newstatesman (20.08.2019) A simplistic plan to save money would bring hardship to those least able to cope. t is rare that I see a proposal as potentially damaging as the recommendation, just published by the Centre for Social Justice, to dramatically increase the state pension age – to 70 by 2028 and then to 75 a few years later. This flawed policy thinking suggests little understanding of the role and impact of state pensions and the differentials within our society. It must be dismissed immediately before it is adopted by politicians looking for seemingly easy benefits.

WHO news (18.08.2019) WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has completed a two-week mission to Pacific Island countries and reiterated WHO’s unflagging commitment to supporting their efforts to advance health and well being. In 2017, WHO established a special initiative on climate change and health in small island developing states, launching it in cooperation with His Excellency Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, who was president of COP23 in Bonn.

Periodistas en Español (13.08.2019) El Comité Español de Representantes de Personas con Discapacidad (CERMI) ha planteado como reto del próximo decenio incorporar al menos 250 000 personas con discapacidad a un trabajo estable y digno para fortalecer los recursos de la Seguridad Social y garantizar que la protección social llegue a todos por igual, independientemente de su trayectoria laboral.

TDG (20.08.2019) Le taux de chômage calculé selon les indications du Bureau international du travail (BIT) a reculé de 0,4 point sur un an, à 4,2%, indique mardi l'Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS). Corrigée des variations saisonnières, la contraction atteint 0,1 point à 4,5%.

Xinhua (16.08.2019) The General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army (PLAGH) said Friday that it will set up 45 stations of remote medical services in public hospitals in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region in five years. PLAGH and the regional government reached a framework agreement on health and poverty alleviation in Lhasa, capital of Tibet on Friday. PLAGH will provide free telemedicine services for Tibetan hospitals, according to the agreement.

Bloomberg (18.08.2019) Singapore extended support for older workers in the aging island nation as the current leadership prepares to hand over to a new generation in the next few years. The retirement age will be gradually raised to 65 from 62, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday in his annual National Day Rally speech. The re-employment age, where employers must offer work in the same organization, will rise to 70 from 67.

independent(19.08.2019) The €5 hike to the State pension and weekly social welfare payments is in jeopardy amid a major Budget battle in Fianna Fáil. Despite the risk of a no-deal Brexit and opposition at senior levels of the party, social protection spokesman Willie O'Dea said he would be "robustly" arguing for the same €5 per week increase in welfare payments.

ukrinform (15.08.2019) The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a resolution the implementation of which will help strengthen the social protection of internally displaced persons and ensure the provision of targeted assistance.

News Diggers! (15.08.2019) The Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) has bemoaned the increasing number of accidents in the road and construction industries in Zambia saying labour is going to waste as a result of the incidents.

The New York Times (14.08.2019) It is a patchwork that covers some people and some diseases but not others. We can improve it by bolstering Obamacare.