this is bbc news. the headlines: the british parliament has rejected a series of plans put forward by mps as alternatives to the prime minister's brexit deal. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers earlier, theresa may in north america promised to step down if her deal is approved. and around the globe. our top stories: she hopes it will be given a third vote before the end of the week. the plane manufacturer, boeing, has unveiled changes no brexit breakthrough: to software on the 737 max model, british mps reject a range which has crashed twice in the past six months. of options to end the deadlock. it's designed to make it easier for pilots to override to remind ourselves what we've the anti—stall system, which is believed to have malfunctioned on the lion air flight decided to do. nothing! nothing! which crashed last october. in myanmar, the army has been theresa may still hopes to push her deal through holding its annual parade with a promise to step in the face of widespread down as prime minister, international condemnation but key allies refuse to back her. of its campaign against the rohingya people in rakhine state. boeing says it's modifying the software in its 737 max planes following two deadly crashes, but insists the aircraft is safe. now on bbc news: click looks and a show of strength

from myanmar‘s military, at the latest in anti—drone accused of genocide against rohinhya muslims. so, it's been another day of high drama in westminster where the british prime minister theresa may has told her mps that she will step down before the next phase of brexit negotiations with the european union if they back her deal to leave. meanwhile, mps have voted against all eight possible alternatives to her brexit plan. so, what does this all mean? we begin our coverage in westminster with this report from our political editor laura kuennsberg. 5:00, hardly a tory mp to be seen on the green benches. waiting for their leader,

not knowing if she was ready to say she'd leave the black doorfor a final time. hundreds of her mps crammed into a room upstairs. it was hot and steamy in there. there was quite a lot of emotion. there was no whooping and hollering. no—one takes any great pleasure in what's happened. she made a really sad but highly charged emotional speech. so packed cabinet ministers couldn't even get inside. ijust managed to squeeze into a very crowded committee room and get in and saw her make an announcement. it was actually a very moving statement. and she was very clearly making the case that, look, if this is what it takes to get the deal over the line, which she believes rightly, in my view, that is in the national interest, then i will go once brexit is done. it's a sacrifice number ten hopes has a purpose, to reverse the fierce brexiteer opposition to the compromise theresa may worked out with the european union,

so they can have another vote, another try to get it through in the next 48 hours. we can guarantee delivering on brexit if this week he and others in this house support the deal. the prime minister is failing to deliver brexit because she can't build a consensus, is unable to compromise, and unable to reunite the country. she is unable to resolve the central issues facing britain today and she is frankly unable to govern. forget prime minister's questions though. the question tonight is how many tory opponents of the deal can theresa may's promise shift? do you wish you'd changed your mind sooner, mr rees—mogg? no. some big name brexiteers were already on the move. i preferred leaving without a deal. but once that had gone, as i say, i was willing to back mrs may's deal as she has said that once the deal has gone through, if it does go through, then she will stand down, which i think shows her inner nobility. i am very worried that we might lose brexit. i have campaigned for brexit.

and i think the alternatives are looking increasingly unattractive. i am encouraged that she has accepted that we should have a new leader for that second stage, when it comes. so, yes, i think i will now vote for the agreement. but there's a hard—core, enough perhaps to block her still. she is not, i think we universally agree, the best prime minister we've had and not the best person for stage two. the reason i'm not happy is that the deal, even part one, which she is absolutely adamant that gets signed before she goes takes us back into europe and not out of europe. what price for dup support? and it's almost impossible to imagine this deal getting over the line without the prime minister's allies she invited into number ten back in the summer of 2017, the northern irish unionists are meant to keep the government afloat, not budging, not this time. the backstop in that withdrawal agreement makes it impossible for us to sign up to that withdrawal agreement. and you know what, i regret that.

because we wanted to get a deal. a deal that worked for the whole of the united kingdom, a deal that worked for northern ireland. but now we're in a situation where we cannot sign up to the withdrawal agreement and it's all because the prime minister decided to go for the backstop. the prime minister told her mps tonight, just up there, she's ready to pay the highest price, to give up office early in a grand bargain for support to pass her brexit deal. but without support from her northern irish allies, it may prove to be another failure. the dilemma may be answered not by theresa may, but by parliament itself. parliament's warming up to make the decisions, tonight voting itself on an alphabet of different versions of brexit, whether for a closer relationship with the eu than the prime minister plans, or even to leave without a deal. but even having said she'd quit, the prime minister walked in to hear no to option after option.

so the noes have it. no majority for anything at all. whether it is, in the end, the prime minister's deal or a variation cooked up by mps, brexit has steeped bitterness in yet another generation of conservative mps. the prime minister may hope her bargain will bring new order. but we can't know that yet. what's certain is theresa may has become another tory leader whose time in office was pulled apart by anguish over europe. events are being watched closely in brussels where it seems no—one is any the wiser as to what the final outcome will look like. here's our europe editor katya adler. like in the uk, the eu finds itself in a kind of agonising holding pattern now, waiting for something definitive to happen in westminster. all of this waiting, this uncertainty, affecting european businesses and european citizens.

the eu finds all this very frustrating. i found there was a real contrast in moods tonight between the uk and the eu. in westminster, there was a certain buzz, a dynamism, mps trying to do their bit to affect the direction of brexit. whereas here in brussels, throughout the evening, the mood has been dark. eu leaders look at the divisions that are still in parliament and government and they fear the creeping inevitability of a no—deal brexit. the us aircraft manufacturer boeing has insisted its 737 max aeroplane is safe despite two crashes involving that model in the past six months. the planes have been grounded by regulators worldwide. the company said it was working on modifications to an automated anti—stall system, which is believed to have malfunctioned before the first crash, causing a lion air

flight to go down off indonesia. 0ur transport correspondent tom burridge reports. boeing's 737 max is still missing from the world's skies. the company today insists that the plane was and is safe. the 737 family is a safe aeroplane family and the 737 max builds on the tremendous history of safety that we have seen for almost the last 50 years. but tonight, senators with uncomfortable questions for those who make the rules on safety at america's faa. not only have the recent crashes shaken the confidence of the public but the questions that have been raised in the aftermath about faa's oversight of aircraft manufacturers, the certification processes for planes and the close relationship between industry and regulatory bodies threaten to erode trust in the entire system. at the centre of multiple enquiries is the plane's automatic anti—stall

system known as ncas. in the crash off indonesia it is believed to have pushed the plane's nose down repeatedly into the sea. but did boeing adequately publicise that new system to airline pilots before the first crash? we obtained a copy of the manual for pilots flying the 737 max. dated february last year, eight months before the crash in indonesia. in two and a half thousand pages, the ncas system appears just once in a glossary of technical terms. it would be totally unheard of to not have a description of that system in the manual. because you need to know what it does. and it is the approved manual that tells you this is the approved piece of kit and this is how it works. boeing said it discussed the new anti—stall mechanisms with dozens of airlines since the plane was launched three years ago. but it has now been modified. boeing's credibility is at stake.

the former director of the fbi, james comey, has said in an interview he still has a lot of questions about the mueller report. special counsel robert mueller last week concluded his investigation into alleged collusion between russia and president donald trump's 2016 campaign. the investigation found no proof trump criminally colluded with russia and did not reach a conclusion as to whether he obstructed justice. mr comey, who was fired as fbi director in 2017, said "parts of the report are confusing" and said it was surprising mueller reached no conclusion about a possible obstruction of justice. the purpose of the special counsel is to make sure that the politicals, in this case, the attorney—general, doesn't make the ultimate call on whether the subject of the investigation, the president of the united states, should be held criminally liable for activities that were under investigation. let's get some of

the day's other news. the eu says it's ending navy patrols for migrant ships in the mediterranean after a request by the italian government. tens of thousands of people have been rescued by the patrols with many of them having been sent to italy. air patrols are expected to continue until september. venezuelans are enduring a third day of nationwide power cuts. the cuts have severely affected water supplies, transport and communication services. a government minister says terrorist activity is to blame, while the opposition claims the problem is due to government negligence. facebook has announced it will block praise of white nationalism and separatism from next week. it's come under increasing pressure to act on far right activity after a gunman livestreamed the attack on two new zealand mosques in which 50 people were killed. the ban will also apply to instagram.

in myanmar, the army still has a grip on power despite widespread international condemnation of its campaign against the rohingya people in rakhine state. the united nations says crimes committed there amount to genocide. myanmar‘s civilian leader, aung san suu kyi, has been severely criticized for failing to challenge her generals who have been presiding over an anniversary celebration to honour the armed forces. 0ur myanmar correspondent nick beake reports. in the eerie darkness of the burmese night, we are signing up for a rare opportunity. an invitation to meet an army accused of genocide. it is 3:30am and about 50 journalists have gathered here just outside the ministry of information. 0ur minders have come out, we are about to be put on buses and will be taken towards the military parade ground. myanmar‘s armed forces will be putting on a show

to celebrate themselves. 0n the way we glimpse soldiers who normally operate in the shadows, far from prying eyes. it's clear that today we will only see what they want us to see. officer: you are not allowed in this area. please, please. beake: 0k. this is the army that murdered at least 10,000 rohingya muslims, according to un investigators. the generals claimed they were protecting the nation from terrorists. but vice—senior general soe win tells the troops they will crush any insurgents in troubled rakhine state, but do so in a lawful way. that doesn't seem to have been a concern before. many across the world believe myanmar‘s top generals should not be standing here putting on a show, but standing in the dock of the international criminal court, answering

the charge of genocide. but so far, powerful allies china and russia have provided important diplomatic protection. so for now, bringing to justice those responsible for the brutal crimes against the rohingya people seems a long way off. the generals now say they will carry out an investigation into the allegations made against them by the international community. few believe it will be fair. this spectacle is now ending — a show of force for our cameras from an army that is unrepentant, undeterred and seemingly untouchable. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: when brexit‘s your bread and butter, the political cartoonist working to a demanding daily deadline.

let there be no more war or bloodshed between arabs and israelis. very good. applause so proud of both of you. applause with great regret, the committee have decided that south africa should be excluded from the 1970 competition. chants streaking across the sky, the white—hot wreckage from mir drew gasps from onlookers on fiji. onlooker: wow!

this is bbc news. the latest headlines: british mps have rejected a range of options aiming to end the brexit deadlock. theresa may, who's hoping to push her deal through, has offered to step down as prime minister. boeing says it's modifying the software in its 737 max planes following two deadly crashes, but insists the aircraft is safe. the effects of extreme weather are making headlines all around the world. in recent weeks we've seen drought in the mediterranean, deadly storms in iran and widespread flooding in new zealand. darren bett looks at the links between them.

0ur story begins in the south of france where records have been tumbling. so far this year there has been just 15 millimetres of rain in marseille and beziers and in nice we have had over 50 consecutive days without rain. the reason is a persistent area of high pressure. you can see it here. the same area of high pressure that has been close to the uk. this has been around so long it is a blocking high and it has split the jet stream, so we have one fast moving ribbon of our high up one fast moving ribbon of our high up in the atmosphere to the north of the uk and anotherjet stream over northern africa, which has been picking up areas of cloud and rain and driving it away from the eastern mediterranean into parts of the middle east. so while it has been dry in the south of france it has been very wet here in iran. so what we have had severe flooding, not just in tehran but in the south of the country as well. all this rain follows what has been a period of severe drought. the weather pattern isn't going to be changing anytime soon. it is still dry on the south

of france, there is the jet stream again, a similarsort of france, there is the jet stream again, a similar sort of position, again, a similar sort of position, again pushing rain into iraq and iran. this is new zealand. you can see a ridge being washed away in the south island after a couple of days of persistent heavy rain, one of the wettest parts of the country, yes, but one weather station has recorded over one metre of rain. now, the main reason it has been so wet, we have had this band of claudia which has been quite slow—moving. it is a weather front, but not any old weather front, but not any old weather front. we follow it all the way back into australia and it is linked in with that area of low pressure there. that is the remnants of cyclone trevor, which brought all the flooding in queensland. it contains lots of warm and wet air, and it has been drawn along that weather front into the south island of new zealand, which is why we have had record 48—hour rainfall totals in the country. everyday items like cotton buds and take away food containers are among ten single—use plastics which will cease to exist across europe after 2021. eu lawmakers have voted to introduce new laws enforcing the ban which could also impact the uk

if brexit is delayed. freya cole has more. this is what a united parliament looks like. european lawmakers voting overwhelmingly in favour of banning ten single use plastics by 2021. that is just two years to adjust to life without items like plastic straws and very, takeout containers and cotton buds. it is after a sea of process from younger generations, stories of dying wildlife, and china's decision to stop processing foreign waste, which forced urgent action to an urgent problem. the new laws will ultimately come at a cost to business. translation: so, yes, it

has a cost. it is just that i decided to make less profit to have a small impact. this brussels cafe owner just one already a small impact. this brussels cafe ownerjust one already to jump on board. i think we have a responsibility. we have to make an effort for the planet and for other people. eu countries can choose their own methods to reduce single use plastics and tobacco companies will be forced to cover the cost of cleaning cigarettes. as for individuals, it will be a hit to everyday convenience, but an effort which will help keep beaches clean and oceans clear. french traditional cheese—makers have called on governments around the world to protect traditional techiques and recipes that use raw milk. purists hit out at the growth of mass—produced cheese, which they say is flooding global markets. caroline rigby has more. it's a row as french

as baguettes and berets, but this one has kicked up quite a stink. 0n the national day of fromage, french artisan cheesemakers have urged lawmakers to protect products made in the traditional way, with raw milk, a way they say improves taste and has health benefits. they are concerned about the growth of modern cheesemaking techniques which often use pasteurised milk, deemed by mass—market producers to be safer and more suitable for global export. translation: we need to take up the fight to save these french products, this traditional cheesemaking, using raw milk. it makes sense to me. raw milk is a living product, and we are alive. beyond france, purists are also worried the move to mass production threatens the future of traditional methods, and the ancestral know—how which, along with their cheese, has matured over time.

good cheese made in the traditional ways will be saved by consumers outside of europe. the reason being that we don't take it for granted. this latest call comes just a week after a row over the labelling of camembert reached the french parliament. the product, which many consider to be authentic, is made with raw milk from normandy cows, and is given the coveted protected designation of origin label. but from 2021, the same label could also be used for some factory—produced rivals, using pasteurised milk from different cow breeds raised elsewhere. another move by big cheeses that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of purists, who believe the two techniques are as different as, well, chalk and cheese. as most of us just try to keep up with the latest twists and turns in this brexit process, for others it actually provides inspiration for their work — endless material for cartoonists who illustrate the news

with a satirical eye. so does knowing what to draw ever pose a challenge? marc ashdown has been speaking to cartoonist dave brown in his london studio. well, i think when you start off caricaturing someone, it's not much more than a slightly exaggerated portrait. but as you go on you stretch a caricature more and you get more exaggerated and eventually it takes on a life of its own, and it becomes more fun, because you can do what you want with it once people know who it is. a cartoon can have more of an impact than writing a column. it's a visual medium. it's very visceral. the point can be appreciated pretty much instantly. so it has a lot more power. how has theresa may developed, dare i ask? she was always pretty good. she's got the bags under the eyes, the big feature, obviously. she has a great aquiline nose. but one of the things i have most

fun with is the mouth. it is sort of very rubbery and flexible. she pulls a lot of expressions, horrified, shocked, i don't know what they are. showers always pulling the corners of her mouth down. this is one of my favourites, i guess. theresa may as wile e coyote, always having these harebrained schemes, complicated plans which we know will end in disaster. do you ever suffer cartoonists' block? yeah. there are days when you sit here with a blank piece of paper in front of you and you're almost banging your head on the drawing board because you just haven't got anything. but the daily deadline concentrates the mind and something comes along eventually. how does a story like brexit, how do you keep coming up with inspiration? day after day after day? i mean, we struggle.

yes, there are days when you are looking at the news and when you think, in theresa's words, nothing has changed. there are all the tribes, all the cliches, the cliff edges and unicorns. you can't avoid them. it's part of the conversation. but you can find new things to do with them, and in a way, that is the skill. finding new twists on them every day, trying to find something, a new angle, something new and amusing to say about brexit. do you ever feel sorry for someone like her who is in the spotlight getting caricatured every day? no, frankly not. you know, politicians chose to be there. this is part of what goes with the territory, really. and it's a matter of, you know, sticking up for the little—known and poking fun at the powerful. we're the ones with the sharp pens and we get to do the poking for everybody else. cartoonist dave brown speaking to marc ashdown.

quiet on the weather front. the weather remains settled for the rest of the week but that doesn't necessarily mean the skies are clear. this is a picture from yesterday. it was pretty cloudy in the south—east. it felt quite chilly as well. 0n the other side of the country in st ives, it was beautiful. this sky could almost be in the caribbean. stunning weather there in cornwall. this is the satellite picture. the weather front is heading our way towards the north—west. high pressure not just across the uk but across france and into parts of spain and portugal as well, many parts of western europe at the moment are in a spell of settled and dry weather. that is certainly the case across the uk through the course

of the night and into early thursday. in the south, under the clear skies, temperatures will dip down close to freezing, for example cardiff will barely be above freezing. that means that under the clear skies we could see mist and fog with those dipping temperatures, particularly across the south—west of the country. 0nly patchy fog here and there, but that can still be dangerous, so take it steady if you're travelling early in the morning. but clouds are expected to build. maybe turning quite cloudy in some areas across the south—east. temperatures will still get up to about 16 in london, 1a in newcastle, 15 in aberdeen. in stornoway, where we have winds off the atlantic, more cloud and maybe some spots of rain, only 10 or 11. friday's weather forecast, again, weather fronts just brushing the north—west of scotland, bringing outbreaks of rain, some for the northern isles too.

the vast majority of the country should at the very least have a bright day. most temperatures a degree higher — 17 in london, possibly as far north as hull. pleasantly warm for many of us come friday. friday into saturday, there is a change on the way. this weather front will be moving across the uk, and remember, fronts separate milder warm air from cold air that comes in from the north. the winds switch direction into scotland and also northern ireland. that means cold air out of the north arrives here. temperatures will drop and we could be talking only single figures across much of scotland and northern ireland, possibly even one or two wintry showers in the north. in the south, not quite so chilly. 1a degrees expected in london. come sunday, the cold front will have moved through, in fact, reaching the english channel. that means we are all in the fresh air. high pressure also over us, that means drier weather, chillier weather, temperatures on sunday only around 12 degrees. after rising at the end of the week they're going down for the weekend. bye— bye.