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Rebuilding opens on a bleak, charred horizon, introducing Dusty (Josh O’Connor), a Colorado rancher whose ancestral land has been reduced to ash by a recent wildfire. A bank official’s blunt refusal to extend a loan underscores the decade‑long bleak outlook for the barren property.Stripped of his home, Dusty relocates to a spartan, government‑funded trailer camp and takes a humbling highway‑maintenance job. The film deepens his personal stakes through interactions with his ex‑wife Ruby (Meghann Fahy), their ten‑year‑old daughter Callie‑Rose (Lily LaTorre), and his ailing mother‑in‑law Bess, portrayed by Oscar‑winner Amy Madigan. A poignant scene shows Dusty ferrying Callie‑Rose to the local library, where they share a shaky Wi‑Fi connection for her schoolwork.Amid the trailer community, Dusty forms a tentative bond with the resilient Mali (Kali Reis), hinting at a potential romance beyond mere friendship. Their collective moments around a campfire evoke the tone of Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland, positioning the film within a growing genre of American stories about displacement and survival.Notably, the narrative avoids direct references to climate change or governmental responsibility, presenting the wildfire as an isolated tragedy rather than a symptom of a broader environmental crisis. This omission mirrors a recurring pattern in U.S. cinema, where the focus remains on personal resilience rather than systemic solutions.O’Connor delivers a nuanced performance, channeling the restrained British sensibility of his earlier work into Dusty’s quiet strength and vulnerability. His portrayal anchors the film’s emotional core, while the supporting cast—particularly Madigan’s compassionate Bess and Reis’s tough‑yet‑tender Mali—adds depth to the community portrait.Rebuilding arrives in UK cinemas on 17 April, offering audiences a contemplative look at loss, renewal, and the fragile ties that bind families and strangers alike.

Sudan, one of the world's most impoverished countries, has been ravaged by a civil war that began in 2023. The conflict, driven by a power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left the nation unrecognizable. Over 40,000 people have been killed, and about 14 million – a quarter of the population – have been forced to flee their homes. Civilian infrastructure across the country has been extensively damaged.“We are not just facing a crisis – we are witnessing the systematic erosion of a country’s future,” Luca Renda, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP’s) resident representative in Sudan, told Al Jazeera. A report by the UNDP and the Institute for Security Studies highlights the scale of Sudan’s economic collapse. Even under the most optimistic scenario of peace being achieved in 2026, Sudan would still lose an estimated $18.8 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) by 2043.The war has had a devastating impact on Sudan's infrastructure and basic services. $6.4 billion was lost in GDP in 2023 alone, reflecting a simultaneous collapse across all major parts of Sudan’s economy. The destruction of infrastructure has triggered displacement and made it difficult for people to secure adequate housing or access basic services. Up to 40 percent of power generation capacity has been lost, and key water infrastructure has been destroyed or seized, cutting communities off from clean water and sanitation.The labor market has also been severely affected, with agriculture – once the backbone of Sudan’s economy – severely hit. Cultivated land has shrunk, adversely impacting rural livelihoods. Average incomes have fallen back to levels last seen in 1992. About 90 percent of manufacturing activity has been destroyed in key economic hubs, eliminating thousands of jobs.The oil industry has suffered significantly, with oil output falling amid widespread instability and infrastructure damage. The Khartoum refinery, which previously processed up to 100,000 barrels per day, has been out of operation since July 2023. Key infrastructure, including pipeline routes carrying crude to Port Sudan, has been hit.The collapse of the Sudanese pound and supply chains has caused a sharp rise in living costs. Food prices have surged, with four pieces of bread now costing about 1,000 pounds, an amount that had previously bought six pieces. Wages have failed to catch up with inflation, leaving many households without access to necessities. Nearly half the population is now experiencing acute food shortages.The economic collapse has had a profound impact on Sudan's people, with 34 million people in need of assistance and 19 million facing acute food shortages. The war has caused death, trauma, and profound loss, casting a long shadow over Sudan’s future and dimming the prospects of a generation whose lives are being shaped by violence. If the conflict continues to 2030, Sudan’s economy in 2043 would be about $34.5 billion smaller than it would have been without the war, and GDP per capita would drop by roughly $1,700.

Iranian Major General Ali Abdollahi stated that if the US continues its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, it would be seen as a prelude to violating the ceasefire. The blockade has completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea. Abdollahi emphasized that Iran's armed forces will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea. The US military's actions have significant implications for Iran's economy and regional stability.The current ceasefire was declared a week ago, and US President Donald Trump hinted at a second round of face-to-face talks with Iran in Pakistan in the coming days. However, Iranian authorities have maintained a defiant approach, with parliament's deputy speaker, Ali Nikzad, stating that Iran will never give concessions to its enemy.Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, emphasized that Iran has not and will not seek a nuclear weapon but insists on its right to pursue nuclear energy for civilian purposes under United Nations safeguards. The level and type of enrichment can be negotiated.Iranian authorities have continued to announce the enforcement of death sentences, as well as a large number of arrests and asset confiscations. The judiciary has said some of the executions were linked to nationwide protests in January, during which thousands of people were killed during an internet blackout.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is set to transition from voluntary pilots to a mandatory nationwide survey, compelling data centers to publicly disclose their energy usage and power bills. This regulatory shift aims to bring a rapidly expanding industry into the fold of federal oversight, addressing concerns over its escalating environmental footprint. From Pilot to Nationwide Regulation The EIA's strategy involves a phased approach, beginning with targeted pilot surveys in key regions. These initial studies focused on 196 companies across Texas, Washington state, and the Washington, D.C.-Northern Virginia metro area. The agency anticipates completing these pilot surveys by September, after which it will roll out a comprehensive, mandatory questionnaire covering data centers nationwide. Political Catalyst: The initiative was spurred by a letter from Sens. Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren urging the EIA to monitor the industry's energy consumption. Implementation Timeline: While the mandatory survey date is not yet set, the EIA expects to finalize the methodology following the September pilot completion. Strategic Focus: The surveys will specifically target the details of power bills, providing granular data on electricity demand. Why the Grid is Under Pressure Requiring data centers to reveal their power usage is a critical step for grid stability and environmental planning. As the technology sector, particularly AI, drives a surge in data center construction, the strain on the national power grid becomes increasingly apparent. By mandating transparency, the EIA aims to provide policymakers with the data needed to manage load balancing and prevent potential energy shortages. The Future of Data Center Compliance This move signals a new era of regulatory scrutiny for the tech industry. We can expect that once the mandatory data is collected, the EIA will use it to model future energy scenarios. This could lead to stricter efficiency standards or targeted infrastructure investments in regions with the highest concentrations of data center activity.

Argentina’s justice system has reopened the case surrounding the death of football icon Diego Maradona, with prosecutors branding his medical team as “a bunch of amateurs” who missed a critical window to save him.The trial of seven healthcare professionals—doctors, psychologists and nurses—resumed on Tuesday in San Isidro, a suburb of Buenos Aires, after the original proceedings were annulled when a presiding judge was found to have participated in a documentary about the case.Maradona, who died in November 2020 at age 60 while recuperating from surgery for a brain clot, is alleged to have suffered from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema two weeks post‑operation. Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari asserted that the patient began to deteriorate 12 hours before his official death and that a timely transfer to a clinic could have prevented the fatal outcome.According to the indictment, the defendants’ decision to keep Maradona at home rather than in a hospital, coupled with a series of “omissions” described as “cruel,” constitutes homicide with possible intent. If convicted, each could face prison terms ranging from eight to 25 years.The new proceedings, expected to conclude by July at the earliest, will hear testimony from roughly 120 witnesses. Among the accused, former team doctor Leopoldo Luque and other staff members will be scrutinized for their role in the athlete’s care.Maradona’s family—daughters Dalma, Gianinna and Jana, and former partner Veronica Ojeda—attended the hearing, urging the courts to deliver “justice for Diego” and allow the legend to “rest in peace.” Outside, about 50 supporters waved Argentine flags and signs demanding accountability for the beloved “D10s.”Defense counsel Vadim Mischanchuk argued that the former star’s death resulted from a “progressive decline in his health” rather than medical malpractice, emphasizing that the condition was natural and unavoidable.Legal analyst Fernando Burlando, representing the Maradona family, highlighted the absence of a stethoscope on the legend’s chest during the critical two‑week period, using the instrument as a stark symbol of alleged negligence.The case revives national grief that first erupted when Maradona’s body lay in state at the presidential palace, drawing tens of thousands of mourners amid the COVID‑19 pandemic.

US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, one of his key European allies, over her stance on the conflict with Iran. In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Trump expressed his disappointment, stating, “I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong.”Trump's criticism centers on Meloni's refusal to join the US-Israel coalition against Iran, a stance that has put her at odds with Trump. “She’s unacceptable because she doesn’t mind that Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow up Italy in two minutes if they had the chance,” Trump said. This statement underscores the deepening divide between the US and Italy on the issue.Meloni, who has been Italy's leader since October 2022, was once considered one of Trump's closest allies in Europe. However, their relationship has soured recently. Trump noted that they had not spoken in a long time, adding, “She doesn’t help us with NATO. She doesn’t want to help get rid of a nuclear-weaponed Iran. Very sad … She’s much different than I thought,” highlighting his disappointment in Meloni's shift away from his policies.The rift between Trump and Meloni comes as Italy has suspended a defense agreement with Israel, which involves the exchange of military equipment and technology research. This move follows accusations by the Italian government that Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian peacekeepers in Lebanon. Tensions between Italy and Israel have been escalating, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.In response to Trump's comments, Meloni's allies and political opponents rallied to her defense. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized Italy's commitment to Western unity and mutual respect, stating, “We are and remain staunch supporters of Western unity and steadfast allies of the United States, but this unity is built on mutual loyalty, respect, and honesty.” Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, condemned Trump's “serious lack of respect” and reiterated Italy's constitutional repudiation of war.

Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian national who was detained in France for over a year, has returned to Iran following what officials describe as a reciprocal release of French citizens held in Tehran. The University of Lyon graduate, who worked as a translator in France since 2018, was arrested in February 2025 on accusations of “promoting terrorism” after posting online comments supporting Palestine and the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. She was sentenced to one year in prison and released on bail in October, before being transferred back to Iran in mid‑April 2026. Speaking to Iran’s state television, Esfandiari condemned the French judicial process, stating, “There is no freedom of speech in France; the court’s ruling was very unjust.” Her release coincides with the recent freedom of two French nationals, Cécile Köhler (41) and Jacques Paris (72), who had been imprisoned in Iran for more than three years on espionage charges denied by their families. Köhler and Paris were arrested in May 2022, transferred to the French embassy in Tehran after their November 2025 release, and subsequently flown to Paris via Azerbaijan. French President Emmanuel Macron’s office credited a “long‑term effort” for their liberation, noting that recent diplomatic pressure linked to the US‑Israel conflict with Iran accelerated negotiations. While French authorities have not formally confirmed a swap, Iran’s state‑run IRNA agency reported that Tehran reached an agreement with Paris to exchange the French detainees for Esfandiari. The episode underscores the delicate balance of Iran‑France diplomatic ties and highlights how geopolitical tensions can influence individual human‑rights cases. Analysts suggest the exchange may set a precedent for future negotiations involving political prisoners, illustrating both the leverage of diplomatic channels and the ongoing challenges faced by activists and foreign nationals caught in broader geopolitical disputes.

Wall Street climbed to a fresh all‑time high on Wednesday as investor confidence rose on the prospect that the US‑Israel war with Iran could soon end.The benchmark S&P 500 closed at 7,022.95, breaking the 7,000‑point barrier for the first time and posting a 0.8% gain. The tech‑heavy Nasdaq surged 1.6% to 24,016.02, also a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained broadly flat.This rally has erased the steep losses recorded during the early weeks of the conflict, buoyed by the two‑week cease‑fire deal announced last week between the United States and Iran.In a Wednesday interview, former President Donald Trump told Fox Business the war was “very close to over,” a statement that lifted trader sentiment.The White House later clarified it had not requested an extension to the cease‑fire, which is set to expire on 22 April, but said negotiations were “productive and ongoing.”Quarterly earnings from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley beat market estimates, reinforcing confidence in the economy. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan highlighted strong consumer spending, improving credit quality, and increased corporate line usage.Despite reports that the United States is preparing a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments—the markets stayed upbeat. The Pentagon has deployed 15 warships and thousands of service members to enforce the restriction.Oil markets reacted positively to the cease‑fire news, with Brent crude falling about 10% to around $95 a barrel, though this price remains roughly 35% above pre‑conflict levels.

Pet owners in Britain may soon be barred from purchasing flea‑control products for cats and dogs at local shops. The government has opened an eight‑week public consultation to consider restricting sales to veterinarians or pharmacists, arguing that professional oversight will ensure correct usage and reduce environmental harm. Current regulations allow these topical treatments—containing potent insecticides such as fipronil and imidacloprid—to be bought in any pet store. Once applied, the chemicals disperse into the animal’s fur, enter waterways through washing or swimming, and have been linked to songbird nest failures and massive bee mortality. Water minister Emma Hardy emphasized the government’s commitment to “restore nature and clean up our rivers,” noting that while the products are vital for pet health, their distribution should be limited to professionals who can advise on safe application. Research funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) found that pet owners’ use of these treatments contributes to detectable levels of fipronil and imidacloprid in rivers and lakes. Environment Agency data reveal fipronil residues in 98% of water samples and imidacloprid in 66%, often exceeding toxicity thresholds for aquatic insects. One monthly flea treatment for a large dog contains enough imidacloprid to kill 25 million bees, underscoring the broader impact on pollinator populations. In the UK, fipronil is an ingredient in 66 veterinary products, while imidacloprid appears in 21. Abigail Seager, chief executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directive, acknowledged the dual role of these chemicals in protecting pets and people from parasites, but warned that “they are entering our waterways and may be having wider environmental impacts.” She called for diverse stakeholder input to balance medicine availability with ecological protection. The consultation follows a recent governmental pledge to ban imidacloprid and two other neonicotinoids—clothianidin and thiamethoxam—from agricultural use, reflecting a broader strategy to safeguard biodiversity.