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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.

Israel has intensified its military campaign in southern Lebanon, conducting deadly strikes on several towns, resulting in significant casualties. The attacks occurred just a day after Lebanese and Israeli envoys held rare talks in Washington, DC, facilitated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. These talks marked the first direct contact between the two countries in decades.According to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), Wednesday's attacks killed at least 13 people, including a family of four in the town of Jbaa. The strikes also targeted other towns, including Ansariyeh, Qadmus, Saadiyat, and Jiyeh. The escalation has sparked anger among the Lebanese population, with many questioning the government's decision to engage in diplomatic talks with Israel while attacks continue.Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, noted that residents are demanding an end to the attacks and expressing frustration over the government's handling of the situation. The Lebanese government has faced criticism for its concessions and perceived weakness in dealing with Israel. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah accused the government of squandering Lebanon's political and military strength and criticized its decision to withdraw the army from the south.The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned group, has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in recent weeks. The situation remains volatile, with ceasefire talks being a key point of contention. Hezbollah is seeking a comprehensive ceasefire, while Israel has ruled out discussions on a ceasefire in the latest war.

In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, the Canadian government is pressing ahead with planned cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which provides basic health coverage to refugees, asylum claimants, and others not covered by other healthcare programmes in Canada. The changes, announced in late January and set to come into effect on May 1, will require people receiving IFHP coverage to pay $4 per eligible prescription medication and 30 percent of the cost of supplemental services such as dental and vision care, and counselling.Critics argue that these co-payments can be prohibitively expensive for newcomers struggling to rebuild their lives in Canada amid soaring costs. Doctors and refugee rights advocates warn that the cuts could lead to increased suffering and expenditures in the long run, as vulnerable individuals may be deterred from seeking necessary care.“We want to make sure that we have a universal healthcare system, and we also don’t want a system that punches down against vulnerable people and migrants,” Dr. Ritika Goel, a Toronto-based family doctor, told Al Jazeera at a rally in downtown Toronto. “We want to support a system that provides care to everyone.”The Canadian government claims that the changes will help manage growing demand and keep the IFHP sustainable over the long term. However, the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer projects that the cost of the IFHP will continue to grow at an average of 11.2 percent annually through 2030.The cuts have drawn comparisons to a similar move in 2012, when then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper made cuts to the IFHP, prompting widespread protests and a legal challenge. In 2014, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that the curbs amounted to “cruel and unusual” treatment and violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem reopened on April 9, allowing over 100,000 Muslim worshippers to perform Friday prayers for the first time since the conflict began on February 28. However, the celebrations were marred by an overwhelming Israeli security presence and police violently detaining Palestinian Christian scouts during processions.Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa compound under police protection on April 7 and 12, performing Jewish religious rituals and declaring himself the 'master of the house.' This move was condemned by Jordan's Foreign Ministry as a violation of the site's status quo.In the Gaza Strip, Israeli air strikes and artillery fire continued despite the Iran ceasefire. On April 8, Israeli forces killed Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Wishah in a drone strike, bringing the total number of Palestinian media workers killed since October 2023 to at least 262.The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 754 Palestinians have been killed and over 2,100 injured since the October ceasefire, with a cumulative official death toll of 72,333 since October 7, 2023. The humanitarian crisis deepens with long bread lines and insufficient aid, while the Nasser Medical Complex faces fuel shortages and rationed electricity.Diplomatic efforts continue, with Hamas discussing the implementation of the ceasefire's second phase with the Board of Peace envoy in Cairo. However, settler violence and Israeli military actions persist, with 34 new settlements approved across the West Bank, bringing the total to 102 under the current government.

Israel has conducted separate strikes in Gaza, leading to the deaths of three Palestinians. The incidents occurred on April 14, 2026, as reported by Al Jazeera.The strikes are part of the ongoing conflict in the region, which has seen increased tensions between Israel and Palestine. The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of the conflict, with both sides experiencing significant losses and casualties.The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many calling for de-escalation and peace talks to resolve the longstanding conflict.

The arrest of Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a Kuwaiti national and US-born journalist, has sparked fears about the erosion of free speech in Kuwait and the wider Middle East. Shihab-Eldin, who has worked for prominent outlets like PBS, HuffPost, and Al Jazeera English, was detained on March 3 during a visit to Kuwait. Shihab-Eldin's reporting focused on a friendly fire incident on March 2, where Kuwaiti air defenses shot down three US planes, fortunately without any pilot casualties. He published footage of a US F-15E Strike Eagle crashing in al Jahra, west of Kuwait City, and described local residents assisting the crew in a civilian truck. Campaigners worry that Shihab-Eldin might face charges under new security laws being introduced in Kuwait, possibly in a new security court. These laws have been criticized for restricting publicity about attacks on infrastructure and allowing the government to label certain reporting as terrorism. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed concern over Shihab-Eldin's detention, highlighting a broader trend of escalating censorship of journalists and news outlets across the world related to the Iran war. Sara Qudah, CPJ's Middle East regional director, stated, 'We are seeing escalating censorship of journalists and news outlets across the world in relation to the Iran war... He must be freed immediately.' Kuwait has recently passed laws that define terrorism broadly and propose significant fines and sentences for publishing statements that could weaken confidence in military entities. The country has also been using citizenship laws to expel alleged dissidents and has withdrawn visas for Iraqi citizens following protests. The detention of Shihab-Eldin and these new laws reflect a wider crackdown on dissent in Kuwait and the Gulf region. Critics argue that these measures are transforming Kuwait into a police state that suppresses dissenting opinions and imprisons those who express them.

According to a recent Al Jazeera report, Israel is pursuing policies intended to change the religious identity of Jerusalem. The move has ignited debate among local communities and international observers who view the city as a focal point of religious heritage for multiple faiths. While specific actions were not detailed, the statement underscores the sensitivity surrounding any shift in Jerusalem's cultural and spiritual landscape.

Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will initiate diplomatic talks aimed at easing the growing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Al Jazeera on 13 April 2026.

The United Kingdom's decision to ban Israelis from attending the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) over Israel's actions in Gaza has sparked concern within the college about its reputation. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced the ban in September after Israel planned a major ground assault on Gaza City.The British government made the decision amid widespread condemnation of Israel's escalation of the war. Previously unreported correspondence shows that the move prompted discussion within the RCDS about potential harm to its reputation as an institution that welcomes students of all backgrounds.RCDS commandant George Norton asked a senior military official, Tom Copinger-Symes, for help in shaping the public narrative while a government minister was preparing to answer a question about the ban in the UK's upper house of parliament. Norton sought to ensure that the public understood the college played no role in the decision.In an email, Norton told Copinger-Symes that it would be important for the government minister to highlight that the college does not invite or select participants in its courses, and that invitations were a government-to-government matter. He emphasized that the college's reputation as a welcoming institution could be harmed by the perception that it was deciding which countries to invite or not.The emails, obtained by Al Jazeera via a Freedom of Information request, reveal the college's efforts to distance itself from the government's decision. The MOD spokesperson stated that decisions about military education and training are made on a case-by-case basis and following robust assessment of benefits and risks.The UK-Israel relationship has been strained due to Israel's actions in Gaza, where over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military operation. The RCDS did not respond to a request for comment.