this is bbc news. it's 10pm and i'm shaun ley. our headlines... another deadline extended — brexit talks will now continue, as both sides agree to carry on after being unable to come to an agreement. i'm afraid we're still very far apart on some key things. the brexit trade talks go into extra but where there's time as the uk and eu life, there's hope. agree to keep talking. we'll keep talking to see what we can do. the uk certainly won't be walking away from the talks. this was to be the day i think people will expect us to call the process off — to go the extra mile. unless there'd been a deal. we have accordingly mandated our instead, the prime minister and the european commission negotiations to continue for talks, president say it'll go on. and to see whether an agreement can we both think that it is responsible be reached — even at this point in time at this late stage. to go the extra mile. following the decision, there is a deal to be done the prime minister held a conference call to brief the cabinet if our partners want to do it. on their options in the event but we remain very far apart of a no—deal outcome. on these key issues.

a warning to borisjohnson — relaxing coronavirus restrictions with 18 days remaining this christmas will lead of the transition period, we'll be looking at where the continuing uncertainty to a third wave of infections. leaves business. all schools in greenwich told also tonight: to close from tomorrow, another warning on christmas social as coronavirus rates in contact — a leading scientist says the south—east london borough reach it could raise infection the highest level since march. rates in the new year. in germany, rising cases spark a tighter lockdown, police in lincolnshire have arrested to last through the festive period. two teenagers on suspicion of murder after the discovery and after anthonyjoshua retains his heavyweight titles, is a battle with tyson fury next? a school boy's body. hello, very good evening to you. in a few moments will be joined viewers good evening. the brexit trade talks are continuing beyond today's deadline — on bbc want with michelle hussein. after the uk and the eu agreed their negotiators should keep talking.

best bbc one. major issues are still unresolved, the brexit trade talks will continue but after a telephone beyond the deadline set for today, call this morning, after the uk and the eu boris johnson and ursula agreed their negotiators von der leyen they said should keep talking. major issues are still unresolved they would go the extra mile. but after a telephone the prime minister has repeated that call this morning — a no deal scenario was most likely boris johnson and ursula von der leyen they said but that the two sides would be as creative as possible. they would "go the extra mile". our political correspondent, mishal husain will be here in a few iain watson, reports. minutes with the latest national are there still barriers in the way of a trade deal with brussels? today the latest first, let's listen again deadline was discarded. to borisjohnson, who spoke but the prime minister says some after holding talks with ursula von distance still remains der leyen, the european commission between the two sides. president, and with his cabinet. the idea was that, when we went out on wednesday, the hope as things stand, i'm afraid was that we were going to be able we're still very far apart on some key things. to finish things off today, but where there's life, there's hope. if there was a deal to be done. we are going to see what we can do. as things stand — the uk certainly won't be walking and this is basically away from the talks. what ursula and i agreed — and the eu commission president said i'm afraid we're still very far apart on some very key things. both sides will make a last gasp effort to reach agreement. but where there's life, there's hope. despite the exhaustion after almost we will keep talking one year of negotiations to see what we can do. and despite the fact that deadlines the uk certainly won't be have been missed over and over, walking away from talks. we both think that it is responsible i think people will expect us to go the extra mile. at this point in time to go the extra mile.

i repeated my offer, which is, you know, if it's necessary to talk to other capitals — and i'm very happy to do that — so, why does a tangible gap remain the commission is very determined between the two sides? to keep the negotiations on the way they've been done well, there is still squabbling over between us and the commission. what access eu fishing fleets would have to uk waters. that's fine. but i've got to repeat, the most likely thing now is, and over how any wider trade of course, that we have to get ready deal would be policed, if the two sides adopt different for wto terms, australia terms. and don't forget, everybody, we've rules in the future. made huge preparations for this, as well as talking to the eu commission president today, we've now been at this borisjohnson spoke to his cabinet colleagues. for four—and—a—half years. despite agreeing to more talks in brussels, he told them so it's a long time. that no—deal was still perhaps more intensively the last the more likely outcome. few years than previously. but anyway, we've got ready, we have to get ready for wto terms. and anybody who needs to know what to do, get there is a clarity and a simplicity in that approach that, you know, onto gov. uk/tra nsition, has its own advantages. to see what needs to be done. that was the prime minister so, what are wto — and a little earlier we also heard or world trade — terms? from the european commission president ursula von der leyen. well, it means tariffs good afternoon. or taxes would be imposed i had a constructive from january the ist on goods and useful phone call going from our shores to the eu, with prime minister borisjohnson. and vice versa, pushing up some

we discussed the major prices in the process. but this could be avoided unsolved topics. if a deal is struck soon. our negotiation teams have been now neither downing street nor working day and night over brussels have set themselves the recent days and, yet another deadline. these tend to come and go in any case. despite the exhaustion, after almost but i'm told informally that the question of deal or no deal needs to be settled one year of negotiations, in the next few days. despite the apparent pessimism despite the fact that deadlines have in there, it's important to note that detailed discussions been missed over and over, we both think that it is responsible are still continuing, so the prospect of a deal can't be at this point in time to go completely ruled out. the extra mile. in fact, the irish government believes a deal is within reach we have accordingly mandated our if both sides show willing. negotiators to continue the talks and to see whether an agreement can 97% of this deal has been negotiated acrossjudicial, security, research, be reached, even at this late stage. a whole range of areas. the negotiations continue and it seems to me that here in brussels. 00:04:46,058 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 thank you so much. the remaining 3% should not be beyond the capacity of both sides to bridge. and labour argues that there is no logic to no deal. what the government seems to be saying is we are willing to accept no deal, which would mean tariffs across the board, because some

future, theoretical threat, maybe some time in the future, to have tariffs in relation to some products. that makes no sense at all. that's like saying i'm worried my roof is going to leak in five years' time so let's bulldoze the house now. today, the negotiating teams have been given the green light to continue. but the direction of travel remains uncertain. now, sources close to the british side of the negotiations are saying that if there hadn't been any progress, talks would indeed have been called off today. one of them put it like this. the process still has some legs. but those legs tend to be strolling, not running, they could even stumble because i am also being told the more detailed discussions become, the more problems are being thrown up. boris johnson says, look, the uk can prosper without a deal. at his critics, inside as well as outside the conservative party, are saying if we leave without trade agreement, with our single guest market, that

will prove very costly. iain watson in west munster. let's talk now to our europe editor, katya adler, who's in brussels for us. what you think the extension of the talks means? of course, we have talked many times that neither the government nor the eu wants to get the blame when it comes to no deal. could it be possible that they are only still talking because neither side wants to be the first to walk away? absolutely not is what i am hearing from eu contacts close to the talks. they say both sides are trying to be very constructive in the negotiating room, although big political decision still need to be taken. so, where do we go from here? what are both sides going to decide? we know that neither side is going to sign up to this deal unless they can sell it at home as a victory. for the can sell it at home as a victory. forthe uk, can sell it at home as a victory. for the uk, that would say it has protected its national sovereignty after brexit, for the eu it would mean protecting the single market.

until then, therejust mean protecting the single market. until then, there just won't be any deal. katya adler in brussels, thank you very much. business groups have welcomed the decision to keep the effort to get a trade deal going. our business editor simon jack is here. we still don't have an answer to how all of this ends, and yet there are immediate decisions that need to be made. businesses coping? immediate decisions that need to be made. businesses coping7m immediate decisions that need to be made. businesses coping? it feels like torture, this, doesn't it, another extension? but it could have been worse. as you rightly say, business groups say as say as long as they are still talking, there is still a chance of a deal. without one, they could have stood up today and said they are throwing in the towel, that's it. that means january the ist, the eu would be legally obliged, it would not choose to do this, to bring in wto terms, and treat the uk like everyone else it doesn't have a trade deal with. that means tariffs on cars, 48% on some forms of lamb, it would knock 2% of national income according to the office for budget responsibility, £40 billion. steaks are still very high. having said that, the

extension does create problems. firms need to price and label their goods for next year and they don't know how to do that. psychologically, if people keep thinking some rabbit is going to come out of the hat at the 11th hour, they will take their foot off the gas in doing some of the things they need to do whether we get a deal or not. so it would not put them out of their misery if we had said no—deal right now, but if we do get no—deal, i'm afraid it could put some firms out of business. simon jack, thank you. the latest government figures on coronavirus show another 18,447 infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. it means the average number of new cases reported per day in the last week was 18,023. 1,530 people were admitted to hospital on average each day over the week to the 9th of december. 144 deaths were reported for the last 24 hours — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, there were 420 deaths per day. the total number of uk deaths is now 64,170.

one of the scientists who led the development of the oxford university covid vaccine has warned that mixing over christmas could mean a sharp rise in infections injanuary. it comes amid warnings of the existing pressure on some hospitals, with one health board in wales suspending outpatient appointments and non urgent surgery. here's our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. although some are being vaccinated now, the majority of high—risk people will get theirjabs 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 have seen in the us is that after thanksgiving, when people were travelling and mixing, there's now been a big

surge in infections and they're seeing 3000 deaths a day there now. the highest rate there has 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's going to 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 due to covid. non—urgent care was already due to be suspended from tomorrow. ted edwards was at home when he suffered a suspected stroke. in a statement, the health board said its hospitals remain under significant pressure due to very high numbers of covid patients. it added that it urgently needs the public to only attend if absolutely necessary as the number of covid—positive patients in the community is increasing at an alarming rate. wales' first minister said that

action had to be taken to reduce the number of infections. 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 hospital leaders have warned that relaxing covid restrictions could trigger a third wave of the virus. in a letter, they asked 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. the london borough of greenwich has become the first local authority in england to ask its schools to close and switch to remote learning for the last few days of term — because of rising covid cases. in a letter to parents the leader of the council apologised

for the disruption but said "immediate action" was required. the department for education has said it's a priority for schools to stay upen until the end of term. germany is bringing in tough additional covid restrictions from this wednesday for at least 25 days — as it battles new infections that are three times that of the peak in the spring. schools and non essential shops will close and alcohol will be banned from sale in public places. from dresden, jenny hill reports. for a country which cherishes christmas, no joyful tidings. germany is struggling to contain the second wave, and the death toll is rising. this morning, angela merkel announced that, in addition to bars and restaurants, schools and shops must now close, too. "case numbers are rising exponentially," she said. "we are mourning a lot of deaths, we need to stop the health system from being overburdened."

it's costing the country dear. there'll be more financial help for businesses like astrid's, forced to close at her busiest time of year. it hurts. it hurts, yes. can you survive? i hope. we will see. we will see if we get some help. we will see. but what's gone wrong for the country which came so successfully through the first wave? many blame regional leaders, who, until now, have dithered, bickered and resisted angela merkel‘s calls for a tougher, countrywide response. new years eve and christmas could be a complete nightmare, with increasing numbers and increasing numbers of deaths. i mean, look at the death rate. in one week, we have more deaths due to covid—19 than in one year in 2019 due to accidents. i mean, traffic accidents. i mean, it has to be changed. in the middle of a hard winter, plans for the new year when,

if approved, germany hopes to start vaccinations. already, this country's freezers are in demand. purpose—built in south—west germany, to transport and store the german—developed vaccine at the required —70 celsius. we are producing here a quite high, four digit number of freezers a year. and we are, say, a handful of leading manufacturers in the world making such products. but we have to serve the globe. hope then, perhaps — but for now little cheer. even the traditional german mulled wine is off. there is to be a ban on drinking alcohol outdoors. in normal times, the square would be packed with people enjoying dresden‘s world christmas market. not this year. many assumed those german qualities of efficiency, scientific excellence, strong infrastructure, could carry this country through the second wave of the pandemic.

instead, germany, a country which really cherishes its festive traditions, is all but cancelling christmas. jenny hill, bbc news, dresden. now for some of the day's other stories. the united states has begun transporting the first doses of the pfizer—biontech covid—19 vaccine around the country. health care workers and nursing home residents will be among the first to receive the jabs, with enough doses for three million people in the initial deliveries. honda is to restart production at its swindon factory tomorrow after transport problems caused a shortage of parts last week. work was stopped on wednesday after components were held up by delays and congestion at uk ports. a 14—year—old boy and a 19—year—old man have been arrested on suspicion of murder, after a teenager was found dead in lincolnshire. he was found on common land in fishtoft, near boston on saturday. police said final identification was yet to take place.

in the last few minutes it's been announced that the author john le carre has died. le carre — whose real name was david cornwell — had a career that spanned six decades, his spy novels defining the cold war era. he found international fame with the publication of the spy who came in from the cold in 1963. our correspondent lizo mzimba looks back at his life. so are you polyakov‘s agent? if polyakov‘s cover for meeting you people is that he is spying on the circus, then he must have a man on the inside, mustn't he? alec guinness in the television version of tinker tailor soldier spy, playing george smiley, the spy master as sharp as he was shy, wasjohn le carre's most enduring and celebrated creation. please, i don't deserve this. who gave the message forjim prideaux to forget about tinker tailor? a 2011 film of tinker tailor won multiple oscar nominations including one for gary oldman‘s portrayal

of the retired intelligence chief. you're just the messenger. running between them all. like smiley, le carre was something of an outsider, and like smiley he'd been a spy. he had been fascinated by lies and duplicity since childhood. his mother walked out when he was five, his father a conman who had affairs with a string of women. he was first recruited for intelligence work at university in switzerland, then at oxford he spied on left—wing contemporaries. when the option was presented to me it was immensely attractive. it really was as if the whole of my life had prepared me for this moment. it was entering the priesthood. the spy who came in from the cold, laterfilmed with richard burton, was le carre's breakthrough novel. it was written while he was working for mi6 at the british embassy in bonn, at the time the berlin wall went up and when the cold war was at its iciest. what the hell do you think spies are? moral philosophers measuring

everything they do against the word of god or karl marx? they're not. so many of his stories explored the battles between the eastern and western blocs, but he wasn't deterred by the fall of the iron curtain. his first post—cold war novel... the night manager. ..another best—seller. 20 years later, for its tv adaptation, key locations were changed and a major male character became a woman. we've not been introduced. my name is angela burr. its themes of secrecy and betrayal remained. it was a global hit, the author even playing a rare cameo. i must apologise for my friend's misbehaviour. you bloody well should. le carre tried other types of book, but spy novels were what he did best. he believed authors and spies had much in common — both hiding their real selves in characters of their own creation. john le carre, who's

died at the age of 89. in nigeria, government troops have surrounded the area where gunmen are believed to be holding school children hostage in the north west of the country. the abduction from a secondary school in kankara happened on friday. a government spokesman said he believed ten children were being held, but school staff say the figure is much higher, with many still unaccounted for. our correspondent mayeni jones is in kano for us. what can you tell us, mayeni? the situation here is still incredibly uncertain. a government spokesperson spoke to the bbc today and said there could be as little as ten stu d e nts there could be as little as ten students missing. this directly contradicts the state government, which claims over 300 students are still missing. but i think what this incident really illustrates is how big ofan incident really illustrates is how big of an issue insecurity is in the country. there are islamist

militants that are active in the north—east of the country, viewers will remember the chibok girls kidnapped in 2014. in this part of the country, kidnapping for ransom is rampantand the country, kidnapping for ransom is rampant and is on the increase. this is problematic, because the president was elected because many nigerians believed he would tackle insecurity. the fact these types of kidnappings are still happening shows that insecurity is a problem he cannot handle. thank you very much. with all the sport now, here's lizzie greenwood—hughes at the bbc sport centre. thanks, mishal. good evening. the stage is set for one of the biggest fights in british boxing history after anthonyjoshua and tyson fury verbally agreed to unify the world heavyweight belts for the first time. it comes afterjoshua beat kubrat pulev in london last night. our correspondent natalie pirks reports. # ohhhh, anthonyjosh—ua! # he was back. and so were they. it has been a year out of the ring for aj.

he was a man on a mission to prove there was no ring—rust. a controlled performance exploded into life in round three. remarkably, pulev and his granite chin broke into a smile amidst the pounding. the uppercut was joshua's weapon of choice throughout. and that one really hurt kubrat pulev! but in the ninth, it was the full force of his right hand that ended pulev‘s night. while he was still taking a bow, though, britain's other heavyweight champion made it clear that the unification fight the world wants could soon be a reality. i want the fight. i want the fight next. i'll knock him out inside three rounds. tyson fury is already the bookmaker‘s favourite but after avoiding all mention of his name next week, this week, aj finally went there. tyson has talent and he will bring out the best in me. so that is brilliant, i really feel like his confidence, and the bookmakers', i've studied him and watched him so when i fight him

it will be good to change those odds and put them in my favour. joshua's promoter says the crux of the deal is done, with only things like the venue to solve. we want to make the fight. we believe we win, they believe they win. it's the biggest fight in boxing, there is no other fight biggest fight in boxing, there is no otherfight for either of biggest fight in boxing, there is no other fight for either of them that can compete with ease compared to this. now is the time. the biggest fight in british boxing history edges closer. match of the day 2 follows the news so don't listen if you don't want to hear the results because they're coming now. tottenham are still leading the premier league despite being held to a 1—1 draw at crystal palace. they're ahead on goal difference over champions liverpool, who could've overtaken them but they also drew at fulham. elsewhere, arsenal lost to burnley, and there were wins for leicester and southampton, who are up to third. scottish premiership leaders rangers now haven't lost for 26 games. they beat dundee united to stay 13 points clear of celtic.

rugby union's european champions exeter began their new campaign in the champions cup in style, with a 42—0 thumping of glasgow. adam wild reports. this is the noise sandy park has missed — a champions' reception for the exeter chiefs. these, the first fans back since their side were crowned champions of europe. now here they were trying to conquer it all over again. glasgow warriors, the first to try — and in this case fail — to stop them. sam simmonds thenjonny gray powering their way over the line. by the second half exeter were really cutting loose, this was stewart hogg against his former club. the winning mentality allowing no room for sentiment. ollie woodburn got on the end of this for yet another chiefs' score, a performance befitting the champions. exeter fans may not have been present for many of their successes last season. on this form they may

just see plenty more. adam wild, bbc news. max verstappen finished the f1 season on a high by winning the abu dhabi grand prix. the red bull driver led from start to finish. britain's newly crowned seven—time world champion lewis hamilton was third. there's more on the bbc sport website, including how lee westwood became the oldest winner of europe's race to dubai title. back to you, mishal. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. goodbye.

hello there. well, today was certainly a day to forget. lots of cloud around, lots of rain, too. an inch of rain or more in some parts of the country, leaving us with some very soggy scenes today. the weather did change later on across the far west of england and wales, and here in northern ireland,