ah ah ah ah, this is dw news live from berlin to night. ukraine launch is a long anticipated offensive against russians in the east of the country. he says that its forces have already broken the 1st line of russian defense. but moscow says that it is warning any advances and inflicting heavy casualties,

also coming up to not deadly clashes, rock, baghdad, fortified greenville supporters of iraq's powerful shiite cleric. we'll touch it all. thunder! stormed the government palace after he said that he is quitting politics for good and a scrub. the attempt at lift off nasa postponed the launch of its arguments one rocket after encountering engine problems and the end of an era at the usaa tentative superstar serena williams is about to play the final tournament of her remarkable career. ah, i'm bring gov. it's good to have you with us on this monday to night, ukraine says that it has launched a major counter offensive to retake the southern region of the country around the

city of her song, which is currently occupied by russian forces of this much awaited push comes after weeks of anticipation and preparation, ukraine had been attacking russia's supply routes in an attempt to isolate forces. they are both sides say that the other has suffered heavy casualties. however, these claims to not be independently verified. russia captured harrison early in the war, facing little resistance from ukraine. of a more now joined by justin krump. he is a military analyst and ceo in founder of sibling a strategic advisory firm in the u. k. mr. robert is good to see you again, and is this the start of that counter of vince, of against the russian military, which ukrainian president zalinski has been signaling. now for months here the situation is still confused as battlefields tend to be i'm, but it certainly looks like

a much more significant offensive operations than we can say. it does seem to hold in line with what the president wanted. and of course, there was a that we discussed before in the program, a timeline, ukraine, of wanting to achieve something in cousin before any referendum could be held by russia, hundreds of 10, but so ukraine's had this, this group deadline of doing something in, in the region by september, so it does seem to all fall in line with that, and certainly the scale of what we're seeing is much larger than we've seen recently. will. how much of this announcement than would you say is, is backed by the power of western weapons versus this timing pressure on president zalinski to take action? it's a bit of all of it. i, you, crane, i think is all the see, make great use of the west weapon donations up to the high mas in the m l arrest broke it systems to disrupt the russians. we've, we've seen that going on intense fight in the region over the last few days. i've

also been husbanding a certain amount of equipment. they've been doing a limited amount of pictures we seen today show some of the western supplied all of us. now car is being used in what appears to be quite a decent combined arms attacked by ukraine. so using tanks, infantry across and had to call to not hillary all together to achieve at least a limited breakthrough in the russian front. as far as we understand it now, policy driven, i'm sick like everything and will ferrell to minutes extension of fiscal ends, but they pretty sense that there's a need for an operation on the possibility of succeeding in something. and at this time, we have heard today that near the city of here sold along the front lines, ukrainian forces may have found places where they can most easily degrade russian defences. i mean, have you heard anything like this? if it is the case, would this be enough to put any segment of the russian army on the defensive?

if you think about the church, the russian army is taken on the fall of need for its about 100 miles wide about 30 miles deep. towards michel, i have an inquiry in the north ukraine. i made a small im right on that a number of weeks ago called in to lets river which form of a key part of that battle field. and that seems to be with some of the breakthroughs happening now. that's right. in the middle of the russian lines that for the bridge is that russia relies on to reinforce that troops of all been at least heavily damaged by ukrainian longer range strikes. the russians were lying on pontoons to get across the river, which is very slow, very limited. and so this suddenly in this spot position with a river to that back with limited ability to reinforce spring forward supplies or indeed move troops back across the river. i'm with ukraine tension making him roads right in the middle of that line. and that puts a very strategic time at no cost within reach really important for russia in

particular, crime in water supply. so it's an area that the russians can be very, very sensitive about and off the weeks of shelling there and, and effective deep strike operations by ukraine. obviously they've been pretty degraded. they've been expecting this blow to forward. it remains to be seen how far it will go, but certainly the russians are not in a great position. and we have heard that throughout this conflict that the russian military certainly out guns, the ukrainian military. that said, just last week we had $3000000000.00 in weapons from the united states. additional weapons announced by washington is the ukrainian military or they, emboldened by this? do they know that they are supply lines, if you will, coming from the west are guaranteed it may be in much better shape than the russian side. can say, i think your last points a great one them out. we see the ukraine oversee with an imperative to national survival as played

a very good game to support and mobilize lower resources in sunday seems to built up a, a force capable of trying an offensive lot. they are at the moment. i'm russia by comparison is trying the same thing and building up what they call in the 3rd army corps in russia. it's got quite high, great equipment, but very low grade. so just from what we can see so far, say, well rush is trying to bring things forward. they have taken heavy losses. they've got very big systematic issues by comparison. ukraine, i think getting stronger, and i'm sure he isn't taking minutes rate for granted, but that's certainly making extremely good use of what they're getting it with their hand with justin. crop mr. curb. as always, we appreciate your time and your insights. thank you. and he was like, the u. s. government is urging a complete shut down of the separate he a nuclear power plant in ukraine, and it has renewed calls for a demilitarized zone to be established around the plant. fighting in the area has escalated, raising concerns about the nuclear disaster. now,

a team of experts from the international atomic energy agency are now in route and are expected to carry out inspections at the facility. in the coming days, russian backed officials say that radiation levels are still normal, but people living in the area they have been preparing for the worst the situation at the separation euclid power plot has set alarm bells ringing across europe and around the world. now the, when's nuclear watchdog has dispatched a team of experts to the site lead by agency chief ref ale grossi. that's up to assess any damage to the plant and inspected security and safety systems when they arrive. later this week. in keith, some residence welcomed the visit otherwise, i think this is very good news. we certainly don't need another disaster at a nuclear power plant, and it wouldn't just be a disaster for ukraine. it would affect all of europe. i still remember channel

lighting. but others were more gloomy about what it could achieve. so mostly on if i'm not sure if the russian authorities will reveal the full reality on the ground and if they will really allow the team to improve the situation. sir, i do not believe that that will be any real results in cities and towns near the power plant. people are already preparing for the worst, and heading to sites like this one, where local authorities are handing out i'd on tablets to be taken in the event of a radiation league. put haven't been renewed on a particular. it's a preventive and prophylactic measure. you mustn't take the pill when you receive it. it must only be taken after an official notification from the authorities. or we cannot, we started the distribution last week, around 8 and a half 1000 people receive tablets including 2 and a half 1000 children. while hopefully these tablets won't have to be taken. the stand off over years, biggest nuclear facility remains tense,

and moscow continues to reject international goals for a demilitarized zone, to avert potential disaster. supporters of erect influential cleric, mach tanelle solder, had stormed back dad's government palace a curfew was now in place, and for the army was employed to disperse the crowd and to colon for gestures to leave the green zone. at least 10 people have been killed, dozens have been reported injured. this violence comes hours after al solder announced that he is quitting politics in closing his offices. his followers have held weeks of protests calling for reform in iraq, which has been without a government or leaders since elections last october. it is a bundled situation in iraq. let's take the story now to john davis and he is the iraqi bureau chief it reuters news agency in baghdad. it's good to have you where this brings up to speed on the situation. what is the situation there right now is

very tense. now. sanctions as the rescue lighted, since mcdonald automated announcement earlier today, who was withdrawing politics since then, that being trashes between his coaches and between supporters of armed and political groups that are mostly along with iran. and at the moment that this sporadic gunfire that's been iraq baghdad from time to time this evening. so it's very tents and several people to be killed in clashes. and did you see this announcement coming in and did you see the, the violet reaction to it coming? i think many observers didn't necessarily see the announcement of his complete withdrawal from politics coming. i think maybe people were expecting a bit of violence, some stay between these different groups. it had been quite a long time coming, but it had managed to be averted so far. the minute that looked at all sudden

decided to withdraw from politics. the effects actively kind of a joke gave the green lights at his supporters to protest in whatever man of a a. so fit in it. talk to me a little bit about his influence in iraqi politics and the fact that he says that he is quitting politics. it has obviously led to a, a vacuum that's being filled with violence right now. i. yeah, he's always been a very influential player in iraqi politics since the u. s. invasion in 2003. his political powers growing in the last few years. he has millions of supporters who are loyal to him and has been able to control them pretty well up till now. they've been quite disciplined in their protests up until this point. and today the minute that he pulled out, it seemed like it was a bit of a referral for those people who dakota protest in the 1st place. and we know that i

was under his and said that his moos have been against corruption. do we know exactly, though, what does he resigning from and, well, he said also as of this position of being his overarching political leader, he doesn't hold any office. so what he's resigning from is, is any sort of intervention that would guide the political process or political events in the country supposedly. but also he is, he's done this before. he said that he's not going to participate in politics again . and yet he's led his supporters to participate in elections again, he retains a lot of power in the states and over certain government ministries. so it's much more of a symbolic move, but it's a move we just had real consequences on the ground. john davidson from reuters, he's agency and baghdad. john, we appreciate your reporting. thank you. art, let's take

a look now at some of the other stories that are making headlines around the world . international aid has begun reaching in pakistan as the army and volunteers tried to evacuate tens of thousands of flood victims. unusually heavy monsoon range of triggered flash floods, claiming the winds of more than a 1000 people this summer. brazil's mean presidential candidate have faced often he 1st televised debate ahead of october's general election, now incumbent president, char, your boston auto accused his once jailed rival, the former president, louise, not so little to fill the of corruption lula whose leading in the polls accused president wilson arrow of quote, destroying the country and goals electoral commission has declared the country's long ruling. m p l. a party. the winter of last week's elections giving president lorraine co, a 2nd term. the commission said that his party 151.2 percent. that is a majority, a fewer than half of angola registered voters, however,

turned out for the book. well, it is one of the world's most ambitious space programs. nasa is a multi $1000000000.00 artemus mission aimed at one day, getting humans back on the moon and eventually going to mars. but it has gotten off to a disappointing start to day. the u. s. bays agency was forced to scrub the launch of its largest ever rocket after a number of technical problems. the next attempt is likely to be on friday. the 98 meter rocket and its unmanned capsule, a ryan were left sitting on the launch pad. as the minutes ticked by us, vice president carmella harris had flown into cape canaveral to witness the lift. off of the most powerful rocket ever built by nothing to reset, flocked to nearby locations all keen to get a glimpse of the action. but a whole series of technical problems meant the launch had to be called off. it's

yet another disappointment for the artemus named program after a series of postpone launches. but nasa says spotting problems is part of the exercise. that is the whole reason for this test flight to stress it and to test it to make sure it's as safe as possible when artemus to when we put humans in the spacecraft. oh ram ram. arb dialed with northern holes a century ago, landing on the moon captured the imagination of an entire generation. now the human race is looking once again to return to the moon. if all goes well with this test mission accrued flight could be launched as early as 2020 full. one of the stated ambitions of the artemus mission is to put the 1st woman on 1st person of color on

the moon. it's expected to be astronaut, jessica watkins. i certainly would, would be a jess absolutely thrilled to be able to be a part of the effort to, to go to another planetary surface, whether it be the moon or mars. it's the red planet that the ultimate goal. but the optimist mission hopes to 1st build a permanent presence on the moon. it would then use the moon as a proving ground from mission to mars. but 1st, it has to get its maiden test flight successfully of the launching pad. all right, let's go now to keith cowan. he is an american, astro biologist. he is also a former nasa employee. he joys me tonight from washington dc. if it's good to see you again, that was a big disappointment earlier today or, i mean, do we know exactly what happened? well, it seems that there's a valve that goes to one of the engines, and when they started to pump, the very, very cold, liquid hydrogen through charlie didn't get cold enough ground floor and the system

to say, go ahead. you don't want these engines to be warm when you're starting to fire than you want to be very cold. free the agents were fly but one was not. and unfortunately they just, you know, took some time off and thought, you know, do we have enough time today? to fix this and the answer is no. so they scrubbed. and were you surprised by this? i mean, as a layman watching this, i heard a lot of people say, you know, 50 years ago we were able to lift off a why do we have engine problems today? but i was at the per shuttle launch. it went the 2nd time they tried and i, when i work for nasa, i probably tried to see more shuttle launches than i actually saw. and so this isn't unusual. and i actually was giving people 5050 odds today that they would actually launched in something like this would not happen. unfortunately, what happened today. they admitted that, yeah, you know, we could have tested this last time. we did a test, but the last time they did

a test, something went wrong and said, well, we're good enough with that. so, you know, this is not unexpected. it's disappointing. but you know, again, as they say, it's better to be safe than, sorry, it's better to be safe than, sorry, that that's true. and i have a feeling though that this could be one of several dress rehearsals before we have a, an actual launch. is that a correct assumption? i would not dispute that some people are calling this the went dress side, the 4th one having been the previous test. but you know, again what we're seeing here is a very complex rocket. it's taking a long time to build and cost far too much money. and so here it is. it's all just the ready to go. and i think the, you probably asked us, but what, what is being? well, here we are looking at rockets built out of spare parts list of parts in the shuttle program. and yet 1000 miles to the west is a rocket that they make it so cheap that when it blows up they will blooper reel. and so i think we're at a huge in history where maybe this is the last time we'll see

a whack at that's as complicated. yeah. perhaps we'd like to see this one take off . maybe we'll be able to do that later this week. keith cowan is always we appreciate your time. thank you. my pleasure. well, it has been a year since the u. s. military left afghanistan, the final weeks of the american presence. so one of the biggest dramatic air lifts in human history with more than 100000 people flown out of the airport in cobbled. but where did all these people go and what has happened to them since that more than 75000 african refugees ended up in the united states and at least 27000 are right here in the european union, while canada australia and the u. k. also took in thousands. now initially, some afghans are regarded as high level were sent to the u. s. army camp lee of in kosovo. but doesn't are still stuck there after failing to receive security

clearance is to move on. kosovo has committed to supporting them for another year. but for those in limbo, the next step, it's far from clear. ah, one year ago evacuated afghan allies were welcomed with open arms at a special camp in kosovo, designed by the united states as a temporary location to await what most expected would be quick. we settlement, we are honored to be able to help other than that of his whole works for nature. they left their homes and their country in desperation. but to day camp leah itself has become a place of desperation. for some a vacuum ease. who are still there, while hundreds have moved on. some have been rejected for a u. s. visa, others have received neither a yes or no. residents are not allowed to leave the camp and d w's request. a visit was denied. the situation is not

with this evacuee shared video and his views, but wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons. frustration boiled over earlier this summer. evacuation protested, holding signs, saying we want justice. this resident says the information vacuum is worse than being in prison. the prisoner with why he's here for how long he will be in detention if he don't give us a reason why we are in this camp for how long former afghan intelligence, chief mohammed, our reefs, our worry, is among those rejected for us for settlement. his attorney, julie sirs, calls his situation shocking. i don't think there is any individual in afghanistan who did more than mister sar worry did to help the united states post 911. i think

the treatment is highly improper, especially in cases like my clients who provided tremendous assistance at great risk to his life. when us built camp leah, it pledged all residents would be resettled within $365.00 days. but when evacuees are denied us visas, it raises a red flag and washington is having trouble finding other countries to take them. going back to afghanistan would mean certain death for many asked what the options may be for these residents. the state department offered no clarity, each vetting process is done on a case by case basis and, and that's ongoing for those who remain there. that leaves the problem on cosello's doorstep, pristine and has agreed to extend the one year deadline. but that's not the only issue. there are evacuate, who do not have, who, who have not been given visas to go on to the united states. and will you accept these people to stay in kosovo if they do not find 3rd countries?

so it's a humanitarian duty. on the other hand, it is due to towards our allies and partners and friends. oh, of course, 1st of all, united states to help when they are in need and her, we will continue to do so. this is not a reassuring answer for those afghans who believed camp leah was just to lay over on their way to better lives. ah, let's go back in time at the us tennis. more than 20 years ago. a teenage serene away one her 1st ever grand slam singles title. she eventually made the record boats were $23.00 major tidal 2nd only to australia is margaret court. now williams? well, she's about to end her attendance career at the tournament where her singles success began her 1st round match is just hours away. oh,

these serena williams is regarded by many as the best women's tennis player of all tie. oh, she's the only player, male or female, to win 3 different grand slams 6 times or more. her 1st of 6 in new york came decades ago. i thought, well, happy sarita williams. now, 40 years old williams revealed the countdown has started to a glittering career. at the major where it all began. i love playing now and so it's like, it's amazing but you know, i can't do this for ever. so it's just like sometimes you just wanted try your best to enjoy the moments serena has become in i cod, in inspiration to the next generation of tennis players and arguably the greatest

of all time williams 1st met to new york could also be the final match of her decorated singles career if it is, fans will still be able to see serena alongside her sister venus in the doubles tournament at the us open. from a great career to the great pump kit. rowing for 38 miles and 11 hours down the missouri river in the us. it sounds like a chore. yes. but imagine doing it inside a hollowed out pumpkin. that's exactly what nebraska resident, dwayne hanson. did. he grew that enormous pumpkin in his own garden. no drought there. his mammoth trip with the great pumpkin has even earned him a place in the guinness book of world records. and it didn't think he was reminded the top story we're following for you. ukraine says that it has launched its long anticipated attempt to retake the southern region of her song. moscow says that it

is the wording offensive and inflicting heavy casualties. you're watching the w news. i'll be back at the top of the hour with more rural news, followed by the day i hope to see you then. thank oh lou with

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