good afternoon. borisjohnson and the european commission president, ursula von der leyen, have agreed to continue talks to try to break the deadlock over a post—brexit trade deal. after speaking on the phone this

morning, they issued a joint statement saying they had agreed to go the extra mile to try to find a solution. the prime minister said the two sides remained far apart on key areas, but they wouldn't be walking away while there was still hope of a deal. today had been given as a deadline to decide whether negotiations should continue. our political correspondent, helen catt, reports. it was supposed to be the call that would make the call. was there enough chance of a deal to keep talking? the answer. despite the exhaustion after almost one year of negotiations and despite the fact that deadlines have been missed over and over, we both think that it is responsible at this point in time to go the extra mile. we have accordingly mandated our negotiators continued the task and to see whether an agreement can be reached,

even at this late stage. in the last few minutes, the prime minister has downplayed expectations. as things stand, and this is basically what ursula and i agreed, i am afraid we are still very apart on some key things, but where there is life, there is hope. we are going to keep talking to see what we can do, the uk certainly won't be walking away from the talks, i think people would expect us to go the extra mile, but i have got to repeat the most likely thing now is of course that we have to get ready for wto terms. the two leaders met face—to—face this week, a political breakthrough then was not found. as late as last night, the uk government was calling the eu's offer unacceptable. both sides had a up to expectations no—deal was looking possible, iwent‘s had a up to expectations no—deal was looking possible, i went‘s prime minister said that would be an appalling failure of statecraft. that is why i say every bit of

energy we have left, we must continue to focus on negotiating our way to a deal. the two sides continue to clash over fishing and shared competition rules. the government believes the way the eu wa nts to government believes the way the eu wants to guarantee standards does not fit with the uk's new place as a nonmemberfree to not fit with the uk's new place as a nonmember free to make not fit with the uk's new place as a nonmemberfree to make its own rules, the eu disagrees and so does labour. what the government seems to be saying is we are willing to acce pt be saying is we are willing to accept no—deal, which would mean tariffs across the board, because some future theoretical threat may be some time in the future taff tariffs in relation to some products. that makes no sense, that is like saying, i am worried i am going to have miley freaking —— my roof leaking in five years time so let's bulldoze it now. talks are expected to start in brussels this afternoon again, the question is whether the outlook is any brighter. helen catt, bbc news. we'll speak to our political correspondent, nick eardley, in downing street in a moment. but first, let's go live to brussels and our europe correspondent, kevin connolly.

kevin. a last—minute reprieve for the negotiations. the talks go on. yes. not a solution, of course. but when you consider the mood of negativity heading into today, the idea that today might be the date when they pulled the plug on the entire process, then clearly, something at least has been salvaged. you heard ursula von der leyen saying they thought it was worth going the extra mile. there she is using imperial weights and measures, you don't hear them very much in brussels, so i wonder if that was a bit of a nod to the british negotiators. none of this means that everything is fixed. you still have problems with fisheries committee still have that dispute over the rules governing access to the european single market. but when you consider that the talk yesterday was of the royal navy being deployed to guard british fisheries, it does feel as though the mood has improved a bit. and here is, ithink of feel as though the mood has improved a bit. and here is, i think of the interesting point in today, which is that no deadline has been set again

this time. so we know that talks are going to continue but, actually, we don't know for how long they might go on. kevin, thank you. let's go to nick eardley in downing street. may be improving mood music as kevin says, but slightly downbeat assessment from the prime minister in the last few minutes in that interview, saying the two sides still very far apart on key issues. it's interesting, isn't it? a couple of days ago, we were talking about a no—deal outcome, no trade deal being agreed, borisjohnson saying that was very, very likely. he is still saying today that people should prepare for it. but it does feel like the fact these talks are continuing potentially for a good few more days is significant for a couple of reasons. firstly, because neither side at the moment is prepared to walk away. yes, those big issues are still there, but neither side is prepared to hold its

hands up and say, look, we just don't think this process has any way to go. it was also integer —— interesting in that interview boris johnson hasjust done that he didn't say whether there had been any political movement. whether there had been a nod and a link between the two leaders that is may be needed to suggest they are prepared to compromise, to make sure that the remaining issues can somehow be solved over the next two and a half weeks. in truth, if this isjust solved over the next two and a half weeks. in truth, if this is just a delay and there hasn't been any substantive change, this could just delay the inevitable no—deal outcome on the ist ofjanuary. but if there has been some sort of a political agreement or some sort of political movement between the two sides, it is possible, just possible, that it could unlock the process towards getting a deal over the line. nick ea rd ley, getting a deal over the line. nick eardley, our political correspondent, and thanks to our europe correspondent in brussels, kevin connolly. one of the scientists who led the development of the oxford university vaccine has

warned there could be a sharp rise in infections in january because of people meeting over christmas. it comes as one hospital in south—east wales said it was experiencing significant pressures from covid—i9. here's our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. although some are being vaccinated now, the majority of high—risk people will get their jabs next year. the aim is to immunise those most at risk by easter. this would allow a gradual easing of restrictions across the country. professor sarah gilbert led efforts to develop the oxford university vaccine currently being assessed for approval by the uk regulator. she warned people's behaviour in the coming weeks could delay progress in tackling the virus. what we've seen in the us is that after thanksgiving, when people were travelling and mixing, there has been a big surge in infections, and they are seeing 3,000 deaths a day now. the highest rate there's ever been in any country. if we have that kind of thing happening over the christmas

holidays in this country, with very high transmission rates then possible injanuary, it'll take so much longer to get things back to normal because, partly, all the vaccination clinics will be disrupted. a 73—year—old man had to wait more than 19 hours in an ambulance outside grange university hospital in monmouthshire because of pressure on its services because of covid. ted edwards was at home when he suffered a suspected stroke. unless we are able to reverse the current trend in coronavirus, we are heading into a period where everything that our health service can do will have to be focused on the hundreds and hundreds of people who are now so ill with the virus that they need to be in a hospital bed, and that compromises the ability of the health service to do everything else. hospital leaders have warned that relaxing covid restrictions could trigger a third wave of the virus. in a letter, they ask the prime minister to act with "extreme caution" in moving any

area to a lower tier. england's three—tier system is due to be reviewed next wednesday. pallab ghosh, bbc news. anthonyjoshua has retained his three heavyweight boxing titles, after beating bulgarian kubrat pulev last night. a thousand fans were allowed to watch at wembley arena, asjoshua knocked his opponent off his feet several times over nine rounds, before the referee called time. his victory paves the way for a potential fight against britain's other heavyweight champion, tyson fury. adam wild reports. anthony. . .joshua! this was anthonyjoshua's moment. heavyweight champion of the world. but the man with it all had it all to lose. pressure, perhaps, or motivation. whatever it was, joshua cut a determined figure. kubrat pulev now looking to upset the odds. the fans were back, 1,000 of them, all instantly aware this was a real battle. joshua starting quickly,

pulev taking it with a smile. but moments later, pulev was down, the end seemingly not far away. incredibly, pulev battled on until the ninth round. the finish, though, when it came, as swift as it was brutal. commanding, impressive, joshua back to his best, but he barely celebrated before thoughts turned to his future — tyson fury, britain's other world champion, immediately taking to social media. i want the fight. i want the fight next. i'll knock him out inside three rounds. tyson fury‘s co—promoter describing the stage as set for the biggest heavyweight championship fight since ali—frazier in 1971. fury againstjoshua will have to wait, but with a performance as powerful as this from anthonyjoshua, the boxing world won't want to wait long. adam wild, bbc news. that's it — the next news on bbc one is at 6:05pm. goodbye! hello there. it is looking unsettled

now good afternoon. there's been a thrilling finish to golf‘s european tour season this afternoon. all weekend it looked like patrick reed would become the first american to win the race to dubai title, but he was overhauled in the final round by lee westwood. his second place finish, behind the winner matthew fitzpatrick, at the season ending tour championship was enough to secure westwodd the overall title. austin halewood reports. in the shadows of the skyline injured by the state was set for the final day of the european tour, patrick reed, matthew fitzpatrick and lee westwood, all in the hunt to

finish the season as european number one. overnight patrick reed was the man to catch but his rant did not start well, instead it was fitzpatrick who raced out of the blocks, he birdied each of the first four holes, patrick reed was not done, chipping his way back into contention, but as patrick reed and fitzpatrick traded blows in the dubai desert, lee westwood quietly went about his business, the englishman with five birdies in a closing round of 68 and all he had to do now was quite and with patrick reed's chances going away with this pot on the seven, it was between fitzpatrick and westwood, but with a better ranking coming into the tournament, second was enough for westwood to clinch the overall title and this double bogey from lori ka ntor and this double bogey from lori kantor on the penultimate hole meant he was there. fitzpatrick at the tournament winner but lee westwood, 20 years after the first time he did it, the european tour champion. austen hillwood, bbc news. the final round of the us women's open gets under way shortly,

tee times have been brought forward because of the threat of rain and thunderstorms in houston. japan's hinako shibuno holds a 1 shot lead. but the shot of the day in round three came from america's stacy lewis. a 78 foot birdie that took 12 seconds to roll from putter to cup. tough round yesterday — fell out of contention despite that putt, the two time major winner is 8 off the pace. there are five games in the premier league today including a london derby as crystal palace host leaders spurs. there's been a goal in the day's early kick off. che adams with a clever finish to put southampton ahead at home to sheffield united. it's a game that united really need to get something from, they're bottom of the league having picked upjust a point so far this season. second halfjust under way at st mary's. goals to tell you about in scotland too. premiership leaders rangers are beating dundee united 2—1 away from home.

a win today for steve gerrard's side would put them 15 points clear of second placed hibs. there's live action from the women's super league this afternoon too. these are live pictures from the madejski stadium where manchester united have taken a 1—0 lead over reading. leah galton with the goal. you can watch the match live right now via the bbc sport website and app. today's game between birmingham and everton has been postponed due to waterlogged pitch. there's more champions cup rugby today and the season ending abu dhabi grand prix has just started. red bull's max verstappen started from pole, you can follow it live via the bbc sport website and the app. thank you very much indeed.

we're going to bring you now the prme minister's reaction to that news that he and european commission president ursula von der leyen have agreed to coninue talks om let's get more now on our main news — they have agreed that they will go the extra mile. let's listen again to the full statement from boris johnson, i have updated the cabinet about the contents i have updated the cabinet about the co nte nts of i have updated the cabinet about the contents of the call with ursula von der leyen and the idea was that when we went out on wednesday, the hope was that we were going to be able to finish things off today if there was a deal to be done. as things stand, and this is basically what are schuyler and i agreed, i am afraid we are still very far apart on some key things, but where there is life, there is hope, and we will keep talking to see what we can do. the uk certainly will not be walking

away from the talks, they would expect us to go the extra mile and i repeated my offer, which is if it is necessary to talk to other capitals, iam happy necessary to talk to other capitals, i am happy to do that, the commission is determined to keep the negotiations on the way that they have been done between us and the commission and that is fine, but i will repeat the most likely thing now is of course that we have to get ready for wto terms, australia terms, and don't forget everybody, we have made huge preparations for this and we have now been at this forfour and this and we have now been at this forfourand a this and we have now been at this for four and a half this and we have now been at this forfour and a half years, it is a long time, perhaps more intensively in the last couple of years, but we have got ready, and anybody who needs to know what to do, get onto gov.uk forwards needs to know what to do, get onto gov. uk forwards translation needs to know what to do, get onto gov.uk forwards translation and see what needs to be done and get ready forjanuary the 1st what needs to be done and get ready for january the 1st and what needs to be done and get ready forjanuary the 1st and either way, whatever happens, the uk will do very well. you always said you needed to see political movement

from the eu, have you seen any at all, centimetres, millimetres of political movement in the past few days? sam, we are always happy to talk and make progress where we can andi talk and make progress where we can and i do think, as i say, there is a deal to be done, if our partners wa nt to deal to be done, if our partners want to do it, but we remain very farapart on want to do it, but we remain very far apart on these key issues and you know what they are, the uk cannot be locked into the eu regulatory orbit and we have obviously got to take back control of ourfisheries, for all obviously got to take back control of our fisheries, for all our years, after people voted for it, those are the points. i think it is very clear what the uk is talking about. let us see what we can achieve, but in the meantime, get ready, with confidence forjanuary the 1st, trade on wto terms of we have to do. if you listened just to ursula von der

leyen and her statement to you would think that no deal was slightly less likely, is that a fair reading, she was a bit more optimistic? look, if she is optimistic, then that is great! because, you know, as far as ican see, great! because, you know, as far as i can see, there are some serious and very difficult issues that currently separate the uk from the eu and the best thing to do now for everybody is to follow up all the work that has been done over the last four and a half years, a colossal amount of preparation at our ports, everywhere across the uk, get ready to trade on wto terms, there is a clarity and simplicity in that approach that has its own advantages. it is not where we want to get to, but if we have to end up

with that solution, the uk is more than prepared. the bottom line is, you will not say there has been political progress from the eu, but you won't say that there hasn't thing? what i will say is that i think uk should continue to try and i think that is what the people of this country would want me to do and we will continue to try and i will try with all our hearts and we will be as creative as we possibly can, but what we cannot do is compromise on that fundamental nature of what brexit is all about, which is us being able to control our laws, control our fisheries, being able to control our laws, control ourfisheries, it being able to control our laws, control our fisheries, it is very, very simple, i think our friends get itand, very simple, i think our friends get it and, you know, we remain willing to talk and we will continue to do so, but in the meantime, let us get ready for the wto option and that is what i told the cabinet. that was the prime minister speaking in the last half an hour so so, and a little earlier we also heard from the european commission

president ursula von der leyen. good afternoon. i had a constructive and useful phone call with the prime minister borisjohnson and we discussed the major unsolved topics. our negotiation teams have been working day and night over the recent days and despite the exhaustion after almost one year of negotiations, despite the fact that deadlines have been missed over and over, we both think that it is responsible at this point in time to go the extra mile. we have accordingly mandated our negotiators to continue the tasks and to see whether an agreement can be reached, even at this late stage. the negotiations continue here in brussels. thank you so much. businesses have welcomed the news that talks will continue between the uk and the eu, to try and find a post—brexit trade

agreement — while also warning that the time must be used effectively. business lobby group, the cbi said the continuation of talks "gives us hope", and that a deal was "both essential and possible" for the uk economy. the group's director general, tony danker, added: "ongoing delays are frustrating and cost businesses. but it is vital to make use of the time." there's also been a response from the british retail consortium. the organisation, which represents british retailers including supermarkets said "every passing moment of uncertainty makes it harder for busiesses to prepare effectively for the 1st of january". earlier i spoke to tony connelly, europe editor of the irish broadcaster rte. he says negotiations are zeroing into this question of a what's called ‘the level playing field'. they are zeroing into this whole question of the level playing field. and the european union's real concern about what would happen

if the uk diverged from eu standards, with that give british companies an unfair advantage over european ones and then you would have the level playing field no longer being level and then again, if the eu improved or tightened its standards in various fields, such as the environment and so on, over time, and the uk did not, again, could you have an unfair situation. so, what they seem to be really looking at is how quickly could the eu retaliate if they feel that the uk has diverged and that has caused a negative effect or a distortion or some kind of unfair advantage for uk companies and how quickly could the eu do that, would it be automatic would it be what they call horizontal, meaning there could be a distortion in one area, but the eu could retaliate in another and of course the uk could retaliate

as well, so that seems to be where the cursor settling at the moment, but again we don't really know the details of what kind of mechanism or fix that they are going to get out of that, but clearly the feeling is in brussels that this should not be beyond the power of experience to trained negotiators. and, borisjohnson and ursula von der leyen saying they want to go the extra mile, do you think that that sort of quite deep philosophical divide on policy, level playing field, can be bridged injust a few days more of talks? the feeling is, you know, but this certainly should make an effort, whether they can get there or not, but again, as your correspondent there said, everything else has been done well, apart from fisheries, but if they can get the level playing field right, then the feeling is that fisheries can then be sorted byjust a classic negotiation over numbers, but again, to come so far and to be so close to the 1st of january and not go that extra mile and find

some mechanism, some clever workaround that both sides can say, well, that is fair enough, we have more or less met our red lines, then i think they will try and do that. just in a few seconds, do you think there can be a deal? i think certainly the feeling now is that it is more likely than perhaps it was yesterday or a few days ago. borisjohnson said that both sides orfarapart on key borisjohnson said that both sides or far apart on key issues. borisjohnson said that both sides orfar apart on key issues. we are going to pause unlike at the latest weather. good afternoon, it is a 5°99y weather. good afternoon, it is a soggy sunday out there and there's more of that as we come through the neck 7—10 days, low pressure staying close by, with rain at times and here is one, not particularly inviting picture from out there today, but there will be some sunnier moments as we go through the week ahead. this is the area of low pressure that is bringing these

weather fronts across us and bringing the ring and even when the persistent rain has cleared away, there will be showers following, and this is the past few hours of cloud and rain. i am this is the past few hours of cloud and rain. iam led this is the past few hours of cloud and rain. i am led to believe that the uk is under and we are all seen a bit of the rain of the afternoon goes on, brighter colours out there indicating whether there are heavier bursts out there, but there is a bit ofa bursts out there, but there is a bit of a clearance reaching into the wares, not much of that before sunset, but there may be a few brighter spells before the end of the day in northern ireland, but the showers will be arriving, look how much milder it is, but that is coming in on a strengthening southerly wind, it is going to be a windy night, and blustery showers moving on through, some of that is going to be heavy and possibly thundery and it will spread east right across the uk. the milder air will be feeding north, temperatures in scotland over night will be heading upa in scotland over night will be heading up a few degrees, and it is going to be a mile start to monday, it will be a windy monday, costs up around the northern isles and some

time and further showers, nowhere immune from catching the shower, but there will be parts of the east and thatisit there will be parts of the east and that is it for the day, you still may get caught in heavy downpour, these costs are going to be higher of around a0 mph so i'm closer to 50 on exposed coasts. it is a manager to the week, widely these temperature shall be into double figures and as we go through monday evening, we will still get them showers around, a chance overnight and into tuesday morning i seen a longer spell of rain brushing parts of south—east england and by tuesday the low pressure is still close by, but the isobars are opening up a little bit and it is not going to be as winding on tuesday, but it is still going to be decidedly breezy. we will get to see some sunshine occasionally, but notice the blobs of blue indicating there will be showers around, perhaps fewer showers around, perhaps fewer showers on monday, they may ease further in the day, temperatures just coming back a few degrees. more wet and windy weather, looking very windy for some of us in the west going through tuesday night and into

wednesday morning, showers on thursday and then by friday, we will see another spell of wind and rain coming our way see another spell of wind and rain coming ourway and see another spell of wind and rain coming our way and temperatures will be heading up again a few degrees. if you could bear it, you could go online and see the forecast for where you are and wherever you are going.

hello. this is bbc news with ben brown. the headlines... brexit talks will now continue as both sides agree to carry on with negotations after being unable to come to an agreement on trade. iam afraid i am afraid we are still very far apart on some key things but where there is life, there is hope. we are going to keep talking. the uk will not be walking away from the talks, people will expect us to go the extra mile. we had accordingly mandated our negotiators to continue the talks and see whether an agreement can be reached, even at this late