a landmark decision. the new model, which will be rolled out in 2019, will be built in oxford, where workers welcomed the news. it's great for the business, and we are very thrilled that we are going to be part of this huge success, hopefully. it means that there is no problem with the thoughts of them closing it down because of brexit, so it's very good news. we'll be asking how far bmw's decision reflects confidence in britain as it approaches brexit. also tonight... the parents of the terminally ill baby charlie gard plead with a high courtjudge to let him return home to die. staff shortages in the nhs — more than 86,000 posts were vacant in the first three months of this year. how long will he last? america's attorney—general faces yet more public criticism, from his own boss. i told you before, i'm very disappointed with the attorney general. but we will see what happens. time will tell.

and britain's adam peaty breaks the 50 metres breaststroke world record, becoming the first man ever to go under 26 seconds. and coming up in sportsday on bbc news, out through injury — greg rutherford says he's gutted to missing out of next month's world athletics championships. good evening. the government has hailed bmw's decision to build a fully electric version of the mini in the uk as "a vote of confidence in britain". bmw have confirmed the model will go into production in 2019, with the parts manufactured abroad, before the car is assembled

at its cowley plant near 0xford. bmw had previously expressed fears about the uncertainty surrounding brexit. today it said it had "neither sought nor received" any reassurances from the government on arrangements after britain leaves the eu. here's our transport correspondent, richard westcott. they make two thirds of the world's minis here. to the relief of workers, we now know that the new electric mini will be made here too. it's great for the business, and we're very thrilled that we will be part of this huge success, hopefully. it means there is no problem with the thoughts of them closing it down because of brexit, so it is very good news. bmw, who make the mini, had hinted for months that the work could go to the netherlands. this is a significant boost for the cowley plant, which is the birthplace of the mini. but to put it into context, it doesn't mean they are going to get a brand—new production line.

it doesn't mean significant numbers of new jobs. the investment runs to tens of millions of pounds, but bmw, earlier this year, has already announced plans to invest £180 million in a plant in germany, £540 million in a plant in america. so significant, but not big money. however, it's notjust about money, it's about politics, too. the car industry has been one of the uk's big manufacturing success stories in recent years. keeping models in the uk is a boost to the government as it tries to negotiate its brexit deal. we are determined to make britain the go—to place for the next generation of vehicles. they've got a fantastic workforce in oxford already, and that combination of planning for the future has convinced them to back britain. the uk car industry has been pushing hard for up brexit deal that still allows free trade with the eu. since the referendum vote, nissan has promised to make two new models at its huge sunderland plant.

toyota is spending a quarter of a billion updating this facility near derby. still experts say the real test is yet to come. i don't think this tells us very much about brexit at all. this is an adaptation of an existing car. the big, big questions will be when bmw produces a new mini, and companies like vauxhall produce the next generation astra. the decision, will they decide to invest and produce in the uk, or will the uncertainty about the future of our relationship with europe put them off staying in the uk? so, a good day for the uk car industry, but the government is still under enormous pressure to cut a brexit deal that secures its long—term future. richard westcott, bbc news, 0xford. 0ur deputy political editor, john pienaar, is in westminster. to what extent is this a vote of confidence in the uk economy and on brexit? ministers are unnaturally keen this

is seen as a vote of confidence in britain and brexiteer is wanted to be seen as evidence that britain has nothing to fear as it heads towards the exit of the european union. it is not the only encouraging news. amazon has said it is expanding its uk operation. but there is discouragement and encouragement wherever you look. easyjet and deutsche bank are two important companies that have started to move investment to the continent of europe as a safeguard against brexit. for the rest of us, we have learned that britain will continue to bea learned that britain will continue to be a major economic player during and after brexit. none of it will persuade those who have doubts that britain will come through this without taking a knock. everything depends on those negotiations. ministers want and need free—flowing trade between britain and the continent. what business leaders and european leaders want is certainty. although there is plenty of

pessimism and optimism among politicians at westminster, certainty now and for the foreseeable future is a commodity which is going to be in short supply. john pienaar. the parents of the terminally ill baby charlie gard are tonight waiting to find out if they'll be able to take him home to die. having abandoned their fight to keep charlie alive, his mother connie yates returned to the high court to ask that her son leave great 0rmond street hospital. a judge will make the final decision tomorrow. charlie's parents are now pleading for a doctor who can help them to come forward. our medical correspondent, fergus walsh, reports. the legal battle over this desperately sick boy now centres on where and how soon he dies. charlie needs a mechanical ventilator to breathe. he is tube fed and cannot move. yesterday, his parents gave up theirfight to take him to the united states, and agreed no more treatment could help him. but charlie's mum, connie, was back at court this afternoon, to make it clear

she did not want him to die in the intensive care unit, where he's been since october. the parents‘ lawyer said it was their last wish that charlie dies at home, for a few days of tranquillity outside the hospital setting. lawyers for the parents said they would pay private nurses to take over his care, and seek to recover the costs from the nhs. but the court heard there were practical issues to be resolved — for example, whether charlie's ventilator would fit through their front door. in a statement, great 0rmond street hospital said it wanted to honour the parents‘ wishes, but the care plan must be safe, it must spare charlie all pain and it must protect his dignity. charlie is a child who requires highly specialised treatment. the dispute over where and how

soon charlie should die typifies the utter breakdown in the relationship between the parents and the hospital. the judge, mrjustice francis, said this was a matter crying out for mediation. great 0rmond street said it offered that, but the parents have refused. the judge said the parents were entitled to decide where they spent the next few days, but it should not extend into weeks. that would be unacceptable, as it would simply extend the grieving process. charmian evans lost her son, guy, when he was five. he was profoundly disabled and tube fed. she had searched for a cure. they've got to learn to let him go at all sorts of levels. they've got to know that stuff happens and they mustn't be bitter because it will eat them. there's no point in that. what they've got to do is look

at all the positive things. the hospital has offered a compromise. charlie can be transferred to a hospice, where doctors from great 0rmond is the would supervise his palliative care and death after a period of some hours. his parents said they want days, not hours, and a hospice is a second—best option. fergus wallace, bbc news at the high court. the fate of the us attorney—general appears to be hanging in the balance, as president trump today called him "weak", and said he was disappointed in him, a day after saying he was "beleaguered". the president has criticised jeff sessions for intelligence leaks. 0ur north america editor, jon sopel, is in washington. it is hardly the stuff from the human resources handbook. have the

boss publicly humiliate and undermine you repeatedly. that is what is unfolding in washington at the moment. donald trump's catchphrase as the host of the apprentice was, you are fired. 0ver the attorney general it seems hard to avoid begins reason that he wants jeff sessions to fire himself. what is certainly clear it is hard to believe this situation can carry on like this much longer. jeff sessions, the man who presides over america's judicial system, seemingly about to face rough justice from his boss and one—time close friend, the president. for the past two days, donald trump has taken potshots at his top law enforcement officer via twitter. today... yesterday... the president of the united states and the president of the council of ministers of the republic of lebanon. and the president heaped further

ignominy on the attorney—general in a rose garden news conference this afternoon over sessions‘ decision to step aside from the russian investigation. i am disappointed in the attorney—general. he should not have recused himself almost immediately after he took office. and if he was going to recuse himself, he should have told me prior to taking office. and i would have quite simply picked somebody else. but, come on, reporters demanded, are you going to fire the attorney—general? i told you before, i'm very disappointed with the attorney—general, but we will see what happens. time will tell. if sessions does go over the whole russia investigation, then he willjoin the former fbi directorjames comey sacked over this issue, and the former national security adviser michael flynn, who was fired after lying about his contacts with the russians. all of which begs the question, what happens next to robert mueller, the special counsel called on to investigate the sprawling

russia investigation? if he goes, that is bound to lead to charges that the president is trying to obstructjustice. and who knows where that will lead. with these bewildering developments, in the senate the democrats fired a warning shot. many americans must be wondering if the president is trying to pry open the office of attorney—general to appoint someone during the august recess who will fire special counsel mueller and shutdown the russian investigation. even if the president has disagreements with him, which i think founded, self—centred and wrong, you don't ridicule him in public. someone who is your close friend. that speaks to character. senatorjeff sessions! jeff sessions was the first senator to endorse donald trump

during the campaign, giving his candidacy a massive boost and has given the president unswerving loyalty ever since. it is not being reciprocated. jon sopel, bbc news, washington. more than 86,000 nhs posts were vacant in england in the first three months of this year. the latest figures show the number of vacancies were up by almost 8,000 compared with the same period last year, with nursing and midwife jobs worst affected. the royal college of nursing says patient care is suffering, but the government insists it is investing in front line staff. our health correspondent, dominic hughes, reports. looking after people when they are at their most vulnerable, providing compassionate and professional care is the main challenge and biggest reward for nurse michelle turner at the royal blackburn teaching hospital. it is a tough job that carries enormous responsibilities. it is a privilege to be a nurse, to be valued in the

job that i do. to have people put their lives in your hands on a daily basis. and it is the biggest privilege that you can have. but finding more nurses seems to be a problem, according to a new analysis of the nhsjobs being advertised. around 86,000 nhs posts in england were recorded as vacant in the first three months of this year. in march alone, more than 30,000 jobs were advertised, 4,000 more than the same period the previous year. the majority of those unfilled this march were nurses and midwives. today's figures indicate that many hospital trusts across england are struggling notjust to recruit staff, but to retain them as well. so hospitals are having to think about cleverer, smarter, more flexible ways of using those staff they already have. growing patient demand has meant that, like many hospitals, the royal blackburn has created extra nursing post. but that doesn't make it any easier to recruit qualified staff to fill those jobs, and that may be one factor driving the increasing number of vacancies. but that doesn't make it any easier to recruit qualified

staff to fill those jobs, and that may be one factor driving the increasing number of vacancies. we have had recruitment problems as a trust, similar to most trusts across the country, to be fair. but we have had a significant drive on recruitment. we have open recruitment days, we have been out internationally to recruit, we have used social media. the data for england reflects similar problems across the uk. but experts warn recruitment is a long—term issue with no simple solution. it's difficult because of the time it takes to train doctors and nurses. it's hard to predict how many you will need in five or ten years' time, or how policy will change. we have mitigated the risk in the past by getting staff from overseas, particularly from the european union. that is becoming harder with brexit. we also have issues around morale and retention. the department of health in england says staffing is a priority, but more money being invested in front—line positions. collating job adverts may, in fact, underestimate the real level of

staff shortages. 0ne ad may be for several posts. but it does highlight the ongoing problems the nhs faces with staff recruitment and retention. dominic hughes, bbc news, blackburn. house builders could be banned from selling leaseholds on newly—built houses in england. leaseholds are on the increase — and they can lead to exorbitant and unexpected costs for the homeowner. the government has called the practice unjust and unnecessary. here's danny savage. we all know that britain needs more homes. but the terms and conditions attached to some new—build houses in england are causing a great deal of distress. traditionally, houses have nearly always been sold as freehold properties, meaning the buyer owns the building and the land it is built on. however, there has been a growing trend to sell houses as leasehold, meaning the buyer doesn't actually own the land. in some cases, the freeholds are sold on to investment companies, who can charge a lot more.

today's report found one owner believed they would be able to buy the freehold in the future for £2000. but the final bill was 20 times that. the leaseholder also has to pay ground rent to the freeholder. traditionally, a small amount — but that figure is now rising. claire scott bought her house in bolton four years ago. but when she recently tried to sell it, the buyers backed out when they saw a clause in the contract saying the ground rent doubled every ten years. by 2060, it will cost nearly £10,000 a year. the past 12 months have been an absolute nightmare for us. we didn't realise we had an issue with the house until we came to sell it and then the house sale fell through. that meant that we now have to rent out the house and we can't get the cash out of the house. that's causing us a lot of financial distress. this development on the outskirts of manchester is all new—build, leasehold properties.

it is a way for developers to make more money. but some people say there's no place for leasehold in this sort of market. and the government agrees. what we're talking about here are houses that are being sold on leasehold, thousands of them, for no good reason, and then once they are sold the people that have purchased them are exposed to these ever—increasing ground rents. it's not acceptable, it's wrong. enough is enough and we are taking action. critics say the government has known about and ignored the issue for a long time. and this consultation doesn't definitely mean things will change. pressure groups say the situation is a scandal. it's not only the people who thought they were buying a home, many of these people were assisted by the help to buy scheme. this means we have been underwriting their mortgages by 20% to get first—time buyers onto the property ladder. these properties now can't be sold. the builders have taken us all for a ride and they've got to make things right. house—builders say leasehold does work for some developments, and they are committed

to being fair. but the government now wants to ban leasehold contracts for newly built houses in england. danny savage, bbc news, manchester. there have been heated exchanges this evening, as survivors of the grenfell tower disaster met with the judge leading the inquiry into the fire. sir martin moore—bick was told that residents have no confidence in him or the panel. our home affairs correspondent, tom symonds, is in west london, where the meeting took place. it was another fractious meeting. tell us more about what was said. as this meeting went on, the chairman sirmartin this meeting went on, the chairman sir martin moore—bick was face it with growing levels of anger from people who live in this area and had come to hear what he was saying. some said to him, we have no confidence in you, you don't look like as. others said, you're very presence here is an affront. he said he would be independent and get to

the bottom of the grand for fire tragedy. richard miller qc said tom i'm proud to live in a country which is set up an independent enquiry of pretty dull people but determined to root out the truth. the chairman rejected suggestions he could order the arrests of guilty people and said he had no power to do that. that was the job of the police who investigate criminality but his job was to find facts. his job is to come up with recommendations for the prime minister about the scope of this enquiry. she will make the final decision and that decision is expected next month. tom, thank you. uk animal welfare standards could be under threat after brexit if farmers are left to compete against cheaper, less regulated rivals from outside the european union. that's according to a house of lords committee which says the government must insist on similar standards in any new trade agreements to avoid a race to the bottom on welfare. here's our science editor david shukman. voiceover: chicken and turkey are an all—american favourite.

a hard sell from the american food industry. with industrial scale farms and fewer rules about caring for animals, costs are far lower than here. and a house of lords committee worries about the impact of a trade deal with america. welfare standards are nothing like the leading globally ones we have here in united kingdom so british farmers can be undercut. if that happens then we could potentially see family farms going out of business, the whole countryside changing. at the moment, the welfare of british animals is largely governed by european regulations. ministers keep saying they won't water those down, but along with welfare come other questions about the future of safety standards in food. for example, the way american chickens are processed is very different to here. the use of food grain antimicrobial rinses... in particular the way the carcasses are rinsed in chlorine. this is now a kind of political football in the debate

about how we leave the eu. so what are the facts about chickens and chlorine? well, in europe, the approach to food hygiene is called farm to fork, keeping chickens as clean as possible through every stage. by contrast, in america, farmers are allowed a lower standard of hygiene while the chickens are alive because when they are killed they are immersed in that chlorinem a bit stronger than you'd chlorine a bit stronger than you'd find in a summing poolm to kill any bacteria. find in a swimming poolm to kill any bacteria. find in a swimming pool to kill any bacteria. now the european food standards agency concluded that there is no safety concern about this. even so, chickens washed in chlorine are banned by the eu so what next? well, tonight the international trade secretary in washington denied any of this would be a problem. there's no food safety issue with chlorine—washed goods because the european union themselves say that is perfectly safe. i think more of an issue would be around the animal welfare issues that that might suggest

and of course we've got no intention of reducing the quality and standards of our regulation. so with a new trade deal in prospect, what do consumers make of this? at the new forest show in hampshire, we asked if people wanted cheaper prices of the kind american farmers might offer? or would they prefer better welfare for animals? a combination of both. welfare. animals. a combination of both. why can't they achieve both? that's a tricky one, isn't it? no, it isn't, not at all. animalwelfare, definitely. this is a nation of animal lovers, but it's also a time of pressure on people's incomes and the prospect of cheaper food from beyond europe may well be alluring. david shukman, bbc news. in syria, us—backed kurdish forces are now thought to have gained control of nearly half the city of raqqa, the last remaining stronghold of so—called islamic state. the offensive has led thousands to flee the city, including some families of is militants.

the bbc‘s shaimaa khalil has spoken to one of the is wives who has just fled the city and who's now being held on its outskirts. they came from different parts of the world with one aim — to join the self—proclaimed caliphate. now they've escaped and are being held by the kurdish forces in northern syria. iman and her husband left tunisia for raqqa, the so—called islamic state stronghold. he wanted to be a fighter. she says she wanted to live a proper islamic life. i had many questions and i managed to send them to her. iman, i'm just wondering if you saw other videos, videos of beheadings, of them burning people alive? were you not put off by that? how did you think

that was proper islam? but she says when they arrived it wasn't what they expected. iman‘s husband is now in a kurdish—run prison outside raqqa. it's hard to determine whether the women who escaped are all victims. at some point they were all part of the so—called islamic state. iman‘s son was born in raqqa.

now she's hoping he'll grow up as far away from the islamic state as she can take him. do you think they'll take you back easily and how do you expect them to believe you or forgive you when you've been part of the so—called islamic state? these children know nothing but life under the islamic state. for now they and their mothers are stuck between a caliphate they fled and homelands that may not want them back. shaimaa khalil bbc news. britain's adam peaty has had an extraordinary day at the swimming world championships in hungary. at 22, he had already accomplished the feat of swimming

the ten fastest times ever in the 100 metres breaststroke. and today he smashed his own record, not once but twice, in the 50 metres. here's our sports correspondentjoe wilson. commentator: this is perfect from peaty. adam peaty is human. there are things he does which might make you doubt that. but wait until he's in the water. tuesday morning he woke up, went to the pool in budapest for a heat in the 50 metres breast stroke. just a heat. he just needed to get through. 0h, a world record. well he hadn't really meant to do that. i wanted it but i don't know if i wanted it in the heats, but you can't pick and choose but i'm so grateful to obviously be in front of that crowd and hopefully again tonight we'll push it on a bit further. at 5:15 uk time, peaty was back. the semifinal of the 50 metres. you know him by his reputation. he barely needs a name. peaty in lane four, already the world 100 metres champion.

victories come so frequently for him he needs records to motivate him. swimming 50 metres in a pool is something a lot of people try. how quickly do you think it's possible to do it? well peaty was travelling at a pace even the most experienced observers could barely believe. peaty is starting to streak ahead. this is the 50 metres breast stroke and look at this. 26.10 is the world—record. 25.95. i never thought i would live to see the day when a breast stroke swimmer would go 25 seconds. coming out there tonight, i was a bit down because it's been such an emotional last few days. i was like, right, get yourself up for it and do what i do and i'm not going to waste a day, i'm not going to waste an opportunity because i don't know when it's going to be my last. ijust went out there tonight and did what i do. well, peaty is only 22 so let's expect more opportunities, starting with the final tomorrow. two world—record tuesday? even by peaty‘s standards, that's special. joe wilson, bbc news. it's 50 years this week since the laws on homosexuality

were amended in england and wales. our special correspondent allan little has been looking at what the changes to the sexual 0ffences act meant in 1967 and how they affected people in the years that followed. in 1967 a change in the law did not bring a change in attitudes. this is the bbc‘s man alive programme. voiceover: for many of us this is revolting. men dancing with men. homosexuals in this country today break the law. these two have lived together for 26 years. they might almost be a married couple but they are still queer, in the minority. thousands of men went to prison. few dared speak publically. i couldn't believe just because i wanted somebody to love me and to have friendship i had to suffer all this. they put me in a cell and i was in a cell from saturday afternoon until monday morning. i never slept. ijust sat and cried. this is a celebration to mark

the anniversary of the act, hosted by an lgbt group for the over 50s called 0pening doors. some here were sexually active when it was still a criminal offence. well, it's like living in an alien society, it's like being a spy. very clandestine. i had to just make out a false lifestyle really. it is like being non—existent, you know, like you just weren't there, so it was confidence—sapping. the act did not apply to scotland or northern ireland and even