By Imogen FoulkesBBC News, Geneva Related Topics Brexit image copyrightReuters image captionThe push to scrap the freedom of movement deal comes from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party Swiss voters will decide on Sunday whether to abandon their free movement of people agreement with the EU. Supporters say the move will allow Switzerland to control its borders and select only the… Read more →
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Brexit protests on the the River Tyne in Newcastle At any other time the prospect of the biggest change in the UK’s trading arrangements with its biggest economic partner would dominate the thinking of almost every business. But Covid-ravaged firms who have been in a fight for survival for the last six months have… Read more →
Image caption Michael Gove made his statement to the Commons on Monday The government has warned that the outcome of ongoing Brexit negotiations will not alter significant changes to trade with EU that business needs to prepare for. “Customs declarations are complicated”: That’s according to page 8 of a 208-page government guide to importing and exporting after the transition period… Read more →
Image caption Belfast Harbour has reached agreement in principle on “the specification, design and layout of the new inspection facility”. Operators of NI’s major ports say they are ready to build Brexit related-infrastructure as soon as government confirms what is necessary. The ports have been engaging with Stormont’s Department of Agriculture (DAERA) over the creation of border control posts (BCPs).… Read more →
Image copyright Reuters The Bank of England governor has told lenders to be ready for the possibility that the UK and EU fail to agree a free trade deal by the end of the year. On a call with financial firms, Andrew Bailey stressed the importance of ensuring the financial system could cope with a no-deal, Sky News reported. The… Read more →
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Under the deal, NI will continue to follow EU rules on agricultural and manufactured goods The new ‘Irish Sea border’ is unlikely to be operational by 1 January, a think tank has concluded. The Institute for Government (IfG) also said that the government should extend the Brexit transition period. Under the Brexit deal, new… Read more →
Image copyright Microsoft Image caption Jason Ronald from Xbox Ray tracing has always been the “holy grail” of computer graphics, says Jason Ronald, head of program management for the gaming console Xbox. The technique simulates a three-dimensional image by calculating each ray of light and promises stunning lighting effects with realistic reflections and shadows. The method finds where it bounces,… Read more →
Image copyright Getty Images Drugs giant AstraZeneca has announced it is ready to provide a potential new coronavirus vaccine from September. The firm said it had concluded deals to deliver at least 400 million doses of the vaccine, which it is developing with Oxford University. AstraZeneca said it was capable of producing one billion doses of the AZD1222 vaccine this… Read more →
Image copyright Reuters Mastercard staff can continue working from home until they “feel comfortable” going to the office amid the pandemic. The credit card firm employs about 20,000 people globally, with a “large percentage” now working from home. Rather than forcing them back to offices, staff can make their own decision on timings, it said. Twitter said last week it… Read more →
Image copyright PA Media Image caption Are employees prepared for the return to work? Most firms reckon they could be ready to restart business with just three weeks’ notice. That’s according to the latest British Chambers of Commerce Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker. The BBC talked to companies in five different sectors to find out how prepared they are to return… Read more →