welcome to bbc news — i'm rich preston. our top stories. president biden congratulates the republicans as they secure a majority in the us house of representatives — marking a return to divided government in the united states. disagreement over the poland missile strike as ukraine insists its air defence teams weren't to blame. a rousing reception for brazil's president elect, lula da silva — who told the un climate summit he will stop the deforestation of the amazon lift off of artemis 1. and to the moon and back — nasa's most powerful rocket finally blasts off.

we begin in the united states, where president biden has congratulated the republican leader, kevin mccarthy on securing a majority in the house of representatives. it marks a return to divided government in america, with democrats still retaining a slim majority in the senate. the white house says the president is ready to work with house republicans to deliver results for working families. earlier i spoke to our north america correspondent, peter bowes and i asked what america's divided government means for the next two years of us politics. well, this is, as you say, divided government returning to washington. not an entirely unusual situation. of course, historically it's happened many times before. but what it means is

with the republicans in charge in the house of representatives, it will certainly stymie joe biden�*s intentions, his political agenda over the next couple of years with the republicans in a position to block any legislative moves that he makes. the republicans will be in charge of the crucial committees in the house of representatives. they can bring forward their own legislation and possibly any inquiries, possibly inquiries againstjoe biden that they choose to pursue. so it will be a difficult time in washington. we don't expect a huge amount to get through to happen in terms of new legislation. but it is interesting that joe biden is reaching out and this is typical of mr biden�*s style. he is reaching out to the republicans, saying that he would like to at least try to continue to work together. well earlier i spoke to us political analyst max kutner and asked whether this was the result

that was expected. rich, this was expected the the party opposite the president's party almost always gains control of the house and often the whole congress in a midterm election. so this was expected. president biden and his administration had plenty of time to prepare for this. biden even went through a similar thing when he was vice president under obama and the republicans gained control of congress then. so this was expected. and what wasn't expected was actually the just how slim this republican majority would be. right now, they only have one seat on the dems and we'll see in the coming days as the final races are called, whether that republican majority expands at all. max, i think i'm right in saying it was a six seat gain for the republicans, where did they win those? well, it was mainly in the west. in recent days, we've been looking a lot at california.

one perhaps thinks of california as a blue state, a lot of democratic areas. but it really came down to a lot of seats in california that said this this republican majority is not looking like it's going to be as big as the republicans had hoped. and this was a bit unexpected. and, of course, the results in the senate were even more unexpected, with democrats flipping a seat there and taking the majority and still one race in georgia to be called. but so, again, the republicans almost always take control of the house in the midterms. but some surprises here. and now president biden and the democrats are going to have to deal with that for the next two years. well, indeed. and the president says he's looking forward to working with republicans to to push through his agendas, especially for hard working families. is he going to be able to do that in practice? yeah, i saw that message

of congratulations, rich, thatjust came out. but this is going to make things very difficult for president biden and the dems and this progressive agenda, all these campaign promises that in 2020 biden said he was going to pursue. so now to pass the less controversial legislation in the house is going to be difficult for democrats, and they can forget about passing the more controversial matters. president biden is now going to have to rely on what is under his purview, which would be signing executive orders and directing federal agencies to do rulemaking. of course, executive orders and agency rules are more easily overturned in the courts and in other ways than an act of congress. president biden is also going to deal with oversight from house republicans, and that's maybe one of the biggest takeaways today. the republicans in the house have said that they would go after hunter biden,

they would go after the afghanistan withdrawal, they would go after the the origins of covid. and when i say go after, i mean look into these are all things republicans want to be looking into. and now we'll have an opportunity to do so. there's continued division over the cause of a missile attack which led to the deaths of two people on polish territory. president zelensky insists russia was behind the strike, but nato, poland and the us have all said they now believe the incident was most likely caused by a ukrainian air defence missile. katya adler reports. these have been nail—biting moments for poland and its allies, gathering evidence and intelligence about last night's missile strike close to poland's border with ukraine. yerevan lives nearby. his family heard the explosion, he said, and were really scared. nato was also nervous.

you'll notice almost more emphasis today on who likely wasn't behind the strike than who probably was. we have no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack, and we have no indication that russia is preparing offensive military actions against nato. to western leaders, immense relief. poland's president says it seems the explosion was caused by ukrainian air defence systems. an unfortunate error, he said. moscow did pound ukraine with missiles yesterday. if it had struck or targeted neighbouring nato member poland, as first suggested in polish media, the whole alliance could have been called on, meaning confrontation with nuclear power russia. nato really wants to avoid that, while still supporting ukraine's military. nato leaders�* carefully

crafted, measured response today shows how much they fear europe is on a knife edge. they've had a sharp shock reminder of the ever—present potential of russia's war to escalate and spread beyond ukraine's borders. kyiv sometimes accuses allies of getting too used to all those missiles raining down on its citizens. if that ever was the case, last night was a huge wake—up call. but it's also caused a rift with kyiv, determined russia was behind the strike in poland. translation: i have no doubt that this is not our _ missile, not our strike. i believe this is a russian missile based on our military reports. that's a very rare public break with his international allies. at a meeting of world leaders today, the prime minister assured ukraine support against russia was unwavering, and there were strong words from his foreign secretary. the house should be in no doubt that the only reason _

why missiles are flyingl through european skies and exploding in european- villages is because of russia's barbaric invasion of ukraine. as the investigation continues on the ground in poland, nato says it's boosting air defences across eastern europe as well as ukraine, just in case. katya adler, bbc news, nato. bill roggio is a senior fellow at the foundation for defense of democracies and editor of the long warjournal. thank you for making the time. this is a war on nato's bore da, even though it is not a war with nato itself, an event like this was kind of inevitable? frankly, i am surprised it hadn't happened sooner. this is a spill—over that is expected

of overall of this magnitude. when i saw the news i thought it highly unlikely the russians would target a nato country. the russians have its hands full in ukraine and is losing in ukraine and the last thing they would want is to drag in they would want is to drag in the alliance. i thought it was an errant missile from the russians but the most likely scenario it was and in crainey and —— ukrainian air defence missile. i am only shocked it took nine months for this to happen. took nine months for this to ha en. , , , ., took nine months for this to hauen. , ,, ., ., happen. despite that analysis that it was — happen. despite that analysis that it was a _ happen. despite that analysis that it was a ukrainian - happen. despite that analysis that it was a ukrainian air- that it was a ukrainian air defence missile, president zelensky insists it wasn't? i think president zelensky is eager to draw nato further into the wall. nato wants to obviously stay out of the water risk... it wants to reduce the potential risk of nuclear confrontation. ukraine is not a

member of nato so article five does not apply. president zelensky also, it looks bad that a ukrainian air defence missile killed two polish citizens but they must be more upfront with this. it hurts president zelensky and the ukrainian government to take this position. it really smacks, i think, this position. it really smacks, ithink, to this position. it really smacks, i think, to a lot of nato leaders as an attempt to draw nato further into this war. in draw nato further into this war. . , draw nato further into this war. ., , . ., , draw nato further into this war. , ., war. in the last couple of weeks we _ war. in the last couple of weeks we have _ war. in the last couple of weeks we have seen - war. in the last couple of - weeks we have seen massive withdrawals by russia in huge areas like kherson which was seen as a victory for ukrainian forces. there has been this massive missile strikes on ukrainian infrastructure? the russians are _ ukrainian infrastructure? iie: russians are struggling ukrainian infrastructure? tie: russians are struggling to hold on to the territory it currently has. we have winter

coming so most people, including myself, expect military operations to slow down. ukrainian has taken its toll in its successful attempts toll in its successful attempts to regain territory. these missile strikes are an attempt to weaken the resolve of the ukrainian people as well as hinder the power supplies, as the ukrainian military will rely on that and getting trips to the front. they are lobbying hundreds of missiles a day. once those air defences go down, the russian air force will have greater freedom. i think that is the play we are seeing with the russians. the strategy hasn't worked well, whether this part of the strategy works or not remains to be seen. but the ukrainians remain very resilient and they

remain very resilient and they remain determined and they stood up to the russians and they deserve all of our praise for their willingness to defend and retake territory.— and retake territory. really aood to and retake territory. really good to get _ and retake territory. really good to get your _ and retake territory. really good to get your analysis. | good to get your analysis. thank you very much. china's president, xijinping, and canada's prime minister, justin trudeau, exchanged tense words on the sidelines of the 620 summit in bali on wednesday. president xi had been meeting several world leaders, for the first time in person since before the pandemic. but a short follow—up conversation between mr trudeai and mr xi was picked up by the press pool, and it wasn't entirely friendly. let's have a listen.

international health organisations are warning that a cholera outbreak in haiti is worsening, with a dramatic increase in the number of people falling ill. the head of the pan american health organisation, said officials had now confirmed over 700 cholera infections, with more than 140 deaths since the first cases were detected in october. it's believed the true numbers could be much higher. she added that half a million people are at risk of contracting the disease. a new study has found that climate change severely worsened the heavy rains that

caused largescale flooding across swathes of nigeria and niger this year, killing hundreds of people. the floods were recorded as the worst in the countries' history. the report by world weather attribution says extreme seasonal rainfall and the release of water from dams caused the flooding. they concluded the event was made 80 times more likely by climate change. stay with us on bbc news. still to come... and liftoff of artemis fund. nasa's most powerful rocket blasts off. benazir bhutto has claimed victory in pakistan's general election and she's asked pakistan's president to name her as prime minister. jackson's been released on bail of $3 million after turning himself in to police in santa barbara. it was the biggest

demonstration so far of the first growing european antinuclear movement. the south african government i has announced that it's opening the country's remaining whites—only beaches i to people of all races. this will lead to a black majority government in this country and the destruction of the white civilisation. part of the centuries—old windsor castle, one of the queen's residences, has been consumed by fire for much of a day. 150 firemen have been battling the blaze, which has caused millions of pounds worth of damage. this is bbc world news, the latest headlines... presdient biden has congratulated the republicans after they regained control of the us house of representatives. it could limit the president's ability to get his legaslative programme through.

the news about the us mid terms elections came as a bill that would make same—sex marriages legal across the country cleared a major hurdle in the senate. 12 republicans joined all 50 democrats to move the respect for marriage act forward. that puts it on track to become federal law before the new congress is sworn in next january. i'm joined now by kadia goba, politics reporter at global news publication semafor. is publication semafor. this bill likely to pass? i think is this bill likely to pass? i think they definitely have the support. what happened today was a procedural vote and as you mention, i2 was a procedural vote and as you mention, 12 republicans sided with democrats to qualify same—sex marriage. it is a pretty good indication it is going to go forward. the key word here — going to go forward. the key word here is _ going to go forward. the key word here is federal, - going to go forward. the key word here is federal, why . going to go forward. the key word here is federal, why is| going to go forward. the key| word here is federal, why is a federal law necessary?-

federal law necessary? well, this dates — federal law necessary? well, this dates back— federal law necessary? well, this dates back to _ federal law necessary? well, this dates back to when - federal law necessary? well, this dates back to when the i this dates back to when the supreme court made the decision to bring abortion rights to the individual states. when that happened, many democrats felt alarmed in that the same thing could happen when it comes to same—sex marriage. because not all states actually on a same—sex marriage. so this way they actually ensure that it makes it much more difficult or makes it much more difficult or makes it much more difficult or makes it more difficult going forward. $5 makes it more difficult going forward. �* , makes it more difficult going forward. ~ , ., makes it more difficult going forward. a ., ' forward. as you mention, 12 republicans _ forward. as you mention, 12 republicans joined - forward. as you mention, 12 republicans joined those . forward. as you mention, 12 republicans joined those 50j republicans joined those 50 democrats. that is not all republicans, what is the push back against this? you republicans, what is the push back against this?— back against this? you know, that is a great _ back against this? you know, that is a great question. - back against this? you know, that is a great question. i - that is a great question. i talked to a couple of them. some of them had an issue with

the amendment process because democrats close the amendment process. but also one of the big resounding push backs was that this wasn't necessary. republicans felt that most states respect same—sex marriage, why are we doing this? as i mentioned, democrats felt alarmed that this could be overturned in a court and therefore they needed to ensure, enshrined the legislation.— legislation. these representatives, l legislation. these - representatives, they are to representatives, they are to represent the views of those in their constituencies. what did their constituencies. what did the opinion polls say amongst american people about this? this is a very interesting thing. it is the reason why democrats... it was very interesting that democrats did not put this vote before the midterms. more than 70% of americans actually agree with same—sex marriage. had they done this all had democrats actually put the vote on the floor before the midterms, it

would have been a sticking point for many republicans running for office.- point for many republicans running for office. 0k, keep very much- _ running for office. 0k, keep very much. thank _ running for office. 0k, keep very much. thank you - running for office. 0k, keep very much. thank you for i running for office. 0k, keep - very much. thank you for having me. brazil's president—elect has vowed to fight deforestation of the amazon. speaking at the cop27 summit in egypt, luiz inacio lula da silva said there would be no climate security for the world if the amazon was not protected. our climate editor, justin rowlatt, reports from the conference in egypt. # ole, ole, ole, ola! # lula, lula! lula received a hero's welcome as he arrived here in egypt. "brazil is back" was his message. he said fighting climate change will be his number one priority and he promised to start rebuilding the agencies that police the forest as soon as he takes office injanuary. translation: it's time to act. we have to stop this rush to the abyss.

what we need is hope, hope combined with immediate and decisive action for the future of the planet and for humankind. # lula, lula! there is no question that lula is the star of this conference, but he faces real problems at home — brazil's finances are in trouble, he doesn't have control of the parliament and there's no doubt his rival, jair bolsonaro, will be making trouble for him. under bolsonaro, rates of deforestation rose rapidly. he was accused of encouraging loggers and miners to go into the forest and of hobbling the environmental police. lula says his target is zero deforestation. he promised to start rebuilding the agencies that police the forest as soon as he takes office in january. but his team acknowledges there is hard work ahead. translation: this won't

be an easy process. - there was a dismantling of all policies related to the environment. but if we rebuild the budget, if we rebuild the teams, i am confident we will be able to achieve our goals. that change cannot come quickly enough, say the indigenous communities who are on the front line of the conflict in brazil's forests. they are illegal miners, they are poisoning our rivers and deforesting our forests. the crowds surged around the brazilian president—elect after his speech. lula says he's urging the un to allow brazil to host the 2025 un climate conference, and he says he wants it to be held in the amazon itself.

justin rowlatt, bbc news, sharm el sheikh, egypt. nasa's artemis rocket has finally launched, marking the start of a new era, which it's hoped will eventually see humans return to the moon. technical hitches and two hurricanes prevented previous launch attempts, but the rocket has finally blasted off on its debut flight from florida's kennedy space centre. our science editor, rebecca morrelle, was watching. and here we go. it was the moment they'd been waiting for. three, two, one... and liftoff of artemis i! after months of setbacks, nasa's most powerful rocket was finally on its way — the start of humanity's return to the moon. we rise together, back to the moon, and beyond! it's an incredibly complex machine. it has so many components. to get 8.8 million pounds of thrust off the ground requires many systems that all have to work together

perfectly, and it did just that today. no people are on board this time, but this test flight will show if it's safe for astronauts. the ultimate plan is to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon. i wanted to be an astronaut from the time i was five years old. for anybody that has a dream or some kind of aspiration, if they see somebody that they can identify with a little bit, it puts them into a totally different perspective where they can say, well, "wait a minute, that person was just like me, and they did it, so i can do it, too." and in a remote part of cornwall, the goonhilly earth station has an important role to play. this huge dish is part of a network of antennas around the world tracking the spacecraft, and the data it receives is vital. it will help nasa to work out exactly where the spacecraft is and how fast it's moving as it heads towards the moon. and here's the first signal sent back. this doesn't look like very much, i think, to most people, but to communication engineers,

this is pure magic. what you would normally see is just a flat line of noise. but we're picking up the signal from space, from the artemis spacecraft. with a last look back at the earth, the spacecraft now has a 26—dayjourney ahead. this isjust the beginning, the start of a million—mile journey that's being described as apollo for a new generation. rebecca morelle, bbc news. now before we go, live news is often full of surprises, especially when animals are involved. here's what happened to one kenyan journalist who was reporting from an elephant orphanage. human actions are destroying habitats, decimating our ecosystem and the circle of life. it is up to us to be guardians of our natural world,

save the species and provide a home. laughter thanks for watching. hello there. the weather is looking pretty unsettled for the next couple of days. we're going to see quite a lot of rain in places, the risk of some localized flooding, too. and it's all because of one area of low pressure, expected to hang around for thursday and friday, even into saturday morning before it eventually fizzles out. this is the low pressure system i'm talking about, moving a little bit further eastwards and then pulling back northwards and westwards across the country during thursday and friday, where it slowly will fill, it will weaken. but it's going to bring a lot of rain and fairly strong winds at times. now we start thursday off on a really chilly note

for western scotland, northern ireland, that some frost and fog here. but elsewhere where we have the cloud, the wind and the rain and temperatures remaining between five and nine degrees. but a really thoroughly wet day to come for thursday. our area of low pressure, as you can see here, slowly pushing northwards and then westwards. some heavy rain for eastern scotland, northern england, north wales, eastern england, the strongest of the winds along the north sea coast there. probably the best of any brighter weather after that chilly start, northern ireland and across the south and southwest corner of the country, but nowhere particularly warm, nine to 11 degrees. and then through thursday night, the rain continues to pile into eastern scotland. a few showers elsewhere into northern ireland, some wet weather for northern england and north wales, probably the driest weather towards the south of the country. but because there's more cloud and wind across the whole of the uk, there won't be quite as cold i think for many — seven to nine degrees. so for friday there's our area of low pressure again starting to fill at this point in weaken, but it's still going to bring a lot of rainfall again to the northern half of the country, especially the east of scotland. by this point, rain really will be accumulating

across angus aberdeenshire risk of some localised flooding here. something a little bit quiet i think for england generally. still a few showers around the best of the sunshine on friday. again, parts of northern ireland, wales, central and southern england up to around 12 degrees there, but distinctly chilly further north where it will continue to be windy, especially for the northern isles. then that fizzles out. saturday, brief spell of quieter weather before the next frontal system moves through during saturday night into sunday, followed by sunshine and blustery showers. so it starts off fairly dry, i think for many on saturday, quite chilly, mind you. and then wet and windy weather sweeps through saturday night to sunday, and that'll be followed by sunshine and showers.

this is bbc news, the headlines. president biden has congratulated the republican party after they secured control of the us house of representatives, following last week's midterm elections. the democrats still hold the senate. the republican majority in the lower house will limit president biden's ability to push through his legislative agenda. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky says he's in no doubt the missile strike that killed two people in poland on tuesday was not caused by ukrainian air defence. nato, poland and the us believe the incident was most likely caused by a ukrainian air defence missile. and brazil's president—elect, luiz inacio lula da silva, has told the cop27 summit in egypt that fighting climate change will be his

number one priority.