Singapore’s Hormuz stance, Manila-Hong Kong housing gap: 7 Asia highlights

AdvertisementSCMP HighlightsAsiaSingapore’s Hormuz stance, Manila-Hong Kong housing gap: 7 Asia highlightsFrom Japan’s sakura season rift to a defamation hearing, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting 2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenSCMPPublished: 3:15pm, 14 Apr 2026We 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. Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in MalaysiaSingapore’s pushback against negotiating with Iran over access to the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a backlash from Malaysian politicians, who saw its statements as “lecturing” them on how best to secure safe passage through the vital waterway. 2. Manila vs Hong Kong: the 2 sides of Asia’s housing affordability crisisChildren walk through a flooded area in Baseco, one of the biggest slums in Manila, the Philippines. Photo: AFPHong Kong and Singapore routinely top global rankings of unaffordable cities. Yet it is the residents of Manila, Colombo and Yangon who are far more likely to tell pollsters they cannot afford shelter. 3. UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediationDays before Pakistan had helped to secure a ceasefire in the Iran war this week, the United Arab Emirates was seeking repayment of a US$3.5 billion deposit from Islamabad’s central bank. AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x