Johnson has sent a letter he said he never would asking for an extension.
We now wait to see what the EU come back with.
It's likely to be a technical extension. At best.
France are really not happy with the idea of an extension and Macron is flexing his muscles with the EU at the moment. He has been prepared to upset all the other EU countries as he proved with blocking progress on accession to the EU for Northern Macedonia and Albania this week. Macron is fighting his own domestic battles.
It looks as if Johnson now has a majority for a deal. What that deal will ultimately look like will be dictated by the Withdrawal Agreement Bill which sets out implementation of the Withdrawal Act.
However, with the DUP firmly offside the chances of a vote of no confidence go up. As do the chances of an election.
And its also worth pointing out that whilst the WAB is legally binding if we have an election and Johnson gets a majority, then there can always be changes made to domestic law. (implementation of the WA rather than the agreement principles of the WA agreed with the EU).
Thus any 'assurances' over workers rights and regulatory standards are only as good as long as this parliament...