welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm monica miller. the headlines... a former policeman in thailand kills at least 38 people at a nursery school — most of them children. what could have driven this man to carry out such a cruel and desperate act? president biden pardons all americans convicted of marijuana possession under federal laws and urges state governors to follow his lead. russian missiles hit residential buildings in the ukrainian city of zaporizhzhia — the bbc�*s correspondent is there.

and matilda the musical makes waves as it opens this year's london film festival. live from our studio in singapore, this is_ live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc— live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. _ live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's _ live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. . it's 6am in the morning in singapore, and 5am in thailand where at least 38 people, mostly young children, have been killed by a gunman at a nursery school. he was a former police officer who'd been dismissed from his job and was facing trial on drugs charges. he entered the school in the town of utthai sawan in northern thailand with a gun and a knife and attacked teachers and children. he then killed himself, his wife and son. our south east asia correspondent jonathan head is at the scene. and a warning, his report contains

some very distressing images. this is a community now consumed by grief and shock. that children so young had been deliberately killed by a fellow parent. there, and then opened fire. translation: it all. went down really fast. he was slashing the knife, he didn't use the gun, he kept slashing in there, it's all by knife. translation: he was in the middle of reloading the gun. _ i held my hands up and begged for mercy. i didn't know what to do. survivors were taken to the nearest hospital. but there weren't many. the authorities say the attacker was a former police officer who had been arrested and was being tried on drug charges. they removed the last of the victims from this day care centre a few hours ago and there is little left now to indicate the horrific events

that took place here. there is a stunned disbelief not just in this village but across thailand that however troubled his life may have been, this former police officer could have carried out such a cruel and desperate act. a few distraught family members stayed close by hoping for answers but there were none. this woman is lucky to have survived. she is a teacher at the centre. she described hearing the first shots as she was preparing lunch. she recognised the gunmen as a parent she said. "but we never thought he would attack the children." this country is accustomed to gun crime. but nothing on this scale involving so many children. our south east asia correspondent jonathan head reporting. thai journalist hathairat phaholtap was at the scene of the shooting.

she described what she saw. you know, like, isaw they were parents waiting for their kids body to return home. but the kids' bodies are still in the hospital. they try to investigate, like, their bodies. after that, they will return their body to their parents. like, talking at least 15 people, like, 15 people who were waiting for their kid to return home, without... without. .. so, they were crying, they were choked, some people speak less. some people said they couldn't, they had no tears to cry any more.

us presidentjoe biden is pardoning all priorfederal offences of marijuana possession and is ordering a review of its legal status. mr biden said that thousands of people have been denied employment, housing or education because of their past offences. he also urged state governors to follow suit. for more on this, i am joined now by our correspondent peter bowes who is in los angeles. how many people will this pardon impact on a federal level? this will affect about _ impact on a federal level? this will affect about 6500 _ impact on a federal level? this will affect about 6500 people, - impact on a federal level? this will affect about 6500 people, people | impact on a federal level? this will. affect about 6500 people, people who have a conviction for simple possession of marijuana as it relates to the federal laws, very distinct from local laws, from state convictions, which is quite separate and may well be addressed in the future. and the president saying he is doing this because to use his

words, the sir —— the current situation has upended too many lives, and what he is referring to are the difficulties faced by people with these convictions is getting on with these convictions is getting on with their lives, is getting a job, is getting access to housing or education, how it affects them and their close families. and that is what he wants to bring an end to, and of course the wider implications as well, some people see this perhaps of the end, in terms of the criminalisation of the use of marijuana. criminalisation of the use of marijuana-— criminalisation of the use of mari'uana. ., ., marijuana. he has also called on governors _ marijuana. he has also called on governors of— marijuana. he has also called on governors of us _ marijuana. he has also called on governors of us states _ marijuana. he has also called on governors of us states which - marijuana. he has also called on i governors of us states which have their own laws on this matter to consider following suit, their own laws on this matter to considerfollowing suit, have their own laws on this matter to consider following suit, have we heard any reaction from any governors so far? heard any reaction from any rovernors so far? ,., ., , ., ., governors so far? governors are not reactin: governors so far? governors are not reacting directly — governors so far? governors are not reacting directly to _ governors so far? governors are not reacting directly to this _ governors so far? governors are not reacting directly to this and - reacting directly to this and clearly this is going to be, at least not yet, this is going to be a biblical hot potato because while there are many states across the country —— a political hot potato,

many states where the use is legal, even more states use it for medicinal states, and there are states whether use of marijuana is illegal, and for political and for personal reasons, there will be some opposition to the relaxing of laws, as they relate to marijuana, but while saying that there is a majority of people, at least according to opinion polls, that believe the laws should be relaxed. peter bowes, thank you very much for that update. rescue workers in the ukrainian city of zaporizhzhia are continuing their search for people buried in the rubble, after russian missiles hit residential buildings on thursday. volunteers formed human chains to dig through the debris, and sniffer dogs are being used to try to locate survivors. the attacks come as the ukrainian army continues to make dramatic progress against russian forces in the east and south of the country. our correspondent paul adams reports 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. they know what war looks and sounds like, but they're 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. alla has relatives living in the building. she doesn't think they're alive. translation: why are they doing this to us? | what are they trying to prove? killing old people, why? for what? this morning's attacks came with no warning. 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. at a third building, a miraculous escape. russia is lashing out, firing missiles and drones into cities across ukraine.

it feels desperate and dangerous. paul adams, bbc news, zaporizhzhia. russia's invasion of ukraine has disrupted energy markets and forced many countries to draw up contingency plans to get over the coming winter. the national grid — which operates britain's electricity and gas supply systems — has warned that in the worst case scenario, consumers could face rolling power cuts. here's our business correspondent emma simpson. will we be able to keep the lights on this winter? we need gas notjust to heat our homes but to produce a lot of electricity as well. national grid says these are unprecedented times,

thanks to the war on ukraine and its impact on gas supplies from russia. you can see from this chart we produce nearly half of our gas from the north sea. the rest is imports, and only a fraction from russia. of course that is now gone. but other countries where much more dependent on russian gas — those supplies have been slashed and there is a scramble for new sources. if it is cold in december, at the start of the winter, when european inventories of gas are high, then we might be all right. gas will follow the highest price, that might be here, that might be in europe, but there will be enough to meet demand. but as inventories are drawn down on over the winter and into january, there is a risk that there won't be enough physical molecules to go around. and that's when the scenario that national grid set out of the potential for power cuts could come into play. during her leadership campaign, liz truss ruled out any rationing. in france, they have talked about the possibility of energy rationing. can you rule that out, liz truss? i do rule that out, yes. she was pressed on that commitment today but didn't repeat it.

we do have good energy supplies in the uk, we can get through the winter. but of course i'm always looking for ways that we can improve the price for consumers. that's why we've put in place the energy price guarantee, as well as making sure we have as much supply as possible. the last time we had blackouts was back in the �*705. national grid says this worst—case scenario is unlikely, but today stark warnings shows how challenging the situation is. an awful lot is riding on the weather this winter. emma simpson, bbc news. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... protests a nd protests and power cuts in cuba. we will have the latest is the island struggles to recover from the devastation left by hurricane ian last week.

this was a celebration by people who were relishing their freedom. this was a celebration by people who were relishing theirfreedom. they believe everything is going to be different from now on. they think their country will be respected in their country will be respected in the world once more, as it used to be before slobbered animal is took power. be before slobbered animal is took ower. be before slobbered animal is took .ower. ., be before slobbered animal is took ower. . ., ., power. the dalai lama, the exiled s - iritual power. the dalai lama, the exiled spiritual leader _ power. the dalai lama, the exiled spiritual leader of _ power. the dalai lama, the exiled spiritual leader of tibet _ power. the dalai lama, the exiled spiritual leader of tibet has - power. the dalai lama, the exiled spiritual leader of tibet has won . spiritual leader of tibet has won the nobel peace prize. tiara spiritual leader of tibet has won the nobel peace prize. two grenades exloded the nobel peace prize. two grenades exoloded and — the nobel peace prize. two grenades exploded and they _ the nobel peace prize. two grenades exploded and they ran _ the nobel peace prize. two grenades exploded and they ran towards - the nobel peace prize. two grenades exploded and they ran towards the i exploded and they ran towards the president— exploded and they ran towards the president firing with kalashnikov rifles _ president firing with kalashnikov rifles. �* g; :: ' :: president firing with kalashnikov rifles. �* ;;:: ':: , ., , rifles. after 430 710 years, the skeleton ribs _ rifles. after 430 710 years, the skeleton ribs emerged. - rifles. after 430 710 years, the skeleton ribs emerged. i - rifles. after 430 710 years, the skeleton ribs emerged. i want| rifles. after 430 710 years, the i skeleton ribs emerged. i want to rifles. after 430 710 years, the - skeleton ribs emerged. i want to be the people's — skeleton ribs emerged. i want to be the people's governor, _ skeleton ribs emerged. i want to be the people's governor, i— skeleton ribs emerged. i want to be the people's governor, i want - skeleton ribs emerged. i want to be the people's governor, i want to - the people's governor, i want to represent everybody, i believe in the people of california.

this is newsday. to indonesia now where six people have been charged over a football stadium disaster that killed 131 people at the weekend. a senior police chief said match organisers and police officers were among those being investigated on suspicion of criminal negligence. the bbc has been speaking to survivors and people who have lost loved ones in the crush. a warning: there's some distressing content in this report.

let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines... us media are reporting that the fbi has gathered enough evidence to charge hunter biden, the president's son, with tax and gun related crimes. he has previously denied any financial wrongdoing, and has acknowledged using crack cocaine. the us attorney in delaware , appointed by former president donald trump , will decide whether to indict him. north korea has said its missile programme is in response to recent joint drills between south korea and the united states — after pyongyang fired another two

ballistic missiles on thursday. it was its sixth set of launches in less than two weeks. north korea also accused the us of posing a serious threat to the stability of the korean peninsula, after it deployed the aircraft carrier ronald reagan to the region. the un human rights council has rejected a proposal to debate a report that contains evidence of human rights abuses in china's xinjiang province. beijing called the plan western interference, and lobbied hard against it, especially among african countries with which it has strong economic ties. the document contains evidence of torture, forced labour, and arbitrary detentions. the debate had been proposed by the us, eu countries, and britain. an investigation into four qoph

syrup manufacturers is being launched after a link between qoph syrups manufactured and the deaths of 66 children from acute kidneys, after the link has been alleged. pakistan's prime minister shehbaz sharif says he should not have to beg for help after catastrophic monsoons flooded one third of the country. he also said he would be seeking "climate justice" from the international community. the official death toll from the floods is at least 1600, though many estimates on the ground have been higher. more than nine million people have been displaced and over two million homes destroyed. cuba has been struggling to restore electricity after hurricane ian knocked out power to the entire island of 11 million people last week. long blackouts and shortages of food and water have led to a rising tide

of anger and growing protests. the hurricane hit cuba as it suffers one of its worst economic crises since former leader fidel castro's 1959 revolution. our cuba correspondent will grant reports. the protesters' anger may be over there immediate needs, electricity, water, food, but they can be no mistaking the cry on the lips — libertad — freedom. this latest misery was inflicted on cuba when hurricane ian funded across the western end of the island, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. homes and crops in pinar del rio province were ruined and power was not out to more than a million people. that has drained the rest of the grid, and soon, electricity was lost to the entire nation. 11 million cubans in the dark, where still no power means no water pumped to the taps and valuable food turning bad inside

fridges and freezers. on an island of shortages, people turn desperate. the government fearing a repeat of the mass demonstrations seen last year sent out the security forces, both in uniform and in plain clothes, armed with sticks to break up any protest. many refused to back down. this has nothing to do with politics, i'm not a communist or a capitalist, says this havana resident. this is our reality and you cannot silence it or hide it. but the cuban leadership remains unsympathetic to such a viewpoint. translation: those who act in this way claim all the rights _ that the revolution gives them but will contribute little must be argued with and confronted. certainly, hurricane ian hit cuba at the worst possible moment. it came shortly after a massive fire at the island's largest fuel depot in matanzas, which left the facility partially unusable.

socialist ally venezuela has offered to help rebuild the depot but it will take months. these twin disasters, the explosions and the storm, have deepened an energy crisis on an island already struggling with blackouts. particularly in like small communities like san antonio de los banos outside havana. without power, it is hard to keep mosquitoes away, especially from the children, says local resident ariel. the hospitals are full of patients with dengue, he adds, and that was before the hurricane hits. the energy outlook in cuba is dire, with food distribution and other basic services also affected, these have been some of the toughest a few weeks many cubans can remember. for the younger, perhaps the hardest they've ever known. there may yet, however, the harder ones ahead. will grant, bbc news.

the uk's biggest movie event, the london film festival is under way. over the next week, it will feature more than 160 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 uk's biggest movie event, the london film festival has got underway. the world premiere of matilda the musical is opening 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, iwas so, so surprised, because... i don't know why i was surprised, because, isuppose, it's been around for a while, the story, and it's the london film festival, obviously. it normally opens with,

i don't know, martin mcdonagh's latest, you know. and i think it's a wonderful thing to have chosen. 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 alljump together. 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 including a film with 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

knives out, glass onion. last month, its star daniel craig told me about his love for this new franchise. 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. the film will close the festival in ten days' time. one last story for you, in the quiet and picturesque surroundings of a national park in alaska, a battle is on. it's known as fat bear week. as bears in alaska's katmai national gorge themselves on salmon ahead of the winter, admirers are voting to crown one lucky bear, the fattest of them all. voting is open until 11 october — fat bear tuesday — when the champion will be crowned. and that is it for us now here on bbc world news, i am monica miller, goodbye for now.

the unsettled theme is lasting through the end of the week but into the weekend it looks like high pressure will build in to settle things down for many of us, more wet and windy weather will arrive across the north and west of the country on sunday. friday is another windy day, could even see a spell of rain associated with this weather front which will spread southwards across england and wales. some of the rain could be heavy and score late for a short time, some rumbles of thunder as it continues to advance south was. ahead of it, breezy and warm and sunny spells, and behind it cooler and fresher, with scattered

showers, some will be heavy across western scotland. gus will be high, particularly across northern and western scotland. cool mid—teens in the north. the squally line of heavy rain moves out of the south—east eventually, overnight into dry and southern areas more showers in the north—west scotland, not as many as a last few nights, then it will feel quite chilly. the winds will ease down because we have this ridge of high pressure building in fez at that i so fewer isobars, lighter winds, still some showers affecting the north and west of scotland, close to the area of low pressure sitting across scandinavia and denmark. a lot of dry, settled sunny weather on saturday, very pleasant in england and wales, lots of sunshine, bit more cloud further north, temperatures here 13 to 15 celsius. doesn't last long through

sunday, next area of wet and windy weather moves in the north and west. part two of the weekend will be nice in that south, with a lot of dry, sunny and usable weather. further north and west it will be wetter and windier, heavier rain at times. as we move into next week, monday and tuesday look fine for many of us, thanks to the ridge of high pressure, before more wet and windy weather moves later in the week so weather moves later in the week so we start next week off on a fine note, a good deal of sunshine around, variable cloud, and then it has unsettled again. —— and then it turns unsettled again.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a gunman has killed 38 people— including at least 22 children — at a nursery school in thailand. the suspect — a recently dismissed police officer — killed himself and his family. children as young as two were among the victims. president biden has pardoned all americans convicted of marijuana possession under federal laws — he's urged state governors to follow his lead. residential buildings have been hit by missiles — in the city of zaporizhzhia as russia strikes back after the ukrainian military made rapid gains.

at least seven people have been killed in the latest attack against civilians. president zelensky has appealled to european leaders for more weapons. addressing a new forum of 40 nations, he said his country had