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 its captured since the invasion. we have to try to piece together what is happening in the city that is, to all intents and purposes, cut off from the outside world. midterm mystery — control of the us congress remains in the balance — with votes 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 eight in the morning in singapore, and 3am 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 pullout 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 independentjournalists 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 not just mean killing them. translation: the more effective 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? jeremy bowen,

bbc news, mykolaiv. 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. 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. (ani — 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. joe biden, congratulations. this is not quite the look we would see from joe biden. relaxed and relieved as he called around democrats who won last night. he had warned american democracy itself was on the ballot at these elections. our democracy has been tested in recent years but with their votes the american people have spoken and proven once 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 a senator elect

for pennsylvania, delivering the democrats their best result of the night. thank you, pennsylvania, thank you so much. flipping the seat and defying the predictions of a cascade of republican victories, he beat a candidate backed by donald trump. we bet on the people of pennsylvania, and you didn't let us down. republican hopes of landslide were dashed as candidates like tv host doctor oz lost. donald trump wants to declare another run for the white house soon. but many candidates with his personal endorsement turned out to be losers for stop and we know he hates losers. without the predicted red wave, republicans like the tv star dr oz, who lost the senate race in pennsylvania, was one of many disappointments for his party. donald trump was not standing, but he still had a lot to win or lose. well, i think if they win, i should get all the credit

and if they lose, i should not be blamed at all, 0k. 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 republican nomination. the republican who really came out looking like a winner was ron desantis, re—elected as governor of florida with a hugely increased majority. we know he's thinking about running for president. he now looks well placed to challenge trump for the republican nomination. "two more years," they are chanting, hoping their governor will be heading to the white house in 202a. thanks to the overwhelming support of the people - of florida, we not only wonj election, we have rewritten the political map. in georgia, the two senate candidates are so close they will have to compete in a fresh run—off election next month and that contest might decide which party controls the senate. republicans are optimistic they will be the biggest party in the house of representatives. problems with voting machines in arizona were resolved. officials say no one lost the chance to vote, but the conspiracy theories have started already. they say that the machines aren't working, they say that they are running out of paper in different locations when you wake up tomorrow, we will be in the majority

and nancy pelosi will be in the minority. it's a new day in washington, where it appears republicans will have the power to block almost every piece of legislation president biden proposes. while democrats celebrate a result that will probably see them lose control of congress. a new dawn in washington sees the republicans almost certainly taking control of the house of representatives, and that means they will be able to block almost every piece of legislation a short time ago i asked our north america correspondent nomia iqbal, whether the red wave had turned into a red ripple. wave was a term i kept hearing about and probably quite a journalist phrase that republicans would completely dominate and it has not happened. having said that, i don't think you could say happened. having said that, i don't think you could say this has been a huge victory for the democrats. they do that tip to lose the house of representatives which is not ideal because that would massively thought president biden�*s legislative agenda and the republicans are very likely to also organise congressional investigations into a lot of things that he has been involved in such as the chaotic withdrawal of afghanistan and get quite personal with him launching investigations into business dealings of his son. we're still waiting to see exactly what the numbers will be. the house of representatives and in terms of the senate, which is really key

also, it is still too close to call. but president biden certainly sees this somewhat of a moral victory. certainly sees this somewhat of a moralvictory. he certainly sees this somewhat of a moral victory. he gave an extended press conference. he said democrats had a good night. he did acknowledge what exit polls and the defeat of some democratic candidates had to make clear that americans are not happy with the direction of the country at the moment. the cost of living are so high. but when he was asked if you are going to change the course, your presidential course, your presidential course, he has got two more years following the midterm election results, his answer was simple. he said he won't be doing that but he will try to make the next two years sort of something that he will try and get americans to fully understand what his agenda is for the next two years. find for the next two years. and 'ust for the next two years. and just listening _ for the next two years. and just listening to _ for the next two years. and just listening to some - for the next two years. and just listening to some of those comments a little bit earlier on i was struck by the fact that, you know, you seem to be really drumming home this idea

that if these midterms were a referendum on his presidency, he seemed to think he is actually done quite well. you never wanted these midterm 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. but he also wanted it to be, you know, about democracy being on the ballot. that was something he would be emphasised in the final stretch of the mid term elections and the reasons why the democratic party made a point of that is because a in races across the country are very loyal to former president donald trump and baxter his unsubstantiated claim that the election was stolen in 2020 and of some of them when their races and we have still got to find out exactly to what extent they have.~ exactly to what extent they have. ~ ~' ., exactly to what extent they have. ~ ~ ., ., ., , exactly to what extent they have. ~ ., ., ., have. we know that many of them haven't. have. we know that many of them haven't- they _ have. we know that many of them haven't. they would _ have. we know that many of them haven't. they would then - have. we know that many of them haven't. they would then get - haven't. they would then get into positions of power which could then affect the 2024 presidential election and it is worth remembering the midterm

elections is like the chessboard where you place all your pieces and they determine how 2024 be fought so that was a big big theme for him so he's probably thinking well, the fact that the democratic party thinking they haven't lost as much as they thought they would in the senate, we still don't know. you'll probably take that as a vindication that perhaps his party is doing well and it is not a referendum on him but it is still worth emphasising that he is likely to lose the health of representatives. we don't know how much yet but the democratic party are buoyed by the fact that this not the red way that it was predicted to be. way that it was predicted to be. if you wanyt to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma

the bombastic establishment outsider, donald trump, has defied the pollsters to take the keys to the oval office. i feel great about the election results. i voted for him because i genuinely believe he cares about the country. it's keeping the candidate's name always in the public eye that counts. success or failure depends not only on public display, but on the local campaign headquarters and the heavy routine work of their women volunteers. berliners from both. east and west linked hands and danced around their liberated territory. i and, with nobody to stop them, it wasn't long before the first i attempts were made to destroy the structure itself. _ yasser arafat, who dominated the palestinian cause after 17 years of discussion, the result was greeted with an outburst ofjoy. women ministers, who have long felt only grudgingly accepted amongst the clergy,

suddenly felt welcome. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vawani in singapore. our 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 votes are still being counted following the us midterm elections — it's still not clear who will take control of congress. leaders of asian countries will be meeting in cambodia this week for the asean summit. the summits are expected to focus on the global econonmy, amid rising inflation and the cost of living crisis. us presidentjoe biden is also expected to attend the meeting. to tell me more about the event, i'm joined now by yongwook ryu,

assistant professor at lee kuan yew school of public policy. it is great to get you on the programme. in your view, what are the key issues in terms of what is most important for a asean member states at this meeting? figs asean member states at this meetinu? a asean member states at this meetinu? �* , ., meeting? as you mentioned, the ulobal meeting? as you mentioned, the global economy _ meeting? as you mentioned, the global economy and _ meeting? as you mentioned, the global economy and inflation - global economy and inflation will be on the agenda but it is also the first area of diplomacy in the region ever since the covid—i9 outbreak so there are a number of other important issues that the leaders must discuss and cover so i think high on the agenda will be the situation in myanmar and here we are likely to see condemnation of the use of violence by the military against the civilians. i don't expect a breakthrough here is me and my�*s reader will not be asean summit. there will be other issues they have to

discuss and some others include north korea, taiwan as well as the ukrainian situation and we will also see great power and diplomatic contest to win the support of countries for their particular diplomacy. i support of countries for their particular diplomacy.- particular diplomacy. i 'ust want to pick i particular diplomacy. i 'ust want to pick up i particular diplomacy. i 'ust want to pick up on i particular diplomacy. i just want to pick up on your - particular diplomacy. i just i want to pick up on your point about myanmar. as you point out, there is going to be some sort of statement from countries attending on that. but what can they actually do in real terms about the violence in myanmar? unfortunately, i don't think the asean readers can do much. the cambodian leader attempted to make a breakthrough by visiting myanmar earlier this year. they didn't actually go anywhere and only a month ago when 40 ministers of asean met in asia they didn't sound very optimistic. i think it best what they can do is put pressure on them military but

the cooperation from the military leaders in myanmar is not forthcoming and so far the so—called five point consensus has not been implemented. presidentjoe biden is attending the summit as well, it is being reported. what are you expecting his presence to be able to achieve there? for some time — be able to achieve there? for some time the _ be able to achieve there? fr?" some time the united states neglected south east asia and its diplomacy and trade and this time, you know, think present biden attending the asean summit will be greatly welcomed by the leaders. at the same time, the chinese are sending the outgoing premier so i think comparing him with present biden i think the united states could score a few points in the region because of this. i think what the usa and southeast asian countries will look far from the united states would be some sort of economic leadership so many countries

are going to really tough times and tough economic situations. if the united states can show economic leadership i think that would go a long way to increase us presence and leadership in the region. thanks forjoining us on the programme. police and protesters in the greek capital athens have clashed near parliament during a 24—hour general strike. thousands joined a march called by unions to protest against the highest inflation in 30 years and to call for more pay. public transport has been disrupted, and television and radio news came off the air. the social media giant meta is making 13% of its workforce redundant in one of the biggest layoffs 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.

president emmanuel macron has declared a formal end to france's eight—year military 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. 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. president emmanuel macron has declared a formal end to france's eight—year military campaign againstjihadists in africa's sahel region.

france withdrew its last troops from mali in august after relations broke down with the country's military — which had seized power in a coup. president macron said 3000 french troops would stay in the region to provide help and training to the national armed forces of chad, niger and burkino faso. now i want to tell you about some incredible statues that were created more than 2,000 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. our 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. before we go — news that brazil has lost an icon. one of the country's most prominent singers, gal costa, has died. she was a key figure in the music genre known as tropicalia, merging brazilian and african rhythms with foreign pop. the sound grew out of the 1960s. she created it with gilberto gil and tom jobim. president elect lula da silva called her one

of the world's best singers. that's all for now — stay with bbc world news. hello, many areas desperate for rain, including the south—east of england. that has been addressed a little over the last few days. 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 injust the space of a few days. however, mist and fog is likely to be a problem over the next few days. the rain stays into the far north—west, elsewhere it will be largely dry, and it will be mild for all of us. over the next few hours, that rain across the far north of scotland, the south—westerly wind feeding in a lot of cloud, mist and drizzle as well. it will be a mild start to thursday morning, temperatures sitting between nine and 12 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 heavy and persistent towards the north—west of the great glens. 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 tend to break up across central and eastern england into the afternoon, the rain stays to the north—west, 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 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.

this is bbc news, we will have the headlines— this is bbc news, we will have the headlines and _ this is bbc news, we will have the headlines and all— this is bbc news, we will have the headlines and all the - this is bbc news, we will have the headlines and all the news| the headlines and all the news at the — the headlines and all the news at the top _ the headlines and all the news at the top of— the headlines and all the news at the top of the _ the headlines and all the news at the top of the hour- the headlines and all the news at the top of the hour straightl at the top of the hour straight after— at the top of the hour straight after hardtalk. _ welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. the uk economy is in a hole. inflation is high, interest rates are rising, public debt is soaring. and according to the bank of england, brits face two years of recession. the new pm, rishi sunak, has justjunked the economic plan put forward by his short—lived predecessor and he's focused on restoring stability. my guest is economist and sometime adviser

to conservative politicians gerard lyons. he's long been an optimist about britain's prospects