The United Nations said there's a "high likelihood" that the main children's hospital in Kyiv suffered a "direct hit" from a missile launched by Russia on Monday. The agency analysed video footage of the strike and said the death toll could have been higher if people weren't sheltering in bunkers during the attack. Russia said a surface-to-air missile launched by Ukraine hit the hospital, but Ukraine said it recovered fragments of a Russian missile near the medical facility, following the strike. Flags in Kyiv are at half mast today as officials declared a day of mourning. Megumi Lim reports.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Russian President Vladimir Putin that "war cannot solve problems", as both leaders met in Moscow. He stressed the importance of peace and reiterated the need for diplomacy to resolve the war in Ukraine, adding that a solution to the bloodshed "cannot be found on the battlefield". Mr Modi arrived in Moscow yesterday, just hours after Russia launched a massive strike on cities across Ukraine, killing dozens and damaging a children's hospital in Kyiv. Dasha Chernyshova and Neha Poonia report from Moscow and New Delhi respectively.

Local firms are now paying up to 50 per cent more for air freight compared with the start of the year. They are switching from sea to air cargo, in a bid to avoid months of shipping delays caused by congestion in ports around the world. With cargo planes packed for the next two months, industry players expect air freight rates to continue going up, especially as they head into peak delivery season. CNA’s Nadirah Zaidi reports. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

On Monday (Jul 8), the day before a NATO summit in Washington, Russia launched its deadliest wave of airstrikes in Ukraine in months. At least 36 were killed - including three children at a paediatric hospital - with more than 170 wounded, said Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CNA’s Megumi Lim reports from Kyiv. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Singapore swimmer Quah Ting Wen will not be participating in the Paris Olympics, after her appeal to be part of the 4x100m medley relay team was rejected. She had initially received confirmation of her spot on the team, before the Singapore Aquatics decided to send Gan Ching Hwee instead.

Hospitality brand Ascott on Monday (Jul 8) announced that it will be the official global hotel partner for English football club Chelsea for the next four seasons. This marks the first time a Singapore firm has entered such a partnership. It reflects Ascott's focus on greater growth in the European market. CNA's Olly Barratt reports. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia will likely breathe easier in the coming months, as lower risk of haze is expected. The Singapore Institute of International Affairs has given a green rating to the possibility of transboundary haze in the peak fire risk period between August and October. CNA’s Syahida Othman explains what that means. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Moscow on Monday (Jul 8) for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. It was also Modi’s first visit since he returned to power last month as leader of the world's most populous country. Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies at Australia’s Curtin University, tells CNA’s Asia First that the visit is symbolic, with both Moscow and New Delhi trying to demonstrate that the “special privileged partnership” between both countries remains strong. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

On his first visit to China since the 2021 coup, Myanmar's number two - Soe Win arrived in Qingdao on Saturday (July 6) to attend the Green Development Forum at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). CNA's Leong Wai Kit tells us what Soe Win's mission is for the military government.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has secured a third term after a landslide victory. Her nearest rival was a former mayor of a city in Hiroshima, while the candidate widely seen as her main challenger, Renho, came in third place. CNA's East Asia Tonight delves into the key issues that matter to the city's residents, and the challenges Yuriko Koike will face in her third term.

Singapore veteran swimmer Quah Ting Wen said the way she lost her spot in the 4x100m relay team for the Paris Olympics is unfair, but it has fuelled her desire to not quit the sport. The 31-year-old said she does not want the heartbreak to be the last memory of her decades-long career. World Aquatics has rejected Singapore's last-ditch appeal to include her in the Summer Games. Ting Wen is the most prolific athlete in SEA Games history with 60 medals from nine editions, including 34 golds. Alif Amsyar reports.

A condition called idiopathic scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, can cause deformity and even more pain for children. Some are now opting for a new type of surgery to correct this condition. Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) attaches a cord to the spine to guide growth. It is currently only offered at the National University Hospital, which said 12 people did the procedure last year. Professor Wong Hee Kit, a spine surgery specialist from the National University Spine Institute, and Ang Xuan Ni, a patient who underwent VBT, shared more about the procedure.

Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will make his first official visit to Singapore tomorrow (9 July). His visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. As the current ASEAN Chair, Laos is set to host the Foreign Ministers' Meetings at the end of July. Mr Siphandone will meet Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and receive a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House. The leaders will witness two signings in the areas of carbon credits and education cooperation. Leong Wai Kit looks at the growing people-to-people ties between Singapore and Laos.

The Health Ministry plans to convert Bright Vision Community Hospital in Hougang into a psychiatric nursing home. It's one of two such nursing homes being planned, as part of Singapore's National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy announced last year. The new nursing home is expected to raise the capacity of psychiatric beds by about 20%. There are currently eight nursing homes with psychiatric beds in Singapore, with a total capacity of about 1,400 beds. Jeraldine Yap reports.

A list of 16 insects -- including crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms and superworms -- have been allowed for sale as food in Singapore, but these might only be found in supermarkets or restaurants after mid-July or even later. That's as permits and licences will still need to be submitted and approved by the Singapore Food Agency. Under an upcoming law, no live insects will be allowed for sale as food. The SFA added that firms selling processed insects must label the products properly. Rebecca Metteo reports.

Singapore veteran swimmer Quah Ting Wen said the way she lost her spot in the 4x100m relay team for the Paris Olympics is unfair, but it has fuelled her desire to not quit the sport. The 31-year-old said she does not want the heartbreak to be the last memory of her decades-long career. World Aquatics has rejected Singapore's last-ditch appeal to include her in the Summer Games. Ting Wen is the most prolific athlete in SEA Games history with 60 medals from nine editions, including 34 golds. Alif Amsyar reports.

A condition called idiopathic scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, can cause deformity and even more pain for children. Some are now opting for a new type of surgery to correct this condition. Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) attaches a cord to the spine to guide growth. It is currently only offered at the National University Hospital, which said 12 people did the procedure last year. Professor Wong Hee Kit, a spine surgery specialist from the National University Spine Institute, and Ang Xuan Ni, a patient who underwent VBT, shared more about the procedure.

Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will make his first official visit to Singapore tomorrow (9 July). His visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. As the current ASEAN Chair, Laos is set to host the Foreign Ministers' Meetings at the end of July. Mr Siphandone will meet Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and receive a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House. The leaders will witness two signings in the areas of carbon credits and education cooperation. Leong Wai Kit looks at the growing people-to-people ties between Singapore and Laos.

The Health Ministry plans to convert Bright Vision Community Hospital in Hougang into a psychiatric nursing home. It's one of two such nursing homes being planned, as part of Singapore's National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy announced last year. The new nursing home is expected to raise the capacity of psychiatric beds by about 20%. There are currently eight nursing homes with psychiatric beds in Singapore, with a total capacity of about 1,400 beds. Jeraldine Yap reports.

A list of 16 insects -- including crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms and superworms -- have been allowed for sale as food in Singapore, but these might only be found in supermarkets or restaurants after mid-July or even later. That's as permits and licences will still need to be submitted and approved by the Singapore Food Agency. Under an upcoming law, no live insects will be allowed for sale as food. The SFA added that firms selling processed insects must label the products properly. Rebecca Metteo reports.