live from london, this is bbc news. joe biden has said he aims to keep the peace before setting off to northern ireland to mark 25 years of the good friday agreement. the man accused of being britain's top spy in the ira has died. the imf has cut its forecast for global growth, particularly for the uk and germany, although it says most countries should avoid a recession. junior doctors in england have started a four—day strike, a quarter ofi million appointments set to be cancelled.

hello and welcome. president biden will arrive in belfast, beginning a four—day trip in northern ireland. he's marking the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement, a deal that brought three decades of conflict, known as the troubles, largely to an end. when he lands, he'll be greeted by the british prime minister. a huge security operation is now in place. but the visit is going ahead in the absence of a devolved government in northern ireland is the power—sharing deal ushered in collapsed. he says his already is to keep the peace. he is currently airborne on _ already is to keep the peace. he is currently airborne on his _ already is to keep the peace. he is currently airborne on his way - currently airborne on his way to northern ireland. we expect to arrive here in a little over three

hours. so, when he arrives, he'll be greeted by the british prime minister. he will have one public engagement, which will be opening our university and the new campus there, so you can see some messaging going on around the investment. he will hope to be making for the future of northern ireland. business leaders are hoping as well as underlining america's commitment here, president biden will perhaps indicate some potential for more economic support for northern ireland. there's been some disappointment that his visit here is going to be so short. just the one event in northern ireland. some have said it would have been different. there would have been a more extensive schedule if the

government set up under the good friday agreement had been operating. the backdrop for this visit is not ideal. certainly the british and irish governments and community leaders are saying the us, the size of... fortunate to still be getting us presidential visits. this is the second since the first carried out by bill clinton in 1995. you second since the first carried out by bill clinton in 1995.— by bill clinton in 1995. you said disappointment, _ by bill clinton in 1995. you said disappointment, the _ by bill clinton in 1995. you said disappointment, the visit - by bill clinton in 1995. you said disappointment, the visit mayl by bill clinton in 1995. you said i disappointment, the visit may be short, but disappointment also that president biden will not be addressing a functioning stormont assembly. give us a sense of how different this could have been had he'd been able to speak to those politicians. he'd been able to speak to those politicians-_ he'd been able to speak to those oliticians. ~ , �* politicians. well, president biden received an _ politicians. well, president biden received an invitation _ politicians. well, president biden received an invitation to - politicians. well, president biden received an invitation to the - received an invitation to the best—known building in northern ireland. stormont. had he accepted

that in invitation, that would be a very powerful statement that the peace in northern ireland has probably bedded down. and the people who agree whether it should be in the uk or republic of ireland, they are prepared to work together to make the process work. but that invitation has not been accepted, so clearly, that is one item on the president's itinerary that is not happening and i think it's not... you would have to be too much of a prophet to suggest if star might have been more up and running, president biden would have made time to visit the assembly itself. the lack of power—sharing, not certainly the message that northern ireland on the message that northern ireland on the whole will want to project. it's expected that the president will

meet leaders of northern ireland's political parties tomorrow, but the parties themselves won't amount to much more than a few handshakes and small talk. on the whole, i think it will be a mixed vibe here regards to the presidential visit. people in the presidential visit. people in the hole say we're better off having him here than not, many other places in the world would be delighted to have a presidential visit at all. it does point that the feast deal has been largely successful. —— peace deal. in terms of its politics and, perhaps not so successful. few people expect a political breakthrough as a director results. chris page speaking to me earlier. let's talk to mitchell reese, who is former us special envoy to northern ireland under george w bush. it's

interesting, a lot of conversation. we heard from tony blair this morning, who said the influence on northern ireland politics must be used with care and sensitivity. one would assume that as president wyden will be well aware of —— president biden. will be well aware of -- president biden. , , , , will be well aware of -- president biden. ,, , , ., ., biden. this is in his first rodeo. he's been _ biden. this is in his first rodeo. he's been involved _ biden. this is in his first rodeo. he's been involved with - biden. this is in his first rodeo. he's been involved with irish i he's been involved with irish politics and especially northern ireland for many decades when he was a member of the senate. so, i think he understands the stakes, he understands diplomatic moment that he's walking into, and i expect them to deliver a very positive message of american commitment, of success, and celebration of the good friday agreement�*s achievements and hope for the future. with joe

agreement�*s achievements and hope for the future. withjoe kennedy now being his special envoy without responsibility. bud being his special envoy without responsibility.— being his special envoy without responsibility. and he arrives in ireland with _ responsibility. and he arrives in ireland with a _ responsibility. and he arrives in ireland with a lot _ responsibility. and he arrives in ireland with a lot still— responsibility. and he arrives in ireland with a lot still to - responsibility. and he arrives in ireland with a lot still to do - responsibility. and he arrives in ireland with a lot still to do as l ireland with a lot still to do as far as the windsor agreements, the irish records. he arrives at a stormont assembly that is not functioning. i wonder what else you might want to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that good friday agreement, there is still a lot of work to do. agreement, there is still a lot of work to de— agreement, there is still a lot of work to do— agreement, there is still a lot of work to do. �*, ., ., , ., work to do. there's no doubt about that. work to do. there's no doubt about that- again. _ work to do. there's no doubt about that- again. we _ work to do. there's no doubt about that. again, we can _ work to do. there's no doubt about that. again, we can all— work to do. there's no doubt about| that. again, we can all congratulate the people of northern ireland for what they've been able to accomplish since the good friday agreement was signed, but it's clear there's more work to be done. the message perhaps is peace isn't something you check and then move on, it's something you have to work out every day. the stormont assembly is clearly one issue. there are paramilitary groups on both sides that are still using

violence to express themselves. that's unacceptable. you have some social economic challenges that need to be addressed. all of these are still ongoing. the best thing that could happen is if you could get the political parties to stand up stormont so the people of northern ireland to get the type of society that they deserve. you ireland to get the type of society that they deserve.— ireland to get the type of society that they deserve. you are part of a task force that _ that they deserve. you are part of a task force that looks _ that they deserve. you are part of a task force that looks to _ that they deserve. you are part of a task force that looks to tackle - task force that looks to tackle paramilitary activity in northern ireland, and i wonder, given what we've seen recently, a huge security cordon in place for this visit — but this yesterday, we saw flare—ups of violence and parts of derry. how would you assess where we are now in northern ireland? would you assess where we are now in northern ireiand?_ northern ireland? well, it's not fair to northern ireland? well, it's not fairto really— northern ireland? well, it's not fair to reallyjudge _ northern ireland? well, it's not fair to reallyjudge any - northern ireland? well, it's not fair to really judge any type - northern ireland? well, it's not fair to really judge any type of l fair to reallyjudge any type of situation by a single event or day. the trend has been generally positive over the last decade or so. the violence has been declining certainly. there's no comparison to what was that during the troubles.

there are still some individuals that feel it's justified in using violence whether it's for a political agenda or more commonly, for criminal activity, especially drug dealing. there are instruments that need to be used in order to address that. these communities need to be helpful to the police when they can and they also need to be safe in their homes. again, there's much more work to be done. it's all fixable, and i think that that is the message — it's all fixable, it just will take a little bit longer than we like.— just will take a little bit longer than we like. you were a special envoy between _ than we like. you were a special envoy between 2003-2007. - than we like. you were a special envoy between 2003-2007. | i than we like. you were a special - envoy between 2003-2007. i wonder envoy between 2003—2007. i wonder now in the benefit of hindsight, how will you look back at your time and the achievements under george w. bush and everything that has happened since?— bush and everything that has happened since? bush and everything that has ha ened since? ~ ., ,, ,, happened since? well, thank you. it's alwa s happened since? well, thank you. it's always a _ happened since? well, thank you. it's always a great _ happened since? well, thank you. it's always a great privilege - happened since? well, thank you. it's always a great privilege to - it's always a great privilege to represent the united states and the

american people. i'm very grateful. i had an opportunity to work with the g ship party and tony blair, and i think the united states, the uk and ireland together were able to make a difference in northern ireland. there's a message there that the united states is committed to its friends and allies and when we were together, we can achieve things that are pretty special. i'm very proud of that moment, very proud of that process and i'm especially pleased for the people of northern ireland who deserve to live in a normal society. it’s northern ireland who deserve to live in a normal society.— in a normal society. it's good to talk to you _ in a normal society. it's good to talk to you on — in a normal society. it's good to talk to you on the _ in a normal society. it's good to talk to you on the programme. | talk to you on the programme. mitchell reese, partner with the brunswick group and former special envoy under george w. bush. thank you for being with us. envoy under george w. bush. thank you for being with us.— you for being with us. thank you very much- _ the man suspected of once being the british army's top agent within the ira has died. freddie scappaticci had always denied he was the agent known as stakeknife. mr scappaticci, who was in his 70s,

left northern ireland in 2003 after several media organisations alleged he had been working for the army while he was the head of the ira's internal security unit. joining me now is thejournalist peter taylor, who's just released a new book operation chiffon: the secret story of m15 and m16 and the road to peace in ireland. thank you for being with us. explain first of all who this man was? freddie stak, aka stakaknife, was an italian immigrant living in northern ireland, allegedly recruited by the british army known as the false research unit —— 221. he was recruited whilst walking his greyhounds —— freddie scappaticci. he was recruited by the army. why he

was of the mind to work for the british, because he was involved with the ira, or else he would not have been targeted, why you decided to swap allegiances, nobody quite knows but it may well have been the prospect of getting what was alleged to be £75,000 a year that was a king's ransom in the 19705 and 805. i suspect, but i don't know, the main incentive was not ideological, but financial, and he carried on working for british intelligence, and he was the jewel in the crown of british intelligence for 25 years. in the course of which, because he was a double agent, he was working for the ira a5 was a double agent, he was working for the ira as head of the security unit known as ira a5

for the ira as head of the security unit known as ira as the squad because they they dispatch them by shooting them in the back of the head and leaving their bodies in plastic bags by the side of the country roads. he was working for the ira, but also working for british intelligence. initially, the intelligence... wyn m15 takeover, they will also have had access to all his files. not to interrupt, peter. it's fascinating and i wonder, you talk about the contribution. talking

about the contribution. talking about his value, what value did he bring to the british army on the other side? bring to the british army on the otherside? for bring to the british army on the other side?— bring to the british army on the other side? ., �* , ~ , other side? for the british army, stakeknife was _ other side? for the british army, stakeknife was able _ other side? for the british army, stakeknife was able to _ other side? for the british army, stakeknife was able to inform - other side? for the british army, stakeknife was able to inform his british army handlers in the force research unit, which of their agents or which british agents working within the ira were suspected of being agents. a lot of which, but handlers can make sure even that they were x full trading — in other words, removed from operations — or protected. the reason why stakeknife is so controversial and why in the end, a huge investigation was set up about five years ago underjohn bank show, the chief constable of bedfordshire, to try and find out, to get to the bottom of stakeknife

and other operations. that report by john boucher has a report which will get as close as anybody can get to what happened to stakeknife when he publishes his report, which is due later this summer. ijust got publishes his report, which is due later this summer. i just got an e—mailfrom mr boucher later this summer. i just got an e—mail from mr boucher saying later this summer. i just got an e—mailfrom mr boucher saying now that mr stakeknife one —— mr scappaticci is now deceased, others will talk to him to fill in some of the gaps in what he had put together. the thing is, stakeknife's loved ones and individuals who lost their loved ones because they were "executed, murdered by the ira" and because it was believed that stakeknife was at the centre of that

unit, they wantjustice. they want stakeknife unit, they wantjustice. they want sta keknife to face unit, they wantjustice. they want stakeknife to face justice. stakeknife to face justice. stakeknife has gone to his grave without ever facing justice. without ever facing 'ustice. peter, i'm really grateful— without ever facing justice. peter, i'm really grateful for— without ever facing justice. peter, i'm really grateful for your - i'm really grateful for your explanation. it really is a fascinating history. thank you for that. petertaylor. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. reading is not something that comes easy for everyone, and for 35—year—old aaron, it's been a struggle. i was really scared. i felt embarrassed, quite silly, if i'm honest. but now that i'm far as what i am, i'm proud of myself for doing it. twice a week, aaron has a session with coach anne, who helps him break down big and complicated words. and he's doing this for one

very special person. got a little girl, and she likes me to read books and stuff like that. anne, a retired speech therapist, wanted to use her skills to help people like aaron. i'm in awe of the people that come along because they're so brave to start it in the first place and hold their hand up and say, "i need some help." the bbc�*s learning to read at 51 with jay blades also had quite the impact on people, and reading groups in this region went from six in 2021 to 15 by the end of 2022. and there's one more thing aaron wants you to know. if i can do it, anybody can do it. you're alive with bbc news. you're live with bbc news. the international monetary fund has published their prediction for the year ahead and says global growth will slow in 2023 from 3.4% last year to 2.8% this year. the economies in germany and the uk will contract. the imf also expect high interest rates, in the world's biggest economies to be temporary forecasting them to fall, back to pre—pandemic levels.

here's the imf�*s chief economist speaking a little earlier. the massive tightening of monetary policy _ the massive tightening of monetary policy by _ the massive tightening of monetary policy by most banks is starting to bring _ policy by most banks is starting to bring inflation back towards... at the same — bring inflation back towards... at the same time, serious financial stability— the same time, serious financial stability related downside risks have _ stability related downside risks have emerged. in our latest forecast, _ have emerged. in our latest forecast, global growth will bottom out at _ forecast, global growth will bottom out at 2.8% this year before rising modestly— out at 2.8% this year before rising modestly to 3% next year, almost unchanged from january. global inflation — unchanged from january. global inflation will ease, although more slowly— inflation will ease, although more slowly than initially anticipated, from _ slowly than initially anticipated, from a — slowly than initially anticipated, from a .7% last year to 7% this year and 4~9% _ from a .7% last year to 7% this year and 4.9% next year. thousands ofjunior doctors in england have begun a four day strike, with nhs leaders warning it'll be the most disruptive in health service history. the dispute over pay, is expected to see thousands the dispute over pay is expected to see thousands of operations cancelled, though staff will be

available for emergencies. the industrial action began at 7am, and will run until one minute to seven on saturday morning. the uk's health secretary, steve barclay, said earlier that asking for 35% was not "fair or reasonable". but the bma union says it wants to make up for 15 years of below—inflation wage rises. here's our health editor, hugh pym. overworked! underpaid! junior doctors on the picket line at milton keynes university hospital. what do we want? pay restoration! the strike is set to be the most destructive so far. nojunior doctor cuts! so why are they out for a second time this year? do you know, it's a really difficult decision as a junior doctor to strike, and i've actually felt a lot of agony about deciding, as have many of my colleagues. but at the end of the day, we have had significant pay degradation. is it reasonable to ask for a 35% pay rise?

i support all of my colleagues in the health sector who are striking for pay increases. my wife's a nurse, so between the two of us, our real—time pay is being degraded amongst two salaries. we need to find some space for you... - at the same hospital in november, here's what we saw. a crowded corridor with ambulance staff waiting to hand over patients at a&e. and here's what it looked like this morning — everything a lot quieter. some patients possibly staying away, knowing there was a strike on. the hospital says consultants have stepped in, some cancelling their leave. we have the rotas covered over the next four days. obviously, for any unexpected sickness, or if any major event happens, then we will have to make sure that we are able to cope with that, and i have to be honest and say that things are quite tight. emergency care has been maintained, but it's a different story for non—urgent treatment. usually here in outpatients, every seat is occupied, but today, very few are. the hospital has cancelled

more than 200 appointments, and that's just for one day of this strike. junior doctors include those on a starting salary of around £29,000 to more than 50,000 for those with several years�* experience. at another hospital, jackie was due to have breast reconstruction surgery this week three years after a mastectomy, but it was cancelled because of the strike. i'm just really, really upset that it's off. i don't know when it's going to be rescheduled. i've got a husband who's also now being diagnosed with cancer, who is also going to have to have chemotherapy, and i needed that operation to go ahead so that i can look after him. while striking doctors have been vocal in making their case, the health secretary is adamant

that their demands are unrealistic. we are ready to have discussions with them, but clearly, a demand for 35% over £20,000 for some junior doctors, is not fair or reasonable, and that is why we've not been able to make progress so far. cheering. the junior doctors argue that mr barclay should put forward his own pay offer. i would urge him again and ask anyone that is in contact with him to urge him to come to the table in an open and honest way so that we can ultimately bring this dispute to an end as quickly as possible. as striking doctors and others staged a march through westminster, the two sides seemed as entrenched and as far apart as ever. i am joined with nhs patient gemma cutler who has had ten appointments cancelled in the past year. tell us how you have been affected

by the strike. i tell us how you have been affected by the strike-— tell us how you have been affected by the strike. i have endometriosis, and the strikes _ by the strike. i have endometriosis, and the strikes have _ by the strike. i have endometriosis, and the strikes have just _ by the strike. i have endometriosis, and the strikes have just been - and the strikes have just been really disruptive to my treatment, my lack of support. which is very frustrating. my lack of support. which is very frustrating-— frustrating. when was your appointment. _ frustrating. when was your appointment, and - frustrating. when was your appointment, and what - frustrating. when was your i appointment, and what have frustrating. when was your - appointment, and what have you frustrating. when was your _ appointment, and what have you been told about ongoing treatment or a discussion about what that may be? so, my appointment was cancelled on the 14th of march. i've since been in blood tests, but no proper appointment. no information or guidance about treatment, advice, any support, and my next appointment is scheduled for the 29th of january in 2024. in is scheduled for the 29th of january in 2024. :: is scheduled for the 29th of january in 2024-- yes- _ is scheduled for the 29th of january

in 2024-- yes-_ is scheduled for the 29th of january in 2024.- yes. is scheduled for the 29th of january in 2024. :: yes. ~ ., ., �* , ., in 2024. in 2024? yes. wow, that's a lona wait. in 2024. in 2024? yes. wow, that's a long wait- 0ne _ in 2024. in 2024? yes. wow, that's a long wait. one would _ in 2024. in 2024? yes. wow, that's a long wait. one would assume - in 2024. in 2024? yes. wow, that's a long wait. one would assume pretty i long wait. one would assume pretty worrying wait for you. yes. long wait. one would assume pretty worrying wait for you.— worrying wait for you. yes, it is. i asked patient _ worrying wait for you. yes, it is. i asked patient are _ worrying wait for you. yes, it is. i asked patient are the _ worrying wait for you. yes, it is. i asked patient are the get - asked patient are the get recognition at all. it's a very hard battle, sometimes with doctors, consultants, surgeons and the strikes. i'm in full support, consultants, surgeons and the strikes. i'm infull support, but unfortunately, they aren't helping the situation. important appointments are being cancelled. in my right in saying that the last appointment that you were supposed to have was cancelled just the day before, so you didn't get any notice that it would not go ahead? yes. my appointment — that it would not go ahead? yes. my appointment was cancelled - that it would not go ahead? yes. my appointment was cancelled on - that it would not go ahead? yes. my appointment was cancelled on the i appointment was cancelled on the 13th of march, where it was on the following day on the 14th of march, and by then, i had already checked in, signed all my forms, and then i

got an of litigation saying it was cancelled. i rang the clinic up and they said they don't have any further appointments until at least january, so that i have confirmation the next day to say that my appointment had been rescheduled for the 29th of january. you appointment had been rescheduled for the 29th ofjanuary._ the 29th ofjanuary. you said a little earlier _ the 29th ofjanuary. you said a little earlier you _ the 29th ofjanuary. you said a little earlier you do _ the 29th ofjanuary. you said a little earlier you do support - the 29th ofjanuary. you said a i little earlier you do support these strikes and some of the reasons that those junior doctors are protesting about pay. but when it affects you like this day—to—day, how long does your sympathy last? 50. like this day-to-day, how long does your sympathy last?— your sympathy last? so, i am in full su ort your sympathy last? so, i am in full support of the _ your sympathy last? so, i am in full support of the strikes. _ your sympathy last? so, i am in full support of the strikes. i _ your sympathy last? so, i am in full support of the strikes. i think- your sympathy last? so, i am in full support of the strikes. i think it's i support of the strikes. i think it's fair thatjunior doctors and nursing fair that junior doctors and nursing staff fair thatjunior doctors and nursing staff get the pay they deserve. they work really long hours and it's never been justified. work really long hours and it's never beenjustified. but work really long hours and it's never been justified. but i think a lot of patients like me are frustrating, is trying to get much

—— starting to be much. we frustrating, is trying to get much -- starting to be much.- frustrating, is trying to get much -- starting to be much. we wish you well there treatment. _ -- starting to be much. we wish you well there treatment. thank - -- starting to be much. we wish you well there treatment. thank you i -- starting to be much. we wish you well there treatment. thank you for| well there treatment. thank you for talking to us. you're watching bbc news. hello there. very windy weather expected tonight and into tomorrow across large parts of the country. what's going on is an area of low pressure finds itself right and it's deepening very quickly, pressure dropping by over in the heart of this powerful atlantic jet stream. and it's deepening very quickly, pressure dropping by over 30 millibars, or hectopascals, in a space of 24 hours. low pressures like these are sometimes referred to as weather bombs. now, they will be bringing some very strong winds tonight initially across western parts of england and wales as well. gusts reaching 50—70mph, potentially bringing some disruption. outbreaks of rain will be blown northwards and eastwards across the country, and even as the rain starts to ease off, we are looking at plenty of heavy, blustery showers following in behind. one or two of those could even have a rumble of thunder or so. temperatures similar to recent nights, 2—6 celsius overnight. and then tomorrow, we've got another

swathe of strong winds coming in, this time focused across parts of wales and southern england. similar gusts values, 50—70mph, strong enough to bring down one or two trees, so there is the risk of seeing some disruption. meanwhile, out to sea, some very large waves, eight metres. that's the equivalent of two double decker buses stacked on top of each other. don't go near the coast. obviously, there's going to be some very dangerous conditions brought on by those large waves. for northern ireland, it also gets very windy, gusts reaching 45—60mph, potentially bringing some weather impacts. and if the winds weren't enough, we've got some heavy rain and some thunderstorms working their way eastwards across the country. so, all in all, a blustery day, cold enough for some snow in the high ground in scotland, above 400 metres elevation, so hill walkers need to take note of that. and a cold day, temperatures 7—12 celsius, but feeling colder given those blustery winds. the winds start to ease off a little

bit on thursday as the low pressure works out into the north sea. but we've got further outbreaks of rain at times for scotland and into parts of northeastern england. elsewhere, sunshine and heavy showers. temperatures still below par for this time of april. we've got more rain to come on friday, particularly across england and wales, showers further north. but through the weekend, the weather gradually becomes a little bit drier, and it starts to get a little bit milder as well, indeed, into next week, if you're fed up with all this rain and talk of strong winds, it's a lot calmer. temperatures for the first time this year will likely reach the low 205 in the warmest spots. bye for now.

live from london. this is bbc news. us presidentjoe biden is ian route to northern ireland for talks to mark the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement. the imf has cut its forecast for global growth particularly for the uk and germany although it says most countries should avoid recession. pentagon officials warn the leak of classified, military documents is a national security risk that could offer moscow the chance to spread disinformation.