Global News Roundup: Tax Deadline Missed, Rafah Crossing Reopens, Cyclone Hits Madagascar, Tehran Fire, and HRW Resignation
Millions of people faced consequences for missing a tax deadline, while a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing offered a glimmer of hope for Palestinians. Meanwhile, Madagascar was hit by a deadly cyclone, a fire broke out in Tehran, and a Human Rights Watch director resigned in protest.
In the United Kingdom, an estimated one million people missed the deadline to file their tax returns with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), potentially facing penalties, according to BBC Business. HMRC reported that 27,456 people filed in the final hour before the midnight cut-off on Saturday for the 2024-25 returns. Despite extended helpline and webchat services, a significant number of taxpayers failed to meet the deadline. The busiest hour for online self-assessment filings was between 17:00 GMT on Saturday. In total, about 11.5 million submissions were made, with 475,722 filed on the final day.
In the Middle East, a small number of sick and wounded Palestinians were allowed to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border post, The Guardian reported. This limited reopening occurred after delays and fragile diplomatic efforts to stabilize the conflict. Egyptian officials stated that about 150 people were expected to leave the territory and 50 to enter. However, Reuters reported that by nightfall, Israel had permitted only 12 Palestinians to re-enter. The crossing had been closed by Israeli forces for more than 20 months.
Madagascar was struck by Tropical Cyclone Fytia, resulting in at least three deaths and affecting nearly 30,000 people, according to The Guardian. The cyclone, the first tropical storm of the season, brought heavy rainfall, and it is estimated that more than 40,000 homes could be flooded in the coming days.
In Iran, a massive fire broke out at a bazaar in the Jannat Abad neighborhood in western Tehran, Al Jazeera reported. Thick plumes of black smoke were seen over the Iranian capital. According to Tehran emergency services operations commander Mohammad Behnia, there were no immediate reports of injuries. The cause of the blaze, which started on Tuesday morning, was not immediately clear. The city’s fire department described the fire as extensive, affecting an area packed with stalls and shops.
Also, the Israel-Palestine director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), Omar Shakir, resigned in protest, Al Jazeera reported. Shakir stated that the organization’s new chief blocked a report accusing Israel of committing crimes against humanity in its denial of Palestinian refugees' right of return. Shakir, who worked for HRW for more than 10 years, said the report sought to connect the erasure of camps in Gaza with the emptying of camps in the West Bank, along with the Israeli government's actions against UNRWA.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment