South Korea:

Friday is a crucial day in the fate of President Park Geun-hye and the country. At 11 a.m., the eight justices of the Constitutional Court will deliver a verdict on the impeachment of the President, which will be televised live. - The Korea Times

North Korea, Japan:

One of the four ballistic missiles test-fired by North Korea into the Sea of Japan on Monday landed about 200 km north of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, the closest ever such touchdown to Japan’s mainland, government officials said Thursday. - Japan Times

North Korea, China, U.S.:

The United States rebuffed a proposal from China to “apply the brakes” to an escalating standoff with North Korea, saying “positive action” was required before it would engage with the “irresponsible” Kim Jong Un. - The Washington Post

Japan:

The number of reported cases of child abuse and child pornography reached record highs in 2016, according to National Police Agency figures released Thursday. The agency attributed the rise to increased awareness among citizens and stepped up police enforcement. - Japan Times

Malaysia, North Korea:

While Malaysia and North Korea are doing their best to solve the diplomatic spat between the two governments, attention is now focused on the presence of more than 1,000 North Korean citizens in Malaysia. - Malaysiakini

Philippines:

Lawyer Jude Sabio says he wants to file by end of March the crimes against humanity case against President Rodrigo Duterte in relation to extrajudicial killings. - Rappler

Europe, Japan:

European Council President Donald Tusk vowed Thursday to accelerate negotiations on free trade arrangements with Japan and other countries amid the threat of rising protectionism around the globe. - Kyodo News

Indonesia:

An Indonesian court sentenced former Reuters journalist David Fox to seven months in prison on Thursday (09/03) for possession of hashish, less than the one-year jail term sought by prosecutors, meaning that he can be released in a few weeks. - Jakarta Globe

India:

Several pairs locked lips at Marine Drive in Kochi on Thursday evening, marking the culmination of day- long protests by different groups against an incident of moral policing in which Shiv Sena activists had caned and chased away couples from the scenic waterfront the previous day even as policemen watched. - The Hindu

Singapore:

The minimum legal age for smoking will be raised from 18 to 21 years old, in a bid to reduce, if not eliminate, the opportunities for youths here to light up. - Singapore

Taiwan, China:

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) headquarters yesterday rebutted media reports that KMT Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) is seeking to boost her electoral prospects in the party’s upcoming leadership race by taking a trip to China. - Taipei Times

Editor: Edward White