u. k, people have gather at the pre historic stonehenge monument to mark the longest day of the year of the northern hemisphere. thousands of druid pagans and new eat revelers greeted the dawn at the age and stone circle to celebrate the summer solstice. it was the 1st time they were allowed to gather in 3 years due to pandemic restrictions on june 21st. every year the sun rises behind the largest stone in the circle, which was built some 5000 years ago. and before we go, here's a quick look at our top story. at this hour. russia is making advances in ukraine's eastern don't bass region. ukraine says russian forces have captured several more settlements and now control almost all of the loo hunter region. kia says it has only received a fraction of the western heavy weaponry. it needs to push the russians back. all right, don't go away. stephen beardsley has your business news in just a moment, and remember, you can always check out our website. it's there for you for all your latest news needs, stats d, w dot com. and of course we're also on twitter and instagram at dw news. i'm aaron

u. k, people are gathered at the pre historic stonehenge monument to mark the longest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere. thousands of druids, pagans, and new age tree huggers greeted the dawn of the ancient stone sword, whole to celebrate the summer solstice. it was the 1st time they were able to do that in 3 years. due to pandemic restrictions on june 21st every year. the sun rises behind the largest stone in the circle. that circle built some 5000 years ago. we still don't know how but we do know how you're going to get your business news after the break, steven beardsley will have that. i'll see you tomorrow. ah. ah what secrets lie behind these walls? discover new adventures in 360 degrees and explore fascinating boiled heritage sites d w.

u. k. people have gathered at the prehistoric stonehenge monument to mark the longest day of the year and the northern hemisphere. thousands of druids, pagans, of new age revelers greeted the dawn at the ancient stone circle to celebrate the summer solstice. it was the 1st time they were allowed to gather in 3 years due to pandemic restrictions on june 21st. every year the sun rises behind the largest stone in the circle. you can see it there, which is build some 5000 years ago. and that's our time i'm nichol for lee. thank you so much for a company. ah stay informed lou, lou and de ma'am podcast and language courses in video and audio.

u. k. across the channel are people in need of international protection, according to the u. k. cause. so there is as a strong risk there, that if somebody gets a negative decision in an asylum system which is are under construction, let's say that they're sent and, and refilled. and the other question is this part of the agreement that potentially allows them to be sent somewhere else? so is there a risk that they're then sent to another country that's cooperating with rwanda and, and where they may also face or other issues. but i think it's not, it's not a question of what, what, what tire assessment is of rwanda, as i said, we defer to you and hcr on that. i think it's also about the fact that the u. k. has international obligations and responsibilities and, and it is undermining international refugee lobe, international law, more generally by entering this kind of agreement. so it, it encourages allan countries in the rich world to undermine international law and to attempt to circumvent their own obligations. claire, we just have about a minute left. just briefly, you know, boris

u. k people have gathered at the prehistoric stonehenge monument to mark to day the longest day of the year here in the northern hemisphere. thousands of druids, pagans, and new age revelers greeted the dawn at the ancient stone circle to celebrate the summer solstice. it was the 1st time that people have been able to do that in 3 years because the pandemic restrictions on june 21st every year the sun rises behind the largest stone in the circle, which was built 5000 years ago. we still don't know exactly why or how before we go, here's a quick look at our top stories. this, our russia is making advances in ukraine's eastern don't bass region. ukraine says that russian forces have captured several more settlements and now control almost all of the loo. hunt's region keeps as it has only received a fraction, the western heavy weaponry that it needs to push fresh and forces back. this is the w news. i'll be back at the top of the hour with more world news followed by the day. i hope to see you then. thank oh lou. lou with ah, with a pulse. he's the beginning of a story that moves us and takes

u. k. as a country because people who, who are coming in this way, who are crossing why the channel, they are now facing the possibility of being deported to rhonda of the u. k. home secretary preacher patel has reacted to the flights cancellation . she said she was disappointed, but not deterred and would prepare for the next flight. meanwhile, asylum seekers already living in rwanda are painting a bleak picture of what new arrivals would face at transit center in wonder. these refugees tried to reach europe, but did not succeed. many of them ended up spending years in detention centers in libya before being relocated here. one of them is peter, naomi. 8 years ago he said south sudan amid the country civil war. he was moved here last year by the united nations refugee agency, but does not want to stay. i just want to go ahead with his little book in and i would just go back to ne placement one does one of the least developed countries in the world. peter and i only hopes for a better future elsewhere. he feels bad for the migrant center. wonder under the recent deal because they must apply f

u. k. as a country because people who, who are coming in this way, who are crossing why the channel, they are now facing the possibility of being deported to rhonda or the u. k. hom secretary pretty patel has reacted to the fights cancellation. and she said she was disappointed, but not deterred and would prepare for the next flight. any of them ended up spending years in detention centers in libya before being relocated here. one of them is peter, naomi. 8 years ago, he said, south sudan amid the country civil war, he was moved here last year by the united nations refugee agency, but does not want to stay. i just want to go ahead with his little boykin and i would go school, but to not school spirit. one does one of the least developed countries in the world. peter and i only hopes for a better future elsewhere. he feels bad for the migrant center. wonder under the recent deal because they must apply for asylum here. the u. k. g of many the my must be to them you that human being are you really? you cannot tell them. going to stay here or gone buddhism, nor because if they feel better in you

u. k and beyond some people say the u. k. neglecting ethical and legal obligation to give those people a chance to apply for asylum in the u. k. is also shown a spotlight on one, the human rights record, which is something even the u. k. itself has been critical of last year over to you and human rights meeting in geneva, the u. k. said it was concerned about torture. enforce disappearances and killing of critics and political opponents. miranda, but the refugee deal is been on the table, the u. k. for what he paid about $150000000.00 to run the case on quiet about that and certainly for his johnson prince charles in the commonwealth meeting or here happening here this week is going to be seen by many as a glowing endorsement on the party u. k, for president who could gummy and his government. heavy rainfall in indian administered kashmir is triggering landslides and flash flooding. the regions largest river has breached its danger level and flood warnings have been issued for the regions largest cities, renada, country lop

u. k and beyond some people say the u. k, neglecting it ethical and legal obligations to give those people a chance to apply for asylum in the u. k. is also shown spotlights on one, the human rights record, which is something even the u. k. itself has been critical of last year over to you and human rights meeting in geneva, the u. k. said it was concerned about torture, enforce disappearances, and killing of critics and political opponents. every one of it's in the refugee deal is been on the table. the u. k for what he paid about a $150000000.00 to run the case on quiet about that. and certainly for his johnson, prince charles and the commonwealth meeting over here happening here. this week is going to be seen by many as a glowing endorsement on the part of the you. k for president polka gummy. and his government, millions of people in ethiopia are in urgent need of food aid. the nation is facing its worst route in 40 years. and the conflict in the northern to gray region is effecting a delivery humanitarian organizations

country and do you run and government has agreed to take on the claims of these people who are seeking asylum in the u. k. and if they are successful, they can stay in rwanda for, for up to 5 years, say basically it's transporting people who originally wanted to come to the u. k. most of them have some sort of ties to the u. k. have family here. this is why they went on this dangerous journey across the channel. but now instead of having the claims process in the u. k, they can face this deportation to rhonda. thank you very much. the w corresponded bigot master in london. thanks. oh yes, the image you are unlikely to be taking with your smartphone any time. soon, scientists have released data on nearly 2000000000 stars in our galaxy. it's a massive step towards creating the most accurate map, yet of the milky way the europe in space agencies. gaia probe, as given astronomers new insights into how stars are born, and how they die, the milky way, our galactic home. a huge cloud of stars. one a thin is our son. that our closest neighbors in space hold so much mystery. seen from earth, they appear so close

u. k. most people in the u. k. a trying to make a decision, whether they heat the homes or run that causes energy and fuel prices reach record highs. and it's absolutely incredible and the criticism is still coming from the house of lords from the church of england. it can anything be done at this point to stop this policy from going ahead. while many are trying, there was a letter signed by 25 archbishop's ambitions in the house of lords. very strong words for the government saying this is an immoral policy that shames britain. and because of all christian heritage should inspire us to treat asylum seekers with compassion. again, the foreign secretary hit back and that's what we're seeing from the government. they are, they are hitting back every time that they've been criticized on this policy. she said the plan is completely legal, is completely moral and those who criticize it should come up with an alternative. well, agency says that our alternatives, and that is to create an expand safe routes into this count

now the people that are crossing the channel are people that usually have ties, family ties, britain, and that they want to come to the u. k. but they're hoping basically to make it very, very attractive. the u. k. as a country because people who, who are coming in in this way, who are crossing why the channel, they are now facing the possibility of being deported to rhonda d. w. burgomaster. well, spain is facing unusually hot temperatures for early june, with the mercury rising a well over 40 degrees celsius. in many places, authorities are warning of a risk of wildfires. scientists say climate change is making heat waves more frequent and more intense. the last time it got this hot, this early in the year in spain was in 1981 here in madrid. in the mid day heat temps are soaring. and those who are out and looking for ways to stay cool. some are soaking up the full force of the heat wave, but spain's national weather agency warns conditions could feel even more extreme with sand and dust from the sahara desert being carried north into europe. a spokesperson for the weather agency says heat waves have become 5 times more

now the people that are crossing the channel are people that usually have ties, committee ties, britain, and that they want to come to the u. k. but they are hoping, basically to make it very, very unattractive, the u. k. as a country because people who, who are coming in in this way, who are crossing, why the channel, they are now facing the possibility of being deported to rhonda. and why rwanda? the british government has an agreement with randa and rhonda has, has agreed to you to do this. obviously they are, they're receiving money for it and a spokeswoman for the run. the government has said that ronda wants to show that african countries can also be part of, of the solution of problems are as the british government is facing and that they are presenting a safe and, and welcoming environment for asylum seekers. or however, human rights watch, the human rights and g o has, has criticized. the randa has publicly said that, for example, a critics of the government and journalists are being thrown in jail and are being silenced. and that the run and government needs to look into the treatment and abuse of these political pr

u. k and beyond some people say the u. k, neglecting it ethical and legal obligations to give those people a chance to apply for asylum in the u. k. there's also shown a spotlight on one the human rights record, which is something even the u. k. itself has been critical of last year over to you and human rights meeting in geneva, the u. k. said it was concerned about torture, enforce disappearances and killing of critics. and political opponents. miranda bits in the refugee deal is being on the table, the u. k. for what he paid about a $150000000.00 to run the case on quiet about that and certainly for his johnson prince charles in the commonwealth meeting or here happening here this week is going to be seen by many as a glowing endorsement on the party u. k. for president who could gummy and his government a lot more still to come this our i could always feel price protests and lessons say indigenous communities say the presence performs of the most vulnerable court between climate change and conflict agencies. baffled to

coven, it's the fact he lied about this whole episode shows up one of the traits that most people in the u. k. always knew about forest johnson and people who has class that they think they can get away anything because so much of their life has been spent not having to deal with the consequences of their own decisions. nice collins, i was in a different place and it's gotten never had confidence in bars. jones in the 1st place is part. you have never won an election here. you have to go back to the fifty's for the predecessor party to 11, but it's quite, quite clear across the u. k. there's absolutely no trust in the prime minister when you've got the cost of living crisis, a war on the european continent. i claim emergency and so much so deeply wrong with our economy. you need politicians, you need to be there so you can trust force. johnson has used that all up to quite clearly live, not just the parliament but the public as well. alan, do you see boys johnson bouncing back in the near future? well, i think and he's going to need to bounce back if he's going to survive. that's the reality

u. k. and people, and so that's a very and, and consequently, the part will stay in ukraine will be the poorest one, rush is about to take to port the industry. and the gas, for instance, are 45 percent of the gas produced in the ukraine is in the region in 10 kilometers from the frontline is origin decide to go to. but um it would be 45 percent additional. so we'll pay a bill. we will pay for weapons. it's not it what, what to you with with having a great, it's something like your own, you were both the country was a small population. no industry, almost no agriculture. so for the west, it's for the oregon is or is a hispanic because they used to steal the money in this territory and they wouldn't do they want to do be able to they won't be able to do it again. anyway, my name is go back to glen glen and when all this is said and done, you know, one of the things i always find interesting is good from western capitals about how this counseling should be resolved, zalinski will decided ok, and then you hear my murmurings you know, the, the u. k. rustles and washington are working behind lensky

now the people that are crossing the channel, ah, people that's usually has ties time that he ties britain and they want to come to the u. k. but they're hoping basically to make it very, very attractive the u. k. as a country because people who, who are coming in this way, who are crossing by the channel, they off now facing the possibility of being deported to rhonda. you're watching d. w news still to come a controversial kiss. in the new movie about buzz lightyear has gone the movie band in more than a dozen countries will get more on why sensors have taken aim on. one of our biggest money makers the 1st spain is facing unusually hot temperatures for early june with a mercury rising well over 40 degrees celsius. in many places, authorities are warning of a risk of wild flyers. scientists say climate change is making heat weighs more frequent and more intense the last time it got this hot, this early in the year in spain was in 1981 here in madrid. in the mid day heat temps are soaring. and those who are out and looking for ways to stay cool. some are soaking up the full force of the heat wave, but spain's national weat

but they could also help people at home, you know, a company u. k. 3000000 people using food banks in the u. k. tax the riches the minutes use that to faith the well. max lawson to walk. you are having to shop very. i was, i had a got to buy. did thank you very much. we don't use it on al jazeera, as we can continue covering the meeting all the g 7 leaders here. the very mouse are identical, cross back to the later. thank you so much arctic editor james bay is reporting for us from germany. well, more now on those strikes in keys and several explosion shook the center of the city. in the early hours. officials say one person was killed and 5 injured. rescuers are trying to re survivors who are believe to be stuck inside and keep the mayor of italy click go told al jazeera, the timing of this latest. the shock is not a coincidence. before it now, there are some, it matter. they attacked. it may be symbolic years, symbolic regression, bruises days. it is more like a tag because the last attack is, was as gerald secor in united nations. was it? the key

people come by the channel and they have to rely on people, traffic is then they shouldn't have that as i am applications processed here in the u. k, but it's really important to know that people are forced to take these routes because there are so safety roots of travel into a country that the u. k. so what the government does with at board the policies is they fuel the business model that people to africa. so what they should be doing instead of so playing their base and trying to port people who simply want to claim asylum. yeah, they should be opening up more safer to travel people to get here. they don't have to risk their lives making danger crossings like the channel crossing. but i guess that's very unlikely to happen in yourself just mentioned the kind of direction politics is taking in the country, particularly after breaks. it would make her the suggestion earlier on the day from arms of boys johnson that the u. k. might simply withdraw from the european convention on human eyes to facilitate these flights, tara wander, perhaps all the countries. well, this is something that different governments have so of toys, with t

u. k. just now as people is expected to speak at the event. absent leadership, pretty much sums up this government's approach to the country's problems. it's not an excuse. he could have gone there any time. even his most loyal supporters here are pretty pissed off. a prime minister is also being accused of showing total content holy. i want to send the voice to that outrage. johnson was busy being entertained by president lensky in k. as for discussing additional u. k. military support for ukraine on things on announce, visit, come saudi off the gym, and french and italian leaders came to talk on thursday was not cross the political commentator anthony webb for more. thank you for joining us on the program, anthony. now, what do you think of jonathan's decision to choose k as overland and what do you think it says about his political priorities, especially of the narrowly suffice to know confidence opposing parliament just last week? well, it's the shows a lack of power sees because the trip or i'll call the symbolic action and wait to abolish should under course look, are you in pool paulson, let

u. k. agreed with united states to make the british indian ocean territory available for the defense purposes of the u. s. and the u. k. and the to gulshan people were removed from the islands. we must, however, now look forward not back on decisions about the future of the british indian ocean territory. the government has now considered all the available information and has decided against the resettlement of which gulshan people on the grounds of feasibility, defense and security interests, and the cost to the purchase tax. but the costs of being estimated to, to vary from anything between 55000000 for a me a 50 people going back to anything like 256000000 pounds for one and a half 1000. it would then also trigger the obligation of majesty's government to pay on an annual basis, the cost of sustaining the population. and in fact, when there is no hospital available, no, no care urgently that can be delivered to people. it is in my view on the sustainable to expect a community of any supp size to exist in such a setting. rosendam, mister speaker, bridger shook off should have the rights of self determination just as we afford to all of her ma

u. k. taxpayer. so even if people are bulking at the fact that this is being considered an immoral policy, they will be at the cost during the height of a cost of living crisis. the government says, you know, that is nothing compared to the $6000000.00 a day was spending on accommodating asylum seekers in hotels. and earlier, the prime minister hit back at the criticism. we are going to get on and, and to live and the objective, the objective is to ensure that we make that clear distinction. i think everybody can see is fair and reasonable between legal immigration to this country by safe and legal roots, which we support uphold or protect because we will understand are the benefits that it brings, tally. i understand we've also had criticism to this policy from the house of lords . busy or how significant is that? well, that would be absolutely another blow to the government in a very strongly wooded letter, signed by 25 bishops and archbishops. they said this is an immoral policy and it shames britain and that will

u. k by numerous rights groups by the united nations, criticize both for the u. k. many people argue it's failing, it's legal obligations and ethical obligations to give people a chance to apply for asylum there. and it will say, put a spotlight on one, the human rights record, something that even the u. k itself. last year were to un human rights meeting in geneva, raised concerns about about torture, about 4 disappearances in killing of government critics. and people in opposition here, but the case gone fairly quiet about that since the refugee deal or we've lost our connection there with golly, but i, we would just come to the end of that comes with malcolm a. so let's move on. relief efforts are underway in bangladesh for millions of people cut off by flooding in the northeast. thousands have been killed in hundreds of thousands forced from their homes. the wind is worried about the threat of water born diseases. tanf childcare reports not from c, yet 50 year old charlotte rescued 20 of his extended family members when the flash flood had his village about a week ago. litt

but in most cases, people have no power to do anything in the u. k. were 24 percent of people utilized . they do, that's what this is about, isn't it? with the public sector is much more unionized done in the private sector under half as many union members as the used to be in the 19 seventy's. but there's no doubt that the unions have been extraordinarily weak because over the last 12 years, the public set to pay has fallen back in real terms. they're all paid quite a lot less than they were in real terms. in 2010 when this conservative government took over. so it's not that the u. news have been very millison. they've really been rather weak. and the last straw is this sudden surgeon inflation that sees the big altitude 3 percent. when it looks as if aggression is going to rise to $10.11, and then again a union. what's one to having a union? if they were willing to accept, you know, $0.70 full, it living standards on top of previous blows of living standards. so i think was a lot of public sympathy, a lot of understanding and also an understanding th

people. even in the u. k. and so i believe that now what we are seeing, we are seeing a shift from the monarchy towards republic on several fronts. but typically, as you are saying with the younger generation, this is a generation where we are not afraid to speak out and, and to address our concerns. and as the previous speaker was already said, has already said that the call fort reparations is, is getting louder, and it is significant to me that in 2022 there are people specifically in the caribbean, still waiting for an apology or so even moving away from reparations and getting to action, but to sim, a symbol of apology, and i believe that this jubilee would have been the perfect opportunity. patrick, is it the same sentiment in kenya, which joined the commonwealth in 1963. those about time to rethink ties with the monarchy. well financed year public's ends are 1964. so our mob, the quickly car ties, we have the warning armor are very soon after independence, a asked independence, but that's it. i think th

now the people that are crossing the channel are people that usually have ties, committee ties, britain, and that they want to come to the u. k. but they're hoping basically to make it very, very attractive. the u. k. as a country because people who, who are coming in in this way, who are crossing by the channel, they are now facing the possibility of being deported to rhonda catch up on some other stories making headlines around the world today. a 2nd person has been arrested in brazil, suspected of being involved in the disappearance of british journalist dom phillips, and indigenous expert, bruno ferrera. the 2 were researching d 4 station and commercial intrusion in the region. rescue teams found a backpack and laptop near where the 2 went missing. a report commissioned by the un human rights council to investigate the root causes of the israeli. palestinian conflict, blames the israeli occupation for decades of violence. their israel has rejected the findings and alleges that the investigation was biased. the commission says it needs better access to interview witnesses, which is real, has denied record flooding has forc

country and do run the government has agreed to take on out the claims of, of these people who are seeking asylum in the u. k. and if they are successful, they can arg stay and rhonda for 4 to 5 years, say basically it's transporting people who originally wanted to come to the u. k. most of them have some sort of ties to the u. k. have family here. this is why they went on this dangerous journey across the channel, but now instead of having their claims processed in the u. k, they can face this deportation to rhonda. thank you very much, the w corresponding big master in london. thanks for now this matter behind me was once a popular singer, performing for millions and packed venues and on russia's state television. his name is in charge to pursue this. with his russian lyrics, the latvian artist won a leech in the fans and a paycheck to match. but with the invasion of ukraine, he began to rethink his part in russia's propaganda machine. now he's an outspoken critic of the kremlin that has turned many of his fans against him. oh, in touch with soliz was a star in russia i, the latvian singer performed on rus

people have done so. but experts doubt that the ruined a scheme will change much. the u. k. gavin, the re. busy what had been described as host telling bottoming policies toward my guns and seekers. and the said now that people come across the board. and on the contrary, reducing the goals for, for cleaning upside them, increase if the document you go for now, the flanks to ruin the account in theory begin in the next few weeks, opponents of rwanda scheme will try to convince the court that the entire policy is unlawful. the dean, bob al jazeera london, the war and ukraine is pushing european union nations to diversify the energy output. the blog, one half of its needs to be met by renewable resources by 2030 france is investing in technology is to increase its production of bio gas in the cash bottle reports for one year in the countryside south of paris, a new by a gas plant almost blends into the horizon. it was set up by 6 local farmers, including luke general time to convert their from waste into energy. each day they dump crops vegetables and other organic matter into the system to en

country and do run and government has agreed to take on are the claims of, of these people who are seeking asylum in the u. k. and if they are successful, they can arg stay in rwanda for, for up to 5 years. see, basically it's transporting people who originally wanted to come to the u. k. most of them have some sort of ties to the u. k. have family here. this is why they went on this dangerous journey across the channel, but now instead of having their claims processed in the u. k, they can face this deportation to rhonda. thank you very much, the w corresponding big monster in london. thanks for that other look. now it was happening in other parts of the world. dozens of members of a former opposition party in cambodia i've been convicted of treason is the latest in a number of mass trials that have targeted the cambodian national rescue party critic say the southeast asian country has been reduced to a one party state activists from ecuador, indigenous groups, half blocked roads nationwide to protest the economic policies of right wing president. he amolla so at least 10 provinces were affected by demonstr

people have done so. but experts doubt that the ruined a scheme will change much. u. k. government has already been into the range. busy of what had been described as hostile environment policies toward my guns and assigning seekers and the said that people come across the board. and on the contrary, reducing the google for, for claiming asylum increases the document you go for now, the flanks to ruin the accounting theory begin. in the next few weeks, opponents of the rwanda scheme will try to convince the court that the entire policy is unlawful. the dean baba al jazeera london, the ukrainian officials have made another plea for heavy weapons from the west as the eastern seduce your verizon. yes, continues to come under russian fire. the ukrainian military says there is no chance of holding the city without the delivery of weapons that had been promised by the west. if the focus of moscow's advance and one of the bloodiest flashpoints in the war with up to $200.00 ukrainian soldiers being killed each day, done the money. and if somebody acquainted currently it's more

people have done so. but experts doubt that the ruined a scheme will change much. u. k. government has already been into the range. busy of what had been described as host telling bottom and policies toward my guns and assign seekers and the said that people come across the board. and on the contrary, reducing the google for the, for claiming to try them, increases the document you go for now, the flanks to run the account in theory, begin in the next few weeks, opponents of the rwanda scheme will try to convince the court that the entire policy is unlawful. the dean baba al jazeera london, had on al jazeera, the outrage impasse of anxious south and demand the arrest of a suspended member of india's governing party. after comment about the prophet mohammed and china's defense minister warned of the war in response to amy independence did fine i wrong. ah, the has begun. the 3 for world cup is on its way to casa your travel package. today . there has been unsurprising, the flooding, displacing flooding. people have moved out of the way because of the seasonal rains in so

u. k, which we support. we want people to build, come here in fear of their lives. we want to do it legally and safely. and that's why we have all the safer legal roots that are open to, to people. what we want to do is to show the people traffickers, but that they're breaking the law. they're risking people's lives and it will work anyway. now it will it be necessary to change some laws to help us as we go along. it may very well joe biden would include saudi arabia on the itinerary of his 1st middle east trip. as u. s. president, he's looking to reset the relationship at a time when the u. s. is pushing for more oil to be pumped to produce high petrol prices. biden's come under fire from some of his own party for visiting saudi arabia. us intelligence agencies concluded the crown prince, mom had been summoned order. the murder of the gymnasium, ourselves in the kingdom denies it. ukraine says its military is trying to get the last remaining civilians out of sabera. dani asked. russia is getting closer to taking over the eastern city as it tightened its grip on the