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SCMP

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Why Indonesia is ceding its role as Asean’s natural leader to Singapore

2. Why Japan’s earthquake has Bali on edge over magnitude 9 ‘megathrust’ risk

3. 3 killed in Japanese Type 10 tank blast that has military baffled

4. This retiree in the Philippines downloaded an app. Then he lost his life savings

5. Why Japan’s Takaichi is already facing resistance inside her own party

6. Singapore’s Balakrishnan warns Hormuz just a ‘dry run’ if US, China clash

7. South Korean army removes poster depicting controversial hand gesture



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SCMP Highlights

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) smiles during the vote on the government’s bill to establish a National Intelligence Council during a plenary session of the House of Representatives in Tokyo on April 23, 2026. Photo: AFP

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto (right) shakes hands with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after a press conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta in November 2024. Photo: AFP

A view inside the Asean Secretariat building during a foreign ministers’ meeting in 2022. Indonesia has hosted the secretariat since it was established in 1976. Photo: Asean/AFP 

The sun rises behind boats moored at a pier on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on April 12. Bali recorded 547 earthquakes last year. Photo: AFP

A Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force Type 10 tank (centre) is seen during a live‑fire drill at the Hijudai manoeuvre area on April 21, 2026. Photo: Kyodo

“Malware-as-a-service” seizes control of a user’s phone after gaining entry through a fraudulent app, monitoring use in real-time and harvesting data such as fingerprints. Photo: Shutterstock

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (centre) during a panel at CNBC Converge Live with host Steve Sedgwick at Jewel Changi Airport on Wednesday. Photo: CNBC

The South Korean army started removing this recruitment poster on Tuesday, just three days after it went up at major hubs such as Seoul’s Yongsan Station. Photo: Handout

A Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force Type 10 tank (centre) is seen missing its turret after a shell exploded inside on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters

A Chinese naval video has fuelled speculation that its next aircraft carrier is likely to be nuclear-powered. The video features a young sailor named He Jian, a pun on the words for nuclear ship. Photo: CCTV

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

The US military website The War Zone reported that China’s new Type 004 aircraft carrier, currently under construction at the Dalian shipyard, has revealed a hull structure that appears similar to that of the US nuclear-powered supercarriers. Photo: X/ okcoslsp

Social media users have praised the late reverend for his constant advocacy for his son, Mo Li (centre), following the accident. Photo: Mo Lee Kai-yin/Instagram

The “flamingo” test - balancing on one leg - is one of the ways you can assess how well you are ageing. Photo: Shutterstock

Cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

The scheme, which launched in October 2023, provides a one-off HK$20,000 bonus to eligible parents for newborns. Photo: Jelly Tse

Kristal Tin revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer after Chinese New Year. Photo: Handout

News

Asia

From Indonesia’s ambitions outside of Asean to how a Filipino retiree lost his life savings, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting


From Indonesia’s ambitions outside of Asean to how a Filipino retiree lost his life savings, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.


Asean’s natural leader, Bali on edge over Japanese earthquake: 7 Asia highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From Indonesia’s ambitions outside of Asean to how a Filipino retiree lost his life savings, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting

1. Why Indonesia is ceding its role as Asean’s natural leader to Singapore

2. Why Japan’s earthquake has Bali on edge over magnitude 9 ‘megathrust’ risk

3. 3 killed in Japanese Type 10 tank blast that has military baffled

From Indonesia’s ambitions outside of Asean to how a Filipino retiree lost his life savings, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting