EU, UK leaders agree to 'work intensively' for deal

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the head of the EU's executive, Ursula von der Leyen, have agreed in a phone call to step up Brexit talks to close "significant gaps" barring a new trade partnership.

The two sides have said this week's round of talks aimed at getting a new, post-Brexit trade agreement from 2021 made some progress but not a breakthrough.

The EU says a deal must be sealed by the end of the month to leave enough time for ratification by the end of this year.