all live from london, this is bbc news all . the imf cuts forecasts for global growth, warning the uk and germany will be among the worst—performing major economies. joe biden is on his way to northern ireland to mark a 25 years of the good friday agreement. junior doctors in england are on strike in an ongoing dispute over pay set to cause major disruption to services. welcome back to bbc news, all of those stories in a moment.

sport, and a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. well, over to you. well, overto you. hello well, over to you. hello again, matthew. there are 100 days to go until the 2023 fifa women's world cup gets under way in australia and new zealand, and organisers say they're on course to sell a record 1.5 million tickets. co—hosts australia are in action in a friendly against the european champions, england. kick—off in brentford is just a few hours away. our reporterjo currie is there. jo, the countdown to the tournament is on. absolutely, it is now three and a half

they will be a host of stars on display tonight notjust they will be a host of stars on display tonight not just with the but a large number of those players also playing the football here in england also playing the football here in enaulan . also playing the football here in

en ' [an a ., ., also playing the football here in en. ian. ., ., , , also playing the football here in eni [ani ., ., , , ., england and the women super league and exnected — england and the women super league and exnected to _ england and the women super league and expected to play _ england and the women super league and expected to play tonight - england and the women super league and expected to play tonight and - and expected to play tonight and kick off in just over hours and close one. fig kick off in 'ust over hours and close one. a huge night in the champions — close one. a huge night in the champions league _ close one. a huge night in the champions league as - close one. a huge night in the champions league as well. i huge night in the champions league at the etihad. pep guardiola has defended his record in the competition with manchester city, as his side take on bayern munich in the quarter—final first leg. the spaniard has two champions league successes to date, but has failed to win it since doing so with barcelona in 2011. how many masters have played in his career? in 30 or a0 years as a golfer? 30 years, four majors, like it is a champions league in comparison, how many? 130. 18 out of 130. he loses more than he wins. that is a win. in football, golf, basketball, michaeljordan. the best advert for me, he won six nba titles, he played 16 years, he loses more than he wins. these games, all games are difficult, the important thing is to be here.

some fascinating games in the champions league this week. later, portguese league leaders benfica take on inter milan who are 22 points off the top of serie a. frank lampard takes his chelsea side to the holders real madrid on wednesday night. and it's an all italian affair as serie a leaders napoli go to ac milan alexander zverev made a winning start to his clay—court season by beating kasakstan�*s alexander bublik in the first round of the monte carlo masters. the german was playing on the surface for the first time since he retired from last year's french open semi—final against rafa nadal with a nasty right ankle injury. the 13th seed came though in three sets and will next face spaniard roberto bautista agut. gregor dimitrovjoined zverev in the second round with a hard—fought, three—set victory over american ben shelton. after splitting the opening two sets, the bulgarian edged ahead in the decider, before taking the victory in two hours 12 minutes. dimitrov has won 21 matches at the event, his most at any atp

masters 1000 tournament. and that's all the sport for now. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. he will leave the group with immediate effect and he apologised in the wake of allegations of his behaviour towards a female employee. 0ur behaviour towards a female employee. our business correspondent has more. this story has absolutely rocked them. he stepped aside and as the investigation got under way, the report and what happened hasn't been published, it was done by an independent legal firm. we do published, it was done by an independent legalfirm. we do not know the full details. at the cpa said today that it related to specific complaints about workplace misconduct. in that it determined that tony's conduct fell short of

that tony's conduct fell short of that expected of the director general. so, he has been sacked with immediate effect but is clearly not happy about it because it said on twitter this morning that he was shocked to learn about his dismissal instead of being invited to put forward his position. saying that many of the allegations against him have been distorted. but he recognised that he unintentionally made a number of colleagues feel uncomfortable and he was truly sorry about that. he is now out and being replaced swiftly by smith, his former chief economists and bar none to staff and its members. and as to steer this organisation through a wider crisis because there are further allegations of misconduct, drug use and rape and some herbal party and 2019. all of this is

unrelated to have him in much before his time involving other individuals. today, the cba described the allegations of devastating an investigation into thatis devastating an investigation into that is continuing but it is been hugely damaging. meetings between the cbi and the government have been cancelled. they have hit the pause button on the fence, including its big annual dinner and so, it is still too early to say whether this investigation, plus it's comments that it's promising to work with the police on these matters have lodged a review of its culture and the government but whether this is all enough to reassure the members that he can represent their interests, i believe it is still too early to say.

reports from myanmar say at least 50 civilians, including children. have been killed by an airstrike on a village.. eyewitnesses say that a military aircraft launched the attack, as people gathered for the opening ceremony of a new public authority office. the country has seen intense fighting between the military and ethnic armed groups in the two years following a military coup. bbc burmese editor soe win than gave more details of the incident. the incident happened this morning at 7am local time when, like you mentioned, the local people's defence force gathered to open a local administrative office when the army said a fighterjet and dropped a bomb. we saw on social media, we spoke to the local media and people, it headed directly into the crowd and pictures you saw the charred remains of the bodies and charred

motorcycles and charred buildings. in the evening, they said they have recovered 56 bodies and they were cremated. there could be a lot more because they are still trying to retrieve. because the body parts were everywhere. me retrieve. because the body parts were everywhere.— retrieve. because the body parts were everywhere. we have put onto the screen just _ were everywhere. we have put onto the screen just now _ were everywhere. we have put onto the screen just nowjust _ were everywhere. we have put onto the screen just nowjust a _ were everywhere. we have put onto the screen just nowjust a few - were everywhere. we have put onto the screen just nowjust a few of. the screen just nowjust a few of the screen just nowjust a few of the still pictures, there are many more pictures, i know you have seen them and for obvious reasons, we are not putting those onto the screen. but i mention a military coup, the intense fighting, how intense has the fighting been since the coup and in recent months? it the fighting been since the coup and in recent months?— the fighting been since the coup and in recent months? it has become more intense. in recent months? it has become more intense- because _ in recent months? it has become more intense. because both _ in recent months? it has become more intense. because both sides _ in recent months? it has become more intense. because both sides vowed - in recent months? it has become more intense. because both sides vowed to l intense. because both sides vowed to crush the other. just last month, the army chief vowed on an armed forces day parade ceremony that he would crush the opposition. the opposition also vowed that 2023 would be the decisive year for them. so the intense battles are going on

in many parts of the country. increasingly, the military has been resorting to their superior air power to defeat. because in the ground battles, they are in many battles, the regime suffers quite big losses because they are fighting many fronts. notjust in one confined area, on many fronts. they increasingly use the aerial power to attack the opposition troops. that was the editor _ attack the opposition troops. that was the editor of _ attack the opposition troops. that was the editor of the bbc's burmese service talking to me a short while ago. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. why are capybaras taking over the internet again? videos of these friendly rodents have had millions of views worldwide on tiktok. but did you know there is a group of capybaras who call west london their home?

they're like toddlers. they like brightly coloured foods and sweet foods. their favourite is sweet potato and carrot. at hobbledown heath in hounslow, you can see the internet sensations for yourself. so we've got andre, this one. then we've got cory here, and this one is sunny. sunny is the easiest to tell the difference of, because he is the lightest colour and he is the smaller. cory is the biggest. they are so sweet. everyone loves them. that is one thing that all ages have in common. they come away loving the capybaras. you're live with bbc news. time for a look at the business news now with ben thompson. looking again at those imf predictions. yes, interesting set of figures, thank you very much. the international monetary fund has warned that the global economy has reached another "highly uncertain

moment", which is slowing down the global economic recovery. let's take a look at some of the numbers published in their latest world economic outlook. the imf expect the global economy to grow a paltry 3% over the next five years, growing atjust 2.8% this year. the uk is on track to be the worst—performing advanced economy for 2023. uk gdp is predicted to shrink by 0.3% this year, that's worse than other g7 countries, before growing by 1% in 202a. the us, in contrast, is forecast to grow by 1.6% this year, and 1.1% in 202a. speaking at a press conference conference earlier, the imf�*s director of research, pierre—0livier gourinchas, painted a mixed picture for the world's economy. the global economy remains on track for a gradual recovery from the pandemic and russia's war on ukraine. china's re—opened economy is rebounding strongly. supply chain disruptions are

unwinding, while the dislocations to energy and food markets caused by the war are receding. the massive and synchronised tightening of monetary policy by most central banks is starting to bring inflation back towards its targets. at the same time, serious financial stability—related downside risks have emerged. the view from the imf. let's speak first to our north america business correspondent, who's at the imf meetings in washington. we have had a lot of information today giving us a sense of what the imf thinks will happen next. we are just hearing from the us treasury secretary janet yellen talking about the us economy performing exceptionally well and there is a gap between the economy is shaking off the pandemic and inflation and the war in ukraine and those finding it much harder to do so.— it much harder to do so. that's riht, it much harder to do so. that's right. the _ it much harder to do so. that's right. the us _ it much harder to do so. that's right, the us economy - it much harder to do so. that's right, the us economy is - it much harder to do so. that's right, the us economy is set . it much harder to do so. that's| right, the us economy is set to it much harder to do so. that's - right, the us economy is set to grow by 1.6%. that is better than what

was originally forecast. and then it is going to grow by another 1.1% next year. and it is better than some of the other economies, as you rightly pointed out. we see that the uk economy is meant to contract. the german economy is also meant to contract. that has to do with the energy prices and inflation. because of the war in ukraine, you are seeing a lot more pressure on oil and energy prices for countries in europe versus what you are seeing here in the united states. the united states still has really strong consumer sentiment. and consumers continue to spend. this economy depends heavily on consumer spending and that still remain somewhat robust. in that way, it is possible for the us economy to emerge a little stronger than other economies. bud emerge a little stronger than other economies-— economies. and there were words about the fragility _ economies. and there were words

about the fragility of _ economies. and there were words about the fragility of the - economies. and there were words about the fragility of the banking l about the fragility of the banking sector. there has been a lot of nervousness about that collapse of silicon valley bank and the contagion that spread to credit suisse. the imf is quite calm and confident the worst is over. the? suisse. the imf is quite calm and confident the worst is over. they do believe it has _ confident the worst is over. they do believe it has been _ confident the worst is over. they do believe it has been contained, - confident the worst is over. they do believe it has been contained, we . believe it has been contained, we sawjust pockets of it. with some banks in the united states and in switzerland. but that it has been largely contained. and what is really important is the imf went so far to say this is not the same remnants, orthis far to say this is not the same remnants, or this is not reminiscent of the 2008 financial crisis because the financial assets that triggered the financial assets that triggered the financial assets that triggered the financial crisis are not in play here, they are not that overvalued. in that way, that has been contained. they made a point to say that because you can sense the kind of unease and nervousness as a result of what happened earlier last month. a. ., g; result of what happened earlier last month. a. ., x; ., ., result of what happened earlier last

month. ., x; ., ., ., result of what happened earlier last month. .,;~, ., ., ., , month. macro 3, for now, thanks very much come — month. macro 3, for now, thanks very much come alive _ month. macro 3, for now, thanks very much come alive in _ month. macro 3, for now, thanks very much come alive in washington - month. macro 3, for now, thanks veryj much come alive in washington where those meetings are taking place. now, that weak economic growth is, according to the imf, going to drive interest rates back down to pre—pandemic levels. in a report released earlier today, the imf predict that recent hikes in borrowing costs could ease — with rates falling again — once inflation is brought under control. let's speak now to mohamed el—erian, chief economic adviser at allianz and president of queens' college cambridge. he's also a former deputy director at the international monetary fund. thank you for being with us. what did you make of what you saw today? there is quite a mixed picture, it is fair to say, some economies performing really well and others find it difficult to shake off those restrictions. why the big difference?— restrictions. why the big difference? ., ., , difference? initial conditions were different, which _ difference? initial conditions were different, which means _ difference? initial conditions were different, which means the - different, which means the resilience was different. and the agility is very different. we see within developed world, the us

bouncing back, but we see the uk lagging. within the emerging world, we see china and india going back up to 5% growth. so it is a combination of where you started on how quickly you have been able to react. what of where you started on how quickly you have been able to react. what do ou you have been able to react. what do you consider— you have been able to react. what do you consider the _ you have been able to react. what do you consider the key _ you have been able to react. what do you consider the key factors - you have been able to react. what do you consider the key factors in - you have been able to react. what do you consider the key factors in how . you consider the key factors in how governments around the world have responded? we saw pretty universally, they raised the cost of borrowing to keep a lid on prices, but that can also be damaging if not done at the right time or in the right way. who has done this best? so ironically, it is the developing countries that have done this best. they reacted much quicker to inflation. the industrial countries, the advanced countries and in particular the us were very slow. and because of that, once they got going, they had to concentrate the heights, which makes the outlook more uncertain. and when it comes to the federal reserve from the central bank of the us, what happens in the

us doesn't stay in the us. when the federal reserve makes you mistake of the rest of the world feels the consequences. did the rest of the world feels the consequences.— the rest of the world feels the consequences. the rest of the world feels the conseuences. , ., ~ ., consequences. did the fed make a mistake? 0h, _ consequences. did the fed make a mistake? 0h, absolutely, - consequences. did the fed make a mistake? 0h, absolutely, it - consequences. did the fed make a mistake? 0h, absolutely, it first. mistake? 0h, absolutely, it first made a mistake _ mistake? 0h, absolutely, it first made a mistake in _ mistake? 0h, absolutely, it first- made a mistake in mis-characterising made a mistake in mis—characterising inflation is transitory, it did that for most of 2021. then when it retired, that is the word is used, the word transitory from its vocabulary, it didn't move fast enough. then it had to slam on the brakes and that's why not only are the growth prospects less certain, but there is also concern about financial stability. bud but there is also concern about financial stability.— financial stability. and it is the knock-on _ financial stability. and it is the knock-on effect _ financial stability. and it is the knock-on effect that _ financial stability. and it is the knock-on effect that is - financial stability. and it is the knock-on effect that is most l knock—on effect that is most damaging and as you rightly point out, what happens in the us is really felt elsewhere. yet you look at the figures from the imf today and the us is leading the field once again, may be second to china, but nonetheless doing pretty well. yes. nonetheless doing pretty well. yes, because initial— nonetheless doing pretty well. ye: because initial conditions are stronger in the us, it is energy

independent. it has a massive domestic market, it doesn't depend to a large extent on the rest of the world. and then it has more entrepreneurship. so the us has higher resilience, high agility, and that's why the us is at 1.6% growth for this year according to the imf and we at the uk, we are —0.3, that shows you the range of outcomes year. at the other end of this - scale, you have the uk that is the worst performing economy and that includes sanction hit russia. you have talked about different starting points, but the uk government say this is not all that bad, we have been upgraded more than any other g7 country. is that because they were in a worse position to start with? so think you are getting a

be wiped out on plans to restructure after going bankrupt last year, the business is facing $5 billion with the debt and reorganising a business and think it is business as usual

and the islam by around 99% over the past five years. after being hit hard by the pandemic and forced it to close. more on all of the stories on the website and you're watching bbc news. what next simulating attacks on taiwan and response to the speaker last week. plans of the joint exercises between the us in the philippines predated china's activities they will do anything to calm already simmering tensions. years of correspondent. security personnel will remain in their posts and they would defend the nation and thatis and they would defend the nation and that is with the taiwanese president has said and even though china

announced these military exercises will be after the united states is ended and they have at least eight warships and chinese, they have concluded but the tension is still there. we have had three days of military exercises, china's military exercises operation joint sword with china's simulated or practice position attacks and taiwanese targets and simulated surrounding taiwan but also the event objects flying into taiwan and taiwanese is spaces to the east in this dramatic animation video that showed china attacking taiwan by sea, air and hitting some targets in taiwan with explosions. quite dramatic exercises there but a day after that, another

set of drills and between the us and the philippines and exercising that they have announced they will be the biggest ever and i live fire exercise and a sunken ship at the south china sea. they happened and are agreed on in the deal with the philippines earlier this year and we knew they were happening and we knew there were going to be big but this large scale display of american airpower in the region could not have come at a more sensitive time in the end of pacific. we know they're going to happen on philippine waters but of the south china sea into things you need to know about this area, it is tense, it is a very busy trading route and it is a very busy trading route and it is a very busy trading route and it is highly contested by china and already beijing has expressed that

it is not happy even though manila has assured them that this is to bolster the countries military capabilities. so, you have two sets of trails happening, one after another and an increasingly tense time in the region, increasing the high tension between the us and china as those two powers are trying to bolster their military power here in the pacific. around one million smokers in england will be given a free vaping starter kit to encourage them to give up tobacco. the government scheme is part of plans to almost eliminate smoking by the end of the decade. ministers will also consult on whether cigarette companies should be forced to include advice on quitting inside each pack. aru na iyengar reports. the free vape policy is being dubbed "swap to stop." almost one in five smokers will receive the free vaping kits and advice on how to stop smoking as part of a £115 million measure, and it will be run by local authorities. if it helps with people quitting, then that would be

a good way to start. i don't know if it's the best alternative but it is definitely better than smoking. are you a smoker? lam, yeah. i've been smoking for a long time. so it would be nice to make a change and try and stop. pregnant women will also receive up to £400 of vouchers to encourage them to stop smoking. it's believed 9% of women still smoke during pregnancy. currently 13% of people in england are smokers. the effects of smoking costs the nhs millions of pounds every year, and that's not including the effects on the economy from people being ill and out of work. the government pledged in 2019 to put measures in place to end smoking by 2030. anti—smoking campaigners have welcomed today's measures but say they should go much further. we are very encouraged by the latest developments, but they are not enough.

i mean, vaping is a very good way for smokers to quit, we know that if you give pregnant smokers shopping vouchers that will encourage them to quit and increase their success rate too, but we are talking about a pittance, you know, tens of millions compared to the hundreds of millions that are needed to end smoking. whilst giving out vapes to adults, the government is also cracking down on vape sales to under 18s, earmarking £3 million to tackle this. the new vaping policy is expected to be rolled out over a two—year period. aruna iyengar, bbc news. we are back in belfast a moment, first let's catch up with the weather. hello there. we've got some very windy weather on the way tonight and into wednesday. an area of low pressure is developing along the atlantic jet stream. this is causing the pressure to drop explosively. drops of pressure by over 30 millibars in the space of 2a hours, well, these areas of low pressure are sometimes referred to as �*weather bombs'. it will certainly be bringing some strong winds our way over the next 2a hours. now, today, we've already had

the best of the sunny weather. through the afternoon, outbreaks of rain will be encroaching from the west, with the winds picking up, as well. that said, we'll hold on to the dry and sunny weather for the north—east of scotland all day. it's overnight tonight that we start to get some strong winds. the first bout of windy weather really affecting wales and western england. gusts of wind 50 to 70, maybe even over 70mph in the most exposed locations could bring some areas of localised disruption. meanwhile, overnight, we'll see rain blow northwards and eastwards across the country. the winds becoming blustery everywhere and showers will be following to western areas later in the night. temperatures will be similar to those of last night's lows of between two and six degrees celsius. tomorrow, a very unsettled day. blustery winds for all of us. outbreaks of rain and plenty of showers around too, but we'll see some further zones of strong winds. southern wales and southern areas of england could see gusts of wind up to 70mph in places. strong enough to bring some disruption. the winds will get very gusty as well for northern ireland. again, strong enough to bring one or two issues here.

aside from the very windy weather, we'll have outbreaks of rain, some thunder mixed in, pushing eastwards across all parts of the country. it will be cold enough even for a bit of snow mixed in, particularly across the high ground in northern scotland, mostly above 400 metres elevation. a cold day. temperatures seven to 12 degrees, but feeling even colder than that given the strength of the winds. by the time we get to thursday, the area of low pressure will be working out into the north sea. still close enough to bring plenty of showers. some of these heavy and thundery, maybe even a bit wintry still over the highest ground in scotland, and temperatures continue to struggle at eight to 1a degrees. that's below par for the time of year. we have more unsettled weather to come then through friday and the weekend, with rain and showers around, but gradually through sunday and monday, it becomes drier and eventually warmer. the first 20 of the year on the charts in london into monday.

live from london, this is bbc news. the imf cuts forecast for global growth, warning the uk and germany will be one of the worst performing economies. joe biden said he aims to keep the peace before sending off to northern ireland. marking 25 years of the good friday agreement. we marking 25 years of the good friday ai reement. ~ ., �* ., , agreement. we are live in belfast lookin i agreement. we are live in belfast lookini at agreement. we are live in belfast looking at people's _ agreement. we are live in belfast looking at people's expectation i agreement. we are live in belfast looking at people's expectation of the visit and talking to people about their memories of the good friday agreement signed at 25 years ago and what they want from the future. �* ., ., , ., future. and “unior doctors and eniland future. and junior doctors and england have _ future. and junior doctors and england have started - future. and junior doctors and england have started a - future. and junior doctors and l england have started a four-day england have started a four—day strike, a quarter of1 million appointments and operations set to be counseled. —— cancelled.