but you need to have stories and you need to have your world opened up to you. and i think it's a sort of massive step towards... i mean, literacy in stories and reading about other people's lives, even at a primary level, is a way of opening up a tolerance towards the rest of the world as well. will they ever get back an experience, ever get a chance to have an experience of being alone with a book? people have long lives, and you can start reading and start developing later. so i don't want to be too despairing about it, but certainly on the face of it, i can't imagine how any child could be educated without a book in hand daily. and, of course, that allows them to make critical decisions. so imagine a child in the future is shown a book on a curriculum that's supposed to be by sebastian faulks, but actually it's ai. will they know? i don't think ai has got there yet. some friends of mine tried to get an ai programme to imitate me and it was really terrible. i don't think the bot had been fed enough of my stuff to come

up with the version, with the parody yet. but you say we are in the early stages, and it may be, at the time, for example, that this book is 20, 30, 40, 50, that you'll be able to be imitated beyond the grave. let's see — if i'm in the grave i don't think i'll care too much, really. and the other thing you care about — do you care about reviews? because this book's had mixed reviews — it had one one star. i do care about reviews, but i tend to read them after the whole process of publicising the book. and if there's a sort of cacophony and variation of views, that's fine, really. sebastian faulks, thank you very much. thank you. that's all from us tonight. victoria's back monday. till then, have a good weekend. goodnight.

there were people sleeping, potlucks were being put out. they've really gone to town on it. why is it so important? well, a couple of things, but it is a part of indian culture when you have guests visiting your home, even in your home, you clean it up, spruce it up, do something. you might draw a pattern outside. so it is very much part of culture here. but for the government, it's also very much a moment to show the world what india's place is in it. and therefore i think it's very important for them to project new delhi as a city of the world. and that's part of the reason why it's been spruced up and why you saw what you did on the way in here.

i look at everybody around us. they're young people. it's the most populous nation. it's the fastest—growing major economy. they put a lander on the moon in the run—up to this. it's a brilliant opportunity to showcase just how far this country has come. absolutely. we have a few things, we have become the most populous country in the world this year. you have had, as you said, the moon mission, and there was lots ofjoy, lots of pride in india about that, and now the host of the 620 summit. so for the government, certainly this is that moment. they want to say, "we are the voice of the people," the global south as they are calling it, "so we are the voice of the developing countries. we are the people who can talk to you on their behalf. we are the people who are the middle ground between russia and ukraine. we can be the people who solve problems for the world." and that's how india and the government and the prime minister narendra modi hope to position this summit. he's everywhere, on every street

corner, it feels like an election. but we are in the run—up to an election is important for him personally. absolutely. i think we will have elections within the next year, probably next year. so it is extremely important politically, and there is a lot connected to that. because i think part of the domestic pitch is also global. and i think some part of it, you know, india is feeling confident. when they step out of this country and they go places, people recognise the country, they recognise the leader. i've had people tell me we've never had that before. that is suddenly something that this government can take credit for, and it is something which is part of their political pitch as well. and now this gives you the imagery. you have got all of the big presidents in the world, and of course the russian president and president xi will not be here, but you have all the big leaders in the world coming here and shaking his hand and it gives you a big photo opportunity to make that pitch also to the domestic world.

world leaders arrived to delhi friday, including us presidentjoe biden and uk prime minister rishi sunak, who became the first prime minister of inidan heritage to visit the country. notably abset from the arrivals, china's leader xijinping and russian president vladimir putin who both sent their respective foreign ministers to attend in their place. it's mr xi's first time skipping the gathering, with no explanation offered. their absense gives a potential opening to president biden — who is hoping to persuade other leaders to align with him on matters including ukraine and curbing china's dominance in the indo—pacific. mr biden first order of business? a meeting with mr modi for a 52 minute bilateral. the two leaders discussed india's recent moon landing and investments in indian technology. they released a joint promise to deepen their relationship saying it was "based on trust and mutual understanding. " the white house says it still has concerns about mr. modi's controversial

human rights record, but those concerns appear to be on the back burner as the us looks to counter china's reach in the region. the theme of this year's g20 summit is "one earth, one family, 0ne future", and against that backdrop, the un has warned that the world is falling behind in its fight to curb global warming. in a new report, the un that countries are making progress, but not nearly enough. it calls for radical changes in the way we work, eat, travel and consume energy to combat rising temperatures. but the report also suggests hope is not yet lost, asjustin rowlatt reports. wildfires raged through southern europe this summer, made more intense by heatwaves that would have been virtually impossible without climate change, according to scientists. but today's un report says it is not all bad news on global warming. virtually all the nations

of the world agree on the urgent need to tackle the problem, says the un, and they are already taking some action. the problem is, itjust isn't anywhere near enough. i'm in a place of hope and despair. despair because we have warmed the planet already well beyond i degrees, we are on track for 1.5 and two. these are worrying places to be in. i also have hope, because we see how countries are putting together real plans to change their entire economies. but progress is being made, just look at this global thermometer. back in 2010, the un reckoned the world was on track for a temperature increase of 4.8 celsius. it warned that would be catastrophic. by 2015, countries had promised cuts that brought that down to 3.2 celsius. by the end of the climate

conference in glasgow in 2021, it was down to 2.7 celsius and the un now reckons we are headed towards a temperature rise of around 2.6 celsius. but that is still way over the 1.5 celsius target the world has agreed. this is about pace and it's about recognising that we need to speed things up, whether that's in the uk or indeed, across the world. and that's why it comes back down to the appetite of world leaders to recognise the urgency of the situation and be willing to act. but is the appetite there? a rapid switch over to renewable energy will be indispensable, says the un. the uk has made world leading progress on that transition, but today it appeared to falter. there were no bids for new offshore wind projects because, said energy companies, the cash on offer from the governmentjust didn't make it worthwhile — raising questions about the uk's commitment to climate action. justin rowlatt, bbc news.

with global temperatures rising, more countries are witnessing extreme weather conditions. greece witnessed its heaviest rainfall in almost a hundred years this week. some areas were hit with a year's worth of rain in under three days. the bbc�*s sofia bettiza has more. a massive rescue operation is under way today in this part of greece to try and rescue, to try and evacuate hundreds of people stranded by the floods. many homes are still without power. entire villages are almost completely underwater. helicopters are being used to airlift people who are stuck on rooftops. but the evacuation efforts are proving to be very, very difficult. and that is because of the ferocity of the downpour. this is the heaviest rainfall that greece has seen in decades. you can see the damage behind me.

bridges, roads are very badly damaged and the authorities have been unable to reach some of the worst affected areas. and that's because the water is so deep. so there are still villages that are completely cut off and nobody has been able to reach them yet. now, climate change has caused heavy rainfall and heavy flooding in greece in the past few years. and what's happening here this week comes after a summer of devastating wildfires. so the concern here is that natural disasters like wildfires or like flooding are becoming more and more common and we can see the consequences. several people have died this week in greece because of the storm and the authorities are searching for several people who are still missing. and so the fear is that the death toll could rise.

around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. us senator lindsey graham is among 20 people recommended for criminal chargers by a grand jury in the state of georgia. but prosecutors decided not to indict them for alleged efforts to reverse 2020 election results in the state. senator graham said he was surprised over the report's revelations. a us caver who's been trapped underground for nearly a week has recorded a video message thanking turkish authorities and rescuers. about 150 workers have been trying to reach mark dickey, who's more than a thousand metres inside the cave or 3000 feet. the ao—year—old was co—leading a team to map a new passage in the cave when he began to suffer from gastrointestinal bleeding. police in the uk are investigating a reported sighting of escaped terror suspect daniel khalife. a witness saw him near wandsworth roundabout on wednesday morning,

walking away from the food delivery van he used to escape from a nearby prison. the 21—year—old is accused of trying to spy for an enemy state and plotting a fake bomb hoax. you're live with bbc news. people living in russian—occupied areas of ukraine are being asked to vote in what the de—facto authorities are describing as local elections. kyiv and the organisation for security and cooperation in europe have denounced the polls as illegal. candidates are all either russian or pro—russian, and include governors hand— picked by moscow. many people taking part in early polling were asked to vote in the presence of russian soldiers. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adams in kyiv has more on what this process means for the ukrainians living in russia—controlled areas. this is the second time in a year that around two million ukrainians living under russian occupation in four southern and eastern regions of ukraine have been asked, invited, encouraged, to go to the polls.

last year, of course, it was for a referendum on the annexation of those territories to russia, which went all part of russia saying that these areas are becoming more and more in integral part of the russian state. ukrainian officials say that they have ample evidence of people being in courage through text messages in other ways to vote for vladimir putin is ruling party. there are reports of people being expected to vote at mobile polling stations where sometimes armed men are present. it doesn't look like anything remotely resembling a free and fair election. 0nce anything remotely resembling a free and fair election. once again it is been condemn both abroad and here in kyiv. the ukrainian authorities haven't taken this lying down. they are saying they are compiling lists

of any ukrainians who are participating this election process and there is also been in the past couple of weeks a couple of explosions at buildings where the election was being prepared. a little sign of ukraine taking steps to try and influence events on the ground outside of areas under its control. well earlier this week, ukraine saw a visit from the us secretary of state, antony blinken, who announced the us would be sending kyiv a further one billion dollars of military aid. also in ukraine this week was kurt volker, who served as us ambassador to nato and then as washington's special representative on ukraine negotations. hejoined me earlierfrom kyiv. thank you forjoining us. you are in ukraine this week. with the recent attack in a market in the middle of the afternoon by russia, is there a sense on the ground that this conflict is shifting? i sense on the ground that this conflict is shifting?- sense on the ground that this conflict is shifting? i wouldn't say

that. conflict is shifting? i wouldn't say that these _ conflict is shifting? i wouldn't say that. these attacks _ conflict is shifting? i wouldn't say that. these attacks by _ conflict is shifting? i wouldn't say that. these attacks by russia, i conflict is shifting? i wouldn't say i that. these attacks by russia, which killed civilians and are apparently indiscriminate helping with some regularity. it's tragic, it's unfortunate, people are angry about it, they despair about it but at the same time this is typical. so ukrainians have built up a tremendous amount of resilience and resolve and they realise that the only way to guarantee peace and security in ukraine again is for russian forces to be defeated. and so that is what they are focused on. as you are in the country now, what you've seen of the counter offence, are those measures deterring russia at all? ., _, ., , at all? know, quite the contrary. i think that because _ at all? know, quite the contrary. i think that because russia - at all? know, quite the contrary. i think that because russia is - at all? know, quite the contrary. i l think that because russia is unable to have any significant military gains on the front line they have resorted to indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas just to create terror in the population and to show that they are still there and they can still create havoc. this doesn't

change ukraine's attitude of resolve. but russia is willing to engage in those tactics because they don't have many other choices. that again underscores why it's so important for ukraine to actually defeat the russian forces to make these attacks stop.— these attacks stop. what do they need to do _ these attacks stop. what do they need to do that? _ these attacks stop. what do they need to do that? was _ these attacks stop. what do they need to do that? was secretary i these attacks stop. what do they l need to do that? was secretary of state antony blinken pledging another billion from the us. what another billion from the us. what does ukraine _ another billion from the us. what does ukraine need? _ another billion from the us. what does ukraine need? i— another billion from the us. what does ukraine need? i very - another billion from the us. wiat does ukraine need? i very glad that secretary of state blinken was in ukraine this week. i think that he will have a lot of work to do when he gets back to washington to convince others in the administration and especially congress that ukraine needs more assistance and we should be providing it. there's a request from the administration to congress for $24 billion of additional military assistance. that is not enough to cover all of next year. it's only enough to cover the rest of this year. we don't want to see multiple

votes over this over time could become more domestic political issue. he needs to make the case for aid and frankly i think it needs to be a bigger case.— aid and frankly i think it needs to be a bigger case. what is the case, how is he going _ be a bigger case. what is the case, how is he going to _ be a bigger case. what is the case, how is he going to make _ be a bigger case. what is the case, how is he going to make a? - how is he going to make a? honestly, i think the most _ how is he going to make a? honestly, i think the most important _ how is he going to make a? honestly, i think the most important thing - how is he going to make a? honestly, i think the most important thing for i i think the most important thing for anyone to say is that ukraine's victory over russia is an american interest. it's a national security interests. because russia has now unveiled itself. it is deliberately engaging in genocide, it is in the imperial conquest to retake territories of the russian empire was that russia feels it has a right to them. this is exactly what caused world war ii when hitler in germany and japan were doing the same thing. we run a risk that if this is not stop this will escalate. and so we have to actually help ukraine to stop the war in ukraine. i hope that

secretary blinken is able to make that case in the united states effectively. i also hope that president biden goes out and explained to the american people why this is an american interest, not just help for another country. {lin just help for another country. on that point of escalation, notwithstanding international sanctions, international organisations have really not been able to deter president putin and push the fit neatly back that russian offensive. you've been encouraging nato to declare redlines around theirs. encouraging nato to declare redlines around theirs-— around theirs. what should they be? first off you — around theirs. what should they be? first off you mentioned _ around theirs. what should they be? first off you mentioned to _ around theirs. what should they be? first off you mentioned to terrence. | first off you mentioned to terrence. deterrence is preventing someone attacking because they know the consequences of doing so would be too great. we failed on russia attacked ukraine because it calculated that there would not be such significant consequences. maybe the withdrawal from afghanistan was part of that, maybe our experience in iraq and syria were part of that. maybe it was just vladimir putin is

to build the empire that guiding him on this path. whatever reason we did not deter russia. now what we need to do is ensure that russian forces are defeated so that we can reestablish deterrence so that they know it is not worth it to do it again. what are the things that are needed? several things. again. what are the things that are needed? severalthings. first again. what are the things that are needed? several things. first off i think air superiority, we're talking f-16s think air superiority, we're talking f—16s but that's going to be a long time away. 0ther f—16s but that's going to be a long time away. other things can also be done to help ukrainians with establishing air dominance in ukraine. second, we need to help ukraine. second, we need to help ukraine open ac line. the port of 0desa is still blocked up and not able to provide a safe venue for imports and exports that ukraine is a country needs. —— open up sea lines. reestablish freedom of navigation through the black sea would be a significant thing. finally, air defenses. ukraine is

suffering from russian drone and missile attacks against civilian population centres almost every night. they would do a good job of shooting down most of these but we can help them do more. we should begin to play a more direct role in ukraine's air defense. if rare begin to play a more direct role in ukraine's air defense.— begin to play a more direct role in ukraine's air defense. if we look at the g20 ukraine's air defense. if we look at the 620 summit _ ukraine's air defense. if we look at the 620 summit taking _ ukraine's air defense. if we look at the 620 summit taking place - ukraine's air defense. if we look at the 620 summit taking place in - the g20 summit taking place in emmett two india at the moment russia and china are not there. is that an opportunity then based on what you are saying for those leaders of the world strongest economies to come together to put further pressure on president putin? yes, in a way. i think what we've seen is a pattern of countries in the global south to take a distance from the russian war against ukraine and say look, it's not a war, it's not our concern. we were colonised, we're recovering, this is your problem. i think they don't appreciate quite enough how much russia's war against ukraine affects the entire globe. farmers in

argentina pay higher prices for fuel and that inhibits them from doing things in theirfarming. people in sub—saharan africa are paying far higher prices for basic foodstuffs, which means some people will not have access. people in india are getting cheaper russian gas and oil bait they might�*ve otherwise but pay higher places on other things it also looking at global food markets. it has a tremendous global disruption was that i think that bringing that home to people around the world is important so they see that russia's aggression has to be stopped. that russia's aggression has to be sto ed. that russia's aggression has to be stoned. , ., ., that russia's aggression has to be sto ed. , ., ., ., ,, stopped. okay. plenty more to talk about but we _ stopped. okay. plenty more to talk about but we will— stopped. okay. plenty more to talk about but we will leave _ stopped. okay. plenty more to talk about but we will leave it _ stopped. okay. plenty more to talk about but we will leave it there - stopped. okay. plenty more to talk about but we will leave it there for| about but we will leave it there for now. thank you so much forjoining us. turning to music now, and the uk is seeing a bit of a resurgence injazz. on thursday night, the band ezra collective won the prestigious mercury prize. it's the first time a jazz act has

won the award since it began three decades ago. the bbc�*s david sillito has been looking into whyjazz is swinging back into fashion in the uk. the winner of the mercury prize... it would be fair to say that the ezra collective enjoyed the moment and it was also a chance to say thank you. this is testimony to good special people putting time and effort into young people to play music, do you here what i am saying? this is what he was talking about, tomorrow's warriors. jazz is cool. a workshop that nurtured the musicians of ezra is free and packed. jazz speaks to my soul and as a way for me to express myself and it allows you to play through your different experiences, if you are going through something,

i can speak to the trumpet in a way that words can't. and for the man in charge over the last 30 years, jazz bassist gary crosby, this is a moment to savour. at first it was, oh my god, it is a benefit for all of us who are interested in playing this wonderful music we calljazz. but the music that is emerging in and around bands like ezra is not looking to the 40s and 50s heyday of jazz. this grew out of a club night in deptford in south—east london, founded by this man here, and for him, the music represented by ezra is jazz but also something more. this is something different, music you can dance to and music you can socialise to in a world where most of us don't go to jazz

clubs and don't go to sit down and listen to music. and very much born out of 21st—century uk? completely. this could only happen in the uk, in britain. i don't think it could happen anywhere else. it is a combination of all of my friends that come from these different places. and it is also a reminder that music education like this is only possible because of a music charity. to see them recognised by the industry and by their peers and to see them elevate this music that is happening that they have been part of wasjust such a great moment. for ezra and the people following their footsteps, this really is a moment to enjoy.

and before we go, let's cirlce back to the g20 summit in delhi, and focus on some locals who are not welcome at the gathering, monkeys. as you may have seen, organisers of this year's event have positioned cardboard cut—outs of the mischevous mammals around the city. it's an attempt to keep the real—life versions at bay. small monkeys are a regular sighting on the streets of delhi, crossing streets and perching on rooftops. the cunning cutout strategy is part of a broader plan by prime minister modi and his team to put the best face forward, as the world'attention focuses on delhi, and india at large. you can keep up to all of the news on the g20 and plenty more on the bbc website. that's all from us for now, i'm caitriona perry. i'll be back in 30 minutes with more stay with us here on bbc news.

hi there. for many, this weekend is going to be hot and humid again, especially for england and wales, with temperatures only slowly coming down across scotland and northern ireland. and as the cooler air starts to invade in there, we're likely to see increasing chance of thundery downpours, some of which could be quite heavy in places. certainly england and wales on sunday. now we've had some cloud drifting up from the south as we move into the early part of saturday, some mist and low cloud around some coasts of south west england and wales. and it's here where we could see some showers or some thunderstorms, same too, across the north and the west of scotland. but elsewhere, it's a dry and a clear night. and again, another very warm and muggy one to start saturday morning with temperatures no lower than around 18 or 19. than around 18 or 19 in one or two spots. so it's a very warm start to saturday, pretty much from the word go. we'll have sunshine around, but well, this weather front will be

pushing into the north west of scotland, bringing thicker cloud breeze, outbreaks of rain, a few showers elsewhere. and there will be some scattered thundery showers developing across england and wales as we see temperatures peak at around 32 or 33 degrees in the south east. so this could be the hottest day of the heatwave. but these showers and thunderstorms, although well scattered, could be pretty intense if you catch one and there's a chance of some localised flooding as well. but most places will be dry to take us into saturday evening. we could see further clusters of showers and thunderstorms running up from the south. again, it's going to be a warm and a muggy night, especially so for england and wales with temperatures beginning to come down across the northwest. now the great north run on sunday across northeast england looks pretty decent actually, although there will be some rain around. some of it could be thundery. these temperatures will be pretty comfortable for running in, but we could start off with some thundery rain in the morning and then into the afternoon. heavy showers could develop with a bit of sunshine in between. but sunday is another warm and humid

one for england and wales, with a scattering of thunderstorms developing into the afternoon. temperatures again up to 30 degrees in the south east, but you'll notice the low 20s for scotland and northern ireland. so things are turning cooler and the trend as we head into next week is for this cooler, fresher, less humid air to spread southwards across the country. and that'll introduce northwesterly winds and also plenty of showers, particularly in the north and the west. it'll be much cooler by day, much fresher at night, but still some good spells of sunshine across the south.

is this microphone on? better be careful what i say. welcome to newswatch with me, samira ahmed. coming up, was it right to broadcast gillian keegan's sweary outburst after she finished giving an interview, and what can we learn from other politicians who've embarrassed themselves with comments caught on mic? many of us have regretted things we've said being overheard, but for politicians in their dealings with the media, the stakes are higher. so it was with the education secretary, gillian keegan, on monday when talking to itv news about closing schools whose buildings might be at risk because

the concrete they were built from.