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Geneva: An Israeli military incursion into Gaza's southern city of Rafah could lead to a "bloodbath", the World Health Organization warned Friday, announcing contingency plans. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to crush Hamas's remaining fighters in Rafah, where much of Gaza's population has sought refuge from nearly seven months of war. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of possible dire implications for the 1.2 million people sheltering in Rafah. "WHO is deeply concerned that a full-scale military operation in Rafah, Gaza, could lead to a bloodbath, and further weaken an already broken health system," Tedros said on X, formerly Twitter. In a statement, the WHO announced contingency efforts, but warned "the broken health system would not be able to cope with a surge in casualties and deaths that a Rafah incursion would cause". "This contingency plan is Band-Aids," Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, told reporters in Geneva. "It will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation." According to the WHO, most of the besieged territory's health facilities have been damaged or destroyed amid heavy Israeli bombardment. Only 12 of Gaza's 36 hospitals and 22 of its 88 primary health facilities are "partially functional", the UN health agency said. "As part of contingency efforts, WHO and partners are urgently working to restore and resuscitate health services," the statement said. It added that Rafah's three currently operational hospitals would become unreachable "when hostilities intensify in their vicinity". Instead, the WHO is working to restore south Gaza's largest hospital, the Nasser Medical Complex in nearby Khan Yunis, and establish additional medical sites.  "The ailing health system will not be able to withstand the potential scale of devastation that the incursion will cause," Peeperkorn said. A military operation in Rafah could spark a new wave of displacement, leading to more overcrowding, limited access to food, water and sanitation and more outbreaks of disease, he added. In its statement, the WHO called "for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the removal of the obstacles to the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza, at the scale that is required." Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, said that a military operation in Rafah "could lead to a slaughter". "For agencies already struggling to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, a ground invasion would strike a disastrous blow," he told reporters. "Any ground operation would mean more suffering and death." The bloodiest-ever Gaza war started after an unprecedented attack on southern Israel by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Operatives also took about 250 hostages, of whom Israel estimates 128 remain in Gaza. The army says 35 of them are dead. Israel's relentless retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 34,000 people in Gaza -- most of them women and children -- according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

President Draupadi Murmu arrived in Shimla this morning for her five-day tour of Himachal Pradesh. Upon landing at Kalyani Helipad near Shimla, she was received by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. President Draupadi Murmu was also accorded Guard of Honour. Later, she proceeded to the Rashtrapati Niwas Retreat in Mashobra. Akashvani’s correspondent reports, that tomorrow, on the 5th of May, the President will visit the Catchment Area in Kufri. On May 6th, President Draupadi Murmu will participate as the chief guest in the convocation ceremony of the Central University of Dharamshala. Next day on the 7th of May, she will also participate in a cultural programme at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. On the 8th of May, the President is scheduled to return to Delhi. Strong security arrangements have been made in Shimla City, Anadale, and Kalyani Helipad in view of her visit, with more than a thousand police personnel deployed, in addition to central security agencies. Extensive arrangements have been made to improve traffic management in the city as well.

India and Sweden convened the seventh session of Foreign Office Consultations in Stockholm yesterday. During the session, both sides welcomed the progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation. They deliberated on the way forward in priority sectors of Innovation, trade and investment. Both countries stressed the need to focus on new emerging technologies like semiconductors, green steel and green batteries. The two sides also discussed security aspects including cyber security and counter-terrorism. They agreed to consider collaboration in the defence sector. They exchanged views to cooperate in the reforms of the United Nations Security Council, especially in the build-up to the Summit of the Future. They noted with satisfaction the growing cooperation to further strengthen India-EU bilateral cooperation. They emphasised the need for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free trade agreement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Indian side was led by Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs while the Swedish by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sweden, Jan Knutsson.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Electoral Officer, Pandurang K Pole, yesterday visited Baramulla in north Kashmir and conducted a thorough inspection of the Counting Centre and Strong Rooms designated for Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency. The visit aimed to ensure seamless arrangements for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. During the inspection, the CEO reviewed the facilities and arrangements being put in place at the counting centre and the strong room to guarantee a smooth and transparent counting process. He also assessed security measures to maintain the integrity and sanctity of the electoral process. The CEO was briefed about the arrangements to ensure a smooth electoral process. He was also informed that the district administration is diligently implementing all necessary measures in compliance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. Mr. Pole emphasised the critical importance of robust arrangements and strict adherence to electoral protocols set by the Election Commission of India for upholding the sanctity of this democratic process.

In Brazil, heavy rains in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul have killed 37 people and another 74 are missing. The record-breaking floods devastated cities and forced thousands to leave their homes. More than 23,000 people had to leave their homes due to the worst floods in 80 years. It was the fourth such environmental disaster in a year, following floods in July, September and November that killed 75 people in total. The flooding statewide has surpassed that seen during a historic 1941 deluge. In some cities, water levels were at their highest since records began nearly 150 years ago. On Thursday, a dam at a hydroelectric plant between the cities of Bento Goncalves and Cotipora partially collapsed and entire cities in the Taquari River valley, such as Lajeado and Estrela, were completely overtaken by water. In the town of Feliz, 80 km from the state capital, Porto Alegre, a massively swollen river swept away a bridge that connected it with the neighbouring city of Linha Nova.

In Maharashtra, former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam joined Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) on Friday, May 3, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Earlier on Friday, Nirupam said joining Shiv Sena after 20 years is like a ‘ghar wapasi’. Sanjay Nirupam’s ties with the Congress party turned sour when the party, as part of the seat-sharing agreement, gave up Mumbai North West to Amol Kirtikar, a candidate from Shiv Sena (UBT).

In Gujarat, the Chief Electoral Officer, P. Bharti unveiled a Virtual Reality-based Election Metaverse yesterday. This initiative aimed at educating and engaging first-time voters in the State. It also targets over 13 million first-time voters set to participate in the forthcoming General Elections and Assembly by-polls. Talking about this unique initiative, CEO Bharti said the innovative use of technology will enhance first-time voter’s participation in the election.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has refuted claims made by a news report that the Income Tax department is planning several changes after the Lok Sabha elections. In a social media post, Ms Sitharaman termed the report as pure speculation and said it was not even double-checked with the Finance Ministry. The media report claimed that the IT Department is planning to impose uniform treatment for all asset classes and revamp laws on penalties.

In Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, visited the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farms, where he received a comprehensive briefing on the impressive developments within the Lower Tank Farms. These advancements, facilitated by investments from Lanka IOC, underscored the deepening economic ties between India and Sri Lanka. The infrastructure redeveloped by Lanka IOC helped the island in managing fuel shortages during the economic crisis. Mr. Jha received a warm reception from Air Cmdre. Thushara Weerarathne and Gp. Capt. Nishantha Senavirathne at the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Trincomalee. During his visit, the High Commissioner engaged with the technical team of the Indian Navy’s Dornier aircraft, which has played a pivotal role in augmenting Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance capabilities. The visit lays stress on the longstanding partnership between the two nations in several sectors and is in line with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.

The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state has climbed to 29, with at least 60 people missing, according to the state’s civil defence agency. The authorities in Rio Grande do Sul have declared a state of emergency as rescuers continue to search for dozens of people reported missing among the ruins of collapsed homes, bridges and roads. Rescuers and soldiers have been scrambling to free families trapped in their homes, many stranded on rooftops to escape rising waters. Storm damage has affected nearly 150 municipalities in the state, also injuring 36 people and displacing more than 10,000. Governor Eduardo Leite said Rio Grande do Sul was dealing with “the worst disaster in [its] history”, adding that the number of dead was expected to rise. On Thursday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva promised “there will be no lack of human or material resources” to “minimize the suffering this extreme event … is causing in the state”. Federal authorities have already made available 12 aircraft, 45 vehicles and 12 boats as well as 626 soldiers to help clear roads, distribute food, water and mattresses, and set up shelters. Forecasts warned that the state’s main Guaiba river, which has already overflowed its banks in some areas, could rise to four metres (13 feet) on Friday. Entire communities in Rio Grande do Sul have been completely cut off as the persistent rains have destroyed bridges and blocked roads, and left towns without telephone and internet services. The authorities have told people to avoid areas along state highways due to the risk of mudslides, and urged those who live near rivers or on hillsides to evacuate. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without access to drinking water, while classes have been suspended statewide. South America’s largest country has suffered a string of recent extreme weather events, which experts say are made more likely by climate change. The floods came amid a cold front battering the south and southeast, following a wave of extreme heat.

Indian Chess Prodigy, Vaishali Ramesh Babu who has been awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE, the International Chess Federation said India is booming as far as the Chess landscape is concerned. She also expressed confidence that India will perform well at the upcoming World Championship. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, she lauded the contribution of Chess legend, Viswanathan Anand in taking Indian Chess to new heights. While sharing her journey, Vaishali, said that it was due to her father’s decision to keep her away from television that she got enrolled into a Chess academy. She added that her parents have been her big support system. Vaishali is the third Indian female Grandmaster, joining Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. Vaishali completed the requisite 2500 ELO points at the Llobregat Open tournament in Spain, last year. However, the title was officially given to her only recently following the FIDE Council meeting during the Candidates Tournament in Toronto last month.

Congress today announced that its party leader Rahul Gandhi will contest Lok Sabha polls from Raebareli seat in Uttar Pradesh. Party also announced that Kishori Lal Sharma will be the candidate in Amethi constituency.