Two Russian soldiers needing medical care returned by Ukraine, Moscow says
Two Russian soldiers in need of medical care were handed over by Ukrainian authorities on Tuesday to be returned home, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
A ministry statement on Telegram said the two servicemen were handed over and taken to Belarus, one of Moscow's closest allies, on Russia's western border. They were receiving treatment in Belarus and would soon return to Russia, it said.
The statement said the action was undertaken on the basis of agreements reached at the second of two direct meetings aimed at ending the conflict last month between Russian and Ukrainian representatives.
The two meetings in Istanbul resulted in agreements to return prisoners of war and remains of fallen soldiers, but made little progress towards an end to the more than three-year-old conflict.
Large exchanges have taken place since the two meetings.
A third meeting was due to be held on Wednesday in the Turkish city. REUTERS
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Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
Vape disposal bins at 23 CCs for users to surrender e-vaporisers without facing penalties
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The bins will be progressively placed in other locations, such as institutes of higher learning. SINGAPORE - Members of the public can throw away vapes in new bins installed within community centres around Singapore without fear of punishment. On July 25, the Ministry of Health, Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and People's Association launched the 'Bin The Vape' initiative. Bins have been placed at 23 community clubs (CCs) and one residents' network centre around the island, including in Punggol, Boon Lay, Mountbatten, Woodlands and Bishan. They will be progressively placed in other locations, such as at institutes of higher learning. The authorities noted that etomidate, a listed poison increasingly found in vapes here , will be classified as a Class C illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the coming weeks. In a joint news release, the authorities said: 'In the meantime, those who are using e-vaporisers and especially consuming etomidate should give up their habit as soon as possible.' The initiative is meant to encourage vape users to quit before the law catches up with them. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Members of the public can visit to locate the nearest bin. The red bin resembles a normal trash bin – but with posters of the initiative plastered on its front and top, promising a safe and confidential disposal of vapes. Its lid is secured with a lock, and a metal chain secures the bin to a pillar or other fixtures. A CCTV camera aimed at the bin deters theft of the disposed vapes and tampering. The media was invited to witness the installation of one such bin at Canberra Community Club on July 25. Canberra resident and retiree Kwan Kong Hua, 68, is not convinced, though, doubting that people who spent money on vapes would voluntarily dispose of their devices. Following the increased detection in Singapore of electronic vaporisers containing substances such as etomidate and other controlled drugs, Mr Kwan called for tougher enforcement efforts against vaping. The former delivery driver, who quit cigarette smoking about a decade ago as it affected his health, is especially concerned when he sees young vapers around the estate. Mr Kwan said: 'Sometimes, they take several puffs and stumble around unsteadily. Any kind of smoking is really harmful for their health.' Another resident, who gave his name only as Mr Adzhar, 24, knows people who vape. He said some may not give up vaping because they see it as a cheaper alternative to smoking cigarettes. Mr Adzhar, who is interning at a transport company, added: 'It's 50-50 (chance of people using the bin). There may also be people who throw their vapes to avoid being fined.' The idea for the bins was first adopted on Nov 18, 2023, by MacPherson Youth Network's 'Drop it, Stop it!' anti-vape campaign. It was co-organised with youth charity Bilby Community Development. Then MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling had said the group worked with HSA and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to waive vaping-related penalties for those who discarded their vapes. Sembawang GRC MP Ng Shi Xuan, who was then a grassroots leader in the MacPherson Youth Network, told The Straits Times on July 25 that the two-month campaign saw 70 individuals voluntarily surrender their vapes, exceeding the target of 50 people. Of the 70 who disposed of their vapes, 14 young people said they wanted to quit vaping but did not know how to begin, added Mr Ng. He said he was heartened to see the idea scaled up nationwide, and added: 'This showed us that with the right support, many are willing to take that first step. 'Don't wait until it's too late. Step forward and surrender your vape, the community is here to help you.' Mr Gopal Mahey, a senior counsellor at the Centre for Psychotherapy who works with young people who vape, said the bins could become bridges for those who need professional help. But he noted that the presence of CCTV cameras could trigger anxiety about being watched or identified, and some young people may fear the footage would be used against them. To address this, Mr Mahey said signs could be put up to reinforce confidentiality and encourage young people to speak to a trusted adult if they are struggling. Said the counsellor: 'It's also important to supplement physical interventions like bins with clear and strong messaging and assurance.' Those who need help to quit vaping can join HPB's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000. Participants need not worry about being prosecuted, as it does not presume they are using or have used vaping products. But those caught using or possessing such items will be prosecuted. Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences. The hotline now operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Israel will let foreign countries drop aid into Gaza, Israel army radio says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Parcels of humanitarian aid await transfer into Gaza, at the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing in the Gaza Strip, July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo DUBAI - Israel will allow foreign countries to parachute aid into Gaza starting on Friday, Israeli army radio quoted a military official as saying. An Israeli military spokesperson did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment on the report. The Gaza health ministry says more than 100 people have died from starvation in the Palestinian enclave since Israel cut off supplies to the territory in March. Israel, which has been at war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza since October 2023, lifted that blockade in May but has restrictions in place that it says are needed to prevent aid from being diverted to militant groups. In the first two weeks of July, the U.N. children's agency UNICEF treated 5,000 children facing acute malnutrition in Gaza. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday Gaza was suffering man-made mass starvation caused by a blockade on aid into the enclave. REUTERS
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Time off, career setbacks: New S'pore survey on fertility challenges at workplaces
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Rafidah Jalil with her husband Mimrah Mahmooh, their seven-year-old son Mika Mimrah, and four-year-old twins Maira Mimrah and Abdul Matin Mimrah. SINGAPORE - Some 41 per cent of respondents who struggled to conceive said in a poll that fertility treatment affected their work, with 13 per cent saying they quit their jobs to undergo such treatment. Top workplace challenges cited were seeking approval for time off (34%), career progression setbacks (31%), and getting their colleagues' understanding (15%). These findings come from a sensing poll in June by non-profit initiative Fertility Support Singapore, which surveyed 504 of its members - 80 per cent women and 20 per cent men - who have faced fertility struggles. The poll aims to shed light on the workplace experiences of those facing infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of trying. Results were released on July 25 at an event hosted by Fertility Support Singapore to mark World IVF Day. The demand for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment in Singapore has grown, with more couples delaying marriage and childbirth, and seeking medical help to have a baby. Giving a speech at the event, Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, called on more companies to provid e fertility benefits such as paid time off and training for managers, so that employees can pursue both personal and work commitments. 'You have the power to create workplaces where employees feel seen, heard, and supported, and where talents feel cherished and stand ready to give their all in return to support your business needs. That is a win-win outcome,' she said. Ms Indranee, who assists in overseeing the National Population and Talent Division, including the marriage and parenthood portfolio, said the Government has provided 75 per cent co-funding for eligible couples to receive Assisted Reproduction Technology treatments for up to three fresh and three frozen cycles at public healthcare institutions. Fertility Support Singapore was started in 2020 by a group of women facing infertility, to advocate for better support for individuals navigating fertility challenges here. On July 25, the group also launched a Workplace Fertility Support Guide to help companies better support employees. The guide provides practical tools such as a email template for those going through fertility treatments to raise the matter to bosses, t he typical IVF timeline and medical leave required, and tips on how to talk to colleagues undergoing treatment. The guide can be found at / To understand the barriers to fertility support in the workplace, Fertility Support Singapore also partnered market research firm Milieu Insight to conduct a study in March with 400 Singaporeans aged 25 to 55. The survey found public awareness to be lacking, with 62 per cent not knowing what fertility support is. Some 77 per cent of respondents perceive there to be a tradeoff between work and pursuing such treatments. Nearly 60 per cent of people would be interested in joining a new employer that offers fertility benefits, results showed. Yet only 27 per cent said their companies offered some form of fertility benefits, such as flexible work hours to attend appointments, and paid or unpaid leave for treatment. Ms Rosalyn Wee and her husband sought help from a fertility specialist after a year of trying to conceive. Ms Rosalyn Wee with her husband Shaun Low after her embryo transfer in August 2023, which resulted in successful pregnancy. PHOTO: ROSALYN WEE The educational therapist and project lead, who underwent IVF, did not tell her boss as she felt fertility treatments were personal. 'It doesn't really occur to you how painful emotionally and physically discomfitting it is, until you actually go through it,' she said. Her first embryo transfer ended up in failure. The news came while she was in an important meeting. 'That really broke me,' she said. She decided to open up to her bosses, who offered both paid and unpaid leave for treatment. After taking 10 weeks of no-pay leave for another IVF cycle, Ms Wee successfully conceived in August 2023. Another mum, Mrs Rafidah Jalil, 39, had just been promoted and was managing a team at a bank when she decided to start a family at 31. Her first IVF cycle was successful. At 34, she tried IVF again but felt more stress due to greater work responsibilities and a lower egg count. But her bosses were supportive, and she could work flexibly, which helped her through the process. She is now a proud mum of a seven-year-old son and four-year-old boy-girl twins. Global health care company Merck, which sponsored the Fertility Support Singapore study , offers a lifetime cap of EUR 100,000 for fertility treatments, including IVF, elective egg freezing, and male infertility treatments. Employees can get 90 per cent of their eligible fertility expenses reimbursed by the company. Ms Pixie Yee, general manager of Merck Healthcare Malaysia and Singapore, said Merck has seen 79 claims amounting to $160,000 since the benefit was introduced in March 2024. Merck has 429 employees in Singapore. Ms Yee said she hopes to create a safe space where employees feel comfortable to tell their bosses about their fertility journey , to avoid any misunderstandings. 'Most people, when they have a very supportive manager, they will share,' she said.
