Brexit deal hangs in the balance

Talks over the UK's Brexit deal have reached a crucial stage. We'll be following the latest developments from the European Council in Brussels, Belgium. The deal will determine the manner in which the UK leaves the European Union. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in a race against time to get a deal agreed with his party and the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) before Thursday's EU summit.

Also, in Northern Syria the Turkish military offensive against the Kurdish-led fighters continues. President Erdogan of Turkey has ruled out a ceasefire with the Kurds despite the threat of US sanctions. We'll explain what's happening in Syria.

And in South Africa, a man is facing sentencing after being found guilty of raping a 7-year-old girl in the bathroom of a restaurant. We'll speak to our correspondent who's been following the case.

(Photo: A worker installs a barrier next to the flags of the European Union, the United Kingdom and other EU nations one day prior to a summit of European Union leaders at the European Council on October 16, 2019 in Brussels, Belgium. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)