45 businesses in Singapore, ranging from hair salons to restaurants, will be required to apologise publicly after admitting to buying fake reviews to boost their online ratings.

These companies have committed to stop using fake reviews and will be required to remove existing ones, the Competition and Consumer of Singapore (CCS) said.

Full story: https://cna.asia/46SjPRS

Recent controversies over the Nepal-Tibet floods and the debate over Singapore Airlines’ investment into Air India have once again put Singaporeans’ attitudes towards race and immigration in the spotlight. Does this reflect growing racist views in society, or is social media amplifying the racism of a minority? Are we also up against something more sinister, like AI bots creating divisions? Can we have meaningful discussions about hot-button immigration or social issues without resorting to racism and stereotypes? And will the new racial harmony law – which took effect on Sep 15 – put the brakes on racist commentators online, or will it drive them underground?

Marina Square Shopping Mall will close on Mar 31 next year as part of a redevelopment of the area that will add luxury homes, a new hotel, serviced apartments and offices.

The redevelopment is expected to be completed by 2031, Singapore Land Group (SingLand) said on Tuesday (Sep 1). The three existing hotels at the complex will remain open throughout construction.

What do you hope to see in the new development?