Putin adjusts retirement policy; US threatens to resume military exercises on Korean peninsula

President Vladimir Putin on August 29 proposed a revision to pension reform, in which the retirement age for Russian women will increase from 55 to 60, instead of increasing to 63 as originally planned, according toBBCMeanwhile, the increase in retirement age to 65 for men will remain unchanged.

The Russian president said the country’s working-age population was shrinking, so change was necessary. He said the move to raise the retirement age for men and women had been delayed for years, risking inflation and increasing poverty. The delay could threaten Russia’s social stability and security.

"Any delay is irresponsible. Our decisions should be fair and just," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian labor unions warn that many people will not live long enough to collect their pensions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the average life expectancy for Russian men is 66 and for women is 77. The controversy has caused Putin's approval rating to plummet from 80% to 64%, according to the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM).

Iran's Grand Ayatollah Raises the Possibility of Quitting the JCPOA Nuclear Deal

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaks at an event in Tehran. Source: AFP/VNA

On August 29, Iran's supreme spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that Tehran could abandon the nuclear deal with world powers if the deal does not serve Iran's interests after the US withdrawal.

“The nuclear deal is a means, not an end. If we come to the conclusion that it does not serve our national interests, we can abandon it,” Khamenei said on his official website.

He also said Tehran should “give up hope” that Europe would save the deal.

Ukraine initiates procedure to terminate Friendship Treaty with Russia

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare a package of documents to initiate the procedure for terminating the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership signed between Ukraine and Russia in 1997. Poroshenko said that after full preparation and development of the legal protection, Ukraine is moving to the next step, which is to terminate the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. He hoped that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would soon present the necessary package of documents to quickly initiate this process.

Last April, President Poroshenko confirmed that he had submitted a bill to the National Assembly on unilaterally terminating some provisions of the above treaty, admitting that it was not possible to cancel the entire treaty but suspending some provisions was necessary.

US and South Korean soldiers participate in the Foal Eagle exercise in South Korea in 2015. Photo: Reuters

However, Secretary Mattis gave no indication that major exercises with allied forces in the region would resume.

Mr. Mattis' statement was made in the context of the deadlock in the negotiation process between the US and North Korea.

Malaysian government sets up committee to come up with medium-term financial plan

Malaysian ringgit. Source: AFP/VNA

On August 29, the Malaysian Government announced the establishment of two committees tasked with formulating medium-term financial plans and reviewing the country's overall tax system.

Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the Public Finance Committee (PFC) was established to serve as a platform to balance the government's fiscal consolidation needs and spending needs, thereby improving the people's living standards while promoting future economic growth.

Meanwhile, the Tax Reform Committee (TRC) is tasked with ensuring that Malaysia’s tax system is more efficient, progressive and equitable without burdening the people, while contributing to long-term economic productivity. The committee also looks into measures to prevent tax evasion and tax avoidance.

Burst dyke in Myanmar causes severe flooding

Continuous heavy rains over the past several days have caused a dyke to break, flooding many residential areas in central Myanmar and significantly affecting transportation activities on the highway connecting major cities Yangon, Mandalay and the capital Naypyitaw.

Myanmar authorities have dispatched rescue teams to the scene to deal with the aftermath. There is currently no information on casualties.

Suicide car bombing in Iraq, 20 casualties

At least eight people were killed and 12 others injured in a suicide car bombing on August 29 at a security checkpoint in Anbar province, western Iraq.

According to local officials, the checkpoint is jointly operated by the Iraqi army and government-backed militias.

Among the dead were five militiamen and three civilians. The death toll is likely to rise as many of the injured are in critical condition.

UK: Installing public water taps to reduce plastic bottle use

Source: Londonist

On August 28, London Mayor Saliq Khan announced the locations of the first 20 public drinking fountains in the British capital, in a campaign to reduce the use of plastic bottles. The first 20 fountains will be located near train stations, shopping centers, museums as well as on busy business streets across London.

Four of the 20 public water taps have previously been installed at locations such as Valentines Park in Redbridge, Carnby Street in Westminster and two at Liverpool Street station, all proving popular.

South Korea bans coffee sales in schools from September 14

Source: Yonhap

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (MFDS) said that the draft amendment to a section of the Special Act on Food Safety Management for Children, which includes a ban on the sale of coffee in Korean schools, will be implemented from September 14. MFDS has completed the necessary administrative procedures to implement the above content, such as revising the implementation circular to notify schools in advance.

Currently, items containing high levels of caffeine are banned from sale in schools in South Korea. However, regular coffee is still sold in coffee vending machines in schools for teachers.