Malaysia:

A lawmaker in Malaysia wants caning to be meted out as punishment for out-of-wedlock pregnancies. – Malaysiakini.

Philippines:

Nine months into office, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was slapped with an impeachment complaint filed by a lawmaker on Thursday, March 16, at the House of Representatives. – Rappler

Singapore:

Disney's 'gay moment' is causing hysteria in Singapore. – The News Lens

North Korea:

A North Korean hacking group known as Lazarus was likely behind a recent cyber campaign targeting organisations in 31 countries, following high-profile attacks on Bangladesh Bank, Sony and South Korea, cyber security firm Symantec Corp said yesterday. – Reuters via Malaysiakini

U.S., North Korea, China:

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will warn China’s leaders that the United States is prepared to step up missile defenses and pressure on Chinese financial institutions if they fail to use their influence to restrain North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, according to several officials involved in planning his first mission to Asia. – The New York Times

U.S., Taiwan:

US President Donald Trump’s administration is expected to announce new arms sales to Taiwan after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) scheduled for early next month in Florida, US media have reported. – Taipei Times

Taiwan, China:

China's accelerated military development and recent activity by its military aircraft and ships around Taiwan pose an increased threat to the self-ruled island, according to a Taiwanese government defense report draft reviewed by Reuters. – Reuters

Myanmar:

Myanmar Now chief correspondent Ko Swe Win was threatened by three strangers who attempted to attack him in Rangoon’s Sanchaung Township on his way home on Tuesday night. – The Irrawaddy

Indonesia:

Anti-graft agency KPK said on Wednesday (15/03) it will request the Immigration Office to extend the six-month travel bans on two suspects and three witnesses in the electronic ID card, or e-KTP, graft case. – Jakarta Globe

Vietnam, Cambodia:

In contrast to their last meeting over the border, when Cambodia and Vietnam didn’t manage to release a joint statement, Cambodian officials said on Wednesday that during discussions Vietnam had again agreed not to build or farm in areas that are still in dispute. – The Cambodia Daily

Vietnam:

Exiled dissident Dang Xuan Dieu recounts the horror of his imprisonment in Vietnam. New Mandala via The News Lens

India:

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is looking for six men who have gone off the radar after their names surfaced for receiving and sending funds on behalf of the Islamic State (IS) to establish its presence here. – The Hindu

Japan:

The Supreme Court ruled that the collection of GPS data by police without a warrant during an investigation into a suspect in a string of thefts was illegal. – Japan Times

China:

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, concluded its annual session Wednesday morning. Xinhua (China)

China has started the construction of one of the world's largest and most sensitive cosmic-ray facilities, to study the evolution of the universe and high-energy celestial bodies, as well as to push forward the frontier of new physics. People’s Daily Online (China)

Authorities in western China’s Sichuan and Qinghai provinces have strengthened security forces in Tibetan areas and checked visitors to hotels amid official concerns that the anniversary of a national uprising against Beijing’s rule might trigger further protests, sources in the region say. – Radio Free Asia (United States)

Editor: Edward White