hello, this is the briefing. i'm samantha simmonds. our top story: history in the making. south korea says its considering negotiating a peace treaty with the north. syria says international weapons inspectors are due to be shown the scene of a suspected chemical attack in douma. us officials say the experts are being kept away from the site. wife of one president, mother to another. the former first lady of the united states, barbara bush has died. she was 92. onboard the floating laboratory with a team of scientists tackling depleted fish stocks and excess plastic in our oceans. all us starbucks stores will close for an afternoon next month so that staff can be trained in racial awareness, following the controversial arrest of two black men at one of its outlets. we'll be looking at how the worlds biggest coffee chain found its self in this position and where it goes now. a warm welcome to the programme.

briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. and you can be part of the conversation. tell us what you think of the stories we're covering — just use the hashtag #bbcthebriefing. south korea's presidential office says it's considering how to change a decades—old armistice with north korea into a peace treaty. the two countries are discussing various ways to improve the security situation on the korean peninsula. here's our correspondent, laura bicker in the south korean capital, seoul. a spokesman has said that within

these talks that i go to take place between north and south korea and hopefully between the us and north korea, they will be seeking a peace treaty. just to remind viewers that the korean war ended in 1953 but the two sides are technically still at warand two sides are technically still at war and that is because the only side tour sign an armistice to technically and the war. that would need the backing and signature of the united states. from what we are hearing at the blue house is that is not something that will completely be put on the table, what they will be put on the table, what they will be offering key kimjong—un be put on the table, what they will be offering key kim jong—un as an incentive to give up his nuclear weapons. they are looking for a way to reward him for denuclearisation and thinka to reward him for denuclearisation and think a peace treaty might be the way to do it. an important thing to note is that i mentioned the us would have two sign it, it has to come from the united state. earlier today, president trump while

speaking with the japanese prime minister, he said that he would give his blessing to any peace treaty, to any end of tension between north and south korea. so if it comes to it, it seems like they have the blessing of president trump, but the emphasis coming from here in seoul is that this is a long—term plan, a process and not something that will be on the table immediately and that north korea have to give up its nuclear weapons for this to happen. us media is reporting that the cia director, mike pompeo, secretly visited north korea earlier this month and met directly with kim jong un. the trip is said to have aimed at setting the groundwork for a summit between the north korean leader and president trump. the news has come to light as mr trump is holding talks about north korea strategy with the japanese prime minister, shinzo abe at his mar—a—lago resort. from florida, barbara plett usher reports. us media are reporting that mike pompeo, the director of the cia

paid a secret visit to north korea on the easter weekend to lay the groundwork for this summit. he has been nominated to become secretary of state and during that visit he met directly with kim jong—un and it was a week later that the white house said it had directly confirmed that kim jong—un was willing to negotiate about possibility of giving up his nuclear weapons. so it seems to be this meeting that mr trump was referring to when he said that contact had happened at the highest level. we have had talks at the highest level. let's leave it a little bit short of that, we have had talks at the highest level. it is going very well, but we will see what happens. all of this has come to light as mr trump is hosting the japanese prime minister shinzo abe at his resort in west palm beach. the prime minister was quite taken aback when he heard that he was preparing to meet king jong—un, on the back of that he asked

for his views and what donald trump was thinking and that he could be assured that japan's security interest would not be downplayed during the meeting. he seems to be fairly satisfied with how things have gone so far, especially his promise to raise at any summit about the japanese citizens which have been abducted, which is a very important issue. bra bara plett usher outside the trump estate in florida. the syrian ambassador to the united nations says that an inspection team from the chemical weapons watchdog — the opcw — will go to douma today. western countries say a chemical gas attack took place there almost two weeks ago, killing dozens of people. the syrian government insists the incident in douma was fabricated. jon donnison has the latest. his report contains distressing images from the start. it's almost two weeks since the alleged chemical attacks in douma. today, inspectors from the chemical

weapons watchdog, the actor one, are expected to visit the site to assess what happened. much of the west is adamant syrian government forces are to blame. last weekend, britain, the united states and friends carried oui’ united states and friends carried our retaliatory strikes on syrian targets. but the russian backed government of bashar al—assad continues to deny any involvement. and these are busy times for the chemical weapons watchdog. meanwhile, at the hague today, the opcw will meet to discuss the salisbury nerve agent attack on the former russian double agent sergei skripal and his daughter. six weeks on, the investigation continues. britain insists russia did it, russia denies it. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news. health groups are warning that the fight against malaria is at a critical stage,

as the number of cases worldwide increased last year. at a major summit in london today, experts are hoping to urge leaders of commonwealth nations to commit to halving the number of cases of malaria within the next five years. one person has been killed and seven others had to be given medical treatment, after a passengerjet‘s engine ripped off in midair. the southwest airlines flight, flying from new york, made an emergency landing in philadelphia after a window, wings and fuselage were damaged in the incident. the british government is investigating 49 new migration cases relating to the windrush generation. the prime minister theresa may has apologised after thousands of citizens from the commonwealth, who came to the uk after the second world war, became concerned they faced deportation after changes to immigration rules. the us drug enforcement administration is to have new powers to limit the quantity of painkillers or opioids

that can be made each year by drug manufacturers. the new regulations would give the dea the ability to force drugs firms to cut opioid production if there was evidence that the drugs they made were being misused. president trump has paid tribute to the former first lady of the united states, barbara bush, who's died at the age of 92. he said she would be long remembered "for her strong devotion to country and family". barbara bush was the wife of president george bush senior and the mother of president george w bush. mrs bush had been unwell for some time and had declined further medical treatment. laura trevelyan looks back at her life. barbara bush was a commanding matriarch. only the second woman in american history to be both the wife of a president and the mother of one. she was married to the 41st occupant of the white house and raised the a3rd. born barbara pierce, she met george hw bush at a school

dance and they were married in 1945 after his service as a navy pilot in world war two. barbara was credited with helping his political career by keeping a cardfile of everyone he ever met. it all paid off when george hw bush was elected, first vice president to ronald reagan and then president. the office of president of the united states... barbara wore her trademark pearls at his inauguration, confiding they hid the wrinkles in her neck. it was this honesty that helped endear her to the american public. as first lady she focused on promoting literacy, helping the most disadvantaged americans. if more people who can read, write and comprehend, we would be that much closer to solving so many of the problems that plague our nation. during the first gulf war in 1990, barbara bush spoke for the nation in calling for a speedy end to the conflict. we are all wishing for peace. we want our people home. when her son george w bush decided to run for president, barbara was back in the spotlight once again. after his two terms in office, she was regretting the lack of civility in public life.

i just hate it. i hate the fact that people think compromise is a dirty word. it is not a dirty word. by the time her sonjeb made his unsuccessful run for president in 2016, barbara bush was a national icon. barbara bush was smart, tough and often plainspoken. an influentialfigure in a political dynasty. ba ra ba ra bush, who's died at the age of 92. starbucks, after a week of bad publicity and mounting protests, has announced it will shut 8000 of its stores in the united states for a day of racial bias education. it follows the handcuffing and arrest of two customers, who were black, in a branch in philadelphia last thursday. fiona joins the now. very nice to

have you. you are a senior market a nalyst have you. you are a senior market analyst and one of your areas of expertise is looking at how companies deal with crisis like this. what do you make of this? 0k, so this. what do you make of this? 0k, so this is a massive problem for the brand. this is a huge and —— implication for the brand and they need to be seen to be doing something. this is then standing up and saying we have done right and, —— done wrong and how will we look forward and to the outside world that we are doing something about this? the damage to the brand would be too large if they did nothing. the education tour educational way forward is the way that they are going. we have had some tweets on it. one saying this is ridiculous and cowardly. a lot more saying that

this is a cynical move and why now? we have had this from rick saying that police forces should be doing the same training. rachel says it is too little, too late. do you think this will damage the company long—term body think it will just this will damage the company long—term body think it willjust be a momentary blip in something they are dealing with now and they will move on? it depends if there are any repeat incidents as well. if this does just prove to be a 1—off and the training does seem to work and in the stores we see a difference in atmosphere as well, there is a possibility that they can move forward from this without too many problems if they address it in the way that they do. thank you very much. we see later with our news review. stay with us on the briefing. also on the programme: a full round—up of the latest

sporting headlines, including the race for the italian football league title. pol pot, one of the century's greatest mass murderers, is reported to have died of natural causes. he and the khmer rouge movement he led were responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million cambodians. there have been violent protests in indonesia, where playboy has gone on sale for the first time. traditionalist muslim leaders have expressed disgust. the magazine's offices have been attacked and its editorial staff have gone into hiding. it was clear that paula's only contest was with the clock, and as for a sporting legacy, paula radcliffe's competitors will be chasing her new world—best time for years to come. quite quietly, but quicker and quicker, she is seenjust to slide away under the surface and disappear.

welcome back. you're watching the briefing. 0ur headlines: history in the making — president trump confirms south korea is considering a peace treaty with the north that would officially end the korean war, 65 years after hostilities stopped. syria says international weapons inspectors are due to be shown the scene of a suspected chemical attack in douma. us officials say the experts are being kept away from the site. let's stay with syria now. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in aleppo, where official celebrations for syria's national day have been taking place. aleppo's ancient ramparts now a monument to president assad's staying power. once in rebel hands,

once the scene of the war‘s worst fighting, which divided the city and cost so many lives. now, for the government, a site of celebration, chosen notjust to mark syria's independence, but to show the world the war is going its way. i could not stand here, you could not stand here, we would have been sniped or beheaded. and this is... look, look, it now, it became, you know, normal again. tonight, inside this fortress, soldiers strike up national anthem to a crowd of syrian elite and invited guests, some from abroad. entertained by songs and dance of a syria gone by. a syria from before the war. stirring emotions and defiance too. translation: it's a big celebration for aleppo and all syria. we are very happy and celebrating this day.

you can see the people around you, we are the winners. god protect the president. translation: we are celebrating two things, our independence and surviving the air strikes, through the leadership of bashar al—assad. tonight, government supporters rally around theirflag, their president. in a city where so many lost so much, and for those forced to flee, even the city they once called home. lyse doucet reporting from aleppo there. the adult film star who claims she had an affair with donald trump has offered a $100,000 reward for more information on the man she says tried to silence her in 2011. speaking on abc television, stormy daniels said she hoped her story would encourage other women to confront those who've bullied or intimidated them. first to the skerne. it was

expressly what he had told me not to do, so first of all i went home. you should stand up and reported that the problem with that in this instance, i would have gone to the police and said ok, a man approached me, this is what is said to me, leave mr trump alone, and the very next question he would have ask me would have been why would someone tell you to leave mr trump alone? entire police department, and police reports are public, i know that for a fact, would know that i had sex with donald trump. here's our briefing on some of the key events happening later. first in belgium, three catalan ex—ministers face an extradition hearing before a brussels court. spain has charged the trio of rebellion and disobeying the state for organising last year's referendum on catalan independence. also today, air france begins a two day strike. pilots, cabin crew and ground staff working for the french airline are locked in a bitter pay dispute.

and later, saudi arabia's first cinema in nearly a0 years opens in riyadh. the first film shown is expected to be black panther. now it's time to get all the latest from the bbc sports centre. hello there. coming up in your wednesday sport briefing, jose mourinho takes aim at his team ahead of this week and's fa cup semi—final. rafael nadal hits the clay in monte carlo. and what to look out for when skateboarding comes to the tokyo olympics. it is fairto comes to the tokyo olympics. it is fair to say manchester united fans have had an up—and—down time of late after holding manchester city's title winning party, just eight days later, they had a defeat at home to bottom of the table west brom. united were at home at the bournemouth on wednesday night, with the fa cup against tottenham on saturday. jose mourinho was less than impressed with some of his

players. it was an opportunity for some people to play and to try to get a place in the team for totte n ha m , get a place in the team for tottenham, and some of the guys that played today they do not have a place in that team. meanwhile in italy, juventus can take another step towards securing the serie a title. napoli are also in action. the european clay—court tennis season the european clay—court tennis seasonis the european clay—court tennis season is well under way in monaco and on wednesday, world number one rafael nadal will make his first appearance back on his favourite surface. the king of clay is hunting an 11th monte carlo masters title. the tournament is close to his heart. i have been in love with this

event, it is one of the most beautiful clubs in the world, without a doubt and yeah, every time it had the chance to be his special feeling is i am very excited to be practising the last couple of days. novak djokovic is also in action on wednesday as his return from an elbow injury return... continues, the coltrane grandslam champion faces croatian opponent after a co mforta ble faces croatian opponent after a comfortable straight sets win over fellow serbian. —— the 11 time. bayern munich through to the final of the league in germany, that is after a 6—2 win over by in the v queues and. miller scored a second—half hat—trick, leading them to win. previous record of 32 games was held

by we also said that 32 years ago. cata la ns by we also said that 32 years ago. catalans are now 12 points clear of atletico madrid, having played one game all. for those of you that say skateboarding is not a sport, well, debate is over. in two years's time, we will see the world's best battle it out for gold at the olympics. he isa it out for gold at the olympics. he is a burden‘s eye view of him in practice. —— here is a bird's eye view. that will be tough indeed. you can get all the latest sports at our website. to me, that is your

wednesday sport briefing. the health of the seas that surround the uk have never been so keenly observed. and as the crusade against plastic continues, the bbc has been given rare access to the british government's science ship. it's a floating laboratory that's studying everything from the health of fish stocks and the seabed, to the amount of litter dumped off our shores. richard westcott joined the endeavour as it sailed down the east coast of england. inching out of the port on a quiet night, the £23 million floating science lab, heading down the east coast to explore one of the world's big environmental problems. what a stunning view, sunrise over a windfarm that we are not here for the view, it is the science done on—board vessel like the view, it is the science done on—boa rd vessel like endeavour the view, it is the science done on—board vessel like endeavour here thatis on—board vessel like endeavour here that is teaching us all about the rubbish we are jumping into the sea. so why am i holding this plastic foam? i will explain more later.

paid for by public money, endeavour spends most of the year running a health check on britain's sees. this isa health check on britain's sees. this is a really interesting and different camera, what is it? this is our sediment profile imaging camera, it essentially takes a photo ofa camera, it essentially takes a photo of a slice into the seabed, so we will be looking at for example, differences in the colour spectrum down to the sediment slice, and that can tell us things like how far the oxygen is penetrating into the seabed, but we can also look for things like marks that some of the animals had made. this cosy home probably belonged to a worm, animals suggest healthy seabed. the only way to monitorfish suggest healthy seabed. the only way to monitor fish stocks suggest healthy seabed. the only way to monitorfish stocks is suggest healthy seabed. the only way to monitor fish stocks is the. just look at the way that diving birds are trying to cash in, and the net is often cut more than they bargained for. let's see what we have got, tip it out. now, we talked about the phone earlier, well, here

is why it is relevant. if the others in the ocean floor, didn't you? yes, we did. why would a phone beyond the ocean floor? well, that looks as though it might have come off a rack. they are interesting as well, aren't they? because you are finding fewer plastic bags. yeah, that is right. it is really interesting for us right. it is really interesting for us because we have been recording data for 25 years now, so it is a really good set and plastic bags, we have found, it has declined since the introduction of the 5p charge. the scientist spent most of the day gathering data but on royal research ship belfast, some special guests come on—board. ship belfast, some special guests come on-board. they eat the food of the sea and it is really bad because the sea and it is really bad because the pollution of the sea, all plastic, you can get stuck. did you ever think before today about how

you use plastic? no. so has that changed the way you feel now? yeah, 110w changed the way you feel now? yeah, now i want to make the world a better place. tell me what you think about our talking point today: starbucks are going to close 8,000 stores in the us for an afternoon next month so staff can be trained in racial awareness. is the decision too little, too late? this was after two black men were arrested for staying in the shop too long and not buying anything. we've had this, two words, lip service. and also this, it is needed otherwise these gentlemen would not have been harassed while they were doing something that we all do, sitting and waiting for someone. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. tuesday was a windy day

across the uk. the winds are becoming lighter and with more and more sunshine, it will get warmer and warmer. temperatures into the mid— 20s. this was the crowd we had earlier on. it moved into england and wales. we saw some rain for a while but the cloud has been thinning. this is where the cloud is coming from, from a long way south. it is going to push northwards again. most of the rain coming into northern ireland, clearing the irish sea, most of that clearing the way to the far north—west, allowing more and more sunshine to develop. the wind will be lighter, it will feel warmer. 18 in the central belt, 2425 in the south—east of england. rain still not very far away from northern ireland and western scotla nd northern ireland and western scotland overnight, tending to peter out later in the night, leaving us with a band of cloud the misty weather in the irish sea. that is a

weakening weather front, otherwise clearing skies and nine or 10 celsius. the heat, although a little bit disappointing around some of these west coast areas, will be a little disappointing here. sunshine in western scotland and northern ireland, temperatures widely into the high teens. inland, across england and wales, 25 or 26 in the south—east. some sea breezes developing during the day. the really warm day we have on thursday will probably get squeezed away into central europe on friday. we will start to get this influence on the atlantic, already starting to happen in the north—west where we are getting these north—west to westerly winds. some sunshine around. again, watch out for some misty, murky conditions, this time to the english channel and around north sea coast. another warm day in the sunshine. the sunshine looks like it will continue into the weekend, we have got this area of high pressure

building across the uk, keeping these weather front sad day for the time being. again another dry day on saturday, some good spells of sunshine. some pockets of misty, low cloud, especially in the morning, that tending to burn. the air is not quite as warm so temperatures will bea quite as warm so temperatures will be a shade lower but it looks like it is going to be a warm one for the london marathon on saturday. this is business briefing. i'm samantha simmonds. all us starbucks stores will close for an afternoon next month so that staff can be trained in racial awareness, following the controversial arrest of two black men at one of its outlets. and trade tensions are once again on the rise, as the us accuses china of dumping cheap metal on its shores. and on the markets, asian shares have crept up, after wall street reacted positively to upbeat corporate earnings.