welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines.. president biden arrives in belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement with a visit to northern ireland and the republic. survivors say at least 53 people have been killed in one of the deadliest air strikes by myanmar�*s military in the ongoing civil war. the attack targeted a village in the north western sagaing region. the imf cuts forecasts for global growth, warning the uk and germany will be among the worst performing major economies. thousands ofjunior doctors across england spend the day on picket lines after beginning a four—day strike for higher pay.

and a pair of trainers worn by the us basketball superstar michaeljordan sells at auction for a record 2.2 million dollars. hello and welcome to the programme. president biden has arrived in belfast for a four—day trip to mark the 25th anniversary of the historic good friday agreement. the landmark deal largely brought to an end the 30 year conflict in northern ireland, known as the troubles. president biden says he looks forward to reiterating america's commitment to preserving the peace. my colleague emma vardy has more. air force one arrives at belfast international,

and northern ireland's first presidential visit in ten years is under way. time for a short hello with rishi sunak on the tarmac before the president was whisked away for the night. a ring of steel is in place in belfast city centre in what is one of the biggest security operations here of recent years. we've been planning for this for a number of weeks. we've prepared for all the various contingencies. our style and tone that we'll be delivering around this policing operation will be will remain a community focused style policing. presidential visits of the past have held great significance for northern ireland's peace process. you must say to those who still would use violence for political objectives. you were the past. in 1995, not long after a ceasefire had been declared by the republican armed paramilitaries, the ira, bill clinton crossed belfast�*s peace line to visit the divided republican and loyalist communities.

and on belfast�*s falls road came a historic moment. the first public handshake between a us president and the leader of what many still believe to be the political wing of the ira. bill clinton's visit helped pave the way for sinn fein tojoin peace talks. there was some political pressure, wasn't there, for him not to come here? what did that handshake achieve for you? well, it was a very clear symbolic indication to this community, which had suffered grievously, that the president of the usa was recognising them and other communities as well, of course. but this stretch of the road, you only walk the length of yourself. somebody died here, you know, while at the hands of british soldiers that they are, you see, orthe ira or the loyalists. and it was a moment of unquestionable symbolism. there's long been a strong connection with ireland for millions of americans with irish ancestry. there is president kennedy. whenjohn f kennedy visited ireland, he described it as the best four days

of his life. and joe biden has often spoken of his family's irish roots. but in washington earlier said his focus in belfast would be the peace process and the uk's recent new agreement on brexit. what's your top priority on the trip, sir? make sure the irish accords and the windsor agreement stay in place to keep the peace. that's the main thing. and there's now a little less need for those glasses, as potus will be waking up tomorrow in a rather less sun—kissed belfast. in the morning, joe biden will have a short meeting with rishi sunak before heading to an event at ulster university with the northern ireland political parties. and the question will be what will he say to them, given that power sharing here has been broken down for over a year? an invitation for the president to visit stormont was not taken up. the optics here deemed less suitable, with the devolved government suspended because of disagreements over the brexit arrangements.

for this city, it will be a more brief affair than the presidential visits of the past, but still a mark of northern ireland's continuing importance to america in its post—conflict journey. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast. 25 years on from the signing of the good friday agreement and here we are with a visit under way. here we are with a visit under wa . ~ .., here we are with a visit under wa , ~ here we are with a visit under wa .~ way. we can so you some additional _ way. we can so you some additional pictures - way. we can so you some additional pictures of - way. we can so you some additional pictures of the | additional pictures of the president getting off air force one shaking hands with rishi sunak who is they are on the tar not to greet him in the wings and an occasional little blast of rain. the visit to northern island by the president as opposed to the wider trip to the republic is

actually pretty short. for all of the diplomatic conversations over the last year, he will be here for around 15 hours, half of what you will be in bad. i think the political impasse here locally has played into that. there can't be some grand moment of smiles, the restoration of power—sharing government and northern island because that restoration has not yet happened. now the new deal as far as brexit and northern island is concerned has made this trip easier to nail down and ensure that it is happening. but the absence of the restoration of devolution has probably meant a smaller scale series of events that we might have otherwise seen. by tomorrow afternoon the president will be on his way to the republic, the prime minister will be on his way back to london. rishi sunak will be back here though next week for further commemoration. chris mason reporting on that

visit, speaking a few hours ago. at this visit has of course been described as a moment of great pride. by many irish commentators — but also one that could be especially symbolic and significant for president biden as he heads into an election year. for more i am joined by laurie watkins, former obama policy adviser and democratic strategist. it is great to get you on the programme, lori. it is great to get you on the programme, lori. how is this trip seen back home in the us? thank you so much for having you on your programme. i think this visit by president biden sends a very clear message that america is recommitting itself to peace and northern ireland. it is a show in sign of strength by america, showing its allies that they are here to stay and that president biden, yes it is a homecoming of sorts. it is also part diplomacy and part political. he wants to send a strong message that america remains strongly committed to northern island and the uk. i

strongly committed to northern island and the uk.— island and the uk. i have to sa , a island and the uk. i have to say. a lot — island and the uk. i have to say. a lot of— island and the uk. i have to say, a lot of questions - island and the uk. i have to say, a lot of questions are i say, a lot of questions are being asked about what he can achieve in real terms. i am sure you heard my colleague chris mason talking aboutjust how complicated the situation is on the ground. is there a danger, do you think, that this trip become simply a symbolic one noshing actually achieved? symbolism is always very important, of course, when you are showing your allies your commitment to peace. but i think that it shows the rest of the world as well that focus should be part on northern ireland and on this winter framework and that hopefully a deal of peace can be brokered. over the past year, as you mentioned, due to the post—brexit, there has been a group that, sectarian group that doesn't agree with that that doesn't agree with that that has held out, not coming to the legislator to do what they are intending and supposed

to be doing. and because of that you have seen their stalemate. use have seen a call to progress. that is not good for northern island. it is not good for the country, and it is not good for the entire region. and so this is very important to president by distant, symbolism of course but also show that he is very good at negotiating. you never know. there could be some movement that happens because of his visit. but if not, then that is “p visit. but if not, then that is up to those that remain behind to try and work out. but he is very good at negotiating, bringing allies together, as we saw with the bringing nato together about the war against ukraine by russia. so i am confident that he is going to be able to accomplish something, if notjust so symbolism. something, if not 'ust so symbolismfi something, if not 'ust so symbolism. something, if not 'ust so s mbolism. ., ., ., , symbolism. lori, iwonder as well what _ symbolism. lori, i wonder as well what you _ symbolism. lori, iwonder as well what you make - symbolism. lori, iwonder as well what you make of - symbolism. lori, iwonder as well what you make of the i symbolism. lori, i wonder as. well what you make of the fact that this is the head of the election year. does this play into the domestic us political cycle? doesn't win him any

brownie points, so to speak, back with his voters in the united states? i back with his voters in the united states?— back with his voters in the united states? i think always showin: united states? i think always showing strong _ united states? i think always showing strong leadership i united states? i think alwaysl showing strong leadership will help any president running for reelection but it shows that he is engaged, he is involved, and that he can do many things at once, which is focused on ukraine, focus on russia, focus on china, focus on the middle east, and have this particular focus and northern ireland. great to get you on the programme with your thoughts. the international monetary fund has cut its forecast for global growth, although it says most countries should avoid recession. the uk and germany are the most sluggish of the big european economies. the uk has received something of an upgrade to its growth

forecast for this year and next, but still, it will be the worst performing economy in the g7 this year, shrinking by 0.3%. the imf also forecast that high interest rates in major economies were likely to be temporary as inflation was brought under control. here's our north america business correspondent samira hussain as she begins by explaining the imf forecasts for the us economy. the us economy is set to grow by1.6%. that is better than what was originally forecasted. and then it's going to grow by another 1.1% next year. and it is better than some of the other economies. and we see that the uk economy is meant to contract, and germany's economy is also meant to contract. and really what a lot of that has to do with the energy prices and inflation that remember, because of the war in ukraine, you're seeing a lot more pressure on oil and energy prices for countries in europe versus what you're seeing here in the united states. also, the united states still has really strong

consumer sentiment in that consumers continue to spend. remember, this economy really depends heavily on consumer spending, and that still remains somewhat robust. so in that way, it is possible for the us economy to emerge a little bit stronger than other economies. to the uk now, wherejunior doctors in england have started a four day strike with huge disruption predicted in the nhs. they're demanding a 35 % pay rise. the government has described that as �*unrealistic�*. last year, the world health orgainzation talked of a �*ticking time bomb' for health staff across europe — pay, conditions and post pandemic burn—out all cited. and we've seen strikes in france, spain and belgium. but this action in england is likely to lead to a quarter of a million appointments and operations being cancelled. the bbc's health editor, hugh pym has more. overworked! underpaid!

junior doctors on the picket line at milton keynes university hospital. what do we want? pay restoration! the strike's 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're 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. the operation was due to take place on the 14th. at the operation was due to take place on the 14th.— place on the 14th. at another hospital. _ place on the 14th. at another hospital, jackie _ place on the 14th. at another hospital, jackie was - place on the 14th. at another hospital, jackie was due - place on the 14th. at another hospital, jackie was due to i hospital, jackie was due to have breast reconstruction three years after mastectomy, but it was cancer because of the strike. —— cancelled.

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. # we just want better pay...#. while striking doctors have been vocal in making their case.. # tell me why...#. ..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's 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's 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.

the bma is balancing doctors, the unions calling on the welsh government to improve a pay offer. meanwhile as westminster, as striking doctors and other staged a demonstration, the two side seemed as entrenched and as far apart as ever. hugh pym, bbc news. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines.... the us secretary of defence as he's determined to find the source of a leak of a classified document, many of them bleached to the war in ukraine. in britain, the ministry of defence says there is an inaccuracy and document circling online which include assertions that british and other special forces have been operating in ukraine. i other special forces have been operating in ukraine.— operating in ukraine. i think we lost something! - operating in ukraine. i think- we lost something! democracy! why do we lost it! the french president has been heckled as he gave a speech in the netherlands

during a two—day state visit. emmanuel macron was outlining his vision for the future of europe at the amare culture and concert venue in the hague, when protestors began shouting at him. opposition to the president's controversial pension reforms appeared to be behind the protest. reports from myanmar say at least 50 civilians, including children, have been killed by an air strike 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. earlier i spoke to soe win tan, the editor of bbc burmese service, to find out more details about the strike. up until last night. then we were confirmed by the locals that 56 bodies were recovered and they were cremated.

but apologies for having to describe this graphic scene because body parts strewn across the land, so they had to individually pick. some were beyond recognition because they were badly charred while they were picking up those body parts that another military helicopter hovered over them. so they had to stop the search. but they believed that the dead could amount up to 100, which include women and children, along with the resistance fighters who gathered in that village yesterday. my goodness, what you've described certainly brings cause for thought. and we have heard comments already, haven't we, from the united nations high commissionerfor human rights, who said that he was horrified by the incident and he described it as a blatant disregard for the rules of international law. but, you know, we have heard these sorts of comments before from un officials and nothing changes. what are you expecting this time around?

very little. like you rightly said, that un has made several statements like with their dismay, their horror, disappointment. they call for restraint, but nothing very little has changed on the ground. but regimes seem to be quite comfortable with where they are, like with un — united nations security council need to decide something, but the regime is comfortable that they have some powerful friends within the un security council like china and russia. yes. as you point out, it looks like an intractable situation going forward. what is your sense of what might happen here? i mean, the regime will continue because both sides vowed to crush the other regime. chiefjust last month vowed on an armed forces day that they will crush, because they blamed the opposition as terrorists and they claim that they needed to bring back the country and to be back to stability. but the opposition side also knew that the regime, the military, has repeatedly kind of seized power, so they have to crush it.

so because the both sides claim that 2023 would be decisive year for them. so we would still see that the fighting become more intense in coming months. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. ian ward has turned his bodmin living room into a slot car racetrack. i've got over 105 cars now, 1a box sets upstairs in my bedroom and probably another 26 that are loose. it takes my mind off things. it's brilliant. i love it. he rediscovered his childhood hobby a year ago and says it's really helped with his autism and mental health. so if i don't like the track, if i get bored of it, i can take it down and put a completely different

track up. in my brain, my autism accepts that because it's something completely different. ian has also taken his track out on the road, hosting monthly meets in this local community centre. oh, it's a great group. this is brings together like minded people with racing cars. my first time down with ian's club tonight. this is how big club starts. little small things- like a track on the floor built into a big club. you're live with bbc news. let's take a look at some of the stories in the headlines in the uk.... the boss of one of the uk's largest business groups has been sacked over complaints about his behaviour at work. tony danker, who had served as the head of the confederation of british industry since 2020, stepped aside in march to allow an investigation into his conduct following several complaints. in a tweet this morning, mr danker said he was shocked by his sacking.

a free vapour and started 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. one of the uk's three security agencies, gchq, has appointed a female director for the first time in its 104 year history. anne keast—butler is currently serving as deputy general at m15 and will succeed sirjeremy flemming, whose been in the post for six years. in her career, ms keast—butler helped to launch the uk's national cyber security centre. a pair of sneakers, or trainers, worn by basketball legend michaeljordan has sold for more than two million dollars — setting a record price for game—worn sports

shoes. the basketball champion last wore the trainers in 1998. our north america correspondent nomia iqbal explains how the shoes came to be under the auctioneer�*s hammer. these sneakers are known as bread, which refers to the fact that they are black and red in style. it's the style that michael jordan was known for wearing throughout his career, and he had these shoes on during game two of the 1998 nba finals, and was on his way to game six, and what would be the last nba championship title for him. they'd been gifted by the basketball legend to the visiting teams locker room's ball boy. now, we don't know who sold the sneakers. we don't know who bought them. but what the auction house did say, they described them just to give you the quote, the shoes which have his name in silver ink on each toe, as immaculate and pristine, consistent with use.

and it's worth mentioning that michaeljordan actually broke his own record when it comes to selling shoes two years ago in september, where his sneakers went for $1.5 million. and he's been collaborating with nike ever since the eighties. but the brand has really grown massively, largely driven by his successful netflix documentary, the last dance. the trainer industry, the shoe industry, the sneaker industry, it's really tripled in the last ten years. and now, according to a lot of statistics, it accounts for almost half of global footwear sales. and i did a documentary on this a couple of years ago, and spoke to bobbito garcia. he was and is seen as someone who was probably the first to talk about the phenomenon of the sneaker industry. on one side they are really functional. they are comfortable to wear. they looked cool. they are an extension of your individuality, you can be graded with them, paint them, customise them. you can own them, right? so that is one packet. the other pocket is

that sneakers in and of themselves have been placed in themselves have been placed in the same way that people approach art. and that's really the point that garcia has made there, that sneakers are seen as art. during the course of doing that documentary, i spoke to loads of people who said that they were prepared to pay that much money for sneakers, which they see as collectibles. so really, the price that michaeljordan�*s sneakers have gone for today, it's likely that they will get even higher as the years go on. iimagine she i imagine she had a lot of fun doing that research. people in taiwan who are frustrated at china's latest military drills near the island — have found a novel way of expressing their anger. many are choosing to wear badges that depict a taiwanese black bear punching the animated character winnie the pooh — who often appears in memes to represent china's leader xi jinping. taiwan is a self—ruled island with its own government and constitution, but china sees it as a breakaway

province. the badge started as a fad among airforce pilots, but has since gone viral. that's all for now — stay with bbc world news. hello there. stormy weather is expected to continue through tonight and into wednesday. and that's because we've got this powerfuljet stream up above that weather system, developing it very rapidly in the past 2a hours, giving those severe gales, unusually windy weather, a lot of rain to go with it. it means the conditions on the roads have been pretty atrocious. and now, we've got cold air tucking in around that low pressure across scotland, so turning progressively to snow, several centimetres over the hills here and even the showers further south following the rain band could be a little bit wintry. it's certainly going to be a chilly end to the night under the clearer skies further south, within a degree or two of freezing. but really, that's not the story.

the story is these powerful winds once again battering many western and southern areas during the day. we're expecting gusts up to, if not above, 70 miles an hour, which will cause disruption. bring down the odd tree. 50 miles an hour inland is really quite unusual. and, given that it's already been very windy through tuesday, we're going to see some very large waves around the southwest approaches through the channel into the english channel as well. and that could overtop the coast lines as well. so, some dangerous conditions. it also looks on that north westerly to be a very windy end to the morning, start to the afternoon across northern ireland. and we will keep very strong winds around that band of rain across the northern isle. so nowhere really exempt. and there'll be a lot of showers after the bright start. those showers rattling in really quite cloudy and wet for much of the day, potentially northern ireland, northern and western scotland. still that snow risk on the hills, perhaps as high as 12 in the south. but really we will notice a coolerfeel, those showers rushing in, becoming frequent

with hail and with thunder and still around into thursday, but fewer in number potentially. that low pressure withers in the north sea. it stays put actually through thursday into friday. but you can already see friday's rain is due in some uncertainty on that. but temperatures might recover just a little bit more on thursday, given a bit more sunshine. but it might be then that as we go into friday, we get the next area of low pressure pushing more rain in with some fairly strong winds. it doesn't look as windy as the current stormy conditions. and perhaps starting to settle down as we get into the latter part of the weekend. and next week, there's the hint that we might see the first 20, 21 of the year. but between now and then, a lot of nasty weather to come.

optimistic and yet pessimistic the imf paints a funny picture forward for the global economy. we will have the latest. too big to ignore for the spain's vice president speaks to the bbc on china and the ship to the international word. —— shift to the international world order. hello and welcome to asia business report. our top story, keep the pressure on interest rates or risk a financial crisis. that was one of the ominous warnings given by the international monetary fund to member countries as it

kicks off a series of spring meetings