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South Korea: Three more military commanders suspended over martial law allegations

South Korea: Three more military commanders suspended over martial law allegations

Three more military commanders, including the head of a special forces unit, have been suspended from their duties in connection to their alleged roles in President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition, the defence ministry said Tuesday.

The defence ministry said it has suspended the duties of Maj. Gen. Park Heon-su, chief of the Defence Ministry Investigation Headquarter; Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Special Forces Airborne Brigade; and Col. Kim Hyun-tae, head of the Army Special Warfare Command's 707th Special Mission Group, news agency reported.

The three commanders are among the seven military officials who were indicted by the prosecution last week over charges of taking part in barricading the National Assembly and operating an arrest team during Yoon's botched martial law bid on December 3.

ICJ elects Japanese Judge Iwasawa Yuji as new President

ICJ elects Japanese Judge Iwasawa Yuji as new President

Japanese Judge Iwasawa Yuji has been elected as the new President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands. He will succeed former ICJ President Nawaf Salam, who resigned in January before his term expired.

The ICJ announced on Monday that Iwasawa Yuji had been elected as President of the Court by his fellow judges. President Iwasawa has been a Judge of the Court since June 22, 2018. Before joining the Court, President Iwasawa was a Professor of International Law at the University of Tokyo and Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

He became the second Japanese national to have taken the Court's top post, following Hisashi Owada, a former Japanese judge who served as the President of the ICJ from 2009 to 2012.

Speaking to NHK World Japan, Iwasawa said that he wants to contribute to the ICJ's efforts to promote the rule of law and peaceful solutions to disputes.

Australian state ends aerial shooting of wild horses

Australian state ends aerial shooting of wild horses

Australia's New South Wales (NSW) has shifted the method of managing the number of wild horses at Kosciuszko National Park following the culling of thousands of brumbies through aerial shooting.

The use of aerial shooting is no longer necessary, NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe told a budget estimates hearing on Monday. The wild horse population is being controlled due to fears that they are endangering certain rare and native species.

Launched in late 2021, the wild horse management initiative seeks to lower the brumbies population in the area to 3,000 by mid-2027 to safeguard the delicate mountain ecosystem and the heritage value of the brumby.

In late 2023, aerial shooting was introduced as an additional strategy to help reduce the feral horse population. Reliable estimates suggested that more than 17,000 horses remained there. Early findings from the 2024 survey, however, indicated a significant decline in horse numbers, which is currently in the range of 3,000 to 4,000.

Lankan railways announces new speed limits to protect wild elephants

Lankan railways announces new speed limits to protect wild elephants

Sri Lanka Railways announced on Monday that it will implement new speed limits and revised night train schedules in areas prone to elephant crossings to prevent frequent train-elephant collisions.

The Department of Railways said the revised schedule will take effect on March 7, 2025, adding that trains will now operate outside peak elephant movement hours to minimise risks, with speed limits enforced in high-risk zones.

Officials acknowledged that the new restrictions may cause potential delays, but emphasised that reducing train speeds is necessary to protect Sri Lanka's wildlife.

Train collisions with elephants occur frequently in certain areas of the country. On February 20, a train accident in Gal Oya killed seven wild elephants.

Pakistan: Civilian casualties increase alarmingly in terror attacks

Pakistan: Civilian casualties increase alarmingly in terror attacks

Civilian casualties in terror attacks have shown an alarming increase in Pakistan during the month of February, the latest data revealed on Monday shows.

Even though the authorities claim that terror attacks in Pakistan during February 2025 saw a marginal decline, the number of civilians who lost their lives in comparison to security personnel has been significantly higher.

As per the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), there have been at least 79 terrorist attacks in Pakistan during February, resulting in deaths of 55 civilians and 47 security personnel, while 81 security personnel and 45 civilians got injured.

"February 2025 marked the first month since August 2024 in which civilian fatalities surpassed those of security forces. Civilian deaths rose by 175 per cent while deaths of security personnel declined by at least 18 per cent when compared to January 2025," read a report issued by PICSS.

PICSS also stated that, in comparison to January 2025 - when at least 20 civilians were killed and 57 security personnel martyred - "security forces intensified their counter-militancy operations, killing at least 156 militants, injuring 20 and arresting 66".

Finland opens door for skilled Indian professionals

Finland opens door for skilled Indian professionals

Finland is opening its doors to skilled Indian professionals for opportunities that span across IT software development, engineering, game development and post-doctoral research roles, according to an official statement on Monday.

Business Finland is Finland’s official government agency for promoting trade and investment, financing innovation, promoting travel and attracting talent.

“Indian talent interested in pursuing a career in Finland can find comprehensive information on living and working in the country, as well as available career opportunities, on the Work in Finland website,” the statement by Business Finland read.

Laura Lindeman, Senior Director of Business Finland’s Work in Finland unit, emphasised Finland’s proactive approach to encouraging international talent, particularly in IT and technology sectors to explore opportunities in the country.

Bangladesh: Home Ministry rejects proposal of Police Commission, refuses to let go its control

Bangladesh: Home Ministry rejects proposal of Police Commission, refuses to let go its control

Bangladesh leadership has rejected the idea of a Police Commission, refusing to let go of its control over the law enforcers, local media reported on Monday.

Ignoring calls for holding police accountable through a separate commission, the Home Ministry of the South Asian nation rejected the idea of a Police Commission, reports.

Refusing to let go of its control over the police, the home ministry stated that the formation of an independent body, as the Police Reform Commission recommends, is unnecessary because the ministry is already doing what an independent body would be doing.

It claimed that the current laws, which are from the colonial era, are good enough, and there is no need for amendments.

South Korean ex-President Park calls for unity within ruling party ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling

South Korean ex-President Park calls for unity within ruling party ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling

Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye called on Monday for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to stay united and fulfill its responsibilities despite challenges from the Opposition-controlled political landscape.

Park made the remarks during a meeting with the PPP leadership at her home in the southeastern city of Daegu, expressing "deep concern" over the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to party officials.

The visit by the top PPP members, including Kwon Young-se, chief of the party's emergency steering committee, and its floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, came as the Constitutional Court is expected to deliver its final ruling on Yoon's impeachment over his December 3 martial law attempt later this month.

If upheld, Yoon will be removed from office, and a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days.

South Korea: PPP leadership to visit former President Park Geun-hye ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling

South Korea: PPP leadership to visit former President Park Geun-hye ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling

The leadership of the South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) was set to pay a courtesy visit to former President Park Geun-hye on Monday, party officials said, ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

The top PPP members, led by Kwon Young-se, chief of the party's emergency steering committee, and its floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, will travel to the southeastern city of Daegu to meet Park at her home later in the day, party officials said.

The visit comes as the Constitutional Court is expected to deliver its final ruling on Yoon's impeachment over his December 3 martial law attempt later this month. If upheld, Yoon will be removed from office, and a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days.

Park, who took office as president in 2013, was impeached and removed from office in March 2017 after the top court upheld her impeachment over an influence-peddling scandal involving her close associate, Choi Soon-sil.

Taiwan to enforce stricter citizenship laws for Hong Kong, Macau residents: Report

Taiwan to enforce stricter citizenship laws for Hong Kong, Macau residents: Report

Hong Kong and Macau residents would no longer be provided with leniency for permanent residency in Taiwan as the country is considering introducing stricter citizenship laws due to China's policies, according to local media.

The Taiwanese government may remove the optional path to citizenship for Hong Kong and Macau residents and is considering lengthening the terms of permanent residency eligibility, reports.

On the condition of anonymity, an official familiar with the matter told the Taipei Times that in a bid to prevent the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from infiltrating Taiwan through immigration from Hong Kong and Macau, the Taiwanese government could amend immigration laws for residents of the territories who currently receive preferential treatment.

The official said that under the amendments, before becoming eligible for permanent residency, arrivals from the Chinese territories would have to reside in Taiwan for four years, up from the current one year, and they would no longer be able to apply for citizenship after obtaining permanent residency.

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