welcome to bbc news — i'm nuala mcgovern. our top stories. 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. prominent iranian figures from the worlds of sport and film continue to show their support for

anti—government protesters. and — the bronze statues from ancient italy — perfectly preserved in the mud and hot springs of a spa. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. 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 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 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. we can now speak to brad bowman who's a former us army officer and now senior director of the center on military and political power at the foundation for defense of democracies. thank you so much forjoining us. how significant is the best pull—out from kherson? us. how significant is the best pull-out from kherson? thanks for the opportunity. _ pull-out from kherson? thanks for the opportunity. i _ pull-out from kherson? thanks for the opportunity. i see - pull-out from kherson? thanks for the opportunity. i see it - for the opportunity. i see it is very significant. if there is very significant. if there is perceived as it appears that it will ever drank this of the russian attack to conquer the q russian attack to conquer the 0 have, the pell—mell panicked retreat from around kharkiv earlier this year and the loss of meta would be incredibly

significant. it is the only regional capital default invading forces since the february invasion. it is a vital black sea port and a gateway to crimea and one of the four regions that putin fraudulently claimed in september so this would be very significant defeat for russia and further evidence that gf has the momentum. lie and further evidence that gf has the momentum. us president has the momentum. us president has sa s has the momentum. us president has says russia's _ has the momentum. us president has says russia's decision - has the momentum. us president has says russia's decision to - has says russia's decision to withdraw shows the military has real problems. would you agree with that assessment? i real problems. would you agree with that assessment?— with that assessment? i would. they have _ with that assessment? i would. they have problems. _ with that assessment? i would. they have problems. they've i they have problems. they've taken an extraordinary number of casualties. the mobilisation effort is put untrained, untested, unprepared soldiers on the front lines, and they are facing highly motivated ukrainians who are experienced and motivated to defend their homes against the unprovoked invasion so that tends to not go well for invading forces of that nature and when you combine that with that bravery and agility with the weapons that they are receiving from

the united states and the european allies that is a formidable combination. there are a coume — formidable combination. there are a couple of— formidable combination. there are a couple of things - formidable combination. there are a couple of things that - formidable combination. there are a couple of things that we | are a couple of things that we step back from the event, we have seen what russia has done when they then put under pressure, perhaps, you know, blowing up supplies, whether it is electricity or water, things like that they can devastate civilian populations and also we don't know the outcome yet but looking at the us midterms, if republicans gain control, of the house of congress, for example, of the house of representatives in congress, they may stop writing checks to help ukraine. they may stop writing checks to help ukraine-— help ukraine. right. i'm glad for our help ukraine. right. i'm glad for your note _ help ukraine. right. i'm glad for your note of _ help ukraine. right. i'm glad for your note of caution - help ukraine. right. i'm glad. for your note of caution there. i would agree with that. the river which goes the kherson region has been a problem for russia because ukrainian attacks on bridges and river crossings have exacerbated their ability to supply their

forces in the west side, making them isolated and vulnerable to attack. that is the reason for this retreat. of those russian forces are removed from the west side to the side, the revocation being a problem for moscow to an asset. it becomes a natural barrier ukrainian forces have to deal with and thatis forces have to deal with and that is an issue and no doubt they are digging in as we speak and they're taking everything thatis and they're taking everything that is not nailed down with them and committing atrocities along the way, no doubt. there are definitely some problems here for sure. in terms of us support for this war as far as i'm concerned been some troubling comments from some elements on the political right here but if you look at what the majority of republicans are saying and centrist from both parties are saying i think the united states will continue to provide the means to defend themselves against unprovoked invasion. ., themselves against unprovoked invasion. . . ., invasion. thanks so much for spending _ invasion. thanks so much for spending some _ invasion. thanks so much for spending some time - invasion. thanks so much for spending some time with - invasion. thanks so much for spending some time with us| invasion. thanks so much for- spending some time with us here on bbc news.

presidentjoe biden has described tuesday's mid—term elections as a good day for democracy and that voters had spoken clearly about their concerns. republicans are expected to take control of the house of representatives but mr biden said "a giant red wave did not happen" as had been predicted. whichever party wins two of the three outstanding contests in arizona, georgia and nevada will control the senate. our north america editor sarah smith reports. 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 and we know he hates losers. 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. 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. 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. we can now speak to republican strategist seth weathers. hejoins us from atlanta, georgia. good to have you with us. thanks forjoining us. i want tojump into some of thanks forjoining us. i want to jump into some of the thanks forjoining us. i want tojump into some of the points that our editor was saying there particularly about this possible challenge against president trump. so you are tweeting a few hours ago saying a powerfor him would be to tweeting a few hours ago saying a power for him would be to get heavily involved in campaigning on the ground for walker in the georgia run—offs for people who arejoining us for not following us closely, the republican candidate. he was mired in some controversy, particularly over a ledge of the play paying for abortions. he is an anti—abortion

candidate. tell you why you said that. candidate. tell you why you said that-— candidate. tell you why you said that. ~ , ., . ~ said that. with 'ust one back the house _ said that. with 'ust one back the house and _ said that. with just one back the house and based - said that. with just one back the house and based on - said that. with just one back the house and based on the| the house and based on the results were going to get were going to win control of the senate so that is a pretty good night. was it as much of a red wave as we got of ourselves in a frenzy of hoping for, no. but we to control the house and the senate. , , . ., , ., senate. these predictions are still coming — senate. these predictions are still coming in. _ senate. these predictions are still coming in. it _ senate. these predictions are still coming in. it is _ senate. these predictions are still coming in. it is not - senate. these predictions are still coming in. it is not one i still coming in. it is not one yet. there is a run—up in georgia that will take place in december. fora georgia that will take place in december. for a global viewers who are not following it that closely, the neck and neck as that continues, the house of representatives, those figures and numbers still coming in but thatis and numbers still coming in but that is what you believe will happen. that is what you believe will ha en. ., that is what you believe will ha en, ., ., , that is what you believe will hauen. ., ., i, happen. you only purchase stated. talk _ happen. you only purchase stated. talk to _ happen. you only purchase stated. talk to us -

happen. you only purchase stated. talk to us about. happen. you only purchase | stated. talk to us about the leadership _ stated. talk to us about the leadership contest. - stated. talk to us about the leadership contest. if- stated. talk to us about the leadership contest. if you . stated. talk to us about the i leadership contest. if you were a betting man i think you might even be, who would you put your money on 202a. even be, who would you put your money on 2024.— money on 2024. that is very tou~h. money on 2024. that is very tough- when _ money on 2024. that is very tough. when it _ money on 2024. that is very tough. when it comes - money on 2024. that is very tough. when it comes down| money on 2024. that is very l tough. when it comes down to it, trump does have a built—in national base. ron has done an incrediblejob in florida and is building a lot of support and that is one of the reasons i mentioned a power move for him would be to campaign on the ground, to build more of that brand outside of florida but if i had to bet i would probably say that trump would win a primary against right now but a year out from now, who knows where that will be anything it will be an interesting race. we still don't know that he is going to run. you'd have to be taking any credible risk, though he would have to the governorship to run for president and so you leave that

behind, that could upset a lot of people in florida that worked real hard to get him re—elected so that is a difficult spot. there a lot of gambling that have to take place for everyone. governors are often _ place for everyone. governors are often considered - place for everyone. governors are often considered a - place for everyone. governors are often considered a better| are often considered a better position to go for president instead of a congressperson of senator but why did you say campaign. some people would think that walker might tarnish his image? it has been campaign mired in controversy. it is his image? it has been campaign mired in controversy.— mired in controversy. it is not about the _ mired in controversy. it is not about the candidate. - mired in controversy. it is not about the candidate. it - mired in controversy. it is not about the candidate. it is - about the candidate. it is about the candidate. it is about republicans bringing back control of the senate and so the powerplay would be involving in an election that is becoming a national election. control the us and it, taking the groundout from donald trump and that is not a matter of the candidate. we talk about the candidate been mired in controversy. he said plenty of dumb things that you got to keep in mind the party

on the other side has been accused and there is audio evidence. i accused and there is audio evidence-— accused and there is audio evidence. ., ., , ., evidence. i have not seen that evidence- _ evidence. i have not seen that evidence. mainstream - evidence. i have not seen that evidence. mainstream medial evidence. mainstream media doesnt evidence. mainstream media doesn't cover _ evidence. mainstream media doesn't cover it. _ evidence. mainstream media doesn't cover it. i— evidence. mainstream media doesn't cover it. i always - evidence. mainstream medial doesn't cover it. i always have to say unless _ doesn't cover it. i always have to say unless i _ doesn't cover it. i always have to say unless i have _ doesn't cover it. i always have| to say unless i have something verified... to say unless i have something verified- - -_ verified... you can all go and dougal- _ verified... you can all go and dougal. that _ verified... you can all go and dougal. that is _ verified. .. you can all go and dougal. that is your- verified... you can all go and dougal. that is your right - verified... you can all go and dougal. that is your right to | dougal. that is your right to ut that dougal. that is your right to put that out _ dougal. that is your right to put that out there _ dougal. that is your right to put that out there but - dougal. that is your right to put that out there but i'm i put that out there but i'm saying from my perspective as a journalist i have not seen that can verify journalist i have not seen that can veri j journalist i have not seen that canveri j journalist i have not seen that can verify— can verify can you verify that walker paid _ can verify can you verify that walker paid for— can verify can you verify that walker paid for abortions? l walker paid for abortions? there were allegations. the reason i gave that is because you tweeted saying it would be a power move for him to

campaign with walker. and that is why i wanted to know why you said that. i wanted to find out your opinions on the republican party but thank you so much for joining us. party but thank you so much for joining us— party but thank you so much for joining us-_ stay - party but thank you so much for joining us._ stay with l joining us. any time. stay with us on bbc _ joining us. any time. stay with us on bbc news. _ joining us. any time. stay with us on bbc news. the - joining us. any time. stay with us on bbc news. the bronze i us on bbc news. the bronze statues remains into telly perfectly protected in the mud springs of a spa. 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 for so long, has died. palestinian authority has declared a state of mourning. 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 bbc news — the latest headlines. a leading iranian actress has posted a picture of herself without a hijab to her millions of followers on social media. gfx)taraneh alidoosti is a well—known actress, who lives in iran. in the photo she is holding a banner with the words "woman, life, freedom." it's yet another show of support by prominent iranian

figures within the country. the bbc�*s news reporter azaday moshiri joins us now. with this particular story, how active has she been when it comes to this movement in iran and also what, sort of impact will this photo have always happening?— happening? this is not her first active _ happening? this is not her first active support. - happening? this is not her first active support. she i happening? this is not her first active support. she is| first active support. she is one of the most prominent actresses to still live in iran and is a bit of an internationalfigure and is a bit of an international figure because she appeared in the salesman, and oscar—winning irani in film and oscar—winning irani in film and before she posted this photo she already said that no matter what she was not leaving and she was determined to support the protesters and was willing to support any consequences those actions might have and that is something a lot of the young

protesters are saying right now as they protest. that they're not going to be the country. they are determined to stand up against the republic unchanged from the inside. this photo, of course, seen on its own, may not reveal how extreme an action it is that she is a prominent figure revealing her hair, holding a poster that has the slogan of the protests and even before these protests had started, women who posted pictures of themselves on social media revealing their hair or doing things like dancing were jailed and so these actions from her going to have a very big impact on protesters and spread them on as they are facing a brutal crackdown that is intensifying. it is not the only arena where prominent iranians within the country have been showing support for the protests. also from leading sports figures.

you must absolutely. female and male sports figures. there was the case of the irani and climber who competed without wearing a headscarf and she did that while she was abroad but when she came back in iran she made what many thought was a forced confession and apology sales are a mistake and we've also had an irani in water polo team who refused to sing the national anthem but there is one act in the emirates into soccer cup that made a big splash. it is worth watching what happened. what we saw there was one of the players actually cutting his hair. he is mimicking an act that many women inside and

outside of iran have done to show support for their movement and there are other acts during that match that they did as well, the other players refused to sing the national anthem when they receive the cup. many of them cheered. the authorities have said that the team and in particular this player will face consequences by the main sports political but right now everything and plan as a political. this entire system is being threatened and acts that this will draw the ire of the government.— will draw the ire of the government. ., ~ . thank you so much. now to an incredible discovery in italy — 24 stunningly preserved statues, more than 2000 years old — have been found in the hot springs near siena, in tuscany. they were discovered under the ruins of a roman bathhouse, as 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 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 wettest start to november on record 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 across south—east england 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 low cloud, mist and drizzle as well. it will be a mild start to thursday morning, temperatures sitting between nine and 12 degrees. the cloud thick enough for a spot of drizzle first thing, and it will be pretty misty as well. but 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 got this southerly wind, and 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 to the north—west of the great glen. the winds are a feature for the highlands and islands and across the irish sea. we are likely to seek deal wednesday, blustery elsewhere, but mild with it. so a bit of a peculiar afternoon. 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

thursday into the early hours of friday. 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, but 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's a threat of another front pushing in from the west as we go through the latter stages of sunday. so, all in all, not a bad weekend in prospect — dry and mild for most, certainly better than last weekend.

this is bbc news — the headlines... moscow says it's pulling its troops out of the ukrainian city of kherson. it's 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. presidentjoe biden has described tuesday's mid—term elections as a good day for democracy and that voters had spoken clearly about their concerns. republicans are expected to take control of the house of representatives but mr biden said a giant red wave did not happen as had been predicted. the iranian football authorities says they're planning disciplinary action

after a beach soccer player made an apparent gesture of solidarity with ongoing