[Post 686] Chinese Exchange Students Are Staging Their Own Kidnaps: An Emerging Scam Trend | Undercover Asia

Summary

Six months after 17-year-old Chinese student Kai Zhuang arrived in the United States, he disappeared. His family in China received a series of ransom demands, alongside a photo of him in distress. 

Four months prior, a 22-year-old Chinese female student was reported missing in Australia. Kidnappers sent photos of her bound and bloodied, with threats made against her life via social media platforms. She was found within 24 hours in a hotel room, alone and unharmed.

Across the globe, a disturbing trend has emerged in cyber scams – cyber kidnapping. Unlike traditional kidnappings where physical abduction occurs, cyber kidnapping leverage digital means to extort financial gains. Unravelling the trail of digital extortion, we uncover why Chinese students have become easy targets and how cyber criminals employ sophisticated tactics to coerce people to stage their own kidnaps.

[Post 685] Launching My Floating Farm: What Will The Locals Think? | Growing Wild: Project Castaway - Part 3/3

Summary

11 months ago Chris came up with an ambitious idea of constructing a floating farm at sea.

Travelling to different coastal communities globally, he and his team of students from the National University of Singapore and Institute of Technical Education talked to fisherman, farmers, marine ecologists and environmental scientists. 

From pen to paper, ideation to fabrication, they refined their design over and over again. Now it’s make or break time - in 30 days, they have to construct and launch Project Castaway in the waters off Bum Bum Island in Semporna, Malaysia. 

And launching it is not the biggest test – convincing the locals in Bum Bum Island to take it on is!

[Post 684] Why Thailand is seen as a haven for Chinese retirees

Summary

Chinese silver tourism has been on the rise and some retirees have adopted a “migratory bird” lifestyle, heading south to warmer destinations to escape China’s harsh winters.

CNA speaks to some of these retirees who have chosen Chiang Mai, Thailand as the place to spend their golden years. 

[Post 683] How will Trump’s tariffs affect jobs, wages and prices in Singapore? | Deep Dive podcast

Summary

The sweeping Trump tariffs are a signal that a new world order is taking shape and one that may affect wages and jobs in Singapore. 

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing tells Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards what the government plans to do and why he doesn't lose sleep over things he cannot control.

[Post 682] Asia Addresses Ageing Population Issues: Singapore, China, Taiwan | CNA Correspondent

Summary

Asia has some of the world’s longest life expectancies but living longer is not always a blessing. Loneliness and illness among the elderly are problems facing society. Can new technology offer the answer? 

From Singapore, Krystal Chia examines the rise of longevity clinics and how the region’s rapidly ageing population has accelerated the development of the longevity economy. In Shanghai, Tan Yew Guan looks at the issues of loneliness among the elderly and what unique challenges China faces with its ageing population following rapid urbanisation in recent decades. In Taiwan, Victoria Jen finds out what the island is doing to deal with worsening labour shortages as it becomes a superaged society this year. 

[Post 681] Thai Street Hawker Makes Restaurant-Style Omakase For As Cheap As US$0.60 | Lunch With Us: Bangkok

Summary

Cancer patient Chuntana introduces us to a one-of-a-kind street hawker in Bangkok, who serves not only humble pork noodles, but also restaurant-standard omakase meals from his van.

Customers name the price – anywhere from 20 baht (US$0.60) to his most lavish order yet,10,000 baht (US$298) -- and Chatree Suksumit, better known as Chef Ah, creates his special menu. It’s all cooked out of his humble modified food van, and can be tailored to special dietary needs.

Chef Ah was at Suphapong Alley 1 in Nong Bon when we met him – but the metropolitan authorities’ clean-up of Bangkok’s streets is threatening hawkers like him, who have been forced to move. 

[Post 680] How Do You Know When It’s Time To Quit, Stay Or Switch Your Job? | Money Mind | Career

Summary

How do you know when it's time to quit, stay, or switch your job? Sona Remesh is joined by Shulin Lee, founder and managing director, Aslant Legal; Felix Tan, co-founder and CEO, Skilio; and Rohan Sylvester, talent strategy advisor, Indeed. This discussion was filmed at Career Forward 2025.