceedings are now under way tonight, she said that she would not return voluntarily to the uk, Duncan Kennedy reports. Harrys parents charlotte and tim travelled to london not knowing what today would bring. But at the cps headquarters, they were told the main suspect was being charged with dangerous driving. Harrys family has spent four months waiting to see if charges would be brought in his case. We really do feel its a huge step towards that promise to harry. That in of itself is one hell of an achievement. Harry, and that in itself is one hell of an achievement as a family to have, and as parents we cant be any more satisfied with ourselves. Harrys dad, tim, was also moved by todays events. Bit speechless at the minute. I am still in shock from the meeting, and. Im sorry. Anne sacoolas has already said she was driving the car that collided with harry dunn. There was no sign of her at her home outside washington, dc today, but her lawyers said anne is devastated by this tragic accident and continues to extent her deepest condolences to the family, they say anne will not return voluntarily to the United Kingdom to face a potential jail sentence for what was a terrible, unintentional accident. Todays decision to charge Anne Sacoolas comes nearly four months after harry died, here on this road in northamptonshire. In statements through her lawyers, she has already admitted driving on the wrong side of the road, and now harrys family say its time for her to return to britain. It was near this american air base the accident happened. Harry was killed last august. Two weeks later, Anne Sacoolas left the uk, claiming diplomatic immunity. Last month, the family launched legal action against the Foreign Office for its handling of the case. The foreign secretary, dominic raab, today called on mrs sacoolas to return, and legal experts say the chances of extradition are good. I think they are extremely positive, because, as far as i can see, every request that has been sent by the United Kingdom to the us has been successful. Harry dunns family and their supporters have fought this case together and have been told the home office will launch extradition proceedings next week. His parents say they will now put up a Christmas Tree for the son they refuse to give up on. Duncan kennedy, bbc news. Millions of people are beginning the christmas get away tonight, but many are being hampered by flooding. The 23 in west sussex was closed for hours after being completely flooded. Heavy rain has led to many parts of southern england being inundated. With roads and railways affected, our correspondent reports. Across the southeast of england today the evidence of heavy rainfall overnight. Flooded roads causing disruption for drivers on one of the busiest travel days of the year. In buckstead in east sussex, one couple told us how they were unable to leave their home because of the water. It was quite forceful, and it got up to the height of the brickwork there. You can see it, its about 18 inches two feet deep, and when i was wandering around the garden trying to rescue things, obviously, it was up over my knees and quite strong. We are raised above ground, and we have three steps, but it was actually lapping the top, almost going over the top steps. So it was about three inches from the kitchen door. Much of the disruption has involved routes heading for gatwick the countrys second busiest airport. In west sussex, the m23 was partially closed after a nearby river burst its banks. And this is what the rain lead to in surrey, a landslip near to guilford causing major disruption along the main railway line. What i would like to do is take the opportunity to say a massive apology to our passengers who have been disrupted. Not just as a result of guilford, but across the whole of the southeast. At this time of year, i know how important the railway is, and i can only apologise, im really sorry. The Environment Agency has issued about 80 warnings across england, where flooding is expected, as well as more than 200 alerts that warn of possible flooding. The Big Christmas getaway, not off to the best start. Tolu adeoye, bbc news. Its just gone itsjust gone a its just gone a quarter past seven, the headlines on bbc news. Three and a half yea rs the headlines on bbc news. Three and a half years after that you referendum, mps finally back at brexit back up rex to deal with the majority of 124. The duke of edinburgh hasnt been admitted to hospital in london for treatment for what Buckingham Palace described as a pre existing condition. The death of harry dunn. The teenage motorcyclist hit by a car in august, 110w motorcyclist hit by a car in august, now extradition proceedings begin after an American Woman is charged with causing his death by dangerous driving. Well, five days before christmas, and there are already big discounts in the shops as retailers try to make the most of the last minute rush. After a tough year for the high streets, stories are doing everything they can to attract customers. Including a Record Number of pre christmas discounts. Emma simpson reports now from nottingham. Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh. A bit of festive cheer. It feels like we are ready for it. Retailers are hoping we are also ready to splash the cash over the next few days. Some clothing, some cheeses, some gift vouchers and pjs. Well, im on a tight budget but ive pushed the boat out a little bit, yeah. I always do, especially because ive got a new grandson. Do you think you are going to spend a bit more this year than last year . I have spent more this year than last year. Christmas, its when many retailers make most of their sales and profits. 2019 has been hard going with a few casualties along the way. Now they have got to make up for lost ground. Skating on thin ice, its a pretty good metaphor for most high street retailers this year, given all the problems on the high street. And Department Stores have had more challenges than most. What is selling well then . So it has really caught the imagination this year, family pj sets. Jessica shepherd is on the top team at debenhams where they are pulling out all the stops. What we have seen in the last few days is an increase in footfall for stores and online, and customers are spending. Its really hard to say, given the timing of the election, if that is down to customers feeling more confident as a result of the election, or if this is just that inevitable increase in spend we see in those final few days before christmas. Is debs going to be a christmas winner . We are in good shape, but there is still all to play for. They are doing discounts like so many others. It feels like the boxing day sales already, prices slashed to drive demand. Every christmas there are always some winners and some losers. The winners will out perform, theyve really got the product on offer and the pricing right for their customers, but at the other end of the spectrum i think it is possible that we will see more casualties in the early part of next year because this period is so crucial for many retail businesses. That means attracting shoppers. This weekend could make all the difference. Emma simpson, bbc news, nottingham. The former welsh secretary, alan kent, has been cleared of breaking the ministerial code. In connection with the former role in the collapse of the rape trial. The one on the left has been accused of knowing about the role of former aide, ross england, on the rights, in the colla pse england, on the rights, in the collapse of the trial. The government investigation found that there was no direct evidence to suggest that the cabinet minister had been told. Australias Prime Minister, scott morrison, has apologised for going on holiday whilst worsening bushfires rage across the country. He cut short a family trip to hawaii after two volunteer firefighters died whilst tackling a huge blaze near sydney. The fires are raging across australia amid a heat wave, which has produced the nations two make out his days on record. Phil mercer reports. There is no and insights, the fires are unstoppable, they easily started and spread quickly. More lives have been lost and houses destroyed. In New South Wales, 100 fires are burning, and the Emergency Services are stretched to their limits. The firefighting effort is a military style operation, a squadron of water bombing helicopters is supporting hundreds of boots on the ground will stop this is a giant air crane, a helicopter that is flying in to suck water out of the dam to be used on the main fire front. Thats just over the ridge. Be used on the main fire front. Thatsjust over the ridge. This sort of operation is happening time and time again. Two volunteer firefighters were killed when a tree fell on theirfire engine firefighters were killed when a tree fell on their fire engine south of sydney. The tragedy prompted australias Prime Minister to cut short a holiday in hawaii. Scott morrison was criticised for going overseas during a time of crisis. Hes apologised. Is just unfortunate, its come at such an awful time, particularly for those living in and around sydney and New South Wales, and itsjust devastating to be here and seeing whats happening, so im pleased to be returning. As the debate over the Prime Ministers leadership rages, so Prime Ministers leadership rages, so do the fires. For those on the front line, its exhausting and dangerous work. We mac it was scary. When you see flames come over the top of you and its that hot that you can feel the burning through protective clothing and masks when you are actually breathing in hot air, the air is hurting your back of the throat, it is hot. In south australia, a catastrophic warning has been issued, and emergency crews are battling 125 fires. Parts of New South Wales are placing for similar conditions on saturday. 120 fires. Officials say it would be a miracle if more homes werent lost. Residents in vulnerable areas have been told to leave while they can. Phil mercer, bbc news, fargo. New south wales. The funeral and Memorial Service have taken place today for the two victims of last months terror attack. Jack merritt and saskia jones were stabbed to death by the convicted terrorists when they attended a conference of fish mongers hall next to the bridge. Our home affairs correspondent, daniel sa nford home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sanford reports. At the Cambridge University church of saint mary the great, Jack Merritts mother and father and girlfriend, leanne obrien. His body in a wicker coffin, in keeping with the ethical life hed tried to lead. Jack merritt was 25 years old and had a masters in criminology from cambridge. In the service, his friends and family recalled a compassionate young man who felt compelled to help people, and whose politics was love, not hate. It is a tragedy, jacks death, but his life, as his father said in the service, his life was a triumph, and we have to hold onto that and jacks legacy of commitment to those on whom society is all too happy to turn its back. Jack passionately believed in others, and so should we. In stratford upon avon, at the holy trinity church, where William Shakespeare is buried, the family and friends of saskia jones were gathering to remember her. She died in the same attack as jack merritt, and also had a masters in criminology from cambridge. She planned tojoin the police to work with victims of crime. She was with jack merritt at a Prisoner Education conference near London Bridge three weeks ago when one of the participants, who had recently been released from a long sentence for terrorism offences, stabbed them both to death. The Cambridge University vice chancellor said that the way they died should not eclipse their lives and the way they had helped others. Daniel sandford, bbc news. Now steering the economy through brexit will be top of the agenda for the man whos been named as the next governor of the bank of england, Andrew Bailey. Mr bailey, a former Deputy Governor at the bank and the current head of the Financial Conduct Authority will take over for mark kearney in march. The chancellor, sajid javid, said he was the standout candidate for the role. To be the governor of Andrew Bailey. Im delighted to announce that the next governor of the bank of england will be Andrew Bailey. We said that we we re will be Andrew Bailey. We said that we were looking for a leader of international standing, with expertise across monetary, economic, and regulatory policy. And in Andrew Bailey, we have found just that. With this appointment to be governor of the uks central bank, Andrew Bailey has reached the pinnacle of the financial system. But its been very close to the top of it for at least 15 years. That means he will fit in easily surrounded by lots of familiarfaces. But fit in easily surrounded by lots of familiar faces. But it also fit in easily surrounded by lots of familiarfaces. But it also means hes been there before and after many of the things that went wrong. From 2004, as the bank of england presided over the credit boom that pumped up the Housing Market and led to the 2008 banking crisis, Andrew Bailey was the chief cashier. You can still find his signature on old £20 notes. He was also the man running the bank of englands emergency measures to handle financial crisis. In 2013, bailey was the Deputy Governor in charge of potential regulation, making sure banks had enough money. Sajid javid was the treasury minister in charge of banks in regulation when the co op bank shared by methodist minister, paulflowers, co op bank shared by methodist minister, paul flowers, collapsed under the weight of a one and a half billion pound black hole. It will not be mr baileys role to try to prevent financial trouble on a much larger scale. Certainly the bank of england will be there to ensure the economy doesnt fall back into recession. I dont think its very likely this will happen, but i think a little bit of a push from the bank to ensure this unofficially is going to be quite necessary to call him, if you like, some of the fears and uncertainty that businesses are bound to feel over the next year. At one and a half Percent Inflation is below targets, but today, figures show government borrowing rising, and the last count the economy wasnt growing at all. Getting the topjob is one thing, succeeding at it as another. Anti parity, bbc news, at the bank of england. Ok, whether time, here is nick miller. Hello. Some showers around this weekend, any further spells of persistent rain or being confined to a southern parts of the uk. This is where the ground are saturated. And he for the rain is not really welcome. This is how overnite is shaping up. Binary apps are as moving across parts of england and wales, may be done re while in places thundery. Fog developing in Northern Ireland. That could be dense in places, slow to clear in the morning. A few spots across Northern Britain getting close to freezing with a touch of frost. So for saturday, this batch of showers continuing to be northwards, still some heavy ones around. That fog slow to clear in Northern Ireland, still a few showers in northern scotland. Many though having a dry afternoon, few sunny spells around, but here comes another spell of persistent rain toward southern england, south wales, and a strengthening southerly wind as we go on into the evening. Temperatures here, well, still double figures for some of us. Most parts, single figures, not farforaverage some of us. Most parts, single figures, not far for average for the time of year. This ring clears on sunday, and its sunny spells and a few showers. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines mps vote overwhelmingly in favour of Boris Johnsons plan, to pull the uk out of the eu at the end of january. Now is the time to act together as one reinvigorated nation, one United Kingdom. The duke of edinburgh is admitted to hospital is admitted to hospital in london existing condition. The death of harry dunn the teenage motorcyclist hit by a car in august. Now, extradition proceedings begin after an American Woman is charged with causing his death by dangerous driving. Hampering the christmas getaway flooding closes the m23 in sussex as parts of southern england are inundated. Three and a half years after the uk voted to leave the eu mps have resoundingly voted in favour of the governments brexit bill. It paves the way for borisjohnson to deliver his promise that the uk will leave the eu at the end of next month. Six labour mps voted in favour for the Prime Ministers plan despite a three line whip from the leadership to oppose it. One of them, emma lewell buck, the mp for south shields, was critical of the labour leaderships approach. I voted for the bill before the general election and i promised my constituents that i would always do my best to try and get up to leave the eu with a deal so ive been consistent right from 2016 on that and thats why i voted for it today as well. And the timetable as well, people in your party saying it is far too quick but you backed that idea as well, why . Last time, yes, but then boris called the election and it was the worst election in my living memory. He has a massive mandate now. To resist that on the back of losing 52 leave labour seats just is not in the right message that we have learned our lesson here. So i thought i have to vote for that as well to move the progress. There will be some sign that labour has not learned their lesson, that there has been oblivious to the referendum results in the first place and then this overwhelming victory for Boris Johnson, and yetjeremy corbyn and your party still opposing brexit. Was that the wrong thing to do . I think it is difficult for me because of i try to be loyal to my party and none of this is easy but i think today was the wrong call. I think off the back of losing so badly in the election to then have the first vote in parliament on the issue we lost over to see lets continue to do what we have done historically was the wrong call. Mr lewis spoke to our correspondent about why he would make a good leader of a party. My pitch is about notjust leader of a party. My pitch is about not just affect the country face the choice for the party faces the choice for the party faces the choice because i cannot see and dont know for sure what order the candidates will say but we as a party face a choice to for the rest of the country which is what kind of party do we want to be. I want to see our party as an international party, a party that stands up for openness, for tolerance and i think thatis openness, for tolerance and i think that is going to be a big question, a big key question for our members. The defeat was serious. If you look at the scale of the defeat and the scale of the challenge and struggle we face and that we are on a precipice. We cannot afford to lose the next election. In a way which is seen as the next election. In a way which is seen as another set of devastating results. Because of the people will then question what is a point of the party was meant to get this right now that means talking about not policies but also about the culture of the party and also about the strategy that we are going to pursue andl strategy that we are going to pursue and i think that is really important and i think that is really important andl and i think that is really important and i hope that during this debate, we can have that open and honest conversation without resorting to some of the more nasty parts of debate that can sometimes take place andl debate that can sometimes take place and i think that is really important. Thank you very much. And candidacy today and get a timetable for that leadership election early in january. Woman for that leadership election early injanuary. Woman who was raped and abuse as a teenager by men from telford has told the bbc she believes girls are still being sexually abused in the shropshire town. Forward since yesterday for their part in her rape and indecent and saw. She is spoken to our correspondent. Wellington, near telford, an area at the centre of a Child Sexual Exploitation scandal going back decades. The exact extent of the abuse still isnt known. Girls were trafficked, sold for sex in the surrounding area, and some were taken further afield. 17 years after she was first abused, aged just 13, this woman has now been able to speak about what happened. My life was ruled by them. Every day, getting picked up, taken here, there and everywhere. Meeting so many men. I cant even put a number on it. It was a living hell. Her evidence has led to the conviction of four men, who have now begun prison sentences. Mohammed ali sultan was described by a judge as a dangerous man, and jailed for eight years for her rape and indecent assault. He had previous convictions for similar offences against young girls. Former taxi driver Mohammad Rizwan was sentenced to five and a half years. Shafiq younas and Amjad Hussain will both serve four and a half years. All guilty of indecent assault. She was abused by other men, too, who have yet to be brought tojustice. They threatened to kill me, and they threatened to kill my family. But it was also physical abuse they were doing to me. And i think from seeing that, i believe what they were going to do. I really do truly believe that they would have done that. Some of the abuse was carried out in this churchyard, but she was not alone. A Police Investigation into the trafficking and prostitution of young girls in the telford area led to a number of convictions seven years ago. This victim believes Vulnerable Children are still being targeted here. It makes me feel sad that some girl, or many girls, could be out there now feeling the way i did, going through what i did. I know how it feels, and i know how scared they must feel, but they must tell somebody. The help is there now, not like it was back then. An independent inquiry is scrutinising both the extent of Child Sexual Exploitation in this area and how the authorities responded. It has a lot to consider, and its findings are not expected before 2021. Sian lloyd, bbc news, shropshire. Military style guns we banned in new zealand from tomorrow following the massacre of 50 with people at two mosque in christchurch in mosque march. A nationwide and if the hissing of a 50,000 firearms destroyed across the country since that. And events has more. A community struggling to grieve. This is not only a place of worship, but also the scene of an attack that shocked the world. Friday prayers bring a moment of reflection, but also pain. What happened here changed new zealand. With unity came a warning of the need to guard against extremism. On the 15th of march, a lone gunman walked into this mosque, armed with a semi automatic military style weapon. He killed 51 people and injured dozens more. New zealand is now determined to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. And this is what theyre doing about it. New zealand plans to destroy nearly all high powered semi automatic assault rifles. Centres like this one have been set up across the country, and tens of thousands of gun owners have been forced to hand in their firearms as part of an amnesty. In the centre we visited in christchurch, these are some of the guns that have been handed in injust one day. And why do you think its so important that these guns are now off the streets . As you can see, all of these are semi autos. They can take up to 30 or more magazine capacities. Sks, again, semiautomatics. These are the go to firearms for Mass Shootings worldwide. But while the ban was swift, its not without its critics. This is the hand loaders range, on the outskirts of the city. In a country where theres roughly one firearm for every four citizens, the people here represent decades long traditions of gun ownership. Weve had a really world class, i would say almost the best in the world, history of low firearms crimes in new zealand, because we regulate the people, not the firearms. But none of this legislation is doing that. Across the country, tens of thousands of guns have been handed in. The police are keen to deem the ban a success. But they admit its impossible to predictjust how many more guns are still out there. Danny vincent, bbc news, christchurch. A new era in human space flight. With those words, the new starliner capsule blasted off from Cape Canaveral this morning. Its a craft that one day could take space tourists into orbit as paying customers. Starliner is on a test flight to the International Space station, but the voyage hasnt gone as well as hoped, as our science correspondent Jonathan Amos explains. And lift off for the starliner, a new era in human space flight. A new era perhaps, but notjust yet. Boeing launched its starliner capsule on time from Cape Canaveral in florida, but the automated ship then failed to carry out its commands properly. When it came off the top of the rocket, it was supposed to fire its engines to increase its height. It did, but at the wrong time and for too long. The starliner put itself in the wrong part of the sky. It can no longer reach the space station and will have to come home. The American Space agency has been overseeing the development of the capsule. Nasa has provided milestone payments to help boeing bring the vehicle into operation. And despite the setback, the agency is staying positive. If we wouldve had crew in there, number one, they would have been safe. To be very clear, our crew would have been safe. And in fact, had they been in there, we very well may have been orbiting or docking with the International Space station tomorrow had they been in the spacecraft. So a lot of things went right today, and i want to be really clear, a lot of things went right of things went right and this is why we test and because we are now in orbit and because in fact elevating our orbit, we are going to get a lot more data and a lot more information in the coming days. So this is all very positive. Nasa has not been able to launch its own astronauts to orbit nearly nine years. When it retired the shuttles in 2011, it ceased to operate space vehicles. And it bought seats to the space station in russian capsules instead. Nasa would rather spend his money handling rides on american built taxi services. Another enterprise, the California Space x company has already completed a test flight of its astronaut capsule. The dragon craft made a flawless trip to the orbiting lab in march. Space x looks at to start flying astronauts for real in the next few months. Quite how far behind today possible events put boeing is unclear. Engineers will need to inspect the star liner when they get it back on her. Nasa is determined that it should have a choice of capsules in the future. Boeing is certain to try again. The uks christmas number one been won by the unlikeliest of pop stars stars called lad baby, otherwise known as 32 year old youtube star mark hoyle. I love sausage rolls, so put another one in the oven. Lad baby has claimed the top spot for the second christmas running with his Charity Single i love sausage rolls, fending off competition from stormzy and dua lipa. The youtube star who shot to fame after blogging about turning from a lad into a dad of two has described it as a christmas miracle. The headlines on bbc news. Three and a half years after the eu referendum, mps finally back a brexit deal with a majority of 124. The duke of edinburgh is admitted to hospital in london for treatment for what Buckingham Palace describe as a pre existing condition. The death of harry dunn, the teenage motocylist hit by a car in august. Now, extradition proceedings begin after an American Woman is charged with causing his death by dangerous driving. Now on bbc news, private eyes editor, ian hislop, joins the bbcs media editor amol rajan to look back on a fascinating year of front covers, cartoons and satire. Hello. You are everywhere. Thank you for having us in, thank you so much. How do you come up with a cover like those . This was when theresa may, do you remember her . She was around at the beginning of the year. She used to be Prime Minister. Anyway, she left and we had to think how can we pay tribute to theresa may . So i thought perhaps a blank page will be good, and so we have the theresa may memorial issue, her legacy in full. Uh, thank you. Which again seems quite cruel, but was quite funny. Do you know how each of those csll . Yeah, that was a seller. Im afraid that was popular. And nigel farage . This is great, hes always good. Partly because he always does photo opportunities, so having been accused of having a party full of fruitca kes, he does a photo opt eating a fruit cake. I mean, it is fantastic. He does the joke for us. Borisjohnsons private life hss frequently furnished you with cover ideas and this one you have here. This was sort of essentially a smut special. Because there was a proper Public Interest in this story in the public money had gone to this woman on the dancing pole, but essentially the joke was boris had yet again been called out. He is saying, i need some technology lessons, and she is saying, floppy disk or hard drive. There is a properjoke here