live from london. this is bbc news. as the g7 summit wraps up, president biden announces a new package of military aid for ukraine, including ammunition, artillery and armoured vehicles. in the meantime, a spokesperson for the ukrainian president says that mr zelensky has not confirmed the capture of the eastern city of bakhmut by russia. greek voters head to the polls for the country's parliamentary elections. hello. the us president, joe biden, has announced a new package of military aid for ukraine, including ammunition, artillery and armoured vehicles.

it's come on the final day of the g7 summit of world leaders in hiroshima. president zelensky�*s surprise appearance has dominated the g7 meeting. he's taken part in the so—called family photo with leaders of the world's most powerful democracies. it's part of a multi—day diplomatic tour to solidify support for an expected spring counter—offensive against russia. president zelensky also had bilateral talks with president biden. take a listen. today, i'm announcing the next tranche of us security assistance to ukraine. a package that includes more ammunition, artillery, armoured vehicles to bolster ukraine's battlefield abilities. and the united states continues to help ukraine respond, recover and rebuild. and we're also supporting your pursuit of a just peace. just one aspect of ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. it has to be non—negotiable.

itjust has to happen. so, mr president, what the people of ukraine are defending, what you've achieved is a matter for the entire world. and they're in awe of what you've done so far, really and truly. it's incredible. together with the entire g7, we have ukraine's back and i promise we're not going anywhere. so thank you for being here. thank you very much, mr president, first of all, thank you for help, your leadership, for your support, and really for this new package. thank you very much from our people. and i'm so happy that, you know, we have so strong relations with our people and our people during these all these challenges. they go shoulder to shoulder. i'm very thankful to american people, to to you, your team, congress, bipartisan support.

and i'm happy that you and our teams have strong relations, which jake and andrew and mr blinken and our foreign minister, all of you a big team. and that really helps us. thank you. i remember your last brave, historical visit to kyiv and really our society highly appreciated this. and we spoke about very difficult decisions — and you did it with the training mission. we are very thankful. i think it will give us more strong positions on the battlefield. so we're very thankful that that is a new package. i really didn't know the details, but i know that you gave us a very big package during this year. it's more than 37 billion. my appreciation. we never forget. thank you.

live now to our correspondent shaimaa khalil in hiroshima. what do we expect in the us presidentjoe biden to say today? before i talk about president biden and american support, i will tell you that we expect pictures, looking at pictures from the peace memorial park. we arejust at pictures from the peace memorial park. we are just outside the peace memorial. i think you can see the atomic bomb dome. this is where president zelensky and the prime minister went into the peace memorial museum. i am looking at pictures of them now, standing outside. we expect them to exit the museum and then we expect them to go near the memorial and lay a wreath.

this is very highly significant and symbolic. we have talked about the symbolism of holding a summit in hiroshima, the historic significance. but i think that the poignancy has gone to another level with president zelensky being at that particular location. president zelensky i think is now with the prime minister. they are walking towards the memorial, getting ready towards the memorial, getting ready to lay the wreath. again, president zelensky landed yesterday in this highly anticipated visit. since his landing, yesterday, he has pretty much dominated headlines of the g7 because the war on ukraine has been at the heart of the agenda here at the g7. support the country, military, and also from the g7

partners. when he landed, i think that was a point where the significance of it went to another level because here he was the president of a country in the middle of the war making the case for ukraine to g7 and other countries. there they are, walking together towards that memorial. and these optics are also quite significant. last month, when the prime minister went to ukraine, that was an important moment. there were thoughts injapan about important moment. there were thoughts in japan about whether important moment. there were thoughts injapan about whether he would make it to ukraine. he was the only g7 leader who had not visited ukraine at the time. he met president zelensky there. we understand he invited him to come to japan but it was not confirmed. we knew president zelensky would address the g7 via video link. a different picture now look at them

walking side by side. in a significant location notjust here significant location not just here in japan significant location notjust here injapan but significant location notjust here in japan but you would significant location notjust here injapan but you would argue in the world. this area was levelled, devastated by an atomic bomb over seven decades ago. and this is what prime minister kishida said today, hiroshima was destroyed but rebuilt. he talked about ukraine and the fact the invasion of ukraine has pretty much changed the world order. and here he is with president zelensky walking in the direction of the atomic bomb dome. an iconic picture atomic bomb dome. an iconic picture at a time when the war in ukraine continues. we heard earlierfrom president zelensky about what happened in the eastern city of bakhmut. he was specifically asked whether the city of bakhmut was in

ukraine's hands. he said, i think, no, today it is in our hearts. we then heard a spokesperson go back on those words or try to. he said this is not what the president meant, he was not talking about ukrainian presence, military presence, withdrawal from presence, military presence, withdrawalfrom bakhmut. he was talking about the destruction. the wreath is being laid. the two leaders are laying a wreath at the peace memorial park. it is a significant moment. so many layers of poignancy to this. the peace memorial park, this location has always been looked at as an historical place, somewhere you look at and look back at what happened, look back at a time when many thought was behind us. a time of war and destruction. it has stood there as testament of the time no one wanted to see again. today, a

ukrainian leader is laying a wreath while war rages in his country while the g7 leaders have condemned russia's evasion, and continue to condemn the russian invasion of his country. it is a sombre moment. significant notjust for the significant not just for the ukrainian leader significant notjust for the ukrainian leader but also for hiroshima. for hiroshima to host the g7 and to host president zelensky when he stands centrestage to speak to world leaders and make the case for his country as the war continues to rage. irate for his country as the war continues to race. ~ ., , , to rage. we have 'ust seen them la in: a to rage. we have 'ust seen them laying a wreath. — to rage. we have just seen them laying a wreath. very _ to rage. we have just seen them laying a wreath. very poignant. l to rage. we have just seen them - laying a wreath. very poignant. some hope because the us president has announced a new package of weaponry for ukraine. some hope for ukraine there? . , ,

for ukraine. some hope for ukraine there? ., , , ., there? that is right. it is a package — there? that is right. it is a package in _ there? that is right. it is a package in addition - there? that is right. it is a package in addition to - there? that is right. it is a package in addition to the | there? that is right. it is a - package in addition to the f-16 jet package in addition to the f—16 jet fighters and training for ukrainian pilots announced yesterday. looking at the note from the us state department about details of that package president biden was talking about, it says security assistant package includes additional ammunition, anti—tank weapons, armoured medical treatment vehicles. trucks and trailers to transport equipment. it is a long list of equipment. it is a long list of equipment to the united states is offering to ukraine. at the end of the statement is interesting. it said russia could end the war today. until russia does, the us and allies and partners stand united with ukraine for as long as it takes. interesting because today, after a joint meeting president zelensky had with president biden and other g7 leaders and leaders of countries not g7 members who have been invited, he

tweeted and said, our world is vast, from japan to middle east countries, arab countries, latin america, europe. we have laid out our peace formula to the world and as long as there are invaders on our land nobody should sit at the negotiating table with russia. i think that tells you, apart from the importance of him being physically among allies, he wants to reach out to countries who have not made up their mind about where they stand with the war on ukraine. india, mind about where they stand with the waron ukraine. india, he mind about where they stand with the war on ukraine. india, he sat next to the indian prime minister at one meeting. this is a man who has close allies with moscow and has continued to buy russian oil. it shows president zelensky is aware he has to widen the circle of alliance to take the message of his country further. . ~ take the message of his country further. ., ~ , .,

there have been conflicting accounts of who's now in control of bakhmut, with russia's president putin congratulating the wagner mercenary group of capturing the city. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky had appeared to confirm russia's claim it had captured bakhmut but it was unclear since he talked about the destruction of the city. here's mr zelensky speaking a short time ago, after a reporter asked if the city remained in kyiv�*s control. i think no, but you have to understand, there is nothing — they destroyed everything, there are no buildings. it's a pity, it's a tragedy, but for today bakhmut is only in our hearts. there is nothing on this place, i spoke to our ukraine corresponent james waterhouse earlier, who gave an update on the situation and what's brought about this confusion. at this moment in time, i think we can say with relative

certainty that russian mercenaries and soldiers have most of the control of bakhmut. but the picture has always been cloudy and it has been a cycle of claim and counterclaim. typically, moscow claiming to be in control of the city and ukraine denying that. but as we have seen injapan, president zelensky himself initially seemed to concede that the city was no longer in his control. but his office has been keen to backtrack on that, saying he was merely confirming the destruction of the city, not the complete occupation by russian forces. it is undeniable, such as with cities across the front line, whether they are occupied or subsequently liberated, that these places are mostly reduced to rubble because of the intensity of fighting there. yesterday, we have the head of the wagner mercenary group posing

in the centre of bakhmut with the russian flag, claiming to be in control. moscow, vladimir putin himself congratulated him on achieving this mission. but it is clear that ukraine outwardly at least does not yet want to concede the city. and because of the question marks over just how strategically significant it is, for the past six months it has long been thought ukraine will make some kind of tactical retreat. but what has panned out is that it has inflicted huge losses, the west thinks between 10000 and 20,000 russian fighters have been injured or killed, ukraine has suffered losses as well. the numbers there are not as clear. but it is clear kyiv wants to hold on as long as possible because it is drawing russian troops ahead of future manoeuvres down the road. so i am afraid we are back into the cycle of claim and counterclaim but what we are seeing play out, as ever, is this information war.

rear admiral dr chris parry, a retired royal navy commander and defence commentator, who told about the significance of the battle for bakhmut. i believe ukrainian forces have fallen back in order to avoid encirclement. there are reports that the russians are bringing up quite a lot of armour, armoured vehicles, artillery in order to go into that gap. and i suspect it will be the springboard for a further assault into the donetsk region. i think we should be under no illusions that, after 200 days, the ukrainians have probably done as much as they can in bakhmut and are falling back to defensive lines which they've probably already prepared. earlier we heard from presidents biden and zelensky during their billateral meeting. the british prime minister rishi sunak has also been speaking at the end of g7 meeting injapan. he called the china biggest challenge of our age and said the country's behaviour is increasingly "authoritarian" at home and "assertive" abroad.

but most of mr sunak�*s press conference has been focusing on ukraine. he stated ukraine must win the war against russia — and gain a just and lasting peace. he also highlighted president zelensy�*s attendance to the g7. i believe his attendance at this g7 was a moment of historic significance. the image of the g7 and our partners standing shoulder to shoulder with president zelensky sends a powerful message about the unity and determination of the g7 allies. we will stand with ukraine for as long as it takes because their security is our security. the g7 strategy is clear. 0ur military, diplomatic and economic tours are all part of the ukrainian counter—offensive. we are delivering more support on the battlefield through air defence, artillery, tanks, and long—range missiles, which the uk was the first country to provide.

we are supporting ukraine to develop the air force it needs for the future, with the uk training ukrainian pilots, starting this summer. and we have made a real breakthrough at this summit thanks to president biden's support for an international coalition to provide f—i6jets. we are ratcheting up the economic cost to russia with a new package of sanctions. we know that ukraine must not only win the war, but win a just and lasting peace. in that same press conference, the british prime minister was asked about the uk home secretary suella braverman. that's following claims she requesterd a private speed awareness course to avoid points on her driving licence, after she was caught speeding last summer. she wanted to avoid taking part in a group course, but civil servants declined to make the arrangements. in october last year, mrs braverman resigned her office after sharing an official document with a colleague using a personal

email address — a breach of the ministerial code. she was reappointed just days later by the incoming prime minister rishi sunak. now opposition parties are urging mr sunak to launch an ethics investigation. 0ur correspondent simon jones has the story. if you get caught speeding, you may be offered a choice — a fine and three points on your licence or the option of attending a speed awareness course in a group instead. suella braverman was caught driving too fast last summer when she was the attorney general. but according to a government source, she later asked civil servants for advice on arranging a course because she wanted to know how a group session would work as she has a close protection team with her at all times. but the civil service wouldn't get involved. miss braverman, the bbc has been told, then asked a political adviser to try to arrange a private course, but the provider said there were no one—to—one sessions. the source refused to say whether her motivation to do the course in private was to reduce

the chance of being recognised by a member of the public. it was when suella braverman was reappointed to the top job here at the home office by rishi sunak that she decided she was too busy to do a course and instead paid the fine and took the points on her licence. her team believes that is the end of the matter and denies there has been any breach of the ministerial code. ata at a news conference in hiroshima, the prime minister was asked if he had full confidence in the home secretary. i had full confidence in the home secreta . ., ., ~ ., secretary. i do not know the full details of what _ secretary. i do not know the full details of what has _ secretary. i do not know the full details of what has happened, i secretary. i do not know the full i details of what has happened, nor have i spoken to the home secretary. i think you can see first—hand what i think you can see first—hand what i have been doing the last day or so. i understand she expressed regret for speeding, accepted the penalty and paid the fine. but that is not how labour sees it. on twitter the shadow home secretary yvette cooper wrote...

she wants the prime minister's ethics adviser to investigate. a spokesman for the home secretary said... but the liberal democrats also are calling for an urgent investigation. greeks are voting under a new electoral system with opinion polls suggesting no single party will win an overall majority. in the last hour or so, kyriakos mitsotakis, of the centre—right new democracy, has cast his vote in athens. he is hoping to stay in power in the face of the challenge from former prime minister alexis tsipras and his left—wing syriza party. mr tsipras has also cast his vote in the past hour. 0ur correspondent nick beake is in the greek capital. this is the heart of the capital city. you can see the sun

is shining and it is turning out to be a nice day. lots of voters are now making their way to the polling stations. let me show you where we are. anyone who might be undecided today may want inspiration. and if they live in this constituency, they can look up there. that is not a bad backdrop to a polling station. the acropolis. that symbol of the ancient greek world of democracy where this voting system emerged from. that is a pretty impressive backdrop. butjust over here, it is the school which is the polling station today for people in this area. we have heard today that the prime minister, the sitting prime minister, has already cast his vote. he is saying people should trust him and invest in him for another four years. at the same time, the leader of the opposition, alexis tsipras, has said greece needs a change at this point and that under him people would be better off and will feel less pain from what many have said is a cost—of—living crisis here. and that has been the defining theme

of the election period. the economy, how people are feeling, the amount of cash in their pockets, or certainly how far that money goes when they go to the shops. you mentioned the economy. is that really at the forefront of these elections? yes, absolutely. like so many places around the world at the moment. if you look at the economy here, it is growing. it is one of the fastest growing in the eu, particularly particularly in the eurozone — the countries that use the euro as their currency. but people say they are not really feeling it, it is not translating to them, it is not dripping down. apart from the economy, another issue that has been quite important over the past weeks has been the terrible aftermath of the train crash they had at the end of february here. it was the worst rail disaster in the country's history. 57 people were killed, most of them students returning to their studies after spending the weekend with their families. a para surfing teenager

in south africa hopes surfing will be added to the paralympic games by 2028. emily brown reports. going with the waves, raemondo lost both his legs and arms to meningitis when he was just a few months old. he is now one of south africa's best parasurfers and wants a chance to show his skills at the paralympics. what i do in the water with balancing also helps me to balance on my prosthetic legs. i used to be, like, scared to fall but since i discovered something like surfing, itjust came easy to me. and it was something easy. surfing came onto the olympic calendar at the last games in tokyo 2021, but it is yet to make its paralympic debut. para—athletes hope this will happen at the los angeles 2028 games. raemondo will compete in the first stage of the global parasurf league event in cape town.

he grew up in an area with a reputation for drugs and crime. he was introduced to the sport at a surf therapy session in 2021 and now competes at national level. i don't still overthink myself, because once i hit the wave everything just opens up and unlocks — sorry, not unlock — i lock all the bad memories and all that stuff. earlier this year, the international paralympic committee announced parasurfing and paraclimbing will be considered as additional sports on the programme, on top of the 22 confirmed sports. 2028, the paralympics is coming up. surfing is in the olympics. we want to showcase to the olympic commission that parasurfing deserves to be on that platform. parasurfing is waiting for a final approval by the ipc governing board to be made by the end of this year. raemondo hopes it will be given the go—ahead so he can make an even bigger splash. emily brown, bbc news.

a group of us artists are raising millions of dollars to preserve the childhood home of the musical legend and civil rights activist nina simone. the modest house is perched on a grassy hill in a small town in rural northern carolina. the artist bought it in 2017 and hope to turn it to a cultural site which hopefully will open next year. nina simone spent her childhood at the house and started playing the piano at the age of three. this house and started playing the piano at the age of three.— at the age of three. this is an excitin: at the age of three. this is an exciting time _ at the age of three. this is an exciting time in _ at the age of three. this is an exciting time in historic - exciting time in historic preservation. because our nation is beginning _ preservation. because our nation is beginning to understand we have to preserve _ beginning to understand we have to preserve the full history, that we have _ preserve the full history, that we have to _ preserve the full history, that we have to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of our nation. stay with us here on bbc news. we are hoping to hearfrom us

president biden later on. stay with us on bbc news. we will have plenty more later. hello. let's start with a look at the details for this coming week. and it's something i've not said a great deal so far this spring, but the week ahead does look largely dry, very little rain around, some good spells of strong sunshine and temperatures fairly close to where we should be for this stage in late may. just showing you the rainfall charts, the projected rainfall amounts for the week, you'll notice most of it happens scotland, northern ireland, during the next 2a hours, much of the week will be dry and indeed much of england and wales don't see a drop of rain at all. the reason why — we've got the jet stream to north of us and that's inducing this area of high pressure to build up from the azores. we're just on the edge of it. that's why it's largely dry than completely dry, and with winds coming

around from the north west, why temperatures will remain close to the average rather than particularly hot. now, as i said, most of the rain falling will be today, and even that's starting to fizzle out a bit across parts of mainland scotland. staying grey here, the odd isolated lighter shower in northern ireland. but the north coasts of northern ireland, to the north and west of scotland, much more sunshine around than yesterday. a bit of low cloud always close to those eastern coasts of england, but most of england and wales, another sunny day, brightening up in northern england and wales compared with this morning. highest of the temperatures for western areas, 22 celsius possible. now, through this evening and overnight, cloud in scotland and northern ireland will continue to break up, one or two showers possible. a lot more low cloud from yorkshire down through eastern england towards sussex and kent. with the clearer skies in between those two areas, we could see temperatures in rural parts down to around 3—4 celsius, but where the clouds in place hovering around nine or ten degrees to start the new week. and here is that high pressure system i mentioned to start the week. as i said, we'rejust on the edge of it to begin with at least. and still the chance of some weather

fronts bring in some showers, particularly across eastern scotland, and maybe the odd shower into northern england, north wales through the day. more of a breeze generally on monday compared to what we've seen this weekend, but some long spells of sunshine. the cloud in eastern england will break up and sunny spells for many, strong sunshine at that. temperatures in eastern parts of scotland in particular and the south will be higher than we've seen through the weekend. the warmest of the weather will be towards the south—west of the uk, particularly through herefordshire, worcestershire, highs of around 23. and just to confirm, the week ahead looking largely dry. well, the picture for chelsea flower show tells the story with sunny spells and highs around 18 to 20 degrees. take care.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the g7 summit is wrapping up injapan. ukrainian president volodomyr zelensky and his japanese counterpart fumio kishia lay a wreath at the hiroshima peace memorial a short time ago. president biden is due to hold a press conference shortly. president biden has announced a new package of military aid for ukraine, including ammunition, artillery and armoured vehicles. voters in greece are going to the polls. prime minister kyriakos mitsotakis is hoping to stay in power in the face of a challenge from former prime minister, alexis tsipras.