Two border crossings on the Finnish-Russian border will be reopened to the public. However, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo warned that the entire eastern border could be closed again if necessary. Finland will reopen two border crossings with Russia on Thursday, the country's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced at a press conference in Helsinki on Tuesday. The main Vaalimaa crossing in southeastern Finland and the one at Niirala, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) to the north, will be reopened to traffic, but all other land border crossings will remain closed. All eight crossings between the two countries were closed by the Finnish government in late November to prevent asylum seekers from entering the country.   The border will be open for an initial period until January 14. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also warned that the entire eastern border could be closed again if necessary. Orpo said that the restrictions have been eased in order to assess whether "there is a change for the better." "If the phenomenon continues, we will close these border crossings," he added. Sealed border amid migrant crisis Finland last month shut the Russian border until December 13 to block an increasing number of refugees from arriving in the Nordic nation in what the government and its allies said was an orchestrated move by Moscow. In the weeks before, the Finnish Border Guard had registered a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers, mainly from the Middle East, who traveled from Russia without the necessary documents and applied for asylum in Finland.   Some 900 asylum seekers from nations including Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen entered Finland via Russia in November, an increase from less than one per day previously, according to the Finnish Border Guard. The arrivals stopped when Finland shut the border. Finland accused Russia of deliberately bringing these people to the border of the EU and NATO member state, which the Kremlin denied.   Finland discourages asylum seekers   The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has said that it is now only possible to apply for international protection at the eastern border in Vaalimaa and Niirala. However, it advised people not to travel to the Finnish-Russian border under the current conditions. Finland will ensure that migration across its eastern border will not be used as a means to put pressure on Europe, said Interior Minister Mari Rantanen.   Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer eastern border with Russia. The EU country joined NATO in April after decades of military non-alignment in the wake of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Moscow warned of "countermeasures" after Finland joined NATO.

DP World disconnected internet on Friday after detecting a cyber security breach. DP World Australia manages about 40% of Australia's freight trade. Ports operator DP World Australia said on Monday operations had resumed at all its facilities after a cyber security incident. The cyber security breach had forced the company to suspend operations for three days. What was the security breach? DP World first disconnected internet on Friday after detecting the breach, which significantly impacted the flow of goods coming in and out of Australia over the weekend. The firm's advisor on its response to the cyberattack, Alastair MacGibon, said that data had been taken by "someone malicious or unauthorized." The company is part of Dubai's state-owned DP World. DP World Australia manages about 40% of Australia's freight trade. The suspension affected its container terminals in the state capitals of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and the port city of Fremantle in Western Australia. "Operations resumed at the company's ports across Australia at 9 a.m. today (2200 GMT, Sunday) ... following successful tests of key systems overnight," the company said in a statement. DP World expects to move about 5,000 containers from the four Australian terminals on Monday. However, it said that ongoing investigation to protect its networks could still result in temporary disruptions in the coming days. "This is a part of an investigation process and resuming normal logistical operations at this scale," the company said. Hackers threaten critical infrastructure Australia works on cyber defenses Australia has seen a rise in hacking incidents since late last year. In February, the Australian government changed regulations and set up an agency to manage the response to cyber attacks. "[The DP World breach] does show how vulnerable we have been in this country to cyber incidents and how much better we need to work together to make sure we keep our citizens safe," Cyber Security Minister Clare O'Neil told the public ABC radio station. Also on Monday, the government announced details of a proposed cyber security law that would force companies to report all ransomware incidents.

During a rare visit to the Philippines, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is relaunching stalled trade talks, while providing funding for digital connectivity and improved maritime security. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday in a bid to improve ties that had soured in recent years over human rights issues.  Von der Leyen said in a joint statement that the first visit of a EU commissioner to the Philippines in 60 years of diplomatic relations would help to "accelerate a new era of cooperation." At the top of the agenda was an agreement to relaunch stalled free trade negotiations.  "I am very glad that we have decided to relaunch negotiations for a free-trade agreement. Our teams will get to work right now on setting the right conditions so that we can get back to the negotiations. A free-trade agreement has huge potential for both of us in terms of growth and jobs," von der Leyen said. She stressed that the EU wants to diversify supply lines and "de-risk" trade relations. This comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exposed Europe's dependency on Russian fossil fuels, which in turn has led to questions over trade and supply chain dependencies involving China.  "We have all learnt the hard way the cost of economic dependencies. We need to diversify our supply lines and make them resilient," von der Leyen said.   Von der Leyen added that the EU would provide €466 million ($514 million) in funding to for the "transition to a circular economy, and the generation of green energy" through the Global Gateway sustainable investment plan. The EU is also set to launch a "digital economy package" to improve connectivity and make the Philippines more attractive for European businesses.  The EU is the Philippines' fourth-largest trading partner.  Tensions over human rights abuses  The EU currently has a special trade agreement with the Philippines known as the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), allowing for tax-free export of around 6,270 products to the EU.  The cuts on import duties are in exchange for implementing conventions on human rights, environmental protection and good governance. This arrangement is set to expire in December 2023, but the Philippines could apply for an extension.  Free trade talks began in 2015 under former President Benigno Aquino, but stalled under the administration of his immediate predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.  The "drug war" carried out by Duterte, during which more than 6,000 suspects were killed, drew heavy criticism from the EU. Duterte responded with a profanity-laced tirade, which frayed relations.  The alleged human rights violations sparked an investigation in the International Criminal Court (ICC) court for possible crimes against humanity. In 2018, Duerte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, worsening ties. In 2017, he also imprisoned opposition leader, and then-senator, Leila de Lima on drug charges, which were allegedly fabricated by Duterte's officials in in response to her criticism. The EU has repeatedly demanded the release of de Lima and Philippine accountability in the drug-related killings. In February, a group of EU lawmakers said that Manila's chances of  GSP+ renewal depended on whether the country rejoined the ICC.  "The European Parliament has been quite clear that whoever wants to have preferential access to the European market needs to uphold social standards, human rights standards, environmental standards," said Hannah Neumann, leader of the EU delegation to Philippines in February. "This is not going to go away." Von der Leyen on Monday did not address whether or not there had been progress on the EU's human rights concerns. Marcos said earlier this month that he would not cooperate with the ICC probe. Marcos has argued that the crimes should be prosecuted in the Philippines and his Justice Ministry has said it will carry out a fair investigation. South China Sea security  Apart from discussing the free trade agreement, the two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation on maritime security in the South China Sea. China claims almost the entirety of the sea as its territory, and has built military installations while dispatching coast guard vessels to harass Philippine fishing boats.  The EU has said it wants to play a great role in ensuring security in the Indo-Pacific.  "We are ready to strengthen the cooperation with the Philippines on maritime security in the region by sharing information, conducting threat assessment and building the capacity of your coast guard," she said in a joint statement.  The Philippines plays a central role in the geopolitical rivalry in the South China Sea amid tension between the US and China. In April, the US and Philippines carried out their largest joint military exercises to date, which were seen as a signal to Beijing.   

With an aim to promote art culture in the valley, the Institute of Advanced Studies in Education of India, conducted a drawing and painting competition on Friday. The students were ecstatic and participated in huge numbers in the competition. The event was organized after a gap of almost two years because of the pandemic restrictions. The college professors of India called it a platform to express and lauded the enthusiasm of the students. "We conduct art camps at regular intervals. Art has a very important role in a person's life. We want to boost these creative minds. The best remedy for tension and depression is art therapy. we are glad that we could give these students a platform to express themselves," Arshid Sualeha, an Art teacher, told ANI. While appreciating the initiative, Sameena Naaz, a student, said, "If we talk about arts, it's a great programme and numerous boys and girls expressed their feelings. Artists have an identity of their own and here, we can use this platform and grow further." Calling the event the monotony breaker, Syed Yehya, another student, mentioned "We spent more than two years at home but now, it all looks afresh. Today, we see that our youths are depressed and sometimes they resort to drugs. In this context, this type of programme helps us become better as our emotions can be expressed." In India the schools and colleges were closed for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent relaxations of the COVID-19 guidelines cheered the students in the valley as the schools and colleges reopened again. Source: ANI  

Apple Inc supplier Foxconn  will reopen an iPhone manufacturing facility in southern India on Wednesday, government officials and a legislator in the region where the plant is located told Reuters.   The Foxconn plant, in the town of Sriperumbudur near the Tamil Nadu state capital of Chennai, employed about 17,000 people but was closed on Dec. 18 after protests over 250 of its workers who fell sick with food poisoning.    K Selvaperunthagai, a member of the state assembly for the area, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin told the assembly late on Friday the plant would reopen on Wednesday.   Apple said on Monday the Foxconn India plant continued to remain on probation, adding that it would continue monitoring conditions at workers' dormitories and dining halls, along with independent auditors.   "Workers will start to return gradually as soon as we are certain our standards are being met in every dormitory and dining area," Apple said in a statement.   Foxconn said: "We have implemented a range of corrective actions to ensure this cannot happen again and a rigorous monitoring system to ensure workers can raise any concerns they may have, including anonymously."   Foxconn has been making the iPhone 12 and testing production of the iPhone 13 at the Sriperumbudur facility, its only plant in India, government officials have said. Apple has eight other suppliers in India.   The plant will restart production on Wednesday with not more than 100 people and could take more than two months to resume full production, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.   Neither Apple or Foxconn commented on when production would restart.   Tamil Nadu, a state of more than 70 million people and one of the country's most industrialised, is sometimes called the "Detroit of Asia". It is home to factories of companies including BMW, Daimler, Hyundai, Nissan and Renault.   Selvaperunthagai told Reuters the state government would build a hostel facility with a capacity to house tens of thousands of workers from various industries to address the concerns about standards of dormitories and dining facilities.   "The government is clear that they don't want such incidents to happen again," said. Source:  Reuters

Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni has delivered ‘good news’ following direction of the Prime Minister to reopen educational institutions of the country after long one and half years of closure. She also said that all types of preparations have been taken in this regard. The minister was speaking as the chief guest in a discussion on the occasion of national mourning day organized by Awami Jubo Mohila League on Wednesday. Dipu Moni said, we are waiting for the favorable situation and hope that we will be able to reopen educational institutions very soon. She said, the honorable Prime Minister has been directing us from the very beginning in this crisis moment on how we would be able to reopen the educational institutions in shortest possible time. ‘The first thing is that we have to ensure the health safety of the students and guardians. Secondly, it has to be guaranteed that their learning is not interrupted. We have to continue the process as long as possible.’ She also said, thirdly, we should be prepared ourselves until the situation favors us and turns it normal when educational institutions are open. The premier has given us directions and we have all types of preparations accordingly. The minister said, you know that currently the coronavirus transmission and death rates are in downward trend. The infection rate is decreasing following the right decision of the government and cooperation from the people. ‘We hope that the transmission rate would come down to our desired stage that means the scientific stage when the situation would allow us to open the educational institutions. We hope that the situation will reach at the desired stage and we want all types of cooperation.’ Dipu Moni hoped that educational institutions can be reopened at the shortest possible time if people follow the health safety protocols. AH  

The cabinet division has informed that all the export oriented industrial units including garments will remain open from August 1 (Sunday) after abiding by the health protocol. The information was delivered through a press release signed by cabinet division Deputy Secretary Md. Rezaul Islam on Friday afternoon. The press release said, during the ongoing period of maintaining restrictions to curb the transmission of coronavirus, all the export oriented industrial mills and factories will remain open from August 1. Earlier on Thursday the business leaders of FBCCI met Cabinet Secretary Khandakar Anwarul Islam and demanded for reopening of export oriented industrial sector. Mentionable that the government has imposed 14-day strict restrictions to prevent spread of coronavirus from July 23 to August 5. In this period direction was given to restrict people’s movement, besides directions were given to remain all types of transport, shops, shopping malls, garments and other export oriented mill-factories such as garments closed. But the owners of the mills and factories also demanded to reopen their units. Based on their demand the cabinet division took the decision to reopen the export oriented mill and factories. AH     

The business community has given a week’s deadline to open the Pak-China border that has been closed for more than 20 months. Traders who use this land route have begun protesting in Islamabad, decrying the massive damage the closure has caused their businesses. Traders in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) lamented that they have lost patience over the continuous closure of the Sost border. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, a group of traders from GB headed by Exporters Association Chairman Javed Hussain has appealed to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the foreign minister, commerce minister and the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan to open the Pak-China border for trade. Hussain said that due to the closure of the border, traders have lost millions of rupees. “All traders of the region will be forced to hold peaceful sit-ins outside Khunjerab Pass, the Parliament House and Ministry of Foreign Affairs if their demands are not met.” He said that the Pak-China is the only source of livelihood for all small and big traders of the region.  Hussain said that the Pakistani Foreign Ministry has issued a notification to reopen the Pak-China border. However, the Chinese authorities have refused to implement the notification due to which the goods imported from China by Pakistani traders are getting damaged in the warehouses of Kashgar, which may cause a further loss of millions. Besides, the goods of Diamerbhasha Dam, Dasu and Mohmand Dams lying in the warehouses of Kashgar are also deteriorating. It may be recalled here that China had earlier agreed to open the Khunjerab border for trade but with stiff conditions in view of the Covid-19 situation. Under the conditions set by the Chinese government, Pakistani exporters and importers would not be allowed to enter China and would instead load and unload goods on Pakistan’s side of the border for inspection and sterilisation. However, the border has remained closed for bilateral trade despite assurances from both countries for unknown reasons. Source: Profit B.M./ Rtv

All the educational institutions of the country will reopen from May 23 if the coronavirus situation turns normal. Directions have been given to the educational institutions to take action in this regard. Md. Mahbub Hossain, Secretary of secondary and higher education division of the education ministry informed this at a virtual discussion on Thursday. The Secretary said, if the situation improves then schools and colleges will reopen from May 23. Our previous decision is effective still now. Meanwhile, on March 25, after holding national advisory committee meeting on coronavirus the education ministry announced that the educational institution will reopen from May 23. The notice said, considering the safety and security of students, teachers, staffs and guardians on pretext of the increased coronavirus infection and according to the suggestion of national advisory committee classes of all the educational institutions under secondary and higher secondary level will resume from May 23. But in the interim period online classes will continue, it added. AH

The education ministry has decided to reopen the educational institutions on May 23 which had been closed for a long period due to Covid-19 pandemic. The decision was taken by the ministry on Thursday evening. An official present in the meeting said, the decision has been taken as corona contraction increases in the recent time. All the educational institutions in the country have been closed since March 17 last year. It was scheduled that those will be opened on March 30. But the final decision has been taken to reopen the institutions after Eid ul Fitr. Earlier on Thursday after participating a discussion meeting Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni said that in this risky situation teachers, students and guardians will not be allowed to put them in any kind of risk. AH