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 — high speed sale — a record price for the legendary car that had an even

more legendary driver. 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 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. 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. 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. our north america editor sarah smith reporting. we can now speak to allan lichtman who's a us presidential historian and previously ran for the fo us senate as a democrat. good to have you with us. thank you forjoining us. sarah was talking aboutjoe biden having belief, for example, after the midterms, but it is looking like democrats will lose the house of representatives and senators on a knife edge, as we heard, he will become a lame president of that was the case and will be so difficult to get any initiative through the that is not success. you make your

absolutely right. the democrats achieve success in the sense of expectations. mum is like a sporting event. greatly exceeded expectations. there was a toxic environment for democrats. a difficult economy under mid—term elections, usually, the president usually loses a0 seats but in a sense, at least for the house, it may not matter if the household by five of 20 seats. they still control everything in the house and, as you say, can block by dimples like agenda and conduct any investigations they want. the real gain is in the senate which is so much more important because the senate confirms presidential appointments including the lifetime federal judges and president biden desperately wants to counter the 250 confer conservative

justices donald trump put on the bench but if a republican becomes the senate majority leader any confirmation is going to slow it at best to a trickle so keep your eye on the senate. but as for the gamers. you have any thoughts on how that might play out? george is the one many people are watching. what can be done for either of those candidates to get their heads in december because it has gone to run up because it has gone to run up because now the candidate got more than 50%. i because now the candidate got more than 50%.— more than 50%. i will give three words _ more than 50%. i will give three words of _ more than 50%. i will give three words of advice. - more than 50%. i will give - three words of advice. turnout, turnout, turnout. whoever gets their base the brace turned out. there is a classic opposition here. people have much more respect for the character of the

democrat than the republican who has been dogged by all kinds of scandals and caught lying, children that he is kind of abundant well at the same time criticising black fathers. a huge cloud of scandal over walker but the exit polls show he is getting the votes of those who care only about getting the republicans to control the us senate so there is a grand clash of different imperatives in this run—off. you talk about the character there and i did have a republican strategist on in a previous edition and he was talking about the character in the republican ads and attack ads they had talked about the relationship he had with his ex—wife and the confrontations, she alleged he ran over her

feet and there is no profound than that particular incident. but do you think people have pores about two? you talked about them having pores about his opponent. they have much more pores about his opponent. those who believe that the candidate was my personal qualities and character and most important voted overwhelmingly democratic in the regular election whereas those who said the candidate shares my values voted overwhelmingly republican. that is why you have such different imperatives in the selection and truly not only does walker have character issues. he has enormous issues in terms of his understanding and ability to articulate policy. when you think of the democrat, he is certainly articulate and knowledgeable about policy which contrasts markedly. a lot of these things can be

emotional, cultural, personality —based sometimes as you seem with the ballot boxes over the past few years when it came to american elections but thanks so much forjoining us. great pleasure. thanks so much for “oining us. great pleasure._ great pleasure. stay with us, still to come: _ great pleasure. stay with us, still to come: statues - great pleasure. stay with us, still to come: statues from . still to come: statues from ancient italy preserved in the mud and hot 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 world news, the latest 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. a well, russia's decision to pull its troops out

of kherson has raised the question: where does moscow go from here? let's hear from the the bbc�*s russia editor steve rosenberg. if russia really has decided to pull out off kherson as the generals told the people earlier, this is big. a big blow to the prestige of the russian authorities and embarrassing for putin because kherson was the only ukrainian provisional capital the russians managed to occupy. i remember barely six weeks ago that glittering ceremony in the kremlin when putin so confident and was signing so many documents claiming to have annexed kherson region and three other territories that these territories will be rationed for ever. trevor did not last very long, did it?

trevor did not last very long, did it? well earlier i spoke 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. i asked how significant he felt this russian withdrawal was. i see it is very significant. if there is perceived as it appears that it will ever drank this of the russian attack to conquer the q 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. us president has says russia's decision to withdraw shows the military has real problems. would you agree with that assessment? i would.

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 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. 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 that is an issue and no doubt they are digging in as we speak 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 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. a 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 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. 0ur rome correspondent mark lowen reports. slowly, painstakingly, they rescue the priceless, the earth offering up treasure that it has preserved. 2a 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.

a8a8 in the house. all a35 seats up for election. we may not know until the run—off which takes place in georgia in

december. stay with us if you can. more news coming for you at the top of the hour. 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 anti—government protests during a game in dubai.

saeed piramoun was seen mimicking cutting his hair —