All shops opened in Dakshina Kannada District: Only government buses begin operations
Mangaluru: In the background of the District Administration’s approval to the business owners in the district to carry out work operations from 7 am to 2 pm, various shops and businesses in the district -which had stopped doing business, owing to the lockdown and Covid curfew for the past two months - have once again begun operating, thereby resuming business activities in the district on Wednesday.
Since the administration has also permitted buses to operate in this period, Government buses began operations in the morning. However, from the bus’s total seating capacity, only 50% of the passengers are to be accommodated as per the guidelines issued by the administration. Apart from that, no passengers are allowed to travel whilst standing, the guidelines state further. In the background of this, private buses have not resumed operations stating that transporting half the percentage of passengers is not feasible in the current environment. The D. K. District’s Bus Owner’s Association President, Dilraj Alva has informed that they would consider beginning operations from July 1st. Without the availability of private buses which are the lifeline of intra-district public transport, people’s traffic in the city is scarce.
The clothing and footwear shops were open from early morning, and the busy staff were seen arranging and assorting items before the arrival of customers.
Although the district administration has permitted businesses and shops to remain open till 2 pm, few restrictions have been imposed. The AC (air-conditioned) shops and businesses, Shopping complexes, Malls have not been permitted to operate, D. K. District Commissioner Dr. Rajendra K.V. informed.
Hotels Reopened: Hotels have been permitted to operate from morning till afternoon. In this regard, few hotels have resumed their business on Wednesday. However, the guidelines indicate that from the total seating capacity inside the hotels, they are permitted to cater to only 50% of the customers and must not exceed the imposed limit.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
