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Alberta referendum advance polls set to open this week

Elections Alberta says it is ready to deliver the referendum as advance polls are set to open this week.

Former rivals Notley and Kenney to appear together before separation vote

Former political rivals Notley and Kenney are set to attend an event ahead of a vote on separation.

Carney urges Alberta to stay in Canada ahead of separation vote

Albertans vote on October 19 on whether to begin the process of holding a binding referendum on leaving Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney is urging them to remain in the country.

“A week from today, Albertans will have the opportunity to make an important decision about their future, whether to remain part of Canada or begin a long and uncertain process through which Alberta could separate from Canada.”
Mark CarneyCanadian prime minister

Canada’s military faces aging equipment and years of neglect

Canada’s military faces aging equipment and concerns about readiness as the country plans billions of dollars in new defence spending.

Retired general says Canada lacks staff for two fighter fleets

Canada is considering adding Swedish Gripen fighters to its planned F-35 purchase. A retired air force lieutenant general says running both programs would stretch personnel.

Benchmark Canada compares more than 40 measures of the country’s performance

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute has launched Benchmark Canada, a project that compares more than 40 measures of Canada’s performance with those of countries facing similar issues.

Kenney and Notley to oppose Alberta leaving Canada at event

Former Alberta premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley will speak at an Edmonton event opposing separation, days before voters decide on 10 referendum questions.

Former Alberta premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley will unite against separation at an event in Edmonton.

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is hosting them on Tuesday.

The former political rivals led opposing parties: Kenney’s United Conservative Party defeated Notley’s NDP government in 2019.

Albertans will vote on 10 referendum questions on Monday.

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Alberta advance voting opens for 10-question referendum

Advance voting runs Tuesday to Saturday ahead of Alberta’s Oct. 19 referendum on 10 questions about immigration, constitutional issues and the province’s future in Canada.

The Government of Canada listed the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest.

Elections Alberta advised voters to mail special ballots by this date to ensure they arrived by the return deadline.

Advance voting for the Alberta referendum takes place.

The deadline for Elections Alberta to receive mail-in ballots is 5 p.m.

Alberta referendum voting day takes place.

Carney urges Alberta to stay in Canada ahead of referendum vote

Mark Carney urged Albertans to stay in Canada in a video filmed at his former high school, a week before voters decide whether to pursue a binding referendum on leaving.

Video location
St. Francis Xavier High School, Edmonton
Ballot questions
10
Polls on staying in Canada
70 per cent or more of Albertans reportedly wanted to stay
Vote timing
The following Monday, according to the article

Poll finds broad Canadian support for closer ties with the EU

Nearly eight in 10 Canadians surveyed supported or somewhat supported associate EU membership if it boosted trade and defence co-operation. The EU has no such legal membership category now.

Supporters of closer EU ties Critics of formal EU membership

Purpose

Supporters favour associate membership to increase co-operation on trade and defence.

Heubner said the poll may reflect frustration with the United States, not a genuine desire for formal EU ties.

Sovereignty

Associate membership would stop short of full EU membership.

Heubner said EU membership involves giving up political power and decision-making in key areas; Nanos said Canadians do not want to give up sovereignty to diversify the economy.

Brandon seeks a way to deal with long-vacant downtown buildings

Brandon’s abandoned McKenzie Seeds building has resisted repeated redevelopment efforts. The city says vacant properties create safety risks, but its options are limited when owners keep paying property taxes.

World

Six Flags closes nine coasters after fatal incident in Georgia

One person died and several were injured in an incident involving a coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Six Flags closed nine similar rides at six parks while authorities investigate.

“We are deeply saddened by the guest incident at our park today”
Six Flags spokespersonCompany spokesperson

Nuremberg airport suspends flights after aviation emergency alert

Nuremberg airport in Germany suspended flights after an unclear aviation emergency was reported. Police said an aircraft landed safely, and the cause is under investigation.

Court orders new hearing in case over passport error that stopped family’s Thailand trip

A passport error listing a child’s sex incorrectly stopped a Krasnodar family from travelling to Thailand. A court overturned earlier rulings and sent the compensation case back for a new hearing.

Two Turkish citizens detained in Germany over fire at Polish Starlink station

German police detained two Turkish citizens suspected of setting fire to a Starlink station in central Poland. Polish officials say they will face sabotage charges in Poland.

Hezbollah to offer up to $14,000 to Lebanese families with destroyed homes

Hezbollah says it will pay eligible Lebanese families whose primary homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable in the war with Israel, with payments spread over a year.

Polish foreign minister says a European army could form by 2030

Radosław Sikorski said a joint European force could be formed by 2030, possibly limited to the Baltic states and the eastern flank.

MI5 chief warns Iran and Russia are stepping up threats to Britain

MI5 chief Ken McCallum said Iran is seeking to target harder sites, including military locations, while Russia is increasing hybrid operations against Ukraine’s allies. He also warned that AI could help terrorists develop biological weapons.

MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned of growing state threats to Britain in a speech in London on Tuesday.

He said Iran had shifted towards targeting harder sites, including military locations, although he could not discuss an investigation into a suspected plot involving RAF Fairford.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Tehran was highly likely to be behind that suspected plot, but Iran has denied involvement.

McCallum said Iran-linked operations had led to more than 50 arrests over the past year.

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Eight people injured in stabbing at Incheon supermarket

A man stabbed eight people at a supermarket in Incheon, South Korea. Police detained the suspect and are investigating the attack.

A man attacked people with knives while moving on an escalator in the supermarket building.

Shoppers subdued the suspect, and police arrested him.

France boards Russia-linked tanker in Indian Ocean

French forces boarded the DF Peak, a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of using a false flag and carrying fuel illicitly. The vessel is being escorted to Réunion for further checks.

Vessel
DF Peak
Location
More than 450 nautical miles south of Réunion
Flag
Benin
EU sanctions status
Listed among the EU-sanctioned ships

UK says Iran was highly likely behind RAF Fairford security incident

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard almost certainly directed a suspected plot near RAF Fairford. Britain has sanctioned two people and says further sanctions may follow.

UK government Iranian government

Responsibility

Burnham said the incident was highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran and almost certainly directed by the IRGC.

Iran rejected any suggestion it was involved and called the accusation unfounded and malicious speculation.

Evidence

British authorities cited their assessment and said investigators found accelerants but no viable explosives in vans.

Iran called on Britain to present evidence supporting its allegations.

Zelensky says Russian strikes violated Trump’s proposed energy ceasefire

Zelensky says Russian attacks hit Ukrainian energy facilities after Trump announced a mutual pause in such strikes. Russia has not confirmed agreeing to the ceasefire.

Business

Brazilian real falls as poll shows Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of Lula

The dollar rose against Brazil’s real after a poll put Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the presidential race.

“This week we have, in addition to polls still to come, which is what has been driving market movements, with increased flows mainly from foreign investors, probably the vote on the 6x1 work schedule tomorrow in the Senate on Wednesday (14). This is a process that could affect the election race.”
Rodrigo MoliternoPartner and head of equity at Veedha Investimentos

IMF lowers Brazil’s 2026 growth forecast to 2.2%

The IMF lowered its growth forecasts for Brazil for 2026 and 2027. It expects the economy to grow 2.2% in 2026.

Earnings season may test whether AI boosts company productivity

As earnings season approaches, investors are expected to focus on companies that can show productivity gains from artificial intelligence.

Brazilian mini-dollar futures extend losses as real strengthens

November mini-dollar futures fell 0.51% to 5,013 points. Analysts say a break below 4,995.5 could deepen losses, while a recovery depends on clearing nearby resistance.

Brazil mini-index rises as overbought reading signals caution

October mini-index futures rose 0.79% to 208,725 points, tracking a record-setting Ibovespa. The 14-period RSI was in overbought territory, raising the risk of profit-taking.

Brazil’s Ibovespa stock index sets a new intraday record

The Ibovespa closed up 1.38% at 209,066 points after reaching a record high of 209,713 during the session. Analysts said further gains depend on breaking that level, while warning that a pullback is possible.

Economists raise Brazil’s 2026 inflation forecast and lower rate outlook

Economists raised their inflation forecast for Brazil this year and lowered their expected interest rate, while leaving their 2027 forecasts unchanged after the presidential election’s first round.

Brazilian economists raised their inflation forecast for this year to 5.22%, from 5.01%, in the latest Focus survey.

The increase followed a 0.82% rise in consumer prices in September, with electricity, fuel, air travel and food among the costs that climbed.

They lowered their forecast for the Selic rate to 13.25% by year-end, from 13.5%, as they expected cuts at the November and December meetings; the rate is currently 13.75%.

Their forecasts for 2027 stayed unchanged at 4.3% inflation, a 12% Selic rate and 1.4% economic growth.

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Brazil energy plan projects distributed generation to reach 91.7 GW by 2036

Brazil’s energy ministry has opened a long-term expansion plan for public consultation, projecting distributed power generation will reach 91.7 GW by 2036 amid calls for better grid coordination.

The plan projected 11.4 GW of distributed generation by 2029, a level Brazil exceeded in 2022.

The plan projected 37 GW by 2031, a level reached in early 2025.

A virtual power plant in Palmas began coordinating distributed solar generation and batteries.

The regulator proposed allowing distribution companies to limit injection from up to 33 GW of mini-generation.

The plan projects distributed micro and mini generation at 50.3 GW at year-end.

The plan projects distributed micro and mini generation at 91.7 GW.

Vamos shares surge while Vale nears recent lows

Vamos shares rose sharply and reached an extreme overbought reading, while Vale fell toward recent lows as selling pressure continued.

Vamos latest-session gain
5.54%
Vamos latest-session close
R$ 6.86
Vamos RSI
94.29
Vale RSI
32.65

Possible tax on Brazil’s tax-exempt bonds divides investors

A renewed debate over taxing tax-exempt investments has divided fund managers over the outlook for infrastructure bonds and their role in funding projects.

Managers who see an opportunity Managers who warn of harm

Market impact

Reduced exemptions could make existing infrastructure debentures more attractive and support their performance.

Ending the exemption could undermine a key selling point for the bonds and funds.

Infrastructure funding

Infrastructure debentures could benefit if taxes apply only to shorter-term tax-exempt bank bonds.

Investors could shift away from infrastructure bonds and funds, weakening financing for projects.

CAIXA consortium leads Brazil in real estate credit awards

CAIXA led Brazil’s 10 largest consortium administrators in real estate credit awards in May 2026. Its awards rose 107.5% year over year through July.

Science & Tech

Pacific buoy recorded a 17.6-metre rogue wave nearly three times its neighbours

A buoy near Ucluelet, British Columbia, measured a 17.6-metre wave in 2020. Research published in 2026 found a possible warning signal, but precise prediction remains out of reach.

“Proportionally, the Ucluelet wave is likely the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded”
Johannes GemmrichPhysicist at the University of Victoria

Researchers try to restore California kelp forests by reintroducing sunflower sea stars

Researchers off Monterey are placing sunflower sea stars on the seafloor to help control purple sea urchins, which have consumed much of California’s kelp forests.

Mining pressures protected areas as wildlife populations decline in Africa

WWF’s Congo Basin director says mining has no place in protected areas as new analyses highlight industrial pressures and steep wildlife declines.

Maynooth Researchers Build a DNA Computer That Needs No Continuous Power

Researchers at Maynooth University built a DNA-based computer that can perform calculations without continuous electricity. It can be reused for up to 25 calculations, though it is slower than silicon computers.

Ringed barn owls will help assess wildlife-friendly farming

Barn owls on National Trust farmland are being ringed so researchers can track them and assess whether habitat measures support the birds over time.

Super El Niño strengthens to unprecedented levels, with impacts expected into 2027

The El Niño is expected to peak in December, with widespread effects later this year and into 2027. Drought and flood disruption is already being reported in several regions.

A 1960 study predicted a population doomsday for November 13, 2026

Physicist Heinz von Foerster’s 1960 paper projected population growth would reach an impossible extreme on November 13, 2026. Growth has since slowed, and population is now expected to peak later this century.

A 1960 study predicted population growth would reach infinity on November 13, 2026, which its authors described as a doomsday.

Physicist Heinz von Foerster and his colleagues at the University of Illinois based the prediction on population trends stretching back 2,000 years.

They argued that human cooperation and innovation would keep accelerating growth, rather than letting it level off as it does in other species.

That prediction was wrong: population growth has slowed, and experts say the world’s fastest growth had already occurred by the early 1960s.

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International timekeepers set to vote on ending leap seconds

The 69 member states of an international standards body are due to vote on a proposal to end leap seconds, which keep atomic time aligned with Earth’s uneven rotation.

Leap seconds began being inserted into global clocks.

A leap second crashed Reddit and LinkedIn and knocked out Qantas’ booking system.

A leap second caused brief outages or delays for some Cloudflare customers.

The 69 member states of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures are due to vote on a resolution to eliminate leap seconds.

Amazon fires and a strong El Niño threaten regional rainfall

Rising fires in Amazonas and a potentially record-strength El Niño could worsen drying in parts of the Amazon, weakening rainfall that supports farming, reservoirs and cities across Brazil.

Amazonas hotspots, October 1–10
1,380
Increase from same period in 2025
271%
INPE hotspots, September 2026
3,726
Forecast Niño 3.4 anomaly, October–December
3.7°C

Cape Town plans to relocate two baboon troops from Simon’s Town

Cape Town authorities plan to capture two baboon troops near Simon’s Town and move them to enclosures for the rest of their lives, as part of a wider change to baboon management.

Cape Town authorities Some experts

Removal

Authorities plan to capture and permanently relocate the two troops to separate enclosures.

Some experts say the removal plans are not convincing.

Urban baboon management

Authorities say a “hard reset” will allow resources to be redirected to management efforts with better outcomes.

The experts say baboons should be kept out of urban areas, but the article does not give further details of their preferred approach.

Study Finds Stem-Cell Embryo Models Do Not Fully Match Human Embryos

A University of Sydney team compared four blastoid-making methods with a map of more than 14,000 embryo cells. None fully matched natural human embryo biology.

Sports

Rams tackle Alaric Jackson punches Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb after OT loss

After Buffalo beat Los Angeles 37-34 in overtime, Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson punched Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb during a postgame exchange at midfield.

“It's just emotions, you know what I mean? Emotional game. It was a close game,”
Bradley ChubbBills linebacker

Titans stick with Cam Ward as they face a 2027 quarterback decision

Tennessee coach Robert Saleh says Cam Ward will not be benched after the Titans fell to 0-5. His early numbers raise questions about whether the team may draft another quarterback in 2027.

Marvin Harrison Jr. trade to Houston becomes official after physical

Harrison passed his physical and is now a Houston Texan. The Texans sent Arizona a 2027 second-round pick and a seventh-round pick for the receiver and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Rams lose to Bills and look to reset before facing Cardinals

The Rams lost 37-34 to the Bills, leaving them 2-3 despite gaining 454 yards. Puka Nacua said the team must regroup and define its identity before hosting Arizona.

Rams' limited investment in special teams faces renewed scrutiny

After another overtime loss, coach Sean McVay again criticized the Rams' special teams. The team has ranked near the bottom in several measures of investment in that unit.

Penix says he hopes to play next week after rib injury

Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left the Falcons’ overtime loss to Baltimore with a rib injury. He said he hopes to return next week, but further tests are planned.

49ers lead Week 6 NFL power rankings as several 0-5 teams struggle

The 49ers remain No. 1 in one Week 6 ranking, while the Vikings rise and the 0-5 Chargers, Titans and Dolphins sit near the bottom.

Two Week 6 rankings assess the NFL after five weeks of the 2026 season.

One list keeps the San Francisco 49ers at No.

1, with the Kansas City Chiefs second and the Jacksonville Jaguars third.

The other ranking also puts the 49ers at the top and highlights the strength of the NFC West.

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Jaguars left tackle Anton Harrison to have knee surgery

Anton Harrison will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after an injury against Philadelphia. His absence could last three to five weeks or the rest of the regular season.

Harrison injured his knee during Jacksonville’s 19-17 win over Philadelphia in London.

Reports said Harrison was set to have arthroscopic knee surgery, with his recovery timeline still uncertain.

Harrison is expected to have surgery when the Jaguars return from London.

The Jaguars are scheduled to play Houston at Wembley Stadium, with Walker Little expected to start at left tackle.

Oregon slips in power ratings after narrow loss with backup quarterbacks

Oregon fell to 3-2 after a two-point loss despite seven turnovers and a switch to its third-string quarterback. It dropped in the power ratings, but not as far as expected.

Oregon record
3-2
Margin of loss
2 points
Turnovers
7
Quarterbacks used
Backup starter; third-string quarterback

Two players ejected after opening-kickoff fight in London

Jacksonville’s Bryan Thomas Jr. and Philadelphia’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. were ejected after fighting during the opening kickoff. A 90-yard Jaguars return for a touchdown was called back because of penalties.

Commanders and Giants tie 27-27 after Washington runs out of time in overtime

Washington had a chance to kick a winning field goal against New York, but Jayden Daniels was tackled with eight seconds left and the Commanders could not stop the clock.

Entertainment

Thélyson Orélien denies using AI to write novel, admits plagiarism

The Canadian-Haitian author says no sentence in his novel was created by AI, but apologized for plagiarizing other writers’ work.

“This is slander and heresy.”
Thélyson OrélienCanadian-Haitian writer

Beats and Pokémon unveil special-edition Pill speaker for $149

The gray Beats Pill features Pikachu and Mimikyu artwork, custom packaging and three lanyard charms. It goes on sale October 15 for $149.

Amanda Seyfried says she is uncomfortable filming sex scenes for now

The actor said she turned down a TV role that required frequent sex scenes, but did not rule out taking on similar work in the future.

God of War Laufey Collector’s Box Will Not Include the Game

The God of War Laufey Collector’s Box includes a statue, cards and an art book, but no copy of the game. The UK price is £130; the US version has not been announced.

RTL removes Unter Uns morning reruns ahead of planned end

RTL has replaced morning repeats of Unter Uns with Verklag mich doch!, but new episodes will continue in the afternoon until the soap’s planned end in March 2027.

Apple announces Vision Pro horror film Remnants for October 16

Remnants, a horror film by writer and director Ti West, will be released exclusively on Apple Vision Pro on October 16 in Apple’s immersive video format.

TNA ends Max Caster’s run after Riyadh attack reference at Bound for Glory

TNA said Max Caster will no longer wrestle for the company after his entrance rap at Bound for Glory referred to attacks in Riyadh. TNA apologized and removed the segment from replays and social media.

TNA has ended wrestler Max Caster’s run with the company after his debut at Bound for Glory on Sunday.

Before his match against Moose, Caster performed a rap that referred to attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The attacks killed and injured people; accounts differ on the death toll, giving figures of 12 and 13.

TNA called the comments insensitive, said making light of violent attacks was wrong, and accepted responsibility for allowing them into the show.

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Raye manually reviews ticket sign-ups after 1.8 million apply for 5,000 seats

Raye says AI bots and scalpers overwhelmed sign-ups for her Royal Albert Hall show in London. Her team is manually selecting fans for presale access, with remaining tickets due to go on general sale.

RAYE announced a one-off show at the Royal Albert Hall.

RAYE said the show had received 1.8 million sign-ups for 5,000 seats and that her team was manually reviewing the list.

Selected fans were due to receive a presale link and code by email.

The presale was due to begin.

The general sale was expected to begin, according to NME.

RAYE is scheduled to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Batman Part II pauses production as Robert Pattinson says team will regroup

Production is temporarily paused while director Matt Reeves focuses on a family matter. Robert Pattinson says the team will take a short break and then work out what comes next.

Film
The Batman Part II
Production status
Temporarily paused
Reason
Matt Reeves is focusing on a family matter
Release date
February 18, 2028

Ego Nwodim mocks Shane Gillis’s joke about women’s gym clothes

After Shane Gillis joked that women at the gym “dress like whores” on SNL, former cast member Ego Nwodim responded with a gym selfie and a pointed caption.

Shane Gillis Ego Nwodim and Dan Levy

The joke

Gillis joked that women dress like “whores” at the gym and commented on their shorts.

Nwodim mocked the wording in her Instagram captions; Levy said calling women whores for wearing short shorts was misogynistic.

Women’s gym clothes

Gillis criticized the shorts and described their appearance.

Levy said women wearing short shorts does not make them whores.

Hugh Grant backed out of replacing Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men

Chuck Lorre says Hugh Grant withdrew from talks to replace Charlie Sheen on the sitcom. Ashton Kutcher took the role instead, and the show ran for four more seasons.

Health

Sixth measles-related death reported in Pennsylvania

A 39-year-old unvaccinated woman in Franklin County is the sixth person reported to have died in Pennsylvania amid the state’s largest measles outbreak in three decades.

“primary cause of death was a probable acute cardiac event due to possible complications of the measles.”
Franklin County coroner’s office spokespersonCoroner’s office spokesperson

Epilepsy Drug Shows Promise for Osteoarthritis in Early Tests

Yale researchers found that lacosamide reduced pain and supported cartilage repair in mouse tests and human cartilage cells. The drug still needs testing in people with osteoarthritis.

More than 20,000 people in Yakutia received remote health monitoring

Since the start of 2026, 20,051 people with chronic conditions in Yakutia have had their health monitored remotely using devices that send medical data to health workers.

Exercise may improve mood and quality of life during menopause, study finds

A review of 12 trials involving more than 1,000 women found that aerobic exercise and activities such as yoga were linked to better mood or quality of life during menopause.

Asti healthy ageing project presented as European good practice

A health authority in Asti presented its Communit-Action project in Vilnius, where it was recognised as a European good practice for supporting healthy and active ageing.

Europa Donna calls for consistent care for metastatic breast cancer in Italy

Europa Donna Italia is urging breast care centres across Italy to follow specific quality standards and provide coordinated support for women with metastatic breast cancer.

France’s flu and COVID vaccination campaign starts October 13

France’s annual flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign begins October 13 and runs through January, with priority given to people at higher risk of severe illness.

France’s annual vaccination campaign against seasonal flu and COVID-19 starts on October 13 and is due to end in January 2027.

Health authorities are prioritising older people, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems.

About 15 million flu vaccine doses will be available to doctors, pharmacists, nurses and midwives, around one million more than last season.

COVID-19 vaccination remains reimbursed for everyone, including people outside the priority groups.

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World Health Summit calls for more funding for pandemic prevention

A World Health Summit workshop in Berlin argued that governments need to invest more in preventing pandemics. The discussion came as a major Ebola outbreak continues in eastern Congo.

A World Health Summit workshop on preventing the next pandemic was held in Berlin.

The World Bank-hosted Pandemic Fund awarded US$499.6 million to 20 projects.

Drinking water helps prevent dehydration but does not directly lower blood sugar

A diabetes educator says water can help prevent dehydration from worsening high blood sugar, but it does not lower glucose or replace prescribed treatment.

Educator
Megan Asterino-McGeean
Blood glucose measurement
Milligrams per deciliter
Water’s role
Helps maintain fluid balance; does not directly lower blood sugar
Outlet publication
Infobae, 2026-10-13

Intestinal gases may offer clues about gut health

Gut microbes produce gases as they break down indigestible food. Research suggests these gases may affect digestion and offer clues about gastrointestinal health.

Singapore public healthcare services recover after network disruption

A network connectivity issue disrupted some services at Singapore public healthcare institutions on Tuesday. Services were restored by 4.37pm, and most patients later reported little impact.