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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Monday, expressed gratitude to the US for the support it has extended during the ongoing war against Russia.

In a video message posted on X, Zelensky acknowledged the "importance" of the US in Ukraine's fight, stating, "Of course, we understand the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we've received from the United States."

Zelensky's comments came two days after a tense encounter at the White House, where US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticised him for not expressing enough gratitude towards America and for rejecting their proposed terms for a truce in the conflict.

Addressing these concerns in his video post, Zelensky emphasised the unity and support Ukraine has received from Europe.

"As a result of these days, we see clear support from Europe. Even more unity, even more willingness to cooperate," he said, reiterating that Ukraine's goal is peace, not an "endless war," and stressing the need for "real security guarantees."

Around 613 Afghan migrant families returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran between February 21-28, local media in Kabul reported on Saturday.

The data cited by Afghanistan's Amu TV revealed that Iran expelled 501 families while Pakistan deported 112, either forcibly or voluntarily.

Earlier this week, speaking to TOLO news, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal stated that over 2.1 million Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan in 2024