theresa may says britain's departure date from the eu will be enshrined in law and warns she won't tolerate attempts to block the brexit process. after talks in brussels, the eu's chief brexit negotiator says the uk still needs to clarify how much it will pay as part of the so—called divorce bill for progress to be made in december. we'll be live in both westminster and brussels. also this lunchtime.... president trump sets out his "america first" vision of global trade at a summit of asian leaders in vietnam, saying the us would no longer tolerate being "taken advantage of". we can no longer tolerate these chronic trade abuses and we will not tolerate them. the online taxi—hailing service uber loses an appeal against a ruling on the employment rights of drivers. the actor steven seagal is the latest hollywood star to be accused of sexual harassment. ceremonies are being held in belgium

to mark the centenary of the end of one of the bloodiest battles of the first world war. and coming up in the sport on bbc news, controversy continues to rage over a disputed handball and penalty that threatens northern ireland's hopes of reaching the world cup finals for the first time in over 30 years. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. theresa may has outlined plans to enshrine the date at which britain leaves the eu into law. the prime minister's also made it clear she won't tolerate any attempts to block the brexit process. as the latest round of brexit talks came to an end in brussels, the eu's chief brexit negotiator, michel barnier, has said the uk must clarify how much it will pay as part of the so—called divorce bill

in the next two weeks, if there is to be any chance of progress at a crucial summit in december. our political correspondent emma vardy reports from westminster. it's a one—way journey, it's a one—wayjourney, says theresa may as brexit talks enter a critical phase. exley, the union—macro withdrawal bill comes back to parliament and today the prime minster sent a strong message. the decision cannot be reversed. the prime minister wants to enshrine in law the exact date and time that britain will leave the european union. writing in the telegraph she said no one will doubt our determination or question our resolve. brexit is happening. but we can still change our minds,

says the man who wrote the key eu withdrawal clause. a crossbench peer has for some time argued that despite triggering article 50, the uk could still legally reverse the process. i am keen that the public should know that sending the letter is not an irrevocable act. that the opportunity to change our mind is a lwa ys opportunity to change our mind is always there if we wanted to take it. and it is clear to me that if we we re it. and it is clear to me that if we were to take that opportunity and we we re were to take that opportunity and we were to take that opportunity and we were to change our minds, we would be very welcome in brussels as if we had never left. the decision taken in 1975 by this country to join the common market has been reversed. from the moment the bbc declared the result of the referendum on the 23rd ofjune result of the referendum on the 23rd of june last result of the referendum on the 23rd ofjune last year, today at 49 minutes past one precisely we will be right at the halfway point. so

now you can set your watch to brexit and that ticking clock cannot be ignored because union—macro sources have told the uk has just two weeks left to make progress on key withdrawal issues or risk further delays to any talk about future trade. the eu is united and the uk has to cough up more cash. the rights of citizens and the northern irish border are yet to be resolved but david davis said this cannot be rushed. there has been a change in pace but ultimately this is about delivering results and about the context not just the delivering results and about the context notjust the speed of the dissociation. in order to achieve out dissociation. in order to achieve our common objective, that is to organise an orderly withdrawal on the basis of an agreement, we will also work as intensely as is necessary in the weeks to come in

the run—up to the next european council meeting. if all goes as currently planned, we really will leave the eu at the 11th hour, iipm on march 29,2019. leave the eu at the 11th hour, iipm on march 29, 2019. theresa may's message is that there is no going back now. in a moment we'll speak to adam fleming in brussels, but first to our political correspondent ben wright in westminster. so, theresa may laying down the gauntlet while we have this warning from michel barnier that the eu wants to hear more about concessions before talks can resume with purpose in december? that's bright and next week parliament will start its line by line detailed scrutiny of the eu withdrawal bill, a vast and important piece of legislation that all parties agree is key to avoid legal chaos on the day that britain leads the eu. we have known for a

long time that day would be the 29th of march 2019 because that is exactly two years on from when theresa may triggered article 50 and began the brexit process and now the government have said they are going to write that explicitly on the front of the bill and i few reason for that. there have been cross— party for that. there have been cross—party calls for that to happen, uniting euros get the tories and pro—eu labour voices. they all thought it was important that it was spelt out that this would be the withdrawal date. it is a political calculation for theresa may, it has been a difficult couple of weeks and by sounding belligerent by making it clear that whatever happens, britain is leaving, she is trying to find political momentum and get on the front foot. a reminder from political momentum and get on the front foot. a reminderfrom lord ker today, negotiations are not going well, he is reminding everybody that in his view it is politically quite

possible for britain to slam the bra kes possible for britain to slam the brakes on, think again and withdraw its article 50 letter. he is making that clear once again today at number ten are contemptuous about that argument. they say even though will be a rough ride and negotiations are difficult, there will be amendments and ambushes, revolts from tory mps, they are contentious of the idea that things. and they say that we're not going back. thank you for that assessment. we tend to adam fleming in brussels for us. northern ireland, not issue yet to be resolved. what is your assessment of what you have been hearing today? that discussion about what they brexit actually happens in march and how that is enshrined in legislation is important but not the most pressing issue here in brussels where david davis and michel barnier we re where david davis and michel barnier were meeting because their press conferences reveal there are two big issues that need the resolved. first, northern ireland. both sides in complete agreement that the peace

process , in complete agreement that the peace process, the good friday agreement needs to be protected but the eu site has said that can only be possible if northern ireland 60 european rules on the single market and customs —— if northern ireland sticks to european rules. those rules are sticks to european rules. those rules a re rest sticks to european rules. those rules are rest of the uk don't follow in the future and david davis has said he will not allow situation where there is a new border drawn in the united kingdom. while there is big agreement on the principle that looks like there is going to be a lot of trouble working out the details. the second issue that emerged from a press conference was one we have been talking about all week, money. well the eu does not wa nt to week, money. well the eu does not want to name a precise figure or make a precise demand, it wants the uk to go further than the prime minister's speech in florence about clarifying how it will live up to financial commitments made as a member and michel barnier confirmed there are only two weeks for the uk to do that otherwise eu officials

will not be ready to trigger the start of phase two about trade and a future relationship at a meeting of eu leaders in december, which is what the prime minister is hoping for. thank you adam, adam fleming in brussels and ben wright in westminster. president trump has vigorously defended his "america first" vision of international trade at a summit of the asia pacific economic cooperation group. speaking in the vietnamese city of danang, he said the us would no longer tolerate chronic trade abuses, and would in future insist on fair and equal treatment. jonathan head reports. fresh from a feel—good blast from beijing, president trump arrived in da nang, the base from where the us waged it war in vietnam's 50 years ago, with a much tougher message. apec is a free—trade forum, founded with strong american participation, just as the cold war ended. past presidents have used these summits to promote us values, like free and civil rights.

—— free trade and civil rights. but not this one. speaking to a hall full of east asia's business and diplomatic elite, mr trump at first shower them with flattery. but then changed tack with a litany of complaints, many directed at china, though he never named the culprits, of countries taking advantage of america, breaking the rules of free trade. we can no longer tolerate these chronic trade abuses. and we will not tolerate, despite years of broken promises, we were told that some day soon, everyone would behave fairly, and responsibly. people in america, and throughout the indo pacific region have waited for that day to come. but it never has. you can come to summit meetings like this, and asia holds plenty of them, and come away with the impression that not very much happened.

but not this one, with his speech in da nang, donald trump has announced america's withdrawl from its leadership role it has played in asia since the second world war, a role that is profoundly shaped this region. right after his beach was that of his recent host china. xi jinping's tone was softer, no threats or warnings here, but an invitation to asian countries tojoin a reforming china, and a none too subtle dig at the new american isolationism. translation: openness brings progress, while self seclusion leads one behind. we, the asia—pacific economies, know this too well from our own development experience. we should put in place a regional cooperation framework that ensures consultation among equals, wide participation and shared benefits. mr trump's tough talk on trade will go down well with many americans, but here in asia, while some governments will welcome his no—nonsense approach to diplomacy,

you can almost feel american influence shrinking, and china waiting to take up the mantle. jonathan head, bbc news, da nang. the actor and producer steven seagal is the latest hollywood figure to be accused of sexual harassment. the actress portia de rossi, who is married to the american talk show host ellen degeneres, made the allegation in a tweet. she claims that during a film audition mr seagal told her "how important it was to have chemistry off—screen", before unzipping his trousers. mr seagal‘s manager told the bbc the actor had no comment. jon donnison reports. ——john‘s —— john's report does contain some flash photography. steven seagal is used to playing the tough guy. now, he's the latest hollywood big name to be facing tough questions. portia de rossi, seen here on the right, with her wife ellen degeneres, accused the actor

and director of sexual harassment. the arrested development star tweeted that at a final audition for a part in a steven seagalfilm, he talked about the importance of off—screen chemistry before unzipping his leather pants. ellen degeneres added her support for coming forward. steven seagal has been accused of inappropriate behaviour by several other women. his manager has told the bbc he has no comment to make. and there are more allegations, this time about one of america's best—known comedians, louis ck. the new york times is reporting five women have accused him of serious sexual misconduct. the bbc has contacted his managerfor comment. each day, it seems, hollywood is waking up to more revelations. it's just a very unsettling time. it's a good time in the fact that women now feel comfortable,

or more comfortable, speaking out about what happened to them, and what was their experience. the list of stars accused is growing, and the more people who come forward with allegations, the more likely it is others will have the confidence to do so. this hollywood story could have some way to run. jon donnison, bbc news. the online taxi—hailing firm uber has lost an appeal against a ruling that gave its drivers employment rights. an earlier ruling had ordered uber to treat its drivers as workers rather than self employed independent contractors, after two drivers argued that they were entitled to the minimum wage, sick pay and paid leave. uber challenged that ruling and says it will pursue a further appeal. simon gompertz is at the tribunal. kate, it's a setback in uber‘s effort to try and maintain the way

it operates in the uk, which is by using self—employed drivers. as you say, two of them challenged that in an employment tribunal last year and won against uber. uber appealed, and now its appeal at the employment appeals tribunal has been thrown out. this is significant for all firms that operate in what is called the gig economy. bicycle delivery riders, drivers, careers, all of them could be affected by this effort to try and stop the individuals as self—employed, rather than workers with rights. in theory, uber could now be required to pay thousands of pounds to the drivers who have brought this challenge in back pay and in holiday and sick pay, if that's appropriate. anyone whojoins the claim pay, if that's appropriate. anyone who joins the claim could pay, if that's appropriate. anyone whojoins the claim could make pay, if that's appropriate. anyone who joins the claim could make those claims against uber. but in practice, it looks as though uber is going to appeal against. it could go

to the supreme court, which would be next year. as long as that process goes on, uber can carry on with its current practices. kate. simon, thank you. the french president emmanuel macron is on an unscheduled visit to saudi arabia to discuss the escalating crisis between the kingdom and lebanon. his trip comes days after the lebanese prime minister resigned while in riyadh, saying he feared for his life. many in lebanon believe that saad hariri is effectively being held under house arrest and that lebanon is once again being dragged into a power struggle between saudi arabia and iran. richard galpin reports. this latest middle east crisis was sparked by the sudden resignation last week of lebanese prime minister saad hariri, wearing a dark suit. it was announced during a visit to saudi arabia, where he is still staying. saad hariri claimed his life was in danger in lebanon. but it seems to be out of a much bigger

game between rival regional power was following the defeat of so—called islamic state in most of iraq and syria. iran now wields significant influence in both these countries, as well as in lebanon, where this year organisation is close to the government. translation: the americans, the saudis and israelis are all trying to prevent hezbollah from maximising its gains from the wars in syria and iraq. hezbollah, and its allies, have achieved enormous success, but they are now facing huge pressure because of this. with tension rising between iran and saudi arabia, which has tempted emmanuel macron to fly out to the region yesterday to mediate, holding talks with saudi leaders. we've never been so close to the precipice. in many ways, the threat of regional war has never

been this real, if you like, where it isa been this real, if you like, where it is a conflict that would involve a variety of different countries. already, saudi arabia, bahrain and kuwait have told their citizens living here to leave, because they do not want the shi'ite organisation hezbollah to be part of the lebanese government. the time is 1:18. our top story this lunchtime: theresa may says britain's departure date from the eu will be enshrined in law and warns she won't tolerate attempts to block the brexit process. and coming up: could do better — a report calls for a tenfold increase in funding for computer science in schools. coming up in sport: england's women strike a late psychological blow in sydney that might just sway the one off ashes test against australia their way with two days still remaining. ceremonies are being held in belgium

to mark the centenary of the end of one of the bloodiest battles of the first world war. a hundred years ago today, canadian troops captured the ridge near the village of passchendaele from the german army. the campaign lasted for more than three months, and in that time, robert hall is in passchendaele. on the flat farmland outside deal, the thunder of the guns. on this day 100 years ago, canadian troops ca ptu red 100 years ago, canadian troops captured the belgian village of passchendaele, after months of misery and slaughter. the battle was pa rt misery and slaughter. the battle was part of a plan to capture high ground from german forces. but the attacks were slowed and thwarted by the coming winter turned no man's

land into a sea of mud. the man who has spent two years planning this tribute to half a million casualties was motivated in part by a loss within his own family. my my grandfather was killed at the battle of passchendaele. i have a lwa ys battle of passchendaele. i have always had a feeling that he should be run it. my cousins, several of them are here today. they are all 110w them are here today. they are all now giving me the thumbs up, because we have now remembered. every one of these 16 guns can be traced back to these 16 guns can be traced back to the battlefields of france and belgium, many of them have been restored, especially for today's ceremony. around them are gun calls, are presenting every nation that took part in the battle— britain, france, belgium, canada, new zealand, australia and ireland. all the soldiers are aware of the poignancy of what has gone before them. recent wars like iraq and afghanistan hit home, but it makes

them even more interested in the history that came before that. being here is really important to them, and it means a lot. this weekend, britain and europe will remember those who lost their lives in conflict. but today, as the smoke cleared and the guns fell silent, thoughts were focused on one terrible autumn, and the men who never went home. it isa it is a remarkable sight. you saw the crew caught practising the girls behind me, he has brought all the guns from all over europe and all over the uk. a lot of them were not inafit over the uk. a lot of them were not in a fit state. somehow, he and his team, around 200 people, have got them into working order to fire this salute. you saw a glance of it in that report, it was a remarkable experience to hear that number of guns, the first in 100 years, firing together, making that tribute to the fallen. of course, looking ahead to

the ceremonies over the next couple of days. back to you. indeed, robert, thank you. women who have been given the human papillomavirus — or hpv vaccine — may only need three cervical screenings in their lifetime instead of 12, that's according to a new study. hpv is thought to cause nearly all cervical cancers and a vaccination against it has been offered to girls aged between 11 to 13 since 2008. a cancer research team in the uk says cutting the number of screenings for vaccinated women could save the nhs time and money. our health correspondent sophie hutchinson has the details. cervical cancer is a dangerous disease, it's also one of the most preve nta ble disease, it's also one of the most preventable cancers, but there's been concern about a steady drop in the number of women going for screening in the past few years. this lady has had cervical cancer, and says she has never missed a smear test, and believes that saved her life. if i hadn't smear test, and believes that saved her life. ifi hadn't gone smear test, and believes that saved her life. if i hadn't gone for my screening, it wasn'tjust me being manager matter, my consultant said

it is an aggressive grade of cancer, you were lucky to catch it early, because otherwise we would be talking palliative care and not cure. but mandy's teenage daughters have both had a jab that protects against cervical cancer. almost a decade ago, girls aged 11 to 13 started to be vaccinated against the cancer—causing virus hpv. the vaccine reduces the risk of cervical cancer by 70%, according to today's study. it says women who have had it only need to undergo three smear tests during their lives, instead of the normal 12, at the age of 30, a0 and 50 five. all cervical cancers are linked to hpv infection, and having the vaccination reduces the chances of having the infection, and also of having cervical cancer. screening blixt the early changes that could suggest cancer is developing. having the vaccine, you are developing. having the vaccine, you a re less developing. having the vaccine, you are less likely to have those changes and less likely to develop

cancer, so you changes and less likely to develop cancer, so you don't need screening as often. mandy is relieved her daughters have been vaccinated and they may need fewer smear tests. it's fantastic, and it takes the pressure away of having to think, every three years, i have got to do it. eventually, maybe not in my lifetime, but i think it will be eradicated by this new plan, so it's great. the study comes ahead of changes being made to the screening programme in england in 2019, and similar adjustments in scotland and wales. new, more advanced lab testing is expected to be introduced, which could mean fewer smear introduced, which could mean fewer smear tests for women, whether that related —— vaccinated or not. more than half of schools in england fail to offer computer science at gcse, according to a new report by the uk's leading science academy. the royal society is calling for a ten—fold increase in funding for computing education, which it says is patchy and fragile. here's our technology

correspondent, rory cellan—jones. what effect does a binary shift left, and a binary shift right have? in a classroom in st albans, some budding, young computer scientists are deep in their gcse course. but this school is in a minority. today's report says computing education is fragile and patchy, with too pupils given the chance to enter the exam. what's more, the subject is being largely avoided by girls. so what's made these students take it up? our future is very much based around computers, and technology is becoming a big part of society. i knew it would be useful to have, and i could get a job out of it easily. maybe in other schools, it might be viewed as slightly nerdy to do computer science. but i think it's quite respected in this school. the royal society's report says too many young people are missing out on vital digital skills. sa% of english schools do not offer computer science as a gcse. schools need 3500 more computing teachers. only one in five computer science entrants are female. both the teachers in this class

have degrees in computer science, which makes them unusual. the royal society wants a big increase in spending on training new teachers. the computer industry says digital skills are vital for the uk's future. if we want to remain a developed nation, if we want to remain a nation that's innovative, that provides the products and services that are going to us forward in the 21st—century, then we need people with advanced digital skills. and that's true in all industries and in all sectors. the department for education says it wants to ensure that the future workforce has the skills the uk needs. but this report says, without more computing teachers, that just won't happen. rory cellan—jones, bbc new, st albans. rugby union's autumn international series kicks off tomorrow, with england taking on argentina. wales face australia, and ireland play south africa. but all eyes will be on murrayfield, where scotland face samoa,

a country whose national sport declared bankruptcy this week. many of the uk nations benefit from samoan rugby, featuring players from the south pacific country. but for those who come here following their dream of playing international sport, the culture shock can be huge. it's led to calls for greater care to be taken for the welfare of those players, as patrick gearey reports. the power of the pacific is now a majorforce in british rugby. many islanders have become stars, and earned fortunes. but in the game's lower reaches, it's a less glossy world. wages are much lower, but cultural pressures to send money home remain. we know what we're getting here, there's probably, like, twice or three times what my parents would be getting a month, or my siblings. you know, when they call, you just can't say no. but obviously, they have no idea how hard it is, dealing with bills every month, putting food on the table

for kids 110w. but yeah, it is tough. it is really tough. they offer from alone, there are only 1.2 million people in fiji, samoa and tonga combined, but players of pacific island heritage provide 15% of all professional rugby players. there may be as many as 800 in europe, with around 200 in the uk. for many pacific islanders, clubs like leicester tigers are the dream, a top side in a top league, and earning enough money to send home and support your family but adjusting to life in the uk isn't always straightforward. leicester's england centre manu tuilagi made the journey from island life to the western world at the age of 12. coming straight from the island is a massive step. back home is a lot more relaxed. here, you know, you've got to work to earn a living, and if you don't, then you end up on the street. some have found the move

particularly hard. in france, three pacific islander players have taken their lives in the past five years because of personal problems in an unfamiliarworld. so, some expat islanders have set up pacific rugby players welfare in an attempt to break the silence. culturally, we need to be a lot better at talking about things, pacific islanders are always known for being happy, and happy—go—lucky at times, both on and off the field, and not taking things very seriously, taking life as it comes. but they can be different when they get home. and so we need to be more open with each other. this weekend, ireland will give a debut to bundy ake, another player whose heritage is in the pacific. the tide from the islands is set to continue. the challenge is to spot those left stranded. patrick gearey, bbc news. judy murray has received an obe at buckingham palace, for services to tennis, women in sport, and charity. she's the third member of her family

to be honoured; her sons, andy and jamie, have a knighthood and an obe respectively. after her inclusion in the queen's birthday honour‘s list was announced, she said she felt "very lucky" to have been given the honour. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. cold, crisp autumn weather on its way this weekend. some of us will have two be patient, because of this wedge of cloud, which is now hurtling its way across the atlantic. this will influence the weather across the southern half of the country, particularly as we head to the start of the weekend with cloud and outbreaks of rain. for most of us, decent at the moment. blue skies developing in west london, pretty brisk wind and heavy showers blowing in across parts of northern ireland, and also scotland. some showers trickle