this is the briefing. i'm sally bundock. our top story: the us and japan say maximum pressure must be kept on north korea until it ends its nuclear programme. and there is a bright part available to north korea when it achieves denuclearisation in a complete and verifiable and irreversible way. replacing the castro dynasty: vice—president miguel diaz—canel is named as cuba's new leader. a style icon and one of the most famous cruise liners in the world — the qe2 reopens as a floating hotel. in business, bumpy road ahead: the imf warns global finance chiefs not to get complacent as trade tensions threaten to derail the economic recovery. also in the business briefing, india's youngest billionaire and why one of asia's top holiday islands is banning tourists. a warm welcome to the programme,

briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. and today, the uk government is set to announce the ban of straws, cotton buds and plastic stirrers as part of its campaign to be a world leader on tackling plastic waste. is this a good idea in your view? what steps are you taking to reduce plastic waste? be a part of the conversation. just use the hashtag #bbcthebriefing. president trump and japan's prime minister

have presented a united front on north korea, both saying maximum pressure must be maintained — they hope pyongyang will agree to nuclear disarmament. at a press conference after talks at the president's florida resort, mr trump also promised to press the north korean leader to send home japanese citizens abducted in the 1960s and 70s. but prime minister abe, under severe political pressure at home, has not got the concessions on trade that he needed from the american president. from florida, here's our state department correspondent barbara plett—usher the president of the united states, and the prime minister ofjapan. donald trump emerge from his two—day retreat with shinzo abe optimistic

about the north korea summit. we have never been in a position like this with that regime. whether it is father, grandfather, or son. he is in confident the north koreans are serious. he confirmed his cia director mike pompeo has secretly sounded out kim jong director mike pompeo has secretly sounded out kimjong il's willingness to negotiate away his nuclear weapons. the president made clear he is still willing to walk away from the plan. —— kimjong—un. ifi away from the plan. —— kimjong—un. if i begin as a meeting that will not be fruitful, we will not go. if the meeting when i am there is not fruitful, i will respectfully leave the meeting. shinzo abe has invested a lot in what he thought was a fruitful relationship. after staking out a whole picture position on north korea, he wanted to make sure that north korea would not lose out if the americans sit down with pyongyang. —— hawkish position.

translation: just because north korea is responding to dialogue there should be no reward. maximum pressure should be maintained and actual implementation of concrete actions will be demanded. this firm policy has been completely shared between us. donald trump went to some lengths to reassure shinzo abe that japan would not be sidelined by this burst of diplomacy over north korea. to convey that the us would account for its interests and remain committed to a security. when a candid disagreements over trade, donald trump did not any ground. despite a chummy round of golf, donald trump did not give shinzo abe the tariff exceptions he was looking for, bargaining instead for reductions in the trade deficit. at shinzo abe is well aware that donald trump's adventure with north korea would reshape regional relations,

and for that he needs to secure a place at the table. barbara plett—usher, bbc news, west palm beach florida. so not a hole—in—i for the japanese prime minister. we will get more analysis flight from tokyo later on how the trip is being interpreted in japan. but we look at other stories, now. cu ban officials have announced a replacement for president raul castro, who's stepping down and ending six decades of rule by his family. the new leader will be the current vice president, miguel diaz—canel. raul castro will stay on as the head of the communist party and is expected to remain a powerful influence. our correspondent will grant reports from havana. cu ba's old guard is finally changing. almost 60 years of rule underjust two men, two brothers, are at an end. the father of the revolution died in late 2016. his tomb a shrine to legions of socialist followers. now the younger brother, raul, is leaving the limelight too. less charismatic than fidel,

raul castro still had an eventful decade as president. he opened up the economy on the communist—run island and re—established ties with washington. now comes the hard part, replacing them. that falls to this man, vice president miguel diaz—canel. considered a moderniser by some, a hardliner by others, the former education minister has the unenviable task of trying to fill castro's shoes. few cubans can recall a time without a castro at the helm. now their successor inherits an island facing some deep—seated economic problems, and must govern with none of the revolutionary past of fidel or raul. today's the anniversary of the castros' greatest victory, repelling a cia—backed invasion at the bay of pigs in april, 1961.

these days, only a few residents of the time remember those dark days with washington. "i think raul castro should stay", says 81—year—old delores, who fled with her children when the invaders attacked. "i guess my generation is just too old now." raul won't be leaving power entirely, he'll remain head of the communist party. however, his public life is set to end and the island so synonymous with the name castro must now built a future without them. will grant, bbc news, cuba. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news. myanmar‘s leader, aung san suu kyi, has begun a 2—day visit to vietnam. she arrived in hanoi in the past hour, receiving a state welcoming ceremony hosted by vietnam's prime minister. ms suu kyi has been criticised in recent months for failing to speak out over the violence against rohingya muslims. a planet—hunting space telescope has

been successfully launched from cape canaveral in florida to look for worlds beyond our solar system. the tess satellite rode skywards on a space x falcon rocket, developed by the entrepreneur elon musk. a hollywood movie has been screened to officials and diplomats in saudi arabia as the kingdom prepares for the return of cinema after more than 35 years. the blockbuster superhero film, black panther, was shown as part of a series of tests before theatres are opened to the wider public next month. i have seen that movie and it is great. what they want to choose to kick a ball. —— what a film they

chose to kick it all off. let's turn to our top business story now — globalfinance ministers and central bankers are gathering washington for the spring meeting of the international monetary fund. they are being warned not to get complacent despite a healthy recovery in the global economy. a possible trade war is one worry — another is the impact of rising interest rates amid high levels of debt around the world. iain anderson is founder of the international communications agency, cicero group. always lovely to see you. nice to have you here on the briefing. what you make what the imf is saying this time around? it is a changing times. no doubt about that from what they we re no doubt about that from what they were saying at the start of the year. so they are pointing to debt levels getting beyond where we were before the financial crisis at the end of the last decade. $165 trillion worth of debt. donald trump

will be responsible for most of that increase in debt. there is a sense that the imf wants finance ministers to ta ke that the imf wants finance ministers to take more charge and control if you like of reducing those debt levels. so it is a little bit of a warning, a shot across the bow is, if you like. if you think about their audience, it is finance ministers, central bankers, too, and those in that realm. they are the audience they tried to influence to say actually think about these issues when you do raise rates, et cetera. in the united states, we are braced for a block of interest rate increases, in the uk, as well. but when she says, the head of the imf, that the levels are at a level not seen, you know, since 2009, we'll start to worry. but things are quite different, are they? things are different. the picture of those debt

levels are different. and the type of debt... and the type of debt. this is more about the east dundee west this time round. they are pointing to be donald trump major tax is, as well. that is clearly going to have an impact on us debt. so it is a shot across the bow is, as they say. they are concerned. hopefully this is learning the lessons of what we saw in the past. the question is whether governments can take action to get a head of the situations. and if they have the willingness, as well. thank you, iain anderson from cicero group. he will be back with us for the news briefing. united nations officials are saying time is of the essence in syria — a team sent to investigate the suspected chemical weapons attack in douma has again been delayed. the team's security detail came under fire in the town on tuesday. the us defence secretary has suggested the syrian regime may have brought about the delays on purpose.

andrew plant reports. it's almost two weeks since this alleged attack using chlorine, said to have killed more than a0 people. the syrian government is accused of using the banned weapon, something president bashar al—assad denies. a team from the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons arrived in the country this week to examine the site, but the fact—finding mission has so far been unable to work. there was an advance un security team that went into douma yesterday, as is standard practice for these high—risk missions, to see what the situation was like. while they were there, they came under small arms fire, there was also an explosive device that was detonated. america and france have both said they have proof the syrian government carried out the chemical weapon attack. at the pentagon on wednesday, us defence secretary james mattis suggested the delays could have been orchestrated by the syrian regime.

we're very much aware of the delay that the regime imposed on that delegation, but we're also very much aware of how they have operated in the past and what they have done using chemical weapons, in other words, using the pause after a strike like that to try to clean up the evidence before the investigating team gets in. so it was unfortunate they were delayed. on friday, british, french and us military targeted chemical weapons depots and production facilities with missiles, and said they wouldn't rule out further action. meanwhile, the united nations team providing security to the fact—finding mission is due to go back into the town of douma on thursday. andrew plant, bbc news. stay with us on the briefing.

also on the programme, relief forjose mourinho — manchester united return to winning ways as they look to secure the runners up spot in the premier league. the stars and stripes at half—mast outside columbine high, the school sealed off and the bodies of the dead still inside. i never thought that they would actually go through with it. some places have already had nearly as much rain as they'd normally expect in an entire year. for millions of americans, the death of richard nixon in a new york hospital

has meant conflicting emotions. a national day of mourning next wednesday sitting somehow uneasily with the abiding memories of the shame of watergate. mission control: and lift off of the space shuttle discovery with the hubble space telescope — our window on the universe. you're watching the briefing. 0ur headlines — after almost 60 years, cuba prepares for the end of the casto era as the national assembly names miguel diaz—canel its next president. the us and japan say maximum pressure will be put on north korea. the leaders of the two countries hope pyongyang will agree to complete nuclear disarmament. let's stay with that now. our correspondent rupert wingfield—hayes joins us live from tokyo.

how was his press conference going down injapan? how was his press conference going down in japan? what how was his press conference going down injapan? what do they feel shinzo abe has achieved on his trip to florida? the japanese stock—market has gone up in the aftermath of that press conference this morning, in japan, aftermath of that press conference this morning, injapan, so there is a bit of relief that president trump wasn't more harsh on trade issues than he might have been. but i think it isa than he might have been. but i think it is a mixed picture. 0n the issue of north korea, mr arbeau appears to have got what he wanted, he has a strong have got what he wanted, he has a strong reassurance have got what he wanted, he has a strong reassurance from president trump that no sanctions will be lifted against north korea until there is concrete progress on de— nuclearisation —— shinzo abe. mr trump spoken about people abducted

from japan saying he would push north korea to bring those people home. on trade, it is a much more mixed picture. shinzo abe did not get any things he wanted such as a lifting of these new steel tariffs. 2596 lifting of these new steel tariffs. 25% tariffs onjapanese lifting of these new steel tariffs. 25% tariffs on japanese steel exports imposed last month. japan was surprised and rather affronted rather fact that it was included in the group of countries that mr trump targeted and really lumps japan along with china in this growing trade war. this and so are they right now it is quite tricky —— shinzo abe. he hasn't necessarily got everyone on board in terms of his policies, his agenda. there is concern about other areas and so it would have been great for him in terms of his political standing to go back with a deal on trade. it would have been. the thing is shinzo abe has invested

a lot of time and effort and his personal political capital in this relationship was —— with donald trump from day one. when donald trump from day one. when donald trump was elected, shinzo abe flew to new york to meet with him, this was their seventh meeting, they had talked about how close they are, how important their relationship is, how they like paying golf together, what good friends they are, and yet japan has got it with these trade tariffs and was completely left out of the whole north korea announcement. shinzo abe was not informed before mrtrump went shinzo abe was not informed before mr trump went ahead and announced to the world he was going to meet with kim jong—un. people in japan the world he was going to meet with kim jong—un. people injapan are looking at their relationship and saying, what are we getting out of it? our prime minister is being rather servile for what gain? thank you very much. there is a lot more on our website about that meeting as well. here's our briefing on some of the key events happening later. we begin in poland where the 75th anniversary

of the warsaw ghetto uprising is being remembered. a secret archive of thousands of surviving papers documenting life and death in the ghetto will be on display. then in berlin, german chancellor angela merkel and french president emmanuel macron discuss a joint drive to reform the european union in the wake of britain leaving the bloc. and later on in the us, a local attorney's office announces whether anyone will face charges over us pop star prince's fatal overdose in 2016. now, it's time to get all the latest from the bbc sports centre. hello there. coming up in your thursday sport briefing, chelsea gets set to take on burn in the premier league while manchester united account for bournemouth and fat and tindall opts for a bit of street cricket in mumbai. —— faction

tendulkar. so far, 2018 has been a disappointing yearfor tendulkar. so far, 2018 has been a disappointing year for chelsea. you have one to seven the last 21 matches in all competitions and sit fifth in the premier league. after beating southampton, chelsea face burnley who have won their last five league matches. they look ahead to the game in the press conference on wednesday. everyone is always required to switch off their phones. yes, everyone. untiltonight, we have the possibility... sorry. my wife. always in the worst moment. sorry. you can give me a fine. the san antonio spurs have any ambitions of staying in the nba play—off, they need to start winning now. after two games on the road, they trailed the golden state warriors. they are

determined to put up a fight. we are not going to roll over, we have to ta ke not going to roll over, we have to take the mentality that we have tonight, try and take the fight to them, go home without same mentality and hopefully shoot the ball better from the three, i feel like it should be good for us. we have to ta ke should be good for us. we have to take the same intensity from tonight home with us. in case you missed it, manchester united return to the winners circle on wednesday with 2—0 will win over ballmer. chris smalling goals takes them clear of liverpool. they have forasmuch as remaining. the players are all good. they were responsible, they felt they needed the points, they had to confirm as

soon as possible the fourth position, the difference is only one point, maximum two. then we can think about second, so the players are responsible. the dial made a winning return to the court. the world number one beat slovenia in straight sets. the dalek took the first set as he looks to ta ke took the first set as he looks to take a record title at the tournament. the second set went the same way. “— tournament. the second set went the same way. —— rafael nadal. alvarez has been suspended for six months following his two positive tests for a performance enhancing substances. he has been on a temporary suspensions and april three and saw his much anticipated rematch on the fifth of may cancelled. the fight could be rescheduled for

mid—september. now to a cricketer whom i have stopped playing professionally but still loves to pick up about. these pictures are from mumbai and you could say that this man is a pretty big deal there. yes, that is the highest scoring test cricketer, dundalk. apparently he was just driving past and saw these guys playing —— sachin tendulkar. he is currently involved in the ipl as a tea m currently involved in the ipl as a team ambassador. looks like he can still score a few runs. you can get the latest news from our website. but from me, that is your thursday sport briefing. 10 years after making her final voyage, the qe2 has finally reopened to the public. the formerflagship of the cunard line is now a luxury hotel, permanently berthed in dubai. guests will be able to relive the golden age of sea travel, although it comes at quite a price.

the bbc‘s tim allman has more. she is still quite a sight. her seafaring days are behind her now, but the qe2 is opening her doors once more. a hotel like no other — 1,300 rooms, 13 bars and restaurants. the cheapest accommodation — less than $200 a night. the most expensive suite — $15,000. we're opening the ship in phases. the first phase is seven decks, seven floors. and that is 244 rooms. now, there's a huge following around the world about the qe2 because of how famous she is and what she stands for. new york. she is a stately queen made for the miniskirt age. the qe2 made her maiden voyage in 1969,

one of the last of the great cruise liners. she epitomised glamour and luxury. but what is her appeal now that her life on the waves has ended? nostalgia. we have been on the ship when it was active, on the qe2, when it was actively a cunard ship. so we sort of wanted to come back and see it and maybe we will come and stay on her. she is remarkable. so, a new home, and a new life for this remarkable ship. her voyages may have ended, but her story still continues. tim allman, bbc news. stay with me on bbc news. i'll be back with the business briefing in just a few moments. hello again, wednesday was the

warmest day of the year so far with temperatures reaching 25 celsius across the london area. all the same to come to day today. a beautiful end through the day today. a bit of cloud across the western horizon. we have more sunshine to come. it will bea have more sunshine to come. it will be a little warmer as well. the first time we see temperatures reaching 80 fahrenheit across the south—east. a lump of cloud for many areas, though a few isolated showers. perhaps one or two mac across the hills of northern ireland and across the highlands. it is a dry day. any mist patches clearing. we will be left with lots of sunshine. how high can the temperatures get? 27 degrees around the london area. pushing into the 80s fahrenheit for the first time this era. as we go through the night—time, a little more in the way of cloud building across western areas, though should they largely

dry. a few showers working into the western isles and highlands by the end of the night. it will be a mild night. temperatures between seven and 13 celsius. any early—morning mist patches clearing. you will notice more wind coming from the atla ntic notice more wind coming from the atlantic across scotland, northern ireland and northern england and so the temperatures will be easing back as we in the week. still pleasant with a sunshine. still pretty warm across the south—east with temperatures up to 25 in london. this fine, dry, settled weather is being brought to us because of this dry pressure —— high pressure. showers working in across western areas. they will form ahead of this or that front that is to the west of the british isles. there may be a few thundery showers developing across the western side of the country at some point during saturday. eastern and northern areas should say largely dry and fine with some sunshine. kim richards easing back somewhat. 23 in london. cooler

across the north of the uk with some heavy rain around on sunday, not too much in the rain for the south—east, though there could be one or two mac passing showers. much cooler next week. that is your latest weather. this is business briefing. i'm sally bundock. bumpy road ahead: the imf warns global finance chiefs not to get complacent as trade tensions threaten to derail the economic recovery. plus, paradise lost: why one of asia's top holiday destinations is banning tourists for six months. we are live on the philippine island of boracay. and on the markets japan bounces following the trump. —— trump—abe press conference in florida. that's despite a deal on trade.