kick live from washington, kick this is bbc news. ukraine dominates the g7 summit as president zelensky arrives in hiroshima to meet world leaders. the celebrated british author, martin amis, has died at the age of 73. and in sport — manchester city win the premier league for the third year in a row. hello. we start at the g7 summit injapan, where a surprise guest has stolen the spotlight — ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky. he touched down in hiroshima to meet

with g7 leaders in an effort to drum up support and weapons for an expected counter—offensive against russia. mr zelensky will address the leaders of the major western democracies during meetings on sunday. while the war in ukraine continues to dominate those summit talks — the war itself is raging on. bakhmut has been the focus of the longest and bloodiest battle of the war — but the leader of russia's private wagner group has said the city has now been taken. russia has been trying to take bakhmut since last year in a grinding war of attrition. and in the last few minutes, the russian news agency interfax says president putin has congratulated troops for capturing the city. earlier, ukraine says its units are still fighting in the city. this comes on the heels of the us agreement to allow ukrainian pilots to train in american—made f—16 jets to help with its fight against russia — a move moscow and china have criticised. here now, our political editor chris mason, who's in hiroshima.

the airport here has welcomed rather a few leaders in the last few days, and here came another one. after a tour of europe and a trip to the middle east, president zelensky arrived in japan today. long haul diplomacy amid a long drawn—out war and ongoing pleas for help. they met on monday in the uk, and they met again here. the president and the prime minister. ukraine's leader said enhanced cooperation will bring victory for him and claimed peace is closer. are you closer to peace now, sir? for months, ukraine has been asking for their planes, and in particular these fighterjets, f—16s. america, which makes them, has now said its allies who have them can give them to ukraine. the uk doesn't have any of these planes but is one of several countries,

including the us, that will help the ukrainian air force. the united states will support the joint effort to train ukrainian pilots on fourth generation fighter aircraft, including f—16s. we have turned to discussions about improving the ukrainian air force as part of our long—term commitment to ukraine's self defence. this is unquestionably a big win for ukraine, securing the first stage of what it has long hoped for, the training of its pilots, with the expectation that the planes themselves will follow. and president zelensky is the centre of attention here, and that sends a pretty blunt message to moscow. but not everyone is a straightforward cheerleader for ukraine. the indian prime minister, narendra modi, has never condemned russia's invasion. the g7 leaders gathered for what is known as their family photo this afternoon. they will have more talks with volodymyr zelensky throughout the weekend.

live now to the bbc�*s nick marsh who is in hiroshima for the summit. nick, president zelensky�*s visit already appearing to be one of the stand—out moments at this summit? you _ at this summit? said you at this summit? said earlier, stolen the spotlight. you said earlier, stolen the spotlight-— you said earlier, stolen the s-uotliht. , , spotlight. on paper, yesterday were su osed spotlight. on paper, yesterday were summed to — spotlight. on paper, yesterday were summed to be _ spotlight. on paper, yesterday were supposed to be all— spotlight. on paper, yesterday were supposed to be all about _ spotlight. on paper, yesterday were supposed to be all about china - spotlight. on paper, yesterday were supposed to be all about china but l supposed to be all about china but then of course president zelensky arrived. the debate over whether he would wouldn't come pretty much dominated the last 48 hours. he came, he met g7 leaders. but i think what is interesting, and it is important to point out, it's not just the g7 who are here. they have said but they have said, they have done what they have done on the issue of ukraine and sanctions against russia. but there are other countries here like india, for example, countries like chris correctly pointed out in his report,

have not condemned russia's invasion. there is a growing recognition both in behalf of the crane is, president zelensky and these g7 nations, to make a dent in these g7 nations, to make a dent in the russian war effort, you need to try and get these other countries on site. so president zelensky and the renderer modie sat down and talk. the renter modi said he didn't consider the issue of the ukraine war to be an issue of the economy all politics, he said it was an issue of humanity. he said he would do what he and india could for a resolution. but that is not a condemnation still of russia. it is not saying i am going to buy in on the sanctions and join in with what these western countries have been doing. india has ramped up its acquisition of russian oil since the war, has become one of the major sources of revenue for moscow. from a ukrainian point of view, there is still a long way to go, but it is trips like this, face—to—face meetings like we saw yesterday with

non—g7 members and that will be crucialfrom ukraine's point of non—g7 members and that will be crucial from ukraine's point of view to try and end this war successfully, from their point of view. ., , ., ., , view. you “ust mentioned china is, was view. you just mentioned china is, was meant — view. you just mentioned china is, was meant to _ view. you just mentioned china is, was meant to be _ view. you just mentioned china is, was meant to be something - view. you just mentioned china is, was meant to be something of - view. you just mentioned china is, was meant to be something of a i view. you just mentioned china is, . was meant to be something of a focus also at the summit and we know world leaders issued a communique with something of a thinly veiled warning to russia, tell us more about that message? to russia, tell us more about that messaue? , , , message? very thinly veiled. only in the sense that _ message? very thinly veiled. only in the sense that china _ message? very thinly veiled. only in the sense that china wasn't - the sense that china wasn't mentioned by name in this whole communique. but i suppose that is the world of diplomatic language. the communique focused on this notion of economic coercion, so the idea that china weapon noises its vast power economy to try and threaten countries it has disputes with. for example, australia, japan, south korea they would restrict trade if there is some kind of disagreement and western countries,

g7 countries are unhappy about this and they have said they will try and work together to limit this. but you have to work within the economic reality, china is the second—largest economy. the us once heavy curbs and investment in china. they have decided to move away from the idea of decoupling, to use the jargon, to break off trade entirely and move towards diversifying, which essentially means not depending so much on chinese supply chains and moving away from wholesale dependency on the chinese economy. that is a lot easier said than done, of course. china, for its part has come out with an angry response with what has been going on this week in hiroshima. they said it has been used as a chance to smear and attack china and it is a brazen interference in our internal full fires. it is a case of the war of

words continuing. —— affairs. to use the cliche, they cannot live with each other, but they also can't live without each other. hick each other, but they also can't live without each other.— without each other. nick marsh re ”ortin without each other. nick marsh reporting from _ without each other. nick marsh reporting from japan. - without each other. nick marsh reporting from japan. thank . without each other. nick marsh | reporting from japan. thank you without each other. nick marsh - reporting from japan. thank you very much and we will speak to you again later. the celebrated british novelist martin amis has died at the age of 73 — his wife said the cause was oesophageal cancer. martin amis was one of the defining writers of the 19805 and 905. he produced 15 novels, and perfected a style that was satirical, witty and caustic. our arts correspondent david sillito looks back at his life. everything hated everything else, and everything else in return hated everything back. martin amis, reading from his 2012 novel lionel asbo: state of england, a pitch—black comedy about the darker side of britain. trademark amis. money, london fields, yellow dog, much of his best work was in london, little signposts of the changing, and in his opinion declining,

state of our nation. the son of another famous author, kingsley amis, the connection was at times both help and a hindrance. but the quality of his writing soon established him as a literary star in his own right, a generation that included salman rushdie, who paid tribute to a unique and instantly recognisable literary voice. his willingness to take on the big topics and talk at length sometimes got him into trouble. but if september 11th had to happen... especially after his 9/11 book the second plane. but while his subject matter was often dark, beautifully written blackjokes, old age, he said, had changed him. you begin to value life as much as you did when you were a child. and if this is a second childhood, then it's good fun. you have a kind of leave—taking poignancy about you. not anger, and certainly not reactionary anger.

i don't want to turn the clock back. that is the idlest kind of inquiry. i want to see what's there and see what comedy is there in it. let's bring in george eaton — journalist and senior editor at the new statesman. he is widely considered one of the most influential writers of his generation, why do you think that is, what made his work so distinctive and unique? it is, what made his work so distinctive and unique? it was his captivating _ distinctive and unique? it was his captivating style. _ distinctive and unique? it was his captivating style. he _ distinctive and unique? it was his captivating style. he said - distinctive and unique? it was his captivating style. he said his - captivating style. he said his ambition as a novelist was to go in search of all the new rhythms and thatis search of all the new rhythms and that is exactly what he did. he wasn't actually as famous as some of his peers, the likes of salman rushdie and ian mcewan, but i think

everyone who read martin amis, a lot of people who did read martin amis, came away wanting to be a writer. he had this devout following among journalists for his wonderfully exuberant novels, money and land of fields. it was his respect for the power of language and his ability to deploy it in such vivid ways that made him an essential read, i think for an entire generation of novelists and journalists. novelists and “ournalists. talking about that novelists and journalists. talking about that very _ novelists and journalists. talking about that very distinctive - novelists and journalists. talking about that very distinctive style, | about that very distinctive style, he wrote himself, what i have tried to do is create a high style to describe low things. tell to do is create a high style to describe low things.- to do is create a high style to describe low things. tell us more about that? _ describe low things. tell us more about that? martin _ describe low things. tell us more about that? martin amis - describe low things. tell us more about that? martin amis was - describe low things. tell us more - about that? martin amis was someone who was interested in the underbelly of life, criminality, drugs,

gambling, failed romances and rather than, i think, gambling, failed romances and rather than, ithink, providing gambling, failed romances and rather than, i think, providing an idealised depiction of life, he tried to show it as it really was, albeit with an often savage comic satirical twist. albeit with an often savage comic satiricaltwist. but albeit with an often savage comic satirical twist. but i don't think it should be purely remembered as a satirist, because he was surprisingly tender. he wrote a superb memoir experienced some very moving passages on the death of his father, kingsley amis. and then wrote very movingly in the wake of the september the 11th attacks as well. as he grew older, the tender side often came to the fore. he certainly didn't shy away from

controversial subjects did he? certainly his depiction of some female characters in particular might be a talking point? yes. female characters in particular might be a talking point? yes, i think it is certainly _ might be a talking point? yes, i think it is certainly true - might be a talking point? yes, i think it is certainly true that - might be a talking point? yes, i think it is certainly true that his | think it is certainly true that his novels would be received differently now. i think amis was never gratuitous. there was always a literary justification for the depiction of his characters. and thatis depiction of his characters. and that is why i think he had this devoted following. me that is why i think he had this devoted following.— that is why i think he had this devoted following. that is why i think he had this devoted followinu. ~ ~ ., ., devoted following. we know that he had close relationships _ devoted following. we know that he had close relationships with - devoted following. we know that he had close relationships with the - had close relationships with the journalist christopher hitchens, salman rushdie, also one of his contemporaries. what did you think they shared and do you think there are many writers like them still producing work today? he are many writers like them still producing work today?- are many writers like them still producing work today? he was part of a remarkable — producing work today? he was part of a remarkable generation, _ producing work today? he was part of a remarkable generation, but - producing work today? he was part of a remarkable generation, but in - producing work today? he was part ofj a remarkable generation, but in many ways originated and worked for the

new statesman where he was working with journalists, new statesman where he was working withjournalists, the new statesman where he was working with journalists, the late christopher hitchens, the talented novelist and poet, james benson, who survives him and salman rushdie was also in their circle at a later point. i think literary culture is perhaps no longer essential to national life as it was in the 805 and 905. i think martin amis above all recognised how the world had changed with the digital revolution. i don't think there will be another noveli5t in the style of ami5, 5imply noveli5t in the style of ami5, simply because the world has changed so much. there are certainly supremely talented writers who are looking to replicate what the young martin amis did, which was to create a lexicon, it describe modern life

rather than relying on nostalgia and cliche. �* ., ., , ., ~' rather than relying on nostalgia and cliche. �* ., ., , ., ~ , cliche. and what do you think his crownin: cliche. and what do you think his crowning literary _ cliche. and what do you think his crowning literary achievements l cliche. and what do you think his l crowning literary achievements will be remembered as? i crowning literary achievements will be remembered as?— be remembered as? i think he will robabl be remembered as? i think he will probably be _ be remembered as? i think he will probably be remembered - be remembered as? i think he will probably be remembered as - be remembered as? i think he will probably be remembered as a - probably be remembered as a fantastic satire of the avaricious 805. the anglo—american novel, at the height of thatcherism and reaganism. it was rich materialfor a satirical novelist. my mentioned his memoir experience earlier, it will be remembered as a defining memoir. but it is his voice he will be remembered for and he had a style that was entirely his own and that many try to emulate, but then no one could truly replicate.— could truly replicate. absolutely and those were _ could truly replicate. absolutely and those were the _ could truly replicate. absolutely and those were the words - could truly replicate. absolutely and those were the words of. could truly replicate. absolutely - and those were the words of salman rushdie, one of his contemporaries.

george eaton, good to talk to you. thank you. to los angeles, where it's now been more than two weeks since the writers guild of america announced its strike against the alliance of motion picture and television producers. they're demanding higher wages, a stable pay structure, and improved working conditions. the work stoppage has stalled the production of several major tv shows, including abbott elementary, stranger things, and saturday night live. joining me now from los angeles is mike diaz, a tv writer and writers guild of america strike captain.you you are a couple of weeks now into this strike. how are you and other writers doing? and remind us of what you are calling for? it has been a really exciting couple of weeks. there is a tremendous community happening out on the picket lines. we are seeing, not only incredible turnout from our membership, but our sister

only incredible turnout from our membership, but our5i5ter unions, membership, but our sister unions, people membership, but our5i5ter unions, people from the screen actors guild, from lots of other unions that are affected by what is happening currently in hollywood. and all of this is because we are seeing a crossing point in the industry where we are seeing basically incredible profits from the advent of streaming and then writer wages are on the decrease. he and then writer wages are on the decrease. ., ., , ., ., decrease. he mentioned that you and our decrease. he mentioned that you and your colleagues. _ decrease. he mentioned that you and your colleagues, you _ decrease. he mentioned that you and your colleagues, you have _ decrease. he mentioned that you and your colleagues, you have been - decrease. he mentioned that you and your colleagues, you have been on i your colleagues, you have been on the picket lines, are there any indication that negotiations could resume any time soon? hal indication that negotiations could resume any time soon?— indication that negotiations could resume any time soon? not as far as we are seeing _ resume any time soon? not as far as we are seeing currently. _ resume any time soon? not as far as we are seeing currently. that - resume any time soon? not as far as we are seeing currently. that is - we are seeing currently. that is because the screen actors guild i5 because the screen actors guild is in negotiations for their deal, which expires onjune the 30th. both deals expire onjune the 30th. we will strike as long as it takes and we are ready to go back to the negotiating table. you

we are ready to go back to the negotiating table. you mention the union, and also _ negotiating table. you mention the union, and also the _ negotiating table. you mention the union, and also the performers - union, and also the performers union, and also the performers union, including actors could join the walk—out. what could that mean to your strike movement and also to people who want to be watching entertainment in weeks, months to come? i entertainment in weeks, months to come? ., , , entertainment in weeks, months to come? . , , , , _ come? i have been very inspired by the presence _ come? i have been very inspired by the presence of _ come? i have been very inspired by the presence of sag _ come? i have been very inspired by the presence of sag members - come? i have been very inspired by the presence of sag members on l come? i have been very inspired by. the presence of sag members on the picket line and also aspiring wg members. there is really no telling what will go on behind those closed doors. all i know is i am encountering a lot of support and we are all in this together. let’s encountering a lot of support and we are all in this together.— are all in this together. let's dig into some _ are all in this together. let's dig into some of _ are all in this together. let's dig into some of the _ are all in this together. let's dig into some of the issues - are all in this together. let's dig into some of the issues behind i are all in this together. let's dig i into some of the issues behind all of this. i think it is really

interesting that clearly, as a society in the us and the uk, we are very content hungry. we have seen the rise of streaming platforms, so the rise of streaming platforms, so the demand is there. but that hasn't demanded an improved pay and working conditions, so why do you think that is? i conditions, so why do you think that is? ~ ., , , conditions, so why do you think that is? ~ . , , . is? i think that it is very much indicative _ is? i think that it is very much indicative of— is? i think that it is very much indicative of where _ is? i think that it is very much indicative of where corporate l indicative of where corporate structure in america and may be in the world is going currently. we are seeing the rise of many companies that used to be just involved in tech, looking at amazon and apple that are entering the world of entertainment and they are looking to cut profits, cut revenue as much as possible in order to exploit... the advent of content and everything across these brand—new streaming platforms. i think part of it is

that we are seeing the incredible potential of streaming but we have got two entities operating in hollywood at the legacy studios, classic 5tudio5, abc, fox and disney. and then you have the newcomers, apple, amazon, netflix and they have different structures and they have different structures and their new tech companies don't have a lot of experience. 50 and their new tech companies don't have a lot of experience. so another bone of contention _ have a lot of experience. so another bone of contention you _ have a lot of experience. so another bone of contention you have - have a lot of experience. so another bone of contention you have been i bone of contention you have been raising and that being the rise of artificial intelligence, it is already being used in some parts of the entertainment industry. but what are some of your concern is that you and your colleagues have about artificial intelligence? i and your colleagues have about artificial intelligence?— artificial intelligence? i think ai is misunderstood. _ artificial intelligence? i think ai is misunderstood. artificial - i5 misunderstood. artificial intelligence is a stretch. these technologies are aggregators, it

takes content that already exists and then it will spit out a conglomeration of all these disparate pieces of media. the concern is as the studios look to cut further because, they will not see the value that rightist and artists in hollywood bring two productions and they are going to deploy ai. we are starting to see this when it comes to actors, which i know is concerning for the screen actors guild. in terms of writers, you can theoretically type in a few prompts and try to get a script, but it's not going to be the quality you would see from a human right and it won't be original. the technology is brand—new and we don't know the implications for copyright law and we want to get ahead of the curve on this. i we want to get ahead of the curve on this. ., ., , we want to get ahead of the curve on this. . ., , ., h, this. i am really intrigued about that, because _ this. i am really intrigued about that, because you _ this. i am really intrigued about that, because you are _ this. i am really intrigued about that, because you are writing i that, because you are writing professional, have you ever seen ai come up with a joke or a routine or

a scene that you think is truly funny? a scene that you think is truly funn ? ., ., ., , �* funny? not that i have seen. but that is not _ funny? not that i have seen. but that is not to _ funny? not that i have seen. but that is not to say _ funny? not that i have seen. but that is not to say that _ funny? not that i have seen. but that is not to say that in - funny? not that i have seen. but that is not to say that in the - that is not to say that in the future it won't be able to do that. but we are away away of ai, close to producing what a human writer could produce. producing what a human writer could roduce. ., ~' ,, producing what a human writer could roduce. ., ,, i. ., producing what a human writer could roduce. ., ,, ., ., to football — and manchester city have won their third consecutive premier league title. their spot at the top of the table was confirmed after second place arsenal lost 1—0 away at nottingham forest. 0ur sports correpsondent andy swiss reports from the etihad stadium. here at the etihad stadium, that banner behind me says it all — premier league champions for the third time in a row after manchester city's closest rivals, arsenal, lost their match against nottingham forest. remember, arsenal had led manchester city for much of the season, but manchester city produced their best form precisely when it mattered in the run—in, so at third consecutive league title for manchester city and their fans

here were understandably delighted. we left maine road 20 years ago this week, before that down in the third division. you know, all right we won the lottery on the way, but you've got to spend your money wisely. look at the other clubs, what they've spent. it's unbelievable. we follow this club all the time, don't we? yeah. and seeing harland when his first title is absolutely brilliant. yeah. seeing them win three times in a row, people don't see it every single day, being a city fan around here. it's a lot of love, to be honest, it's a lot of love. yes, what a day for manchester city fans, but they will be hoping that even better things could be about to come. of course, manchester city are through to the fa cup final, they're also through to the champions league final. so whilst they've won this trophy, they know that two more could be on their way and they will be hoping for what it would be

an extraordinary treble. 14 people have died and lots have been injured after mudslides in italy. people have been running out of food and drinking water with aid unable to reach them. the of food and drinking water with aid unable to reach them.— unable to reach them. the latest re orts unable to reach them. the latest reports talk _ unable to reach them. the latest reports talk about _ unable to reach them. the latest reports talk about 23 _ unable to reach them. the latestj reports talk about 23 overflowing rivers, 300 landslides and 500 disrupted or destroyed roads and 18,000 people without electricity. agriculture has also been heavily impacted and affected. rescue efforts are still ongoing. political leaders in government have expressed their total closest to the affected population, especially on twitter. the government says it is working on approving an aid package for the region as soon as possible. at some

right—wing politicians have also been making public statements attacking climate activists and an angle between extreme weather events on the climate crisis. it is echoed by some media outlets in italy. the two warring sides in sudan have agreed to a seven—day humanitarian ceasefire — that's according to the us state department. the truce will take effect in 48 hours. fighting between the sudanese military and its rival, the rapid support forces, is entering its sixth week. more than a million people have been displaced in the conflict. you are watching bbc news. i will be back at the top of the hour with plenty more. thanks for your company and i will see very soon. bye for now.

hello there. it's been a lovely start to the weekend, really, especially across england and wales where we've had lots of sunshine. so blue skies over these bluebell woods in south wales, in pontypridd. and on the satellite picture you can see the extent of the sunshine that have more cloud for scotland and northern ireland. the weak weather front overhead here, but we've still managed some brighter spells for scotland, and for northern ireland, england and wales we had temperatures reaching the low 205 and the warmest spots, the 21.5 there in porthmadog, actually making it the warmest day of the year so far for wales. now, over the next few hours we've got another weather front moving in. it's kind of pepping up, bringing a bit of heavier rain ju5t for a time to scotland and northern ireland. but then as we get towards dawn, that will tend to start to fizzle away. clear skies for england and wales, allowing temperatures to dip down to around 5 to 8 degrees celsius.

so it will be quite a cool start to a sunday morning for england and wales. sunday's chart, we've got a weak weather front that's moving into an area of high pressure. the high pressure will 5qui5h the weather front. so not much rain on it really as we head into sunday. it's just this stripe of cloud. so a few spots around. but, generally, although quite cloudy, there'll be some bright weather coming through at times. england and wales again having the best of the weather with plenty of sunshine around, perhaps a bit of cloud developing through the afternoon across east anglia and the southeast. but those temperatures, again, not bad for the time of year, quite close to average, really, with highs into the upper teens, although 205, 21, maybe a 22 in the warmest spots. now heading into next week, it's a similar kind of scenario, very weak weather fronts trying to come around the top side of this area of high pressure. so again, you might see an odd bit of rain for scotland and northern ireland, but not much. most of the day will be dry with some sunny spells coming through. again, it's england and wales that will have the best of the day's sunshine and we continue to see those temperatures in the warmest

spots climbing into the low 205. now, deeper into next week, the jet stream takes this kind of pattern, get a ridge over the uk, so high pressure is going to be close by. these troughs around southern europe will ensure that we continue to see heavy thundery showers across southern europe, which is quite unusual really for this time of the year. so here's the forecast in a bit more detail. over the next several days, you can see the extent of the dry weather we'll have with temperatures again holding for the most part at around 18 to 21 degrees celsius. so some fine weather next week.

ai ai this is bbc news. we will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the alice straight after this news programme. reporters speak in spanish. it was once the murder capital of the world. cries. for decades, rival gangs ruled the streets of el salvador through violence, extortion and fear. until now. for a year, the country's media—savvy president has declared war on gangs...