welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... a major set back for russia in ukraine, it announces a retreat from kherson, the only major city it's captured since the invasion. the race for control of the us congress is still in the balance. the democrats are hoping to hold onto the senate, while republicans haven't given up on winning both chambers, as the votes are still being counted. a man is arrested in britain after eggs were thrown at king charles. and the bronze statues from ancient italy, perfectly preserved in the mud and hot springs of a spa.

it's seven in the morning in singapore, and 2am in moscow, where just weeks after president putin announced he was annexing kherson and said that it would be forever russian, moscow has said it's pulling its troops out of the ukrainian city. kherson is the only provincial capital russia has managed to capture since the start of its invasion. but over the past weeks ukraine has been conducting a counter—offensive to push the occupiers out of the area. the commander of russian forces in ukraine called the pull—out a difficult decision. the bbc�*s international editor jeremy bowen is in the region and sent this report from the ukrainian front line.

for days now, ukrainian soldiers on the kherson perimeter have been dismissing reports that the russians were going to pull back. when we visited a mobile unit on the flatlands between kherson and mykolaiv — the closest ukrainian—controlled city — the soldiers said they would not believe the russians were leaving until they could see them go. they took us on a mission to attack russian positions. they guide their soviet—era artillery with a commercially available drone made in china. their command car is a 15—year—old bmw imported from britain. it might have been a veteran of the school run — now it's on bomb runs, passing on positions from the drone to adjust the gunners�* aim. the ukrainians claimed direct hits on positions in the large pocket

of land russians control west of the dnipro river, which they would have to leave if they pulled out of kherson city. leaving kherson would be a devastating defeat for russia. it was their biggest single prize since they invaded in february. in moscow, general sergei surovikin, commander of russian forces in ukraine, made the announcement. he told a televised meeting of senior military leaders, including the defence minister, that russia could not properly supply its troops on the west bank of the river. translation: i understand this is a very difficult decision, - but at the same time we will preserve the lives of our service personnel, and in general the combat capability of the group of forces. ukraine's first response was to warn against premature celebrations. this week, we have been talking to ukrainian soldiers and kherson

residents to try to gauge the mood there. you can't drive into kherson from here because there is a front line in the way, and even if you could, the russians don't allow independent journalists to operate there. so we have to try to piece together what is happening in a city that is, to all intents and purposes, cut off from the outside world. in mykolaiv, i met a ukrainian special forces officer who runs what he calls "partisan warfare" in kherson. he did not want to show his identity. he said harassing the occupiers does notjust mean killing them. translation: the more effective i it is, the worse it is for them. . it makes them live in constant tension, constant fear. that is our goal, our task. it makes them think, "we don't want to conquer, "we want to go back to russia."

some ukrainians under occupation in kherson say they have seen changes in the city, as rumours circulated this week that the russians might pull back. translation: for two weeks or more, kherson has been blocked. _ there is no crossing from the left bank to the right for civilians. as a result, the food and medicine is not delivered. if this continues for a long time, i don't know what people will eat and how they will receive basic medicine. a few video snapshots of life now in kherson have been posted. it is a city where russian roubles circulate alongside ukraine's currency, and the clocks now run on moscow time. the ukrainian soldiers we met on the front line facing kherson this week were very confident, not losing sleep over moscow's intentions.

with or without the formal withdrawal announcement, these men and their commander believe theirflexible, fast operations and continued nato support cannot be beaten. translation: step-by-step, we will reach victory. - we will not rush, losing people on our way. the russian troops are scared. they didn't expect so much resistance from our side. ukrainian soldiers will suspect russia's motives until they can drive into kherson. it might be some kind of disinformation strategy, or they believe the russians might be trying to sucker them into a trap. the fact remains, the hit—and—run war here on the front lines near kherson goes on. one question — a fighting retreat requires military skills russia has not demonstrated since the invasion.

will moscow try to negotiate safe passage out of kherson for its men? that's the picture in ukraine, but for more from moscow now, let's hear from the bbc�*s russia editor steve rosenberg. if russia really has decided to pull out of kherson, as the generals told the people earlier, then this is big. this is a big blow to the prestige of the russian authorities. it is embarrassing for vladimir putin, because kherson was the only ukrainian provincial capital that the russians managed to occupy since they invaded in february. i remember, barely six weeks ago, that glittering ceremony in the kremlin, when vladimir putin looked so confident, he was signing so many documents and claiming to have annexed kherson region, and three other ukrainian territories, and that these areas will be russian forever. forever didn't last

very long, did it? now to the us and the mid—term elections. with votes still being counted, the republicans look likely to gain control of the house of representatives. but the race for the senate remains extremely close. the republicans' so called �*red wave' surge did not materialise. so far they have won 208 seats in the lower chamber, the house. the democrats are on 188. it takes 218 seats to gain a majority. it's much closer in the upper chamber. democrats and republicans each have 48 seats in the senate, with just four seats yet to be decided. one of those is the key state

of georgia where neither democratic senator raphael warnock nor his republican rival, herschel walker, has reached 50% of the vote. that state will now hold a run—off election on 6 december. our north america editor, sarah smith, has more on what the results mean for the us. this is not quite the look we thought we would see from joe biden. relaxed and relieved as he called round democrats who won last night. he had warned american democracy itself is on the ballot in these elections. itself is on the ballot in these elections-_ itself is on the ballot in these elections. ., _ ., , , elections. our democracy has been tested in recent _ elections. our democracy has been tested in recent years, _ elections. our democracy has been tested in recent years, but - elections. our democracy has been tested in recent years, but with - tested in recent years, but with these boats the american people spoke once again and proved once again that democracy is who we are. hgppy' again that democracy is who we are. happy, for once, to be taking questions about what he sees as a success. with the help of his trademark hoodie, john fetterman is now senator elect for pennsylvania, delivering their best result for the night. thank you, pennsylvania,

thank you so much. flipping the seat, he handily beat our republican personally backed by donald trump. we bet on the people of pennsylvania, and you didn't let us down. without the predicted red wave, republicans like the tv star doctor oz, who lost the senate race in pennsylvania, was one of many disappointments for his party. donald trump wants to declare another run for the white house soon, but some of his momentum vanish, as candidates with his personal endorsement turned out to be losers, and we know he hates losers. if be losers, and we know he hates losers. , , ., losers. if they win, i should get all the credit, _ losers. if they win, i should get all the credit, and _ losers. if they win, i should get all the credit, and if— losers. if they win, i should get all the credit, and if they - losers. if they win, i should get all the credit, and if they lose, | losers. if they win, i should get| all the credit, and if they lose, i should not be blamed at all, but it will probably be just the opposite. the republican who really looks like a winner is ron desantis. re—elected as governor of florida with a hugely increased majority, we know he wants to run for president. he is now well placed to challenge donald trump for

the nomination.— the nomination. thanks to the overwhelming _ the nomination. thanks to the overwhelming support - the nomination. thanks to the overwhelming support of - the nomination. thanks to the overwhelming support of the i the nomination. thanks to the - overwhelming support of the people of florida, we not only won the election, we have rewritten the political map. election, we have rewritten the political map-— election, we have rewritten the political map. election, we have rewritten the olitical ma. ., ., , political map. the two candidates in geora ia political map. the two candidates in georgia are — political map. the two candidates in georgia are so _ political map. the two candidates in georgia are so close _ political map. the two candidates in georgia are so close they _ political map. the two candidates in georgia are so close they will - political map. the two candidates in georgia are so close they will have i georgia are so close they will have to compete in a fresh, run—off election. that might determine who controls the senate. the republicans will be the biggest party in the house of representatives. when you wake u- house of representatives. when you wake up tomorrow, _ house of representatives. when you wake up tomorrow, we _ house of representatives. when you wake up tomorrow, we will - house of representatives. when you wake up tomorrow, we will be - house of representatives. when you wake up tomorrow, we will be in - house of representatives. when you wake up tomorrow, we will be in the | wake up tomorrow, we will be in the majority and nancy pelosi will be in the minority. 50. majority and nancy pelosi will be in the minority-— the minority. so, it is a new day in washington. _ the minority. so, it is a new day in washington, where _ the minority. so, it is a new day in washington, where it _ the minority. so, it is a new day in washington, where it appears - washington, where it appears republicans will be able to block almost every piece of legislation joe bryden proposes. ——joe biden proposes.

while democrats are celebrating a result that will most likely see them lose control of congress. i'm joined now by our north america correspondent, nomia iqbal, who's in washington. we were expecting a republican red wave, but it was more of a red ripple. wave, but it was more of a red ri le. ., , wave, but it was more of a red riule. . , ripple. the red wave is something we were hearing — ripple. the red wave is something we were hearing about, _ ripple. the red wave is something we were hearing about, and _ ripple. the red wave is something we were hearing about, and it _ ripple. the red wave is something we were hearing about, and it is - ripple. the red wave is something we were hearing about, and it is quite i were hearing about, and it is quite a journalistic phrase we are hearing. there are havoc and is it not dominate. having said that, you cannot say it has been a huge victory for the democrats. they do look set to lose control of the house of representatives, which is not ideal, as it would massively thwart president biden�*s legislative agenda. they have launched into the business dealings of his son, hunter biden. we still wait to see what will happen in terms of the house of representatives, and in

terms of the senate, it is still too close to call. president biden certainly sees this as somewhat of a moral victory. certainly sees this as somewhat of a moralvictory. he certainly sees this as somewhat of a moral victory. he gave an extended press conference, just a quote to you some of the stuff he was saying, he said democrats had a good night. the acknowledged exit polls and the defeat of some democratic candidates. inflation is so high here, the cost of living are so high... when he was asked, are you going to change the course, your presidential course, he has two more years following the election results, his answer was simple. he said he will not be doing that, but he will try and make the next two years something that he will try to get americans to fully understand what is agenda is for the next two years. what is agenda is for the next two ears. , , , ., ,., what is agenda is for the next two ears. , , ., ., what is agenda is for the next two ears. , , ., , years. just listening to some of his comments a _ years. just listening to some of his comments a little _ years. just listening to some of his comments a little earlier— years. just listening to some of his comments a little earlier on, - years. just listening to some of his comments a little earlier on, i - years. just listening to some of his comments a little earlier on, i was| comments a little earlier on, i was struck by the fact that he seemed to be really drumming home this idea that, if these were terms were a

referendum on his presidency, he seemed to think he had actually done quite well. he seemed to think he had actually done uuite well. ., seemed to think he had actually done uuite well. . , quite well. he never wanted these mid-term elections _ quite well. he never wanted these mid-term elections to _ quite well. he never wanted these mid-term elections to be - quite well. he never wanted these mid-term elections to be a - mid—term elections to be a referendum on his presidency, he wanted it to be about lots of issues that are playing out in this country, like abortion rights, for example. he also wanted it to be about democracy being on the ballot. that was something he really emphasised in the final stretch of the mid—term elections. the reason why the democratic party have really made a point of that, it's because lots of the candidates running in races across the country are very loyal to former president donald trump, and have backed his unsubstantiated claim that the election was stolen in 2020. some of them when their races, and we still have to find out exactly to what extent they have, we know many of them haven't, they would then get into positions of power, which could benefit 2024 presidential election. it is worth remembering that the mid—term elections is kind of like

the chessboard where you place all of your pieces to determine how 2024 will be fought. that was a big theme for him. he is probably thinking, well, the fact that the democratic party haven't lost the senate, he will try and take that as vindication that his party is doing well, and it is not a referendum on him, it is still looking likely that he will lose the house of representatives, we still do not know yet. the democratic party are buoyed by the fact that this is not the red wave that it was predicted to be. , , , , ., the red wave that it was predicted tobe. ,, , ., ., «a, to be. just briefly, we do not know the outcome _ to be. just briefly, we do not know the outcome of _ to be. just briefly, we do not know the outcome of some _ to be. just briefly, we do not know the outcome of some of— the outcome of some of the states, yet, it is really going down to the wire, when will we know and what are you expecting? this wire, when will we know and what are you exoecting?_ you expecting? this is the thing --eole you expecting? this is the thing people don't — you expecting? this is the thing people don't really _ you expecting? this is the thing people don't really understand l you expecting? this is the thing - people don't really understand about american elections. in some countries, election night means

results night. america has such a decentralised election political system, so there are some states that count the ballots, particularly postal ballots before election nights, some count them after. we get them in different stages, so we will not know for some time yet. maybe the end of the week. in the state of georgia, who properly will not know until december.- state of georgia, who properly will not know until december. thank you for joining us. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... nurses across the uk have voted to take industrial action over pay — the first strikes could take place before the end of the year.

this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani, in singapore. 0ur headlines...

russia is retreating its military forces from the city of kherson, following a sustained counter attack by ukrainian forces trying to recapture it. the republicans look set for a majority in the house of representatives following the us midterm elections, but with some results still to come, president biden's democrats may retain control of the senate. the social media giant meta is making 13% of its workforce redundant — in one of the biggest lay—offs in the tech industry. more than 11,000 people will lose theirjobs. chief executive, mark zuckerberg, acknowledged it was a mistake to allow the company to expand so quickly at the start of the pandemic — when much of the world moved online. british nurses are set to go on strike over pay. the royal college of nursing has announced the first uk—wide strike action in the union's106—year history. the move comes amid a cost—of—living crisis that the union says has left nurses struggling to feed their families

and pay their bills. it's another blow for britain's struggling national health service, which is facing huge post—covid backlogs, and longer and longer waiting times for patients needing care. 0ur health editor, hugh pym, reports. for many nurses, it is a call for action on boosting workforce numbers and better pay. jodie, who is an rcn branch rep, voted for the strike. she said she had to give up her pension contributions. i couldn't afford to contribute to it any more at the moment, because it was a choice between either doing that or being in debt every month and getting to the bottom of two overd rafts. have you and your colleagues thought hard about walk—outs affecting health care and what that means for patients? absolutely. i've been a patient myself. i've got members of my family who have been patients, and this is why we will continue to ensure that staffing is kept safe.

but ian, a nurse in cornwall, voted against strike action. i will not walk out. i will offer to work in any department to cover any loss of nurses in that area. i believe it is my duty as my registration as a nurse. nurses in northern ireland have gone on strike before, but there has never been a uk—wide ballot in the history of the royal college of nursing. the union's general secretary says urgent care will continue during strikes, though there will be postponements of planned treatment. if there are walk—outs, will that not make backlogs and long waits for operations and treatment and so on even worse? well, those backlogs are there because of the vacancies in our profession. those patients are sitting on waiting lists because there aren't the nursing staff to treat them, and this is an opportunity now to address those waiting lists, and that is the reason nurses have spoken up and cast those votes. it has not been an easy decision for any nurse. plans for organising care

on any strike days are now being considered by ministers. not every trust supported the ballot action. we need to look at our contingency planning, working with trusts and nhs england in terms of those impacts, and that is why, again, my door is open and i will be having further discussions with them. the scottish government has made a higher offer to nurses than the pay awards in england and wales, but the rcn pushed on with the ballot and there was a positive vote in scotland for strikes. 0ther unions are balloting on the same issue or have already voted for action. if talks do not get under way, there could be widespread disruption in the nhs next month. hugh pym, bbc news. a man has been detained by police in britain after appearing to throw eggs at the king and queen consort as they were on a walkabout. the king was at a ceremony to unveil a new statue of his late mother, the queen. here's our royal correspondent, daniela relph.

a traditional ceremonial arrival. how monarchs have been welcomed to york for centuries. but as king charles met dignitaries, the first of the eggs was thrown. then a second, a third just behind him before a fourth egg lads at his feet. egg lands at his feet. the king glances down but barely reacts, but in the crowd police officers surrounded a man who had been shouting, "this country "was built on the blood of slaves." his words were quickly drowned out by the noisy crowd shouting back, "shame on you." and "god save the king." a man was removed from the crowd and detained by police. the incident did not interrupt the visit as the royal party moved to york minster, where in the heavy rain, the king unveiled a statue of his mother, a poignant tribute to her 70 years on the throne.

these kind of walkabouts have marked the king's reign so far, chatting and getting close to the public, but as we've seen today, they come with risks. my heart goes out to that person, it was a stupid thing to do but i don't think in any way it has spoiled the day. but yes, of course there is always a risk, but i still think it's a small one in our nation. today's events are unlikely to impact future royal visits for a new king and queen who want to be seen. now, i want to tell you about some incredible statues that were created more than 2000 years ago in ancient italy — and now they've been discovered in almost perfect condition, having been preserved in the mud and boiling water at hot springs near siena. 0ur rome correspondent mark lowen reports. slowly, painstakingly, they rescue the priceless, the earth offering up treasure that it has preserved.

24 exquisite ancient bronze statues that had lain beneath the thermal baths of a tuscan town for 2,300 years, protected by the mud and hot waters. dated to the roman era and its etruscan predecessor, thrilling archaeologists. translation: we've witnessed an exceptional discovery. - from the bottom of the pool, bronze statues from between the second and first centuries bc have re—emerged. they are masterpieces of antiquity that open a new chapter in the history of craftsmanship and the sacred life of the etruscans and romans. the objects found, votive offerings along with thousands of coins, have inscriptions in etruscan and latin. the statues of gods, goddesses and mere mortals are thought to have been owned by noble families and emperors, adorning a sanctuary they were then probably immersed in the thermal waters in a ritual.

with the local authorities we are working on the objects, says one of the 60 archaeologists now involved, so as to restore what's been found. and so one of the most important discoveries of bronzes in the mediterranean lay hidden for more than two millennia by the baths in which they were put. you gave to the water, says one expert, because you hoped that the water would give something back to you. how true that seems now. mark lowen, bbc news, rome. remarkable statues in that piece. before we go tonight, newsnight and brazil has lost an icon. 0ne one of brazil's most prominent singers has died will stop she was a key figure in the music genre that

merged brazilian and african rhythms with foreign pop. that is all the time we have for you on this hour of newsday. hello, many areas desperate for rain, including the south—east of england. that has been addressed over the last few days a little. it has been the way to start on record for england in the south—east, some areas have seen a month's worth of rain in just the space of a few days. however, mistand rain in just the space of a few days. however, mist and fog is likely to be a problem over the next few days. the rain stays on to the far north—west, elsewhere it will be largely dry, and it will be mild for all of us. 0ver largely dry, and it will be mild for all of us. over the next few hours, that rain over the far north of scotland, the south—westerly wind feeding and a lot of cloud, mist and

drizzle as well. it will be a mild start to thursday morning, temperature sitting between nine and 13 degrees. the cloud of thick enough for a spot of drizzle, and it will be pretty misty as well. high pressure is dominating the story and keeping things largely dry. it is also keeping these weather fronts out to the far north—west. around that high, we have the southerly wind, that is feeding on the mild air, and extending as far north of scotland. yes, cloudy, with some light drizzle first thing. a misty, murky start for all. the rain quite persistent towards the north—west of the great glen. the winds are a feature for the highlands and islands and the start of the north sea. we are likely to seek deal wednesday, blustery elsewhere, mild winds with it. there will be some brighter spells into the afternoon, with highs of 16 degrees, 61 fahrenheit. that is going to lead into a very mild night indeed. we

are likely to be greeted with temperatures not falling very far at all, 15 or 16 celsius. look how much cloud we have got for many, first thing. that should break up across central and eastern england into the afternoon, the rain stays to the north—west, that the talking point on friday will be temperatures as high as 18 or 19 celsius. now, as we move into the weekend it starts off dry, but there is a threat of another front pushing dry, but there is a threat of anotherfront pushing in dry, but there is a threat of another front pushing in from the west as we go through the latter stages of sunday. all in all, not a bad weekend in prospect, dry and very mild for most, certainly better than last weekend.

hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are james rampton, features writer at the independent and annabel denham, who is director of communications at the think tank the institute of economic affairs. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... james, starting with. .. you james, starting with... you appeared with magical timing, james, you appeared with magical timing, it reminded me of that wonderful moment in mr benn went as

if by magic the shopkeeper appeared and you did