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 Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing accusations of diplomatic sycophancy after White House footage showed her giggling at a portrait of an autopen – placed by US President Donald Trump in the spot reserved for his predecessor Joe Biden – during summit talks last week. Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Photo: Shutterstock In New Zealand, Keisha Constantino likes to start her morning at a leisurely pace. In when she was in the Philippines, she had to handle unpaid tasks like thesis advising as a faculty member. Getting to and from the workplace was a c