India has raised concerns over the safety of UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon after they came under fire from Israeli forces attacking Hezbollah targets in the region. Around 600 Indian soldiers are part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, and are stationed along the 120-km Blue Line on the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that they are concerned about the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. It added that they will continue to monitor the situation closely. It further stated that inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate.

The statement follows a day after the UN said the Naqoura headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit by Israeli forces.

The UN statement read that this morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. It added that the injuries are fortunately not serious this time, but the victims remain in hospital.

Notably, the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated rapidly after the assassination of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Israel is using land-based weaponry in this region, which increases the risk for troops stationed there.

The Israel Defence Forces 9IDF) have accused Hezbollah of operating in areas near UNIFIL posts. The IDF in a statement said that the IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.

It added that on Thursday morning, IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base. Consequently, the IDF instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, following which the forces opened fire in the area.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the East Asia Summit stressed the importance of dialogue over conflict, warning that solutions to global problems cannot emerge from the battlefield.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come as the world witnesses rising tensions in the Middle East and eastern Europe due to Israel’s escalations with Iran and its proxies in Gaza and Lebanon, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Mentioning that peace and stability should be restored as soon as possible, PM Narendra Modi said that conflicts going on in different parts of the world are having the most negative impact on countries of the Global South.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits in Laos to boost ties with ASEAN countries, and echoed his stance that diplomacy and peaceful resolutions are the only path forward. He stated that he comes from the land of Buddha, and has repeatedly said this is not an era of war. He added that solutions to problems cannot come from the battlefield.

PM Narendra Modi advocated for a humanitarian approach to conflicts and reiterated India’s commitment to peace and diplomacy. He mentioned that keeping a humanitarian approach, dialogue and diplomacy will have to be given priority. Fulfilling the responsibility of Vishwa Bandhu (global citizen), India will continue to contribute in every possible way in this direction, he continued.

He also pointed to the growing threat of terrorism, urging for global cooperation to tackle the issue. He added that terrorism is also a serious challenge to global peace and security, and to face it, forces believing in humanity will have to work together. He mentioned that mutual cooperation in the areas of cyber, maritime, and space will also have to be strengthened.

PM Narendra Modi also called for a free, open, inclusive, prosperous, and rule-based Indo-Pacific, signalling India’s ongoing concerns regarding China’s aggressive moves in the region. He underlined that the peace, security, and stability of the South China Sea are vital to the progress of the Indo-Pacific. He emphasized that the approach should be one of developmentalism and not expansionism.

Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion and widely regarded as one of the most exceptional players in the history of tennis, has announced his retirement from professional tennis.

Nadal’s forthcoming participation in the Davis Cup final 8 for Spain in November will mark his final appearance as a professional tennis player. His illustrious career includes 22 Grand Slam titles, with an unprecedented 14 victories at the French Open, solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished sportspersons of all time.

The champion, in an emotional video posted on X on Thursday, said, “I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially.”   

“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end,” Nadal said in the video in Spanish.

The 38-year-old mentioned that he has been dealing with numerous injuries over the past few years, leading to significant time away from the sport. This year, the left-handed player has only participated in seven tournaments, experiencing an early exit in the first round of the French Open – an event he has historically won 14 times.

His most recent performance was at the Paris Olympics, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in straight sets during the second round.

Nadal boasts an impressive total of 92 ATP singles titles, which includes 36 Masters titles and an Olympic gold medal. Notably, he is one of three men in tennis history to achieve the Career Golden Slam in singles. The announcement of his retirement came through an emotional video shared on social media.

In the lead-up to his retirement, Nadal withdrew from the 2024 Laver Cup, which was intended to be his final professional event on the court. Following the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nadal confirmed that the Laver Cup would be his next appearance for the year. This would have marked his fourth participation in the Laver Cup, after competing in Prague in 2017, Geneva in 2019, and partnering with long-time rival Roger Federer in doubles for the latter’s final match at The O2 in London in 2022.

The 22-time Grand Slam Champion had previously hinted that 2024 might be his last year on the tour. With a season match record of 12-7, his latest competitive outing was at the Paris Olympics, where he was eliminated in the second round by Novak Djokovic.