EU Sends Top Official to Brexit Talks, Lifting Deal Hopes: Times

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sent one of her most senior officials, Stephanie Riso, to assist Michel Barnier in negotiating a trade deal with Britain, raising hopes of a deal by next Friday, the Times of London reported.

Von der Leyen is being “quite helpful” and is “keen to unblock things,” the paper said, citing senior government sources.