BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje calls for completely lockdown like last year to control COVID-19
Udupi: Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP and senior BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje on Thursday called for a complete lockdown like last year to control the steep rise in COVID-19 cases.
Karandlaje said the number of cases of the virus was going up in the state and in Udupi District and a COVID-19 curfew was needed to cap the numbers. She added that only essential services should be allowed to operate during the curfew and everything else should go under lockdown, and people should co-operate.
“If people continue to move freely out, COVID cannot be controlled. Wedding ceremonies, religious events at temples and everything is going on. The more the people will socialize the more the virus will spread” she said.
“People from other cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai are coming to Udupi district. They should be tested immediately on their arrival. I have directed the authorities to start Rapid Tests from today. Home quarantine has also been made compulsory” she said while adding that strict action for the next 15 days was inevitable.
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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.
