oh pete wolf this week. on d w. d. ah, this is the w news ally from berlin, russia pounds. cities in eastern ukraine regional governor says many are killed by shelling in lucy. charles, ukrainian forces are battling to hold off the russian onslaught. also coming up the d. u vax, ukraine's european gree. russel's recommends granting keep candidate status, but the plan needs approval from all member states. and the u. k. government says julian assange can be sent to the us to face spying. charge of the wiki weeks

founder has been fighting expedition for over a decade. but his supporters say his battle is not over yet. ah. in a warm welcome to our viewers around the world. i'm michael. ok. the battle for control of ukraine's eastern industrial heartland. the dumb boss continues to rage full force and the civilian toll is rising. the regional governor of lou, hans says heavy shelling by russian forces in the city of lucy, chance has killed many people. it comes as russia fights a brutal battle for full control of neighboring several the nets. this a chance is the only city and the key battleground region, still under ukrainian control street. you are a correspondent now,

rebecca ridder. so she joins us from keith. rebecca, what can you tell us about what's happening in lucy chance well, the situation there, michael, as you've just described, is worsening. i it hasn't been very good there for some time, but it is getting worse. having confirmation now of severe shelling and multiple debts. although we don't have a figure on that yet that concern by the governor of the region. now that says to city, lucy, chance is, this is the city of several minutes where the fighting has been centered. now for some time that city is more or less under russian control, although not entirely, we do know of course, that there are some ukranian fighters and civilians hiding in the as a chemical plant there in that city. we've had some new figures as over 500 civilians hiding there, including 38 children in that plant. but people saying now is absolutely no way for escape. there are no bridges, there are no roots out of that city. so it is nothing short of a sci fi will mean that those people can get out of the city. we've also seen

overnight some shelling and how to keep region. and we've seen an attack on the city of mich elia, which has killed 2 people and injured at least 20 others on the ukranian side. they claim to have bombed a tugboat, a russian tug boat that had weapons and soldiers on board. so the fighting continues, but as we know, this is a slow war of attrition. that is taking a huge dec talk, but moving slowly in terms of territory. rebecca, the un is shane the humanitarian situation. east of ukraine is extremely alarm. there were pain, a picture for us of what the situation there is what i think the situation has been alarming for some time. i mean this is that's definitely not new of the situation. obviously in the 2 cities that i've just described that are under almost constant bombardment and shelling the situation there is completely dire for the civilians. there people have to live almost entirely on the ground as the city to bomb. they're running out of food at access

to clean drinking water and other utilities. you know, but it's not just in the cities that are at the center of the fighting list that the cities in the east and part of it don't back that have been captured by russian soldiers. they were heavily bombarded in the lead up to them being taken over and so the civilians there having to also live without access to humanitarian aid. they're running out of no access to clean drinking water and things like that. so definitely the civilians are the losing the most in this war, having to live in these absolutely di condition w's, rebecca readers. many thanks. rebecca. the european commission is recommending that ukraine be granted formal e u membership candidate status. this will allow keith to start negotiations with brussels commission president and ursula on the line added that ukraine must carry

out a number of political and economic reforms. the commissions recommendation will be discussed by all of the blocks $27.00 nations at a summit in brussels. next week, it follows an endorsement for fast tracking ukraine's candidacy by 4 european leaders visiting q we're joined by artist pub, reeks a. he is the deputy prime minister and defense minister of latvia, one of the used 27 member states, of course. welcome to d. w. sure, a curious about your thoughts on the european commission recommending formal you membership candidate status for you? correct? well we are positive about this because we have been speaking from latin side already for half a year, at least as together with some other member countries said this is one symbolic step. what european union should do because ukrainians are paying was their blood.

and as a future of ukraine should be bound to european union. so actually, we really believe that this and acceptance and, and information which we received now from a dumb funder lion a is actually a small success also for countries like let them the leaders of germany, france in italy backed candidate status for ukraine. when they visited on thursday, in your view, are they doing enough for ukraine, or do they need to offer more support? well, i guess i am very outspoken politician from small country, so probably not everybody's happy, what i'm saying. but this is a war time. and there is no also time for niceties or political correctness. i would say that i highly value this announcement from german, french, and italian leadership about your candidate status, because it has

a symbolic value. today. it has a symbolic recognition for ukrainian towards they are doing and they would expect this. but we also understand that this will be a long process, and that will be a need for a lot of job also on our side and ukrainian side for ukraine to become a new member. as far as the support for ukraine at this moment, what is the most needed and what can change as this war situation is? first of all is a necessity for every leader in europe to accept that. our goal is that ukraine must win, and russia must lose, and that must be clearly stated. secondly, i would believe that every country in europe, including germany, should put a maximum military support for ukraine today. and now, and if you ask my position, if i would be the german politician, i would say my country has

a big economic and industrial might. and because of this gravity of situation and danger for future wars, if ukraine is losing, i am putting all the industry of germany behind you. great. let's, let's make it very clear. for viewers, you say that one of the objective should be from all european leaders. that ukraine must win, there must be some years out there saying, scratching their heads, saying, but they are western allies. why make that points or who is western alive? i mean, i think that if we are not saying that ukraine is not winning, then we are only half heartedly supporting ukraine because we don't need that ukraine is bleeding. we must to end this war and war can be ended only if ukraine wins. and if you crane doesn't win, i can reassure you 0 russian imperial tradition will be at the borders of natal and we will be endangered. as you know, the battle with a dumbass is reaching

a critical point. we got reports of the city, lizzie chance being heavily shelled in just the last few hours. how do you see that unfolding? well, i believe that ukrainians are very slowly these high casualties on both sides and little bit losing ground. but on the other hand, i am optimist, and i believe that this western assistance was western equipment was western ammunition and weapons are arriving and that ukrainians will be capable of actually after a vial to recover their territory. was military and also diplomatic support. because our goal should be stated again very clearly, ukraine must get its territory back. so we simply must understand that this war will be longer than somebody wants, and the western societies must prepare for resilience. and yes, it is painful. yes,

gas prices are rising, inflation is rising. but if you do not want to war yourself, help ukraine now. understood message received. that is our artist, pa, breaks, or deputy prime minister of latvia. we thank you very much for your time, sir. thank you. for more we can now speak to mark as a father, he's a member of the german parliament defense committee and is with the free democratic party that's part of germany's governing coalition. welcome to you. sure. so the commission has recommended ukraine as a candidate for membership, just as the german chancellor did during his visit to keith. is that enough support for ukraine? from your perspective? no longer on the short one, i've read you my calling from not be on the brand new now weapons and ammunition.

then you know you've been yawning kind of a whole lot today, but maybe in 10 years. so what we were talking about knowledge and your mission and weapons. you've been calling for quick delivery of heavy weapons to ukraine. you're making it clear again. now. chancellor schultz didn't appear to make any new promises there. doing his visit to keith. do you think that's a mistake? germany already did some steps we will deliver somehow with us. we will live thanks. as the more has to be done and we have a phone line about it. and so jim on the has to do with the thing. there are some steps we have to make and i'm hearing you say germany is not doing enough. germany is doing something from germany is very important country in the european

union. and i think it is able to do more after the visit, we spoke to a better, a defense expert with germany. conservative opposition party. let's hear what he had to say about weapons deliveries. and then i have a question for you. on the other hand, they did not explain why they don't want to deliver leopards and martin things i believe in the meantime, that might be a question of principle not to do that. but i hope that it is not a consequence of the phone cause with the russian prime minister with the russian president. and i seek for a clearer statement for a better explanation by the chancellor. it is your father. what do you say to that? and we are delivering the most, i think from the battlefield and we also bring and get the thing which will be helpful and adding fence. so the point estimate that we will also deliver other

issues. s s model s. and i think that we can do it's part and also the gentleman interest he can do with some steps that has to be taken. recent polls show that a majority of germans think there chancellor's cautious approach is the right way to go. what do you think of that? what, what, why think, what time i think we and what time and, and what time is not some time to be cautious, support and the country that is attacked. and i think we can both get why. germany still has some say the liberal and the green, the in the german volition are willing to provide your brain and the non inside vendor and see the thing is, is the right way to go. so i think germany is on the right track,

but maybe we can gain some speed. like the chancellor, other members of the government have said that the ukraine must win this war. do you share that view? yes, your grandmother. and how does that play out how, what does winning this war look like to you? i think the ukrainians have to stop the russian offensive on the russian invasion groups. and the grants also has to be in and then the ability to counter to gain territory to recon cars is totalled that has been occupied. and that's watch a lot of countries in europe, but also from those america are trying to do. they're trying to get grants and hopefully this will be successful. i'm not saying germany can do it in this

scenario. marcus father, i appreciate your time in your perspective. thank you. let's get to some other development related to the war in ukraine. russian president vladimir putin as his country is not to blame for rising prices on the global food market. speaking at the international economic form in st. petersburg instead accuse the united states of driving up the cost of food. grain prices have been rising since russia vision of ukraine. this is a russia has reduce its natural gas exports to europe for a 3rd consecutive day. flows to italy in slovakia have been cut by half, and deliveries to france have seized completely. european leaders have called the move political while russia is blaming the costs on a technical problem. while britain has approved the extradition of wiki leaks, founder julianna's songs to the united states,

he's wanted there on 18 criminal charges including spine. washington says assange endangered lives by releasing troves of classified military records and diplomatic correspondence. passengers wives stella moore's called friday's decision, a dark day for press, freedom and british democracy. and his vow to appeal the decision at britain's high court. she says, washington is trying to punish her husband for revealing crimes of corruption that has taught it to assassinate him. for more on this let's go to our u. k. corresponded berg moss berg is what prompted the u. k cord to accept this request from the us? well this decision today was by the u. k. health secretary put patel and she pretty much drew back on what the codes have said. she gave it more or less pool, no formalistic explanation for reasons to to grow this expedition request by the us . she said it was to the court to decide whether there was not joining us on,

should not be excited. so they would have to prove whether there's any unjust or anything else that incompatible human rights that would prevent any expedition to the us. she said that there was nothing we meant to say that she should not support what the court has already ruled, which is that it's on or with well in the us that will get all the medical help. but there are no reasons. no other reasons. for example, he will not pay for death. and now his partner morris married. she said that actually all on justify that he's a john unless he's arrested for doing his job. and he actually was very fearful. she's been saying all along that mental health has been deteriorating. and there

was that you could take a life if he wasn't that sweet. ok, that is a very good mass there in the u. k. for as many, many thanks. a panel investigating a u. s. capital insurrection says that former president donald trump tried to of force, then vice president mike pans to overturn the election result. the congressional prob, also found the trunk, put pence in danger. as the vice president had tried to certify, president jo biden's victory writers on capitol hill, who were poland, who has his hanging were just meters away from him as he saw shelter from the mom. and now to a scandal involving another former us president. today marks 50 years since the break in at the watergate hotel. one of a series of events that eventually led to the resignation of richard nixon. the watergate scandal made headlines. the world over when it was revealed that nixon

had ordered wiretapping and other illegal actions against his political opponents. the building complex that gave the watergate scandal its name still stands to day. 50 years ago, during the night of june 17th 5 men broke into the headquarters of the democratic national committee. apparently to install bugs and take photos of files. the men were caught, but others were involved in the scandal all the way up to the u. s. president journalists revealed that richard nixon, eustace power against political opponents, good wide body for a year earlier, nixon had told his chief of staff that he wanted the use to use wire tapping, and a tailing and other shady to illegal forms of intelligence gathering against the democrats so while nixon didn't know about the watergate break in advance,

he had he was morally responsible for it. the i'll be getting these her did nixon commit a crime? that was an investigative committee, tried to clarify that, but he refused to testify or resign. then they stumbled upon oval office recordings of conversations. after resisting the probe, the nixon administration agreed to turn in the tape. so my attorney later it became clear that a crucial passage of the recordings was missing. it was the one in which he ordered a cover up of watergate. but at this point, impeachment proceedings against nixon were already under way when he was under the pressure became too much money to leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent for every instinct in my body. but as president, i must book the interests of america 1st. therefore, i shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow. that nixon was later pardoned by his successor, gerald ford. and watergate became the epitome of political scandal. it's important

to remember watergate, because it reveals the vulnerabilities of our constitutional government and also the strengths. ah, you there, it's very hard for a country to protect itself from a bad leader. a lesson that still stands true to day. now to some other stories making headlines around the world in nigeria, a mass funeral has been held with victims of a church massacre. 40 people were killed when gunman targeted a catholic church in southwest on dough state. nearly 2 weeks ago, children were among the dead. such attacks in this state or rare 3 palestinians were killed in the occupied west bank after a raid by israeli forces, or 8 people were wounded in the operation. israel's army says it was conducting a search for weapons. grades in the west bank were ramped up after a series of deadly attacks in israel. china has launched its largest and most

modern aircraft carriers, marketing a military milestone for the country. it comes during height intentions over territorial disputes with the u. s. anti wad white beijing aims to modernize its military to revival washington's by 2027. protesters in the east indian state of b. har, set fire to several trains during rallies against military recruitment scheme. the policy means new recruits will start on short term contracts and could miss out on some entitlements for har has some of his highest unemployment and poverty. well, it's one of the biggest art events in the world. and one of the most groundbreaking, the documentary art festival, is only held once every 5 years in the german city of castle this year. it's being curated by

a collective from indonesia. and they're turning the spotlight on artist from the global south. ah, this is not your usual art show. this documentary is about community and calls as like the hardship facing small day with farmers in thailand. skate. bolting artists . tell a story for the 1st time, the curators behind documentary collective ruin group or from indonesia, invited of the collectives who invited even more collectives from mostly developing countries. they called their communal philosophy, lumbering. originally it means a shared rice bomb. these low matter is a formica determining any here law. it's not our invention and we use it though to refer to ah mechanism. how to call goth learn resources. the way in which we worked was everyone would contribute ideas and resources and a skill. oh my god, i'm not, i don't man hand from 54 artists and collectives. the invitations kept snowballing,

hundreds of artists if not more. and now exhibiting here in castle germany, including the indonesian collective who brought these cobbled figures, usually used at social justice rallies. that percentage all the documents, his budget is also being set aside to support grassroots artists initiatives around the world like this. kenny collective which pays tribute to life in an i robot. slum it's about dignity, amid the hardships. this is the thought on to bring. yeah. our strength, our hope, and our beauty is want, we want to tell, not all of that, i got it, that you hear the news. documentary is one of the world's leading ought events. but this time, the art market is barely playing a role. although there are a few big names like aboriginal australian painter, richard bell, my message is probably that we should all be involved in more collective behavior.

oh, well, be kind of to each other as well. no, because to herself, so we've all got a long way to go to make the world a kind to place the problem. the clia document is big experiment is to see how much more we can achieve if we work together. ah, we've got a basketball news for you. the golden state warriors have won the n b a championship . after beating the boston celtics in game 6 of the finals, the warriors 4th championship in 8 years was heralded by fireworks at the home stadium, the chase center in san francisco. thousands of fans had come to watch the game

live on the stadiums, big screens, and they celebrated wildly as their to one by 13 points in boston. before we go, here's a quick look at our top story. at this hour. the civilian death toll is rising in the battle for control of ukraine's eastern dumbass region. the regional governor of the hans says heavy shelling by rushing forces in the city of this chats has killed many people. russia is fighting for full control of neighboring separate units. european commission officials are recommending that ukraine be put on a fast track for you candidacy. president ursula fund aligned said the recommendation was on the understanding that the country would carry out a number of reforms. recommendation will need the approval of leader of the 27th member states state you in for d w. news asia coming up with melissa chan and don't forget the website is there for all your latest news. s d, w dot com. and so on twitter and instagram at

d w a michael o cook for me and the rest of the team here. and really, really appreciate your watching. is more news at the beginning of the next hour. ah ah, with

ah, with the kill india killer heat waves are hitting record in india. a community seems to have found a solution based on early morning.

how effective is it and can it be implemented in lower income countries from eagle india? in 60 minutes on d, w. stay up to date. don't miss our highlights. the d w program online. d, w dot com, highlights the green you feel worried about the planning me to on the old hosting on the, on the green fence, both cost and to me it's clear remains to, to join me for a deep dive into the green transformation for me, for you for the plans with,

ah ah, you're watching t w news asia coming up today, china's endless 0 coven policy test. it's 1000000000 citizens. just how sustainable is it and how far will the government go to maintain it? and what are the repercussions for the rest of the world? plus on top of a covert outbreak that has put pyongyang on an emergency footing. north korea deals with a mystery. intestinal disease that has hit a rural parts of the country. also coming up, ty, ones at the same sex.