live from washington. this is bbc news. the defence ministry in moscow says wagner mercenaries, with the support of russian troops, have taken full control of bakhmut. ukraine denied similar claims earlier. the war dominates talks at the g7, as president zelensky spends the day meeting world leaders. and later in the program, we'll talk about how much it will cost to see taylor swft on tour. hello, i'm helena lee.

great to have you with us. we begin with some news from the war in ukraine. russia says its troops have fully captured the ukrainian city of bakhmut. kyiv has denied those claims, but if true, it could mark an end to the longest and bloodiest battle of the 15—month war. russia has been trying to take bakhmut since last year in a grinding war of attrition. and in the last hours, the russian news agency interfax has said president putin congratulated his troops and the paramilitary wagner group for capturing the city. earlier, ukraine had said its units were still fighting in the city. meanwhile, ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky has been on a whirlwind tour in an effort to drum up support and weapons for an expected counteroffensive against russia. it's been a busy few hours for zelensky, touching down injapan on saturday fo diplomatic talks touching down injapan on saturday for diplomatic talks with many of the gathered heads of the g7 nations. that includes prime minister rishi sunak, one of ukaine's closest allies. he also met with nations that have yet to pick a side

in the conflict. indian prime minister narendra modi has never condemned russia's invasion. and india has emerged as a top buyer of russian oil. mr zelensky will address the leaders of the major western democracies during meetings on sunday and reportedly will also meet directly with presidentjoe biden. live now to the bbc�*s nick marsh who is in hiroshima for the summit. good to see you once again. what is the latest you can tell us? i what is the latest you can tell us? , , , ., , what is the latest you can tell us? , ., , us? i suppose those apparent development _ us? i suppose those apparent development in _ us? i suppose those apparent development in bakhmut, - development in bakhmut, unconfirmed offcourse, but what the russians seem to be saying underscores the urgency of this visit from president zelensky. we did not know if he would be attending in person until the last minute but ukrainians were very keen for this to happen and he wants to come here and continued to plead his case for support for ukraine from his

allies in that she seven, that means military, financial support and further restrictions against russia. ——in the g7. there are plenty of other countries invited. you just mention narendra modi, a big buyer of russian oil and is a recognition among g7 countries that it is not enough and you need the buy in of other countries as well and so far there is not been a lot of that as well. a reluctance to condemn the invasion and go along with these sanctions. that is ukraine. plenty more to talk about that but today, in the last hour or so, we had a really important bilateral meeting between the leaders of south korea and japan. bakhmut from japan and president yoon suk yeol from south korea, they

have gone to the hiroshima peace park which commemorates the victims of his devastating atomic bomb blast to mark the end of the world war of 1916. and i am pleased to be able to talk about this without tokyo correspondent shaimaa khalil. this would be the last we will get to chat like this.— get to chat like this. don't make me _ get to chat like this. don't make me sad _ get to chat like this. don't make me sad laughter. | get to chat like this. don't - make me sad laughter. these two countries have _ make me sad laughter. these two countries have got _ make me sad laughter. these two countries have got a _ make me sad laughter. these two countries have got a very _ countries have got a very difficult history and plenty of bad blood between them but the two leaders have met three times in the last three months? after almost no visit by either leaders. — after almost no visit by either leaders, no visit certainly by south — leaders, no visit certainly by south korean leaders to japan for nearly 12 years, we have had — for nearly 12 years, we have had three _ for nearly 12 years, we have had three bilateral summits in three — had three bilateral summits in three months and that shows you the exhilaration and the faster pace _ the exhilaration and the faster pace that this is going. this

renewed _ pace that this is going. this renewed chapter of their relationship. and this is happening not very far from where — happening not very far from where we are, because we're standing _ where we are, because we're standing just outside peace memorial park. talk about the symbolism of having the summit in hiroshima and that theme keeps — in hiroshima and that theme keeps going. today, this morning, another showcase of the opponents of the symbolism because — the opponents of the symbolism because this is a first—time japanese _ because this is a first—time japanese and south korean leader— japanese and south korean leader lay a wreath of a memorial dedicated to korean victims — memorial dedicated to korean victims. these were koreans forced — victims. these were koreans forced into labour injapanese companies during the japanese occupation. —— appointment. there — occupation. —— appointment. there are _ occupation. —— appointment. there are so many layers to that — there are so many layers to that moment and i think it signifies— that moment and i think it signifies how important this renewed relationship is but it is also — renewed relationship is but it is also japan going that much

closer— is also japan going that much closer to _ is also japan going that much closer to saying, look, this has — closer to saying, look, this has been _ closer to saying, look, this has been a very, very difficult part— has been a very, very difficult part of— has been a very, very difficult part of our— has been a very, very difficult part of our past and we are acknowledging it.— part of our past and we are acknowledging it. south koreans still want an _ acknowledging it. south koreans still want an apology _ acknowledging it. south koreans still want an apology for - acknowledging it. south koreans still want an apology for that - still want an apology for that 35 year colonial really occupation. there have been hints of thawing of relations. i want to read what president yoon suk yeol said recently, he said that the words from fumio kishida when he mentioned that japan's heart hurts from what happened, he said that really resonated with the south korean people but there are bigger factors at play. they kind of need to get along. absolutely. i think the _ need to get along. absolutely. i think the language _ need to get along. absolutely. i think the language here - need to get along. absolutely. i think the language here is . i think the language here is everything. it is not a full— blown apology but it is fumio _ full— blown apology but it is fumio kishida acknowledging how difficult _ fumio kishida acknowledging how difficult this was. we see these _ difficult this was. we see these friendly pictures but it is worth— these friendly pictures but it is worth reminding our view is that— is worth reminding our view is that these _ is worth reminding our view is that these are two countries essentially sitting next to

each _ essentially sitting next to each other, a former occupier and _ each other, a former occupier and a — each other, a former occupier and a former occupied nation, and _ and a former occupied nation, and it— and a former occupied nation, and it tells you of the priorities they have. the fact they— priorities they have. the fact they both have to deal with a much — they both have to deal with a much more unstable indo—pacific, the fact that when _ indo—pacific, the fact that when north korea fires and intercontinental ballistic missile, sometimes alarms go off in— missile, sometimes alarms go off injapan. many fall into japanese territorial waters so the alarming rate at which these _ the alarming rate at which these nuclear weapons or the nuclear— these nuclear weapons or the nuclear power is being developed in north korea will almost — developed in north korea will almost inevitably pulljapan in and that — almost inevitably pulljapan in and that is why these two men need _ and that is why these two men need to— and that is why these two men need to sit down and talk. remember, washington is watching this closely. president biden is here and i'm pretty— president biden is here and i'm pretty sure he will reiterate how — pretty sure he will reiterate how important this is now. they're _ how important this is now. they're trying to put differences aside. great talking to you over the past few days. i know you have a busy day ahead. i will hand back to you in the studio. flick

back to you in the studio. nick and shaimaa _ back to you in the studio. nick and shaimaa khalil— back to you in the studio. nick and shaimaa khalil thank you very much for your reporting. with me is emily benson. she's the director on project on trade and technology at the center for strategic and international studies. we can discuss more about everything that has been going on with the g7. thank you for coming in. we know the g7 communique is already out, little bit early at this time around. india appears to be eyeing china and says that leaders will take steps to reduce dependence on critical supply chains and also constructive and stable relations with china. is it possible to do both things at the same time?— possible to do both things at the same time? yes, i think it is and if you — the same time? yes, i think it is and if you look _ the same time? yes, i think it is and if you look back - the same time? yes, i think it is and if you look back at - the same time? yes, i think it is and if you look back at past | is and if you look back at past g7 summits, some have struggled to really play the agenda deciding role. they have been extraordinarily effective in signalling the importance of certain policies, under the

canadian presidency, more recently with the uk and germany on climate change. this one is really representing a pivot towards geo— strategic issues and as you say anything communique they really buy into this idea that we can revert supply chains outside of china but they utilise this time ursula von der leyen which used, to de—risk and not to the couple. they say we do not want to cut ties but reduce dependency and that goes back to base security concerns and hard lessons from covid. when you have this dependency, and the country it exposes the vulnerability of supply chains. you talk about agenda setting signalling and it is fair to say we could see this as summit speak. do you think this time around, this particular g7 is different and we can see

concrete steps come out of it? i do think it is different. it is hard to contextualise but it really does different characteristics from past g7 summits. most notably, for the joe biden administration it was a win, particularly the language on china. jack sullivan and secretary yelena gave speeches on the administration strategy and the clearest articulations of where the thinking is going. on the economic agenda they hope to build. through this communique one question was answered and that was to what degree allies wanted to come on board and through this communique we see that there is broad buy in. they want to help the administration achieve the goals of this new agenda. taste goals of this new agenda. we also so stressing of support for southeast asia pacific countries, to what extent do you think that is an effort to

essentially counter influence from beijing and crucially do you think it will work? it is you think it will work? it is very interesting _ you think it will work? it 3 very interesting because of the g7 has had this reputation of being large, wealthy economies convening in kind of a club environment for quite some time and at this year there were several countries invited to attend who are not g7 numbers, including india, and also of course the next year's g20 president brazil and both countries have walked a fine line not only in the us— china context but also in the russia context but also in the russia context and there is a clear effort to reach out to countries who have not gone all in on buying into this techno— democratic agenda and to really welcome them into the participatory aspect of diplomacy. participatory aspect of diplomacy-— participatory aspect of diplomacy. participatory aspect of diloma . , ., ., diplomacy. they are at the table, do _ diplomacy. they are at the table, do you _

diplomacy. they are at the table, do you think - diplomacy. they are at the table, do you think they i diplomacy. they are at the | table, do you think they will align? i table, do you think they will aliun? ~' ., table, do you think they will aliun? ,, ., ., align? i think one thing that will fall on _ align? i think one thing that will fall on g7 _ align? i think one thing that will fall on g7 partners - align? i think one thing that will fall on g7 partners to i align? i think one thing that | will fall on g7 partners to do is to ensure that this agenda, this a voting supply chains to other countries that do not pose an imminent national security fred needs to see follow—through and part of that is to design incentive mechanisms that makes it appealing for other countries tojoin in. —— threat. they have to see something that is in it for them to participate and we will see in the coming months to what degree they will be able to conclude these deals and it consist of getting stuff done, reaching agreements, mineral critical partnership contracts. concrete contracts that will make this a reality. this is but one summit, one table essentially around which leaders are gathered at the same time. china is a hosting its own summit with central

asia nations and we have seen the arab league summit. is asia nations and we have seen the arab league summit. is that done deals? _ the arab league summit. is that done deals? we _ the arab league summit. is that done deals? we are _ the arab league summit. is that done deals? we are shifting - done deals? we are shifting into a new multipolar reality and in some ways it is an uncomfortable truth for leaders of these large multilateral areas. as jack sullivan said recently, we are moving away from this parthenon style of architecture with clean columns and lines into this frank gehry style of architecture which is contemporary, messier, we're not quite sure how it will work out yet but one question is how this new multipolar reality affects institutions and how they will change in order to make the most out of this new reality. make the most out of this new reali . . , make the most out of this new reali . ., , , ., make the most out of this new reali . , ., , , reality. last question briefly, do ou reality. last question briefly, do you think _ reality. last question briefly, do you think the _

reality. last question briefly, do you think the west - reality. last question briefly, do you think the west could l do you think the west could potentially called an expansion? potentially called an exansion? ~ , ., expansion? absolutely. that seems to — expansion? absolutely. that seems to be _ expansion? absolutely. that seems to be where - expansion? absolutely. that seems to be where things i expansion? absolutely. that| seems to be where things are headed. if you look at the admission in the g7 are based on economic makes. but the economic power of the g7 has been declining so is the threshold the right one? if not, they will absolutely open the door to other members and it could potentially result in a more durable architecture or you institutions.— you institutions. thank you, emily benson. _ now as we've been hearing, us presidentjoe biden had given the nod to supplying f16 jets to ukraine during the g7 summit. russia has condemned the agremeement saying the west was continuing on the path of escalation. shortly after the announcement, my colleague sumi somaskanda discussed us presidentjoe

biden's announcement with richard haass, the president of the council of foreign relations. he shared his reflections on the announcement. throughout the last 16 months orso throughout the last 16 months or so the west has also mean debating with itself. should we give ukraine this all that ever more capable piece of equipment. may it be too much for putin and the russians, what might the russians do in retaliation or escalation? what i am glad to see is that whether it is tanks or aeroplanes we give ukraine the capability it wants and needs stop i cannot sit here and predict if this would be militarily decisive, it is quite possible it will help ukraine but also possible even after another six months of fighting that the battlefield will look an awful lot like it looks now in which case the conversation about what next and in particular what about diplomacy will come to the fore. ., ,,. my diplomacy will come to the fore. ., ., fore. you specifically wrote about this _ fore. you specifically wrote

about this in _ fore. you specifically wrote about this in your - fore. you specifically wrote about this in your piece i fore. you specifically wrote about this in your piece in i about this in your piece in foreign affairs where you quote the most likely outcome is not a complete ukrainian victim but a complete ukrainian victim but a bloodied stalemate. why do you think that is?— you think that is? right now ukraine is — you think that is? right now ukraine is in _ you think that is? right now ukraine is in control - you think that is? right now ukraine is in control of i you think that is? right now ukraine is in control of 80%| you think that is? right now l ukraine is in control of 8096 of ukraine is in control of 80% of its territory, russia has crimea and parts of the east and it is very difficult to dislodge forces that are lodged inindeed dislodge forces that are lodged in indeed defensive positions. russia has numbers on it so it is been horribly equipped and lead fighting force but it still has capability. sitting here it is hard for me to imagine that ukraine can rout russian forces and liberate all of its territory. can they take back some territory? i would think that is likely. but i still think the assumption at the end of this fighting season, more likely than not is that russia is sitting on much of what it is currently occupying. 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. hated everything else. and everything else in return hated everything else in return hated everything back.— everything back. martin amis readin: everything back. martin amis reading from _ everything back. martin amis reading from his _ everything back. martin amis reading from his novel, i everything back. martin amis reading from his novel, the l reading from his novel, the state of england, a pitch black comedy about the darker side of england. much of his best work was set in london, signposts ever changing in his opinion, the declining state of our nation. some of another famous author, the king was that make the connection was at times both help and a hindrance. the quality of his writing soon established him as a literary star in his own right and a generation that include some

who pay tribute to a unique and instantly recognisable voice. his willingness to take on the big topics and talk at length sometimes got him into trouble. september 11 had to happen. except that make especially after his book the second plane. while his subject matter was dark and beautifully written blackjokes he said old age changed him. he written black jokes he said old age changed him.— age changed him. he came to value life _ age changed him. he came to value life as _ age changed him. he came to value life as much _ age changed him. he came to value life as much as - age changed him. he came to value life as much as you i age changed him. he came to value life as much as you do | value life as much as you do when you are a child and if it is a second childhood than it is a second childhood than it is a second childhood than it is a good fun. you have a leave taking poignancy not anger and certainly not reactionary. that is the titleist kind of enquiry. i want to see what is there and see what comedies there. martin amis who has died at the age of 73. in other news: the white house and republicans have

called their latest offers "a step back" in negotiations to raise the us federal debt ceiling. there were no new meetings saturday on capitol hill. republican house leader kevin mccarthy has said talks were unlikely to move forward until president biden returns from the g7 on sunday. lawmakers have untiljune 1st to reach a deal to lift the borrowing limit before the us would default on its debts, triggering possible financial chaos. 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 monday evening. 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. it's emerged that the uk's home secretary suella braverman when caught speeding last summer asked civil servants for advice on arranging a one—to—one speed awareness course, the government has confirmed. the speeding happened when she was attorney general and as is routine she was offered in september the choice of a fine and three points on her license

or a speed awareness course with other members of the public. let's turn our attention to the us now and to one huge star, taylor swift. you may remember chaos that ensued in november last year when tickets to the singer's us eras tour went on sale. ticketmaster was forced to cancel general sale for the concert, after extraordinarily high demand in presales exhausted supplies. fans complained of spending hours in an online queue, only for the site to crash. measures designed to curb scalpers appeared to fall flat. within minutes, tickets appeared on resale websites for — in some cases — thousands of dollars a piece. taylor swift herself said it was excruciating for her to watch mistakes happen with no recourse. the issue even made its way to the senatejudiciary committee. fast forward to now. the tour is well under way,

the crowds continue to fill stadiums — but if you're hoping to secure a last—minute ticket, prepare to pay up. we looked at one resale website for the boston show this weekend. right now, the cheapest ticket available is more than $1500, including fees. and that is for a seat with an obstructed view of the stage. if you want to get as close as possible — front row tickets are going for as much as $a,000. live now tojemima skelly, a freelance writer and taylor swift fan. welcome and lovely to have you with us. i understand you are australian but you have come to the united states for three months to go to as many shows as possible. how cool. haifa months to go to as many shows as possible. how cool.- as possible. how cool. how has it been? it _ as possible. how cool. how has it been? it is— as possible. how cool. how has it been? it is been _ as possible. how cool. how has it been? it is been great. i as possible. how cool. how has it been? it is been great. plan i it been? it is been great. plan was originally going to many more because the last tour she did it was easy to get tickets and cheaper so my plan was to

come over and put aside heaps of money for the shows but then when the tickets went on sale last year i quickly realised it would not be quite as easy as i thought it would be. haifa thought it would be. how surprised _ thought it would be. how surprised were _ thought it would be. how surprised were you i thought it would be. how surprised were you about those kind of prices? as i mentioned, if you want to see the show this weekend in boston, the cheapest price is $1500. must have been a shock. it is have been a shock. it is devastating _ have been a shock. it is devastating because, . have been a shock. it is| devastating because, for example, my friend and i went to see her in nashville. we were trying to get tickets all day before the show. it a popping up on ticketmaster, last—minute tickets for about $200 for an obstructed view. we thought ok we can do that but as soon as you get them in your car ten seconds later they are on resale websites for $1500. it is disheartening to see these tickets are going to what's for people who are not real fans what's for people who are not realfans meanwhile realfans real fans meanwhile real fans will realfans meanwhile realfans will miss out on the show. i

will miss out on the show. i have seen some endearing scenes on social media of swift fans, kids, parents taking their children outside venues just to listen. what sort of things have you been seeing for those hard—core fans, as you say, to enjoy this moment? hard-core fans, as you say, to enjoy this moment?— enjoy this moment? this happened _ enjoy this moment? this happened to _ enjoy this moment? this happened to my - enjoy this moment? this happened to my friend . enjoy this moment? ti 3 happened to my friend and i, we were in atlanta and trying to get last—minute tickets and it just did not happen, we were sitting outside the stadium and she was on stage singing her opening song and they were still going to $1600 on sub hub. it was disheartening seeing all the fans sitting out side with their phones hoping for a chance to get in. scalpers walking around and offering tickets for thousands offering tickets for thousands of dollars with no ticket that they were real. obviously it is nice to see people come together and listen from outside. you do not have to be in the stadium to come together as a community but it is still so sad seeing people in there but some of the real hard—core fans who want to be in there cannot get in. this

fans who want to be in there cannot get in.— fans who want to be in there cannot get in. as you say this is about coming _ cannot get in. as you say this is about coming together i cannot get in. as you say this is about coming together and j is about coming together and also about culture having access to culture. in your mind, what you think should done to make sure swift is can afford tickets to a show? i afford tickets to a show? i think it should be illegal to resell for a higher value. think it should be illegal to resell fora highervalue. i'm resell for a higher value. i'm pretty resell fora highervalue. i'm pretty sure that is the rule in australia so that we know when she comes and plays in australia it will be much easier to get tickets. of course, scalpers can buy up the tickets but they cannot resell for profit because it is illegal and basically that is what needs to happen here. ticketmaster tried their best but itjust did not work. but it 'ust did not work. where do but itjust did not work. where do ou but itjust did not work. where do you think — but itjust did not work. where do you think the _ but itjust did not work. where do you think the blame - but itjust did not work. where do you think the blame lies i do you think the blame lies here? , . , here? the blame lies with ticketmaster, _ here? the blame lies with ticketmaster, i— here? the blame lies with ticketmaster, ithink. i here? the blame lies with | ticketmaster, i think. they ticketmaster, ithink. they should have known. this is taylor swift. if it was a random artist, but she is going to sell out. and to put all the tickets on sale at the same time, do not have adequate timers and everything, yeah,

they introduce things now but it is simply too late. and the blame can also lie with the resellers as well. i feel that should not be allowed, nothing should not be allowed, nothing should be allowed to be resold for more than face value, it is just taking advantage of fans. we also heard taylor swift speak about this and get involved with certain extent. when you heart and to see that? definitely. but at the end of the day what can she do? if everyone on the planet wanted to see it was able to see her she would have to perform every night for five years straight and i do not expect her to do that. it must be hard to be in a position where she knows she is just such a big superstar that it is just such a big superstar thatitis is just such a big superstar that it is almost impossible to find the right venues for the demand that she has got. jemima, it was great to talk to you. she is currently in portland, a freelance writer and a taylor swift fan he was trying to see as many shows as

possible. great to talk to you and thank you for coming on. stay with us here on bbc news. we have more coming up at the top of the hour. hello there. a lovely start to the weekend, especially across england and wales where we have had lots of sunshine so blue skies over these blue billboards in south wales near pontypridd. a bit more cloud for scotland and northern ireland but still managed some bright spells and, actually, for scotland, northern ireland, england and wales we have temperatures reaching the low 20s in warm spots, 21.5 there making the warm day of the year so far for wales. over the making the warm day of the year so farfor wales. over the next few hours we have another weather front moving in, weatherfront moving in, pipping up bringing a bit of heavy rain for a time to scotland and northern ireland but as we get towards lawn that

will tend to start to fizzle away. clear skies for england and wales allowing temperatures to dip down to around 5— eight celsius. a call start the sunday morning for england and wales. a weak weather front moves into an area of high pressure in the high—pressure will squish the weather front so not a lot of rain on it, really, as we head into sunday. just a stripe of cloud. a few spots around that generally some bright weather coming through at times. england and wales again have the best of the weather with plenty of sunshine and a bit of cloud developing through the afternoon across east anglia and the south—east. but again those temperatures are not bad for this time of year, average, really with temperatures into the upper teens. 20, maybe 22 in the warmer spots. into next week a similar scenario, weak weather fronts try to come out the top side of this area of high pressure and again you may see an odd spit of rain for scotland and northern ireland but not much. most of the day will be dry with some sunny

spells coming through and again it is england and wales will have the best of the day's sunshine and we continue to see those temperatures in the warm spots climb into the low 20s. deep into next week the jet stream takes this pattern. high—pressure will be close by in these troughs around southern europe will ensure we can see heavy thundery showers across southern europe which is quite unusual, really, for this time of year. and here is the forecast in a bit more detail over the next several days you can see the extent of the dry weather and temperatures again holding for the most part around 18— 21 celsius. fine weather next week.

voice—over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. bangladesh's prime minister has beenin bangladesh's prime minister has been in powerfor the past 1a years. hersupporters been in powerfor the past 1a years. her supporters described her as a saviour and her critics say she is a dictator, accusing her of human rights abuses. in a rare and wide—ranging interview with the bbc sheikh hasina sits down to discuss some of the most

important issues facing her country.