After the last two trade talk sessions were cancelled, EU and UK have brought Brexit negotiations back onto the table with trade negotiations planned for the weeks of 20 April, 11 May and 1 June (by video) led by topic-based negotiating groups.  At the moment the UK continues to take the view there will be no extension from 31 December despite the pandemic outbreak.  In a separate workstream, the first meeting of the Joint Committee which will oversee the implementation of the withdrawal agreement took place on 30 March.  Again further work (which will be particularly important in relation to the operation of the NI border) will be led through six specialized subcommittees with particular topics.  As ever the technical work goes on behind the scenes and breaks cover at periodic high profile moments.