Stories for August 9th 2017

Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 15:15 UTC
Australia recalls 73 Commonwealth experience and offers UK advice on Brexit: don't be gloomy

Britain is “a bit gloomy” about Brexit and can achieve success outside the European Union, Australia’s high commissioner to the UK has said. Alexander Downer said the UK could be “cautiously optimistic” about achieving a new free trade deal with the EU, and could forge a new and successful economic policy if it pursued the right path domestically.
Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 12:15 UTC
Scotland to discuss new post Brexit powers for Holyrood, but warns of Westminster “power grab”

The possibility of releasing new powers to Holyrood after Brexit will be discussed in talks between the UK and Scottish ministers scheduled for this Wednesday. First Secretary of State Damian Green will meet Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Scotland's Brexit Minister Michael Russell in Edinburgh.
Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 11:40 UTC
Venezuela's constituent assembly declares itself supreme, above all government branches

Venezuela's newly established constituent assembly declared itself on Tuesday to be above all other branches of government, including the opposition-led congress. Assembly leaders Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello said their laws and decisions trumped all others made by anyone else.
Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 08:08 UTC
Regional countries don't recognize Venezuelan constituent assembly; permanent group to monitor events

On Tuesday, August 8, thirteen foreign ministers from the Americas met in Lima, Peru, in order to discuss Venezuela’s social and political crisis. The result was a signed declaration in which the representatives declare that Nicolás Maduro’s constituent assembly is illegal and illegitimate, as are all decisions that result from it.
Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 07:48 UTC
UN Secretary General urges Venezuelan government and opposition to relaunch negotiations

Highly concerned that recent developments in Venezuela could lead to further escalation of tensions and hamper a peaceful solution to the crisis, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres again on Tuesday urged the Government and the opposition to relaunch negotiations for the benefit of the Venezuelan people.
Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 07:10 UTC
UK Supreme Court calls for clarity on the EU Court of Justice after Brexit

The president of the UK’s Supreme Court has called on the UK Government to provide greater clarity over the role of the European Court of Justice after Brexit. Lord Neuberger said it would be “unfair” to blame judges for making the law “when Parliament has failed to do so”.
Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 06:45 UTC
Ten years from the 2007 financial crash, Lord Darling identifies “complacency” as the biggest danger

Regulators must remain “very very” vigilant about the risks to the economy, former chancellor Lord Darling has told the BBC - 10 years on from the start of the financial crisis. He said a rising level of consumer debt in the economy was a growing concern.
Wednesday, August 9th 2017 - 06:39 UTC
Beef and ethanol back in the EU/Mercosur agenda in October meeting

Beef will be back on the menu this October as the European Union seeks to finalise a trade deal with Mercosur. The European Commission will offer Mercosur new beef import quotas at reduced tariff rates during a formal round of trade talks in the first week of October in Brussels, EU sources confirmed.