News Headlines - 05 February 2019

▽Cabinet ministers hold secret discussions on plans to delay Brexit by eight weeks

Cabinet ministers have secretly discussed plans to delay Brexit by eight weeks despite warnings by Theresa May that it is “counter-productive” to talk about it.
Ministers want the EU to agree a two-month "grace period" after March 29 if Mrs May’s deal passes through Parliament to allow extra time for necessary legislation.
Britain would remain in the EU on the same terms during this temporary period, The Telegraph understands.
An eight-week delay would mean Brexit being postponed to May 24.

▽UK, EU watchdogs agree clearing houses pact for no-deal Brexit | Reuters

The BoE said it and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) had agreed memoranda of understanding regarding cross-border cooperation and information-sharing between regulators for central counterparties and central securities depositories... The announcement means that stock, bond and derivatives transactions will face no immediate disruption if Britain leaves the bloc on March 29 without a transition deal.

▽Norway urges students to avoid UK universities in Brexit warning | The Guardian

Norway’s government is advising its citizens against studying in the UK because of Brexit, in a warning that will fuel concerns from universities about falling enrolment from Europe.
In blunt comments, Iselin Nybø, Norway’s minister responsible for higher education, urged students to avoid British universities.
Speaking to state broadcaster NRK, she said: “There’s so much uncertainty because of Brexit. If you’re a student and plan to travel out of Norway to study this autumn, I recommend you look at other countries than Great Britain.”

▽Nissan to hold extraordinary shareholders meet on April 8 to approve new director - Channel NewsAsia

Nissan Motor said on Tuesday (Feb 5) it will hold an extraordinary shareholders meeting on Apr 8 to formally discharge its ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn following his arrest on financial misconduct charges.
The meeting also aims to approve Renault SA Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard as a director, it said.

▽Japan's deputy prime minister blames women 'not giving birth' for declining population - CNN

Japan's deputy prime minister has come under fire after apparently blaming childless women for Japan's demographic woes.
Taro Aso, 78, denied that the elderly were the cause of the country's declining population and increasing social security costs during a speech in Fukuoka prefecture in southern Japan on Sunday... After being grilled by an opposition lawmaker during a budget committee session, Aso said Monday that he would retract the remark "if it caused misunderstanding."