Singapore’s crackdown on fake reviews exposes business of buying ‘social proof’

South China Morning Post - Oct 2, 2026

Singapore’s biggest crackdown so far on fake online reviews has exposed how businesses exploit the appeal of five-star ratings to game the system, with experts warning generative AI will make fake reviews more rampant and consumers need to be more discerning of what they read online. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) has taken action against 45 companies – including a funeral parlour, law firm and an aesthetics clinic – after finding they bought reviews from a provider...

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[K-LIT REVIEW] 'Bonobo' asks who is the noble beast?

Oct 2, 2026

[K-LIT REVIEW] 'Bonobo' asks who is the noble beast?

"Bonobo," Jeong Yoo-jeong's latest book to be translated to English, does not pull punches. Whether physical or emotional, battles are fought with animal intensity and have lasting impact. The most devastation punch of all, however, is how often we do nothing for someone in need. “I pretended I hadn’t heard,” and “Go ask someone else,” aren’t just quotes from the novel — they are the chorus of an unsympathetic world. Can the three main characters teach us how to help? The book presents a well-worn sci-fi plot point: a transfer of conciousness from one body to another. A car crash throws the psyche of primatologist Jini into the mind of a bonobo. As she struggles to find her way back to her own body, Jini also experiences the primate's memories of captivity and trafficking, forcing her to reconsider the relationship between humans and animals. As the book teaches us about bonobos through Jini, we also learn about her own self-doubt and skepticism regarding human nature. Who is a "noble beast, and who is a terrible animal? A moment of birth is a shared joy for a bonobo famil

President requests confirmation hearing for nominee to head new investigation agency

Oct 2, 2026

President requests confirmation hearing for nominee to head new investigation agency

President Lee Jae Myung has approved a request for a parliamentary confirmation hearing for his nominee to become the inaugural chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA), a presidential spokesperson said Friday. The announcement came as the SCIA was set to launch later in the day to take over prosecutors' functions of investigating serious crimes as part of the Lee administration's prosecution reform. Lee's approval of a document requesting a parliamentary hearing for SCIA chief nominee Kim Ji-yong indicates the president might be taking steps to officially appoint him. The president nominated Kim early last month at the recommendation of the interior minister, but suspicions have since been raised within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, including over claims that Kim had once opposed prosecution reform. The presidential office said the previous day that Cheong Wa Dae will soon submit a request to the National Assembly for a parliamentary confirmation hearing for Kim. It said it had carried out an additional verification process on Kim but found that his nomination shou

Have P5,000? You can invest in RTB 32 and earn 6.8% per year

Oct 2, 2026

Have P5,000? You can invest in RTB 32 and earn 6.8% per year

When the common public purchases these bonds, they are not merely performing a civic duty; they are securing a reliable, wealth-building vehicle to shield their savings from inflation and market volatility.

Philippines’ jeepney drivers ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ despite fare increase

Oct 2, 2026

Philippines’ jeepney drivers ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ despite fare increase

Reggie Manlapig, 46, has been driving jeepneys for nearly 25 years and has weathered rising fuel prices – but with costs spiking amid the global energy crunch, he is now wrestling bigger demons. “The impact has been huge. Before, in a 16-hour shift of driving, I could take home 400 to 500 pesos [US$6.30 to US$8] – now there’s a big cut to that income,” said Manlapig, who plies a two-hour daily round route from Malolos in Bulacan, north of Manila, to San Fernando, Pampanga. “Doing the full route...

House subpanel OKs additional P4.09M for next year’s LGSF

Oct 1, 2026

House subpanel OKs additional P4.09M for next year’s LGSF

MANILA, Philippines — A House subcommittee of select lawmakers late Thursday increased funding for the local government support fund (LGSF) by an additional P4.091 million in next year’s national budget. As the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) began deliberations on the proposed amendments to the P7.2-trillion House budget bill, Deputy Speaker Bambi Emano moved to

How China’s Wudang Mountains draw droves of visitors in search of spiritual cleansing

Oct 1, 2026

How China’s Wudang Mountains draw droves of visitors in search of spiritual cleansing

A banknote clasped between her hands, Liu Haiyan prays to the protector of the Wudang Mountains. The range in central China’s Hubei province has long been considered sacred in Taoism. “I asked him to bless our motherland with favourable weather and to make it even more prosperous,” Liu says while sitting outside the Golden Hall, a Taoist temple at the summit of Tianzhu Peak. “This place watches over our country,” she adds. “We’re Chinese, and this is part of our faith.” Tourists and pilgrims in...

House special panel hikes public works’ proposed 2027 funding by P11B

Oct 1, 2026

House special panel hikes public works’ proposed 2027 funding by P11B

MANILA, Philippines — A sub-committee of select lawmakers hiked the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed budget by P11.49 billion, with the bulk of the additional funding directed toward road development projects across the country. The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) lodged an extra P6.91 billion to the DPWH’s National Roads program, alongside

Highlights: Day 32 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 1, 2026

Oct 1, 2026

Highlights: Day 32 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Oct. 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – On Day 32 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial Thursday, lead public prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro announced that the prosecution has decided not to present former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as a witness.  Trillanes later confirmed on social media that he had personally asked Luistro to withdraw his name,

House special panel boosts DOH assistance program, infra projects

Oct 1, 2026

House special panel boosts DOH assistance program, infra projects

MANILA, Philippines — A special panel of select House lawmakers boosted the Department of Health’s (DOH) assistance program and healthcare infrastructure projects, as legislators aim to lower hospitalization costs and fortify government hospitals across the country. The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) hiked the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients’ (MAIFIP) funding by

NBI invites VP Duterte, Velasco over ex-cop’s cash delivery claim

Oct 1, 2026

NBI invites VP Duterte, Velasco over ex-cop’s cash delivery claim

MANILA, Philippines —  The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it had sent invitations to Vice President Sara Duterte, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and other individuals whom former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. linked to his “cash delivery” allegations. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said invitations were sent to their respective addresses Thursday. These

No jackpot winners in Oct. 1 lotto draws

Oct 1, 2026

No jackpot winners in Oct. 1 lotto draws

MANILA, Philippines—No bettor won the jackpots in the Super Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws on Thursday, Oct. 1, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Super Lotto 6/49 winning combination was 39-03-43-04-42-15 for a jackpot of ₱30.9 million. No ticket matched all six numbers. For Lotto 6/42, the winning numbers were 40-13-35-10-15-14, with

House budget panel hikes social aid programs amid El Nino threat

Oct 1, 2026

House budget panel hikes social aid programs amid El Nino threat

MANILA, Philippines – A subcommittee of ranking House lawmakers on late Thursday boosted funding for crucial social welfare programs, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) crisis intervention scheme to help vulnerable families cushion the economic impact of expected dry spells driven by El Nino. The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee (BARSc) augmented funding

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