this is bbc news. the headlines at 5pm. people take to the streets in celebration as the ukrainian city of kherson is retaken after months of occupation. while the russians have left behind a great deal of damage, for now the ukrainians are not focusing on that because they believe they have taken a giant step forward to victory. allies of the justice secretary, dominic raab, have defended his conduct, after reports he behaved aggressively towards staff during his previous stint in the role. meanwhile, former health secretary matt hancock has expressed regret for his actions as health secretary during covid, on the reality tv show i'm a celebrity get me out of here. more than 40,000 people have crossed the channel in small boats this year, the highest since records began in 2018.

double world cup agony for english rugby. despite a heroic performance, england's women are pipped at the post by new zealand in the rugby union final. while the men's rugby league team are undone in extra time in their world cup semi—final against samoa. the ukrainian government says recapturing the city of kherson means that victory in the war against russia is �*only a matter of time'. ukraine regained control of the southern city after officials in moscow said some 30,000 russian troops were pulled out of the region yesterday. sources close to the ukrainian president have warned though that the kremlin�*s forces are making new fortifications on the left bank side of the dnipro river. fears have also been expressed

after satellite images show significant new damage to a major dam in the area. mykola bielieskov is a research fellow at ukraine's national institute for strategic studies in kyiv and spoke earlier about what a positive step this is for his country but that ukrainians should be cautious they don't lose the momentum. of course russians will do everything to regain the initiative so the battle for strategic initiative in general are still ongoing, but for me it is good concluding sign of the southern campaign. it is good evidence that ukraine does everything in its power for us to stop russians and laying a good defence-— cause for celebration and we have seen some of those images. how much is there a note of caution in all of this? well, definitely there is a lot of work to be done first of all to look at different sides.

the russians did a lot of mine planting before retreating from kherson and we need to take actions in terms of returning basic facilities and returning law and order and taking precaution because now it is kherson that is within range of artillery and the russian started to terrorise the civilians, so maybe they won't suffer because they suffered already quite a lot. do you think this does anything in opening the way for any kind of diplomatic negotiations, or do you think we are long past that? we have already passed that the 24th of february 2022 was the point of no return and putin presented the world with a choice, either we accept his choice or we fight for european

principles, so there is no middle ground, there is no room for compromise, so our president clearly stated we are ready for negotiations based on the un charter, not on the imperialist agenda that putin is promoting. i want to ask you about reports of damage to a dam. is this something that is strategically a concern? as far as i understand from footage from the satellites it is minor damage, so it is not the kind of damage that we feared, which means flooding levels of water would rise, so it is minor damage. but of course we will keep in mind this risk and persuade russia not to target this dam. the government insists that the deputy prime minister dominic raab �*values civil servants' after claims he was rude to staff. reports suggest staff have been anxious about his return to thejustice department and had been offered the chance to transfer out because of his behaviour. the news once again puts the spotlight on prime minister rishi sunak�*sjudgment after he appointed raab over two weeks ago.

0ur political correspondent jonathan blake has the latest. rather than specific accusations about dominic raab�*s behaviour, there is talk of him creating a culture of fear as far as sources who have spoken to the guardian put it. they talk in terms ranging from demeaning, to rude, to aggressive, to describe his behaviour. the paper reports that when he was reappointed as deputy prime minister and justice secretary by rishi sunak as prime minister, civil servants at the department ofjustice were given the option to be transferred elsewhere, given concerns they might have had about working under him previously. none of that is denied by a spokesperson for mr raab, who has issued a statement saying he has high standards, he works hard and expects a lot from his team, as well as of himself. but they deny and reject any accusations of bullying. and a statement from the department forjustice said there was "zero tolerance of bullying across the civil service

and it is a place where civil servants are valued and the level of ambition is high." a petition launched against the proposed relaxation of rules on the ratio of staff to children in childcare settings will now be considered for debate in parliament. the government said it was considering changing the rules in england to reduce costs for parents and give nurseries more flexibility. ellie price reports. cheeky, funny, a little terror at times, but not too much. he wasjust a perfect baby in the sense that he only cried when he really wanted something. 0liver steeper was nine months old when his mum, zoe, got a call from the nursery to come straightaway. i remember thinking at the time, well, they wouldn't have sounded so vague if something bad had happened. so i kind of got myself down there. that's when i knew that it was bad because there were two ambulances there. so i thought, "hmm, this isn't good." 0liver had choked.

he never regained consciousness and died a few days later in hospital. what happened that day at 0liver�*s nursery is yet to be established. a police investigation is ongoing. but his death has turned his parents into campaigners. their petition is against proposals to increase the number of two—year—olds and over a member of staff can look after in a childcare setting. while there are no plans to change the ratios for the under twos, as 0liver was, they feel once one age group is changed, all could be. we've gone through such a traumatic experience. we can only sit there and think that if they do change the ratio, it makes it more unsafe than it is already. and another set of parents potentially have to go through this nightmare, what we've gone through. and we just couldn't sit there and feel comfortable with that. and that's why we had to start the petition. it received 100,000 signatures, the point at which parliament will consider a debate

on the first anniversary of 0llie�*s death in september. # the wheels on the bus go round and round...# at the moment, for every four two—year—olds in a childcare setting in england, there needs to be one member of staff. the government is looking to increase that, as it is in scotland, to one adult in every five children. we need key persons for children. that's the very fundamental part of ourjob, is to make sure - that their social and emotional needs are being met. - once a child is happy- and the environment is right, then they will learn. i if you haven't got the staff there. to even begin those conversations, that communication and interaction, . then that opportunity is missed. . according to the early years alliance, a recent survey suggested around 90% of childcare settings were against the changes. only 2% said it would lower fees for parents. the government says no decisions have been made, and it's looking at ways to improve the availability

and affordability of childcare, and the welfare and safety of children remains a priority. ellie price, bbc news, new romney.

hello. welcome to bbc news. the ukrainian government says recapturing the city of kherson means victory in the war against russia is only a matter of time. ukraine regained control of its southern city after officials in moscow said 30,000 russian troops were pulled out of the region yesterday. though sources close to president zelensky have warned that the kremlin�*s forces are making new fortifications on the left bank of the dnipro river, and there's also concern

after satellite images show significant new damage to a major dam in the area. 0ur correspondent catherine byaruhanga sent this report from the capital, kyiv. this is the vital kakhovka dam, 36 miles north of kherson. it's one of ukraine's biggest hydroelectric power plants. under the cover of darkness, a massive explosion is unleashed. if the dam collapses, this could cause massive flooding, and quickly swamp over 80 settlements, including kherson. images from friday morning show sections of the dam were destroyed. the bbc cannot verify the extent of the damage, or who caused it. over in kherson city, there have been emotional celebrations after ukrainian forces arrived. people here have lived under russian occupation for more than eight months.

many are still without power, water or the internet. however, retreating russian forces still pose a threat from across the dnipro river. we have been warned yesterday by our general staff of the ukrainian armed forces that russians are making new fortifications on the left bank side of the dnipro river, and there is a likelihood of massive artillery shelling. speaking at a southeast asia summit in cambodia this morning, ukraine's foreign minister warned that other countries could follow in russia's footsteps if action is not taken. violation of borders, use of force, committing mass atrocities against civilian populations. if anyone in the world sees that russia can get away easily with all of this, then this someone will be tempted to follow suit. winning kherson has been a big boost

for the national morale, but a complete victory over russia remains elusive. catherine byurahanga, bbc news, kyiv. 0ur international editor jeremy bowen is on the road to kherson and sent us this update. the ukrainians have got a lot to celebrate because they've scored a major victory over the russians much more quickly and smoothly than they expected. and while the russians have left behind them a great deal of damage, for now, the ukrainians aren't focusing on that because they believe they've taken a giant step forward to victory. now, they will have to deal with a changed strategic situation because by withdrawing across the river, the russians have stabilised this section of the front and they say they've taken more than 30,000 troops out with them. those are troops who could have been killed fighting to stay in kherson, who now can be deployed elsewhere.

so that is why ukraine will continue to push nato for more and better weapons for the battles they face in the forthcoming winter months. jeremy bowen in ukraine. the bbc has calculated that the number of people who've crossed the channel in small boats this year has now surpassed 40,000 — the biggest number since records began in 2018. just over 28,000 people made the same journey last year. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford joins me now. that figure, daniel, is a milestone of sorts. �* ., , , . of sorts. another very difficult milestone _ of sorts. another very difficult milestone for _ of sorts. another very difficult milestone for ministers. - of sorts. another very difficult | milestone for ministers. when of sorts. another very difficult - milestone for ministers. when these small boat crossing started in 2018, the number in the first year was less than 300. but if you look at this graphic, you can see that each year it has gone up and up again at “p year it has gone up and up again at

up again, and last year it reached 28,500, but by last night, we were less than 100 short of 40,000, and talking to witnesses and rescuers today, it is clear that more than 100 have crossed since midnight last night, so that red line has gone over 40,000, and we are only in mid—november. last yeararound over 40,000, and we are only in mid—november. last year around 8000 crossed in the last two months of the year, so it is likely the figure by the end of the year is going to be closer to 50,000 than 40,000 if the weather stays good. find be closer to 50,000 than 40,000 if the weather stays good.— the weather stays good. and people will think why _ the weather stays good. and people will think why is _ the weather stays good. and people will think why is it _ the weather stays good. and people will think why is it so _ the weather stays good. and people will think why is it so difficult - the weather stays good. and people will think why is it so difficult to - will think why is it so difficult to tackle this. it will think why is it so difficult to tackle thie— will think why is it so difficult to tackle thia— tackle this. it is very, very awkward _ tackle this. it is very, very awkward for _ tackle this. it is very, very awkward for ministers, . tackle this. it is very, very| awkward for ministers, not tackle this. it is very, very - awkward for ministers, not least of all because it makes them look as if they are not in control of the southern coast of the united kingdom, but also because of the risk of people dying. it was only in november last year that 27 people died in a single night when boats got into trouble on the channel, and yes, there are more talks going on

with the french to try and increase patrols on the beaches, may put some british officers into the french control rooms. but that is not going to make a massive amount of difference to the people crossing in the short term. and yes, while the weather has been bad for the last couple of weeks, ministers had managed to reduce the number of people being held in the manston processing centre, but as the weather becomes good again, those numbers will start to rise again, and they will only get those numbers down by moving people out into hotels, and people are concerned about the millions of pounds being spent every day keeping migrants in hotels. ., ~ , ., let's take a brief look at some of today's other news. in the us, following tuesday's midterm elections, the democrats have inched closer to keeping control of the senate, with a projected win in arizona. it's believed mark kelly has beaten the republican candidate blake masters — which would mean president biden�*s party needs one more seat to have a majority. votes are still being

counted in nevada. georgia is expected to hold a run—off election next month. a cruise ship hit by covid—19 has docked in sydney in australia. about 800 passengers on board the majestic princess, which had sailed from new zealand, have the virus, nearly 20% of everyone on board. people who've tested postive are being taken off the ship to complete their isolation in accommodation elsewhere. new zealand has won the rugby world cup after a dramatic victory over england in front of a record crowd for the women's game in auckland. the red roses led for much of the game, until new zealand scored a late try to take the title for a sixth time. 0ur sports correspondent jo currie was watching. it's an all black night in auckland. battered and bruised, the unbeatables beaten. for some of these players, the too—familiar tears of world cup heartache.

fans were turning up to see the world number ones england, unbeaten in over 30 games... england! ..face a team who broke their hearts five years ago. we landed yesterday and the final is today and we fly home tomorrow. being held on the other side of the world means not many england fans have been able to make the trip across. it could feel like they're notjust taking on 15 players on the pitch but an entire stadium. and a daunting one at that. not that it stopped them raising their voices. the volume and intimidation then upped by their opposition. if england had nerves they didn't show. a dream start, which continued as england quickly built up a healthy lead before a moment which would change the game. oh, my goodness. lydia thompson's reckless tackle, and she was shown a red card. the black ferns made use of their extra player almost immediately.

but england regathered and dotted down twice. there was a change of ends but no change of pace. new zealand were straight out of the blocks to hit england twice. england looked to their driving maul and once again it proved unstoppable. amy cokayne with a hat—trick of tries as the lead changed hands once again. but the black ferns still had magic up their sleeve. the perfect kick and some quick thinking as they set up a nail—biting finish. england desperately tried to find a spark that would keep their world cup hopes alive, but as the final whistle went those hopes were over. it's really tough, you know. it hurts. we've spoken in the past about how sport is pretty cruel and it doesn't always go the way you want. and it's won and lost on fine margins, and that's certainly what happened this evening. england came to new zealand as heavy favourites and looking for redemption. but they leave with only questions about how this trophy got away from them once again. jo currie, bbc news, auckland.

there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. i'll be back with the late news at 10.40. now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. goodbye. hello.

this is bbc news. the former health secretary, matt hancock, who's currently on the itv reality show i'm a celebrity get me out of here, has reiterated his regret for breaking social distancing guidelines during the covid pandemic and said he was looking for �*forgiveness'. it followed him facing some critical questions from his celebrity campmates about his role as health secretary at the time. let's take a look. my aunt died from covid in the first wave. we couldn't go to hospital to visit her. i had to sit by myself in the church at her funeral. we couldn't hug each other because we were following guidance. yeah. and i get that you fell in love, i understand all of those things, but sorry for a lot of families like mine doesn't really cut it. well, there you go, that is one of the reasons that i, that i regret it as much as i do. do you have any regrets regarding the way that as health minister you dealt with the pandemic as a whole?

so the pandemic as a whole, no, i'm much, much more robust in my defence of it. even with ppe and with carers? yeah. and with old people's homes? yeah, ppe for instance, of course i know, i saw it happen, but that's because we suddenly needed much more ppe and so did everybody else in the world and care homes, the reasons for the decisions that were taken and ultimately those problems were caused by the virus, not the people who were trying to solve the problem. well, earlier i spoke to a member of the covid—19 families forjustice group who lost her uncle during the first wave of the pandemic, helenjeffries, for her reaction to matt hancock's latest comments on the programme. i haven't watched i'm a celebrity, deliberately because of matt hancock, butjust hearing that really hurts and my experience was similar. i lost my uncle at the peak of the first wave and

could not go and see him. he saw nobody close to him in the ten days before he died. and his funeral was on may the 20th, which was the day of the infamous party in the rose garden at downing street. again, ourfuneral was very much socially distanced. i did not hug my dad. it is still there, it still hurts and i watched a little bit of the jungle for this piece now and chris moyles is right, what does he want forgiveness for? if it is for having an affair, i don't care. did that change your view of him even slightly, the fact that he has expressed a wish for forgiveness? has that changed your view on him at all? if we leave aside the fact that it was on i'm a celebrity, and there are questions around

the fact he went on reality tv to do that rather than expressing it in any other forum, but does his wish for forgiveness change your view? no, not at all. it almost makes me more... it refreshes all of that anger and upset that ebbs away over time, and then itjust comes back up. forgiveness is not helpful at this stage. he has also said in there that he is committed to the right answers coming out as a result of the inquiry. i think as far as the bereaved families are concerned, the right thing for him to do would be to engage fully with the inquiry. helenjefferies from the covid—19 families forjustice group speaking earlier. the anonymous street artist banksy has confirmed that he's been at work in parts of ukraine that have been ravaged by the war. he's posted images on his instagram account of a mural on a building

damaged by shelling in the town of borodyanka, west of kyiv. it features a gymnast doing a handstand. various murals in banksy�*s signature spray—painted style have been spotted around the capital in recent days. remembrance sunday services will take place across the uk tomorrow to recognise the service and sacrifice of those who defended our freedoms. ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of world war ii, the bbc is trying to gather as many first—hand accounts from surviving veterans as possible, to preserve them for future generations. john dennet wasjust 17 when he signed up for the navy, even though his mother tried to stop him by hiding his birth certificate. this is his story. i am so lucky i'm still alive, like, that's the way i think about it. the heroes is the ones who gave their life. if you've got life, you've got everything.

my mum said i couldn't go. she wouldn't give me my birth certificate, thinking she had the last laugh on me but the funny thing was they never asked for the birth certificate when i went, so i was in the navy. we realised what war was about. i'm not saying you were frightened. it had you on your toes and hoped you wouldn't get no worse, put it that way. your life depends on each other. when we're in normandy, there was a couple of marines in a boat, fishing bodies out of the water. it didn't hit me at the time they were dead men who'd been washed back out, you know? terriblejob, fishing bodies out of burning water. i did write a letter to my mum

when we were at anzio, saying there was a good chance i wouldn't see her any more. i never did ask her did she get it. chuckles. my darling joyce. a thousand times better after heard from you. your loving sweetheart. my own darling future wife. all my love, all my life. i happened to have a letter ready. that was joyce. she was the type of girl, yeah. i get emotional at poppy time. but you must always remember

somebody gave their life so you could be what you are today. and me. i'm lucky. because i got 70—odd years of freedom. i've enjoyed my freedom. i hope they remember all the lads my age at the time who are laying in these cemeteries all over the bloody world. i sit back now and thank god for our crew, yeah. couldn't go to war again, i don't think. chuckles. i'd know all of the dodgers! chuckles. time for a look at the weather with susan powell.

hello. it is unusually warm across the united kingdom at the moment. yesterday was the warmest armistice day on record and for tomorrow for remembrance sunday, we may see very similar temperatures yet again. 0vernight, with the southerly when is continuing, our temperatures will hold up. we may well see some cloud returning across eastern england and mist and fog drifting in from the north sea down some of our eastern coast. 0ur overnight temperatures they will look rather more like the figures we would expect by day at this point in november. for remembrance sunday, a lot of fine and dry weather, cloud bending back in many areas but tending to linger in many areas but tending to linger in some spots along the north sea coast. gets windier towards the west later in the day and we will see some rain in northern ireland and the south—west after dark but take a look at the temperatures. 16, 17, 18

degrees maybe even 19 degrees in spot above 7—8 above average for this time of year. does get a little cooler into the weekend.