welcome to newsline it is wednesday april 1st, i'm katherine catherine kobayashi in tokyo. representatives of iran and the six world powers have agreed to spend their talks on tehran's nuclear program. they sent tuesday as their deadline to reach a deal. they'll push their negotiations into wednesday. the session is being held in switzerland. the negotiators include iran's foreign minister and his counterparts from the five permanent members of the u.n. security council plus germany, the group is trying to decide how long the restrictions on iran's nuclear program remain in

effect. they're discussing how the sanctions would be lifted. leaders want them to be lifts as quickly as possible. american and western nations are trying to prevent iran from developing nuclear weapons. they couldn't hammer out a deal. u.s. state department spokesperson marie heart said in a statement that enough progress has been made in the last days to merit an extension. but she said there are several difficult issues still on the table. voters in nigeria have chosen a ruler to leave the ruling party. people said measures against terrorism were among the most pressing issues in the election. they've seen numerous attacks by the islamic militant group boko haram. local media reports say inging

jonathan has conceded defeat. he says unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else. it's the first change of power since 1999 when the country shifted from military rule to a civilian government. nigeria is africa's biggest economy and its largest oil producer with the population of 170 million. united nations officials are approaching governments around the world to come up with targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. they've only seen proposals from 33 nations by their march 31st deadline, most emerging economies have yet to submit any plans. the u.n. hopes to agree on a new framework to fight global warming later this year. the new framework beyond 2020 is due to replace the kyoto

protocol. the united states, russia switzerland, mexico and the 28 eu member nations have submitted reduction targets. japanese officials are still unable to declare a target as the country is still debating the mix of energy sources it will use in the future. >> iraqi forces have driven out islamic state militants from central tikrit. the insurgents have been occupying it since last june. tikrit is important, as it lies between baghdad and the northern city of mosul. the prime minister confirms the provincial government headquarters and a large part of tikrit have been taken. the iraqi government forces and iranian backed shiite militia launched in early march. u.s. led coalition forces began

air strikes last week to support them. iraqi troops are now hoping to retake mosul. government officials in myanmar and ethnic rebel group leaders have come together to sign a historic peace deal. they're trying to end 65 years of conflict about. >> the government officials and representatives of 60 minorities signed a cease-fire agreement on tuesday, with the president -- >> everyone here will go down in myanmar's history for helping bring peace to our country. >> the agreement came after seven rounds of peace that

started in 2013. this concludes the system that will give minor groups -- it also includes equal rights for all ethnic groups and establishment of the cease-fire . the struggle between the government and these groups has acted as a drug on the economic rule. myanmar is part of an asean economic community. planned to be launched at the end of the year. but it is important for myanmar to secure its border regions before the time. they hope the regional market of 600 million consumers was up -- >> the government troops since

february has cast a shadow over efforts. the official cease-fire on tuesday -- some other ethnic groups were not part of the agreement. whether the president achieved the mission -- >> thailand's interim prime minister is seeking to end ten months of marshall law. people in the country have been living with restrictions since the military to control in a cue. he says he's asked for permission. and he says he'll issue new orders based on the interim constitution to maintain security. military leaders imposed marshall law last may, and suspended thailand's constitution. they say they would allow them to establish stability and security. under the law, all political gatherings of more than 5 people

have been banned. thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets in november 2013. they demanded the resignation of then prime minister. and their demonstrations continued even after her fall from power. some people say marshall law is affecting the country's economy, particularly where tourism is investments are concerned. under the new orders the military officials will be able to detain demonstrators without charge. and they'll be able to try people in military courts in cases deemed to affect national security. >> some people in japan say they're still not feeling the benefits of the prime minister's economic policies what's known as abe-nomics are set to stabilize the economy. >> tell us more about business sentiment. >> one has been the weaker yen,

and the people who are feeling better that's days are the one who benefit from that there's a survey of those who measures those in a good mood and not in a good mood this morning's results show the overall mood of manufacturer's is changed from before. but nonmanufacturers are feeling better the data suggests sentiment at major manufacturers is unchanged from the previous sur x-ray released in december at plus 12 meanwhile the mood at nonmajor manufacturers improved. plus 19 up two points from before large manufacturer's gave

an outlook of plus 10 which is down two points. let's see how markets are trading, it's the first trading day of the new fiscal year here in japan. good morning, we just saw the results. how are the markets reacting. >> a little bit of a negative reaction here following the business sentiment survey. investors are starting off the new fiscal year slightly in the negative. let's have a look at the opening levels for the nikkei and toppism. we'll have a look at how the nikkei traded in 2014. 19,108, broader topics trading lower as well. the business sentiments follow some weak data out of japan of late. many are hoping for further stimulus measures to invigorate the economy. that said let's break down the numbers for the nikkei for the last year. up 10% from the last three

months, and it was actually up nearly 30% overall in the fiscal year, that just ended in march. not bad going, according to analysts who point out that corporate earnings may be the silver lining in the clouds that we've seen so to speak, in some of the data recently out of japan, and also long term interest rates hit a record low of 0.15%. low mortgage rates also helping the real economy. the weaker yen has really helped as well as aggressive cost-cutting measures in the corporate sector which has fueled optimism for domestic investors and overseas investors who poured money into japanese thoughts. >> how is the weaker yen affecting exporters and firms with overseas operations. >> yeah well quite frankly it's been very positive according to a lot of analysts companies generating their earnings from the u.s. which is on a much clearer growth path than a lot of other economic

blocks have helped. they make components for a lot of products that apple makes. jumped nearly 70% in the last fiscal year. toyota gains a lot of sales up nearly 44% an all time high. really clearly benefiting there. >> impressive numbers for sure. >> staying on currencies. it looks like a hopes for higher u.s. interest rates are continuing to support the dollar, what can you tell us there. >> the dollar against the euro in particular, was hidded for its worst quarter ever. 1.0746. the fall was really driven in part for higher u.s. interest rates and anxiety over greece. dollar yen, let's have a look at that. the yen fell around 17% against the dollar over the past year right now, 119.88. analysts telling us investors betting the u.s. jobs numbers on friday related the groundwork

which will boost the dollar even more and that of course will help a lot of japanese goods and make them much more competitive. looking ahead for the tokyo stock exchange analysts expect that to continue higher. hopes are for overseas investments, and for domestic pension funds to increase their portfolio of stock holdings and the bank of japan to continue to spur growth here. coming up, of course is the u.s. jobs data on friday. following that key earnings for the u.s. and japan in the coming weeks. that's all for me, back to you. a deadline has passed for countries to signal their intention for a new development bank. the roster stands at 47 nations and one territory. china is setting to -- applicants for membership before the tuesday deadline will become founding members.

those countries will participate in creating the banks baseline policies. those that gave affirmative responses by the deadline includes developed countries like australia, south korea, britain and other european nations, the emerging economies include russia and brazil japan and the u.s. have not applied, they say the banks governance lacks transparency. a final list will be decided in two weeks time beijing is calling on nations that have not pledged to join even though they would be inlegible to serve as founding members. in our series view from the top, we talk with top business leaders about their insights and strategies. i recently sat down with the president of mitsubishi heavy industries. he wants to expand the business globally, his company is targeting an overall sales goal of more than $40 billion by the

end of march in 2018. they want to get there by flying into the skies. >> since then he's been pushing his company to become more of a global player. nhi is counting down to the test flight of its first japan made passenger jet in 50 years. the regional jet is scheduled to fly late may. >> the customer more fuel efficient and environmental friendly aircraft. and our mrj i believe is the best feat. >> canada's bombardia dominates the market for small passenger

jets with a combined share of 80%. customers are expected to place around 5,000 orders for the small airliners in the next 20 years. mhi aims to capture half that market. >> how does your business model differ from ear leaders right now. >> we are a conglomerate company. the engines and turbines. all other systems. of course, the company -- at the same time the -- they do not have knowledge in supply

chains ever. which may be applied to the aircraft technology. >> mhi wants to shoot even higher into space. most of the companies orders for launching satellites with its h-2a rocket. they want a lot more orders for the rocket. >> our reputation is very -- becomes -- has become very high because of the 96 person -- the safe and launching records we have been making our launching costs. and then the -- under the new

estate policy. and the japanese government for the space related to the area. we are going to develop the new rocket which is expected to be very competitive in terms of the launching capacity -- and also the price. >> but he believes technology and skills won't be enough to succeed. he says the key is to respect business partners. >> the partner with several companies for some product area. and if they become -- the difficult hesitations.

in such case yes. i think they use -- we have better offer. the positive support. and whenever we face together, the difficulties, it's together sort of. and also i believe the many companies. >> that's the late necessity business for this hour i'll leave you with a check on markets.

a baseball umpire is catching the attention of fans in japan. he's the first sri lankan to officiate a tournament. nhk world has the story. >> he stands confidentially and proudly on the field. this is an important milestone in his young career. for the first time he's dawning a blue and gray uniform at a national tournament. on this day he's risen to the occasion getting in position to see another player's foot on the base. and calling out a runner trying to steal second.

>> i'm happy to realize my dream of becoming an umpire at a japanese competition. >> every spring high school players come here. with each catch and crack of the bat, they try to do their best. and they play to a big audience. games are broadcast live on tv nationwide, so people can cheer on their local teams. >> the 31-year-old shree languagen came to japan nine years ago to be part of the action. back home while in high school he walked away from the popular sport of cricket. he put down his cricket bat and started to swing a baseball bat. he has watched as the sport has grown in popularity since 2002 thanks in part to some japanese instructors. at the age of 22 he decided to

take a step toward his dream. he quit his job at a local bank and travelled to gentleman participate to enrole at the university, where he took on the role, business school's baseball club club. since his graduation, he's been working as a manager at this hotel restaurant but his passion keeps his heart close to the field. he serves as an umpire for about 100. mainly high school games every year. he also spends time on image training. he makes sure he's always making the right call. his hard work has earned him the honor of officiating at the national tournament. >> there's still a long way to go to achieve my dream, but i am

one step forward. >> he has another big dream, he hopes his love for the game will spread the players in sri lanka. the necessities of the sport like balls, bats and gloves. he wants to give young people mainly in rural areas a chance to play. >> by sending baseball goods to younger generations, i try to share my dream of building friendships to baseball and connecting to sri lanka. >> baseball has given him a new life, and new opportunities in japan. he hopes young boys and girls in sri lanka will not be afraid to step on to the baseball field and swing for their dreams. nhk world. >> it's time now for a check on the weather.

>> people in tunisia are dealing with a strengthening typhoon bring bringing weather conditions to the nation. >> i'm seeing a clear and defined eye. this system is a very powerful storm system just moving over the islands of micronesia it's in the western most state. we are seeing some local media stating that several deaths have been reported in two states when it passed over the islands on sunday. it's now bringing gusts of 306 kilometers per hour, the pressure is down to just 905 hectares. that's actually the most strongest typhoon we've seen. in the march -- month of march. and this is now going to be pooling into eastern philippines, possibly as a typhoon status it's now in the highest levels of any kind of typhoons in this area.

we may even see it make landfall across southern ozune as a typhoon. please be aware of this for your easter holidays. right now, bringing gusty conditions possibly over 100 kilometers per hour. we still have those adviseoryies for high winds, and the waves are going to be hazardous levels 4 to 5 meters. the flooding is going to be a huge concern, try not to be out during this storm. to the west of us we are looking at some wintery precipitation, very unstable conditions due to the southwesterly flow. and the upper level low across -- cold air, i should say, that is bringing actually this kind of image out there, it's actually not winter weather, but this is a hail storm that hit northern india sri lanka monday.

temperatures dipped. minus two degrees. the hail will continue into next week. farmers suffered huge losses early this month when rare heavy rains and hail damaged crops in several states. march has been the wettest month in more than a century involving millions of hectares and winter crops. people across these areas were ready to harvest wheat crops in the next few days due to the unstable conditions it's not going to happen there's going to be a significant impact on the economy for those of you out here, i'm afraid to tell you the unstable weather will continue at least for the latter half of this workweek. now, across the northern areas, we are looking at some sad storms across northern half of china and then the wet weather just in front of that dominating much of -- pulling into shanghai that's going to make its way toward the korean peninsula. as for our cherry blossom week

this is going to be our forecast likely to see clear skies for your wednesday. looking at some rain scattered across much of japan while it's going to be the peak of the cherry blossom, not looking forward to these on and off showers. clearing up on thursday and friday. back again with showers on saturday. across here in germany, we're looking at some windstorms really severe gusts of up to 147 kilometers per hour has been reported. this is going to be continuing to talk about it more later. likely to see some conditions across berlin as well as vee anna. i'll leave you now for the extended forecast.

that's all for this edition of newsline. thanks for staying with us.

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hello, and welcome to a winged edition of "global 3000." the wings this question are tiny, but the passion they evoke is immense. find out what that's all about later on in the show where we

have the following topics coming up -- welcome to istanbul syrian refugees seek a new life in turkey. poppy predicament. rural poverty drives myanmar's illegal opium trade. and nature trail -- a quest to find a rare and endangered bird in benin. millions of sirens have fled their homes since the outbreak of c