today at one — a gunman in thailand shoots dead at least 3a people shoots dead at least 38 people at a nursery school, many of them children some of the victims were as young as two. thai police say the gunman was a former officer dismissed from hisjob because of drug use. we'll bring you all the latest and our other main story this lunchtime. at least one person is killed in southern ukraine after missiles hit residential buildings in the city of zaporizhia. pa rents parents who lost children after they were given infected blood products have given evidence that a public inquiry into the disaster. he went very quiet and he said he didn't want any family to know. he never told his friends or anything. hejust wanted to be normal, see.

nurses across the uk are balloted for strike action for the first time in the 106 year history of the royal couege in the 106 year history of the royal college of nursing. matilda the musical opens this year's london film festival. manchester united travel to cyprus tonight in the europa league. but after sitting out in their defeat to city, will ronaldo take to the pitch later? good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at 0ne. at least 38 people, including more than 20 children — have been killed in a mass shooting at a pre—school in north eastern thailand. the attacker, armed with a gun and knife,

stormed into the childcare facility in nong bua lamphu province. 0ur correspondent anjana gadgil reports. thai police say the attacker shot and stabbed children and adults at the daycare centre in a rural district in the north—east of the country. at least 22 children were among those killed, with some of the victims just two years old. more than a dozen people were injured. the attacker has been identified as 34—year—old panya kamrab, a former police officer who was discharged from the force last year. he'd attended a court hearing on drugs charges earlier in the day. police say he went to the centre to find his child wasn't there, before beginning his attack. around 30 children were inside — it was nap time. the killer was last seen driving away in a white pick—up truck and the hunt for him began. he then went home and killed his wife, his child and himself.

the prime minister, prayuth chan—ocha, has expressed his deepest condolences to the victims�* families, describing the shooting as "a shocking event". in a facebook message, he ordered all emergency agencies to the scene. an investigation has begun into the motives behind this brutal attack. anjana joins me now. it isa it is a shocking incident but rare in thailand. it is a shocking incident but rare in thailand-— it is a shocking incident but rare in thailand. ., ., , , ~ in thailand. profoundly shocking in thailand. in thailand. profoundly shocking in thailand- a — in thailand. profoundly shocking in thailand. a country _ in thailand. profoundly shocking in thailand. a country with _ in thailand. profoundly shocking in thailand. a country with relativelyl thailand. a country with relatively high levels of gun ownership including legally owned weapons. so gun violence is not uncommon but an incident of this nature, mass shooting, especially involving children, is incredibly rare. less than a month ago an army officer shot dead two colleagues at a base in bangkok. the last large—scale incident was in 2020 when a soldier killed 29 people in a shopping

centre which raised serious questions about the security of firearms on army bases. at this stage no one knows what led to this terrible incident but for a former police officer getting hold of a gun would not have been a problem in thailand. ., ~ , ., in our other main story this lunchtime — a fresh wave of missiles has struck the ukrainiain city of zaporizhzhia killing at least one person and leaving others trapped under rubble, according to the regional governor. multiple explosions damaged residential buildings and infrastructure. zaporizhzhia is the capital of one of the regions illegally annexed by russia — but russia has not commented. 0ur correspondent paul adams reports now from zaporizhia. when things go wrong on the battlefield, is this how russia responds? this was not a military target, this is where ordinary people lived, where they were sleeping.

from dawn, rescue workers looked for survivors among five floors of smouldering wreckage. it's not known how many people died here. this is the very centre of zaporizhzhia, we are not that far from russian—controlled territory here and it's not unusual for explosions to be heard in and around the city. but for an entire apartment building like that to be demolished, that is unusual and shocking. they know what war looks and sounds like but they are stunned. and furious. translation: i have no words, it really hurts, and _ it's going to hurt even when i'm gone. i will never forgive russia for this. i won't. we shouldn't forgive russia for killing our children, we should take revenge and take it to the end. she has relatives living in the building. she doesn't think they are alive. translation: why are

they doing this to us? | what are they trying to prove? killing old people... why? for what? explosions. just a series of huge explosions in the darkness before dawn. not far away, on a quiet residential street, more destruction. more urgent work. a modest house reduced to flames and rubble. one woman was pulled out of this alive and taken to hospital nearby. the authorities say seven missiles landed on the city this morning. all the while ukraine is clawing back territory. lyman liberated last week. a traumatised population. two ukrainian counterattacks have russian forces in retreat. and so perhaps russia is lashing out any

way it can, firing missiles and drones into cities across ukraine. it feels desperate and dangerous. paul adams, it feels desperate and dangerous. pauladams, bbc it feels desperate and dangerous. paul adams, bbc news, zaporizhzhia. as ukraine has pushed on with its counter—offensive in the south and east, zaporizhzhia has in recent weeks been a constant target for russian forces. our russia editor steve rosenberg joins me. ukraine has been taking territory days after president putin said these areas were russian. what is moscow's reaction. the these areas were russian. what is moscow's reaction.— moscow's reaction. the past days here felt surreal. _ moscow's reaction. the past days here felt surreal. it _ moscow's reaction. the past days here felt surreal. it is _ moscow's reaction. the past days here felt surreal. it is less - moscow's reaction. the past days here felt surreal. it is less than i moscow's reaction. the past days here felt surreal. it is less than a | here felt surreal. it is less than a week since we have a glittering ceremony in the kremlin when vladimir putin claimed to have incorporated four ukrainian territories and within hours, russia lost some of the territory it claims to control, and has lost more since then. yesterday, vladimir putin admitted the situation in the new

territories, as he called them, land he is trying to annex, was unfortunately rested his head and even dangerous, although he predicted the situation would stabilise. in the russian state media here and tv talk shows and from the pro—war russian journalists online, there has been doom and gloom about the russian retreat. moscow is admitting this is happening but also looking for scapegoats. there has been public criticism of the army and senior military officials, not of putin himself, the man who started this with his decision to invade. and from missed a —— from mr putin, no sign he is looking for a negotiated settlement but that he is determined to escalate this. he seems to think he can win against ukraine and against the west.— he can win against ukraine and against the west.

for the first time in its history, the royal college of nursing is balloting its members across the uk for strike action. the union says if the strikes went ahead, they would not affect emergency care. the rcn wants a pay rise for its members of 5% on top of the 12% rpi rate of inflation. so far there's been no offer coming close to that. in england and wales, nhs staff, including nurses, are being offered an average increase of 4.75%. it's higher in scotland, with no decision yet in northern ireland. the rcn says average pay for a full—time established nurse was just above £32,000 last year — similar to average pay across the economy. our business correspondent caroline davies reports. through the darkest days of the pandemic, the uk's nurses were some of the nation's heroes. now they are being balloted to strike over pay. my love for it was to make

a difference in people's lives and that is why i am here. but then sometimes when i look at it, it is like is it really worth it? victoria is a mental—health nurse in an nhs trust. after she came back from maternity leave, she went part—time something no uk nation has offered. the ballot will open today until the 2nd of november. nurses in northern ireland have

been on strike before, but if this vote goes through, it will be the first time in the rcn's106—year history that there has been a nationwide strike. not all nurses would walk out. some, whose work is considered to be life preserving, or if it was not administered would lead to permanent disability, will continue to work, too. but this strike is intended to disrupt and it is likely to come at a time when winter pressure is starting to build. the rcn say they have no other choice. is this the responsible thing to do, to take strike action, when we are coming into winter? you see, this is about nurses trying to get ministers to actually stand up and listen to the dire straits they are in trying every day to look after their patients. the department of health and social care in england has said it values the work of nhs nurses and is supporting them by giving them a pay rise of at least £1400 a year. scotland's health secretary suggested yesterday that he would be making an improved offer. other unions are also planning or have started

balloting their health workers. there may be anger over pay, but any form of strike will affect patient care. caroline davies, bbc news. the prime minister is attending the first meeting of a new political club of european nations. more than a0 countries are attending the summit in prague of the european political community, a grouping first mooted by the french president emmanuel macron. it's thought liz truss will seek to reassert the uk's role in europe. let's speak to our europe correspondentjessica parker. what's on the agenda? and what do they hope to achieve? liz truss strode into the meeting today for european that is not quite the eu. eu countries are here but more than a0 nations have turned up for a meeting unique in its scale and context. the context is russia's

invasion of ukraine but also issues like the apparent sabotage of the gas pipelines. there are huge fears i think about energy security and supply in europe this winter but something i think they will also try to do is send a message of solidarity to ukraine. president zelensky is set to dial in via video link. leaders will have ones. liz truss has bilateral meetings including emmanuel macron, whether it is energy, security or migration. but they only have an afternoon and working dinner to look at the issues which leads to questions about what can really be delivered by the summit. for britain, could it be a reset in post—brexit relations with europe? there is a row about post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland and talks will be restarted today but liz truss said it is right to work with friends and allies. but she stresses this is not

allies. but she stresses this is not a summit, eu construct. but today can be regarded as the start of a political experiment that could either fizzle out or be the beginning of something pretty big. thank you. the chancellor has hold a meeting with the heads of high street banks amid turmoil in the mortgage sector sparked by his mini—budget. kwasi kwarteng sat down with senior executives ahead of his plans to loosen regulation in the financial services sector. the labour leader sir keir starmer said the mini—budget is putting hundreds of pounds on people's mortgage bills and he called it the opposite of a plan for growth. rents could be frozen in scotland until the end of march next year, under emergency legislation expected to be passed in the scottish parliament today. the bill comes in response to the cost of living crisis and a rise in rents by as much as 30%. but landlords say the proposals are not a viable solution. our scotland correspondent

lorna gordon reports. this person has been renting a flat in glasgow the last three years. in that time she has had one increase in rent she pays and now faces another hike. her landlord said a new flatmate means a new contract is required and is increasing the rent. right now we are paying £1100 macro this flat. the agency wants to increase it by £300 a month. the? increase it by £300 a month. they ave us a increase it by £300 a month. they gave us a warning _ increase it by £300 a month. they gave us a warning of _ increase it by £300 a month. they gave us a warning ofjust two weeks. either_ gave us a warning ofjust two weeks. either you _ gave us a warning ofjust two weeks. either you pay or you go. we gave us a warning ofjust two weeks. either you pay or you go.— either you pay or you go. we feel stressed, either you pay or you go. we feel stressed. we _ either you pay or you go. we feel stressed, we feel— either you pay or you go. we feel stressed, we feel it _ either you pay or you go. we feel stressed, we feel it has - either you pay or you go. we feel stressed, we feel it has taken - either you pay or you go. we feel. stressed, we feel it has taken over our life. xiv stressed, we feel it has taken over our life. quv ., ., , ., , our life. 3896 of households in scotland rent. _ our life. 3896 of households in scotland rent. according - our life. 3896 of households in scotland rent. according to i our life. 3896 of households in j scotland rent. according to an estimate, average rents increased by eight and a half percent last year. if passed, legislation will effectively freeze rent from the 6th of september to at least the end of

march. these changes are being fast tracked. the parliamentary scrutiny completed in days. landlord organisations think it is badly thought out legislation. it grabs headlines but may have unintended consequences, causing problems down the line. it is consequences, causing problems down the line. . consequences, causing problems down the line-_ brian - the line. it is quite quiet. brian rents out— the line. it is quite quiet. brian rents out eight _ the line. it is quite quiet. brian rents out eight properties - the line. it is quite quiet. brian rents out eight properties and l the line. it is quite quiet. brian - rents out eight properties and says landlords dealing with rising costs on rentals will be limited in what they can pass on. i on rentals will be limited in what they can pass on.— on rentals will be limited in what they can pass on. i understand the rinci - le they can pass on. i understand the principle of — they can pass on. i understand the principle of let's _ they can pass on. i understand the principle of let's be _ they can pass on. i understand the principle of let's be reasonable - principle of let's be reasonable with rent but to turn to the private sector and say you deal with our problem, for me, that is not the resolution to this. the problem being? resolution to this. the problem bein: ? . ., , resolution to this. the problem bein: ? . .,, ., resolution to this. the problem beinu? ., . ,, being? the cost of living crisis. scottish government _ being? the cost of living crisis. scottish government ministers| scottish government ministers acknowledge while landlords have been doing what they can to protect tenants, some are being hit with large increases that are hard to justify and say the cost of living

crisis is an emergency situation demanding an emergency response. our top story this lunchtime... a gunman in thailand shoots dead at least 3a people dead at least 38 people at a nursery school, many of them children. and coming up — a bbc investigation reveals an immigration official and former met officer has been posting racist content on whatsapp, triggering his suspension. coming up on the bbc news channel... lewis hamilton calls for strict punishments for any team is found to have a broken formula 1's budget cap. it comes as the governing body has delayed the publication of its inquiry. parents who lost children in what's been called the worst treatment disaster in the history of the nhs have this morning been speaking at a public inquiry. documents seen by the bbc show that at least 175 children were infected

with hiv in the 1980s after being given contaminated blood products for the clotting disorder haemophilia. our health correspondent jim reed reports. he's always been well—behaved. full of life, as usual, like little boys are, you know. linda's son michael was just a toddler when she was told he had haemophilia, a genetic disorder which stopped his blood clotting properly. siren wails in 1982, at birmingham children's hospital, he was switched to a brand—new treatment from the united states. but whole batches were contaminated with hepatitis and later hiv. the doctor, he said, "michael is hiv positive." and he just came out with it as though he was talking about the weather outside. you know what i mean? on the way home, i had to tell my husband when we got in the car.

and it was silent all the way home. we never spoke. it was such a shock, you know. if you ignore aids, it could be the death of you. linda's son was diagnosed with hiv aged just 16 in 1986, just as this hard—hitting tv campaign was launched. i tried to be so positive for him — to think that he wasn't going to pass away. and even in the hospital, the woman had me on one side and she said, "you know, michael's going to die." and i said, "no, he's not," you know. sorry. i've got a hanky here. it's just... seems like yesterday still. michael died a week before his 26th birthday. he was one of at least 175 children infected after being given the same contaminated treatment. just couldn't believe what was happening, you know. today, linda is giving evidence to the public inquiry into the disaster, alongside the parents

of other infected children. i felt as though i needed to do it to help get to the bottom of it, because i think we all want to know why it was allowed to happen. that long—running public inquiry is nowjust months away from concluding. many families will finally be hoping for some answers, decades after their loved ones were infected. jim reed, bbc news. at least 16 women and one boy have died and dozens more are missing in one of two separate tragedies of migrant boats sinking off the coast of greece. the bodies were recovered off the eastern island of lesbos after a dinghy sank. ten women were rescued but around a dozen are missing. meanwhile, in southern greek waters, at least 60 people are missing after their boat smashed into rocks near the island of kythira. gunmen have shot dead the mayor of a small town in western mexico and at least 17 others,

officials say. police say gunmen stormed the san miguel totolapan town hall on wednesday. pictures show the building riddled with bullet holes. the attack has been blamed on a local criminal gang which is linked to a powerful drug cartel. the home office has suspended an immigration official after a bbc newsnight investigation revealed he had been posting racist content on the messaging site whatsapp. rob lewis, a former metropolitan police officer, is understood to have created the group which also includes other former officers. the whatsapp group was active until the start of this week, with discriminatory material being shared. newsnight�*s uk editor, sima kotecha, reports. a whatsapp group with several former metropolitan police officers on it. the content is vile — racist, misogynistic, homophobic, pornographic. it's so offensive we have chosen not to show it. this one is horrific.

yeah. dave eden was a police officer for almost 30 years. he retired in 2010 and has been on the group since it started in 2016 as what he calls a silent observer. there is frequent use of the p—word. erm... there are references to black politicians which are extremely unpleasant. the entire undertone is one of racism and misogyny. throughout his career he has collected evidence showing examples of prejudice in policing. if these are former police officers, why should we be worried? it doesn't matter whether they are retired or whether they are serving, we're introducing them into that culture and we're allowing it to continue. the founder of the group and the chief poster of racist

content is rob lewis, a former metropolitan police officer. he has now been suspended from a role at the uk border force following this bbc investigation. i called him to ask why he was sharing such offensive material. i'm actually at work at the moment, so i can't really give you the time. well, we've been speaking to a whistle—blower about a whatsapp group with serving and former diplomatic protection officers on it... hello? he's hung up. he did not respond to our messages, either. the home office told us... "these messages are vile and deplorable. the new met commissioner has previously acknowledged a problem with racism in the force. while there is no evidence to suggest this whatsapp group

includes any current officers, the bbc has heard from serving met police officers that racist content is still doing the rounds. the met told us that these messages are abhorrent and have absolutely no place in policing or society. where such behaviour is identified, it would be dealt with robustly and the force would actively seek out those whose actions brought shame on it. they urged dave eden to talk to them, pointing out that he had declined when asked earlier this year. dave eden is now submitting the evidence he has gathered to an independent inquiry into the met. well, this group tells me that the culture of the metropolitan police hasn't changed. and, in fairness, it's notjust this group, its other groups, it's what i'm hearing out of the mouths of ex—colleagues and what i'm witnessing all the time. sima kotecha, bbc news. and you can hear more on that story

from sima on newsnight tonight at 2230 on bbc two. for the first time, all universities are being told the latest covid hospital numbers in england show the number of admissions being the highest daily numbers since latejuly. it was up more than a third on the number the previous monday. some of the admissions were for patients with other conditions who also tested positive for the virus. for the first time, all universities are being told to contact a student's trusted relative, friend or carer if serious concerns develop about their mental health, even without the student's permission. the new guidance from universities uk says students should register a trusted contact when they start their course. the advice is aimed at preventing student suicides. our education correspondent hazel shearing is here. and this comes after a series of tragic cases?—

and this comes after a series of trauic cases? . , , ., tragic cases? there have been some instances where _ tragic cases? there have been some instances where individual _ instances where individual institutions have improved or changed their information sharing policies in response to the death of a student, so what we then have is a patchwork of policies across the uk. and this guidance sets out for the first time the expectations on all universities. so, what does this mean for students? it means that students, when they enrol at university they are going to be asked for a trusted contact, it does not have to be a parent, it can be a friend, housemate. they are going to be told that that contact will be reached out to in the event that the university has serious concerns about the student's mental health. they will try to get permission but there might be instances where that is not possible. has there might be instances where that is not possible.— is not possible. has there been any reaction to — is not possible. has there been any reaction to this _ is not possible. has there been any reaction to this from _ is not possible. has there been any reaction to this from student - reaction to this from student representatives? 50. reaction to this from student representatives?— reaction to this from student representatives? reaction to this from student reresentatives? ., ., ., ., representatives? so, the national of students, representatives? so, the national of students. first _ representatives? so, the national of students, first of _ representatives? so, the national of students, first of all _ representatives? so, the national of students, first of all it _ representatives? so, the national of students, first of all it is _ students, first of all it is important to point out actually that there is no way of mandating this, there is no way of mandating this, there is no way of mandating this, there is no way to make it mandatory for all students to hand over the

details of a trusted contact, but the national union of teachers has said that universities need to make it very clear that vulnerable students should not be put off from reaching out for help or coming forward for help. —— students. i have also said that this is all very well, they welcome the policy, but actually more funding needs to be put into student mental health services. the uk's biggest movie event, the london film festival, got under way last night. over the next week it will feature more than 150 films showcasing british talent and oscar hopefuls. the opening film was the world premiere of matilda the musical. our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba was there. the west end smash is now a big—screen movie. the world premiere of matilda the musical is opening this year's london full festival. this year's london film festival. it boasts an all—star cast including dame emma thomson as miss trunchbull.

how much of an honour does it feel to have this film opening the london film festival this year? i mean, i was so, so surprised, because, i don't know why i was surprised, because, i suppose, it's been around for a while, the story, and it's the london film festival, obviously, which normally opens with, i don't know, martin mcdonagh's latest, you know. and i think it's a wonderful thing to have chosen. the festival will be showing several films hoping for success in the forthcoming oscar season. she said details one of the decade's most significant stories, the new york times investigation into harvey weinstein, which helped launch the me too movement. the only way these women are going to go on the record is if they all jump together. we're all here, harvey. who have you talked to? while empire of light is set in a cinema in the 1980s. it stars academy award winners olivia colman and colin firth alongside bafta winner michael ward.

now, it might be called the london film festival, but it isn'tjust limited to the capital. more than a dozen films from here will also be screened to audiences around the country. including oscar hopeful the banshees of inisherin, about two men's fractured friendship... now, if i've done something to you, just tell me what i've done to you. well, didn't do anything to me. ijust don't like you know more. but you liked me yesterday. ..my policeman, starring harry styles, whose character finds himself attracted to another man, at a time when a same—sex relationship like this was illegal... and the sequel to comedy drama knives out, glass onion. last month, its star, daniel craig, told me about his love for this new franchise. everyone... is in danger. it's a joy, because rianjohnson is such a wonderful director, and i would work with him for the rest of my life, if i could. but also, to have such an amazing cast, like this.

this time last year, daniel craig was bringing his time as bond to a close. this time, his new film is bringing this 12 day event to a close, because it has the coveted final film slot at this year's london film festival. lizo mzimba, bbc news. time for a look at the weather now with tomasz schafernaker. this picture i think sums it up pretty well for the next few days, we've got the wind in the forecast, that is for sure, showers as well, and they are quite frequent today across north—western parts of the country and will continue into tomorrow as well. so we will call it a classic mixed bag across the uk. and thejet stream remains strong over the man pushing in the weather systems. but further south we are actually closer to high pressure here, so, from the tip of cornwall to the tip of kent, actually the weather is not bad at all, and the satellite picture

reveals the sunshine right across