Inside Story

'Everything is bad.' That's how one human rights activist in Sudan describes life there. President Omar Al Bashir has raised fuel prices across the country, to curb inflation. Medicine and electricity costs have been on the rise for the past few years. And the people say they are fed up. Many have launched a civil disobedience campaign. Neighbourhoods across the capital Khartoum and other cities were said to be quiet as people boycotted shops and schools. Most of Sudan's opposition parties have supported the protest. They say they want President Bashir to step down. But the government has responded by arresting more than a dozen activists, and shutting down local media. So, how much of a threat is the rising popular anger for the government? And how are officials dealing with it? Presenter: Hazem Sika Guests: Rabie Abdul Atti - Representative of Sudan's Minister of Information. Ahmad Mahmoud - Sudanese Activist, Filmmaker and Participant in civil disobedience. Harry Verhoeven - Former Adviser to the IGAD and a Visiting Scholar at Cambridge University. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Jacob Zuma has had a long political career. He became the fourth president of a post-apartheid South Africa in 2009. But his time in office has been one of the most tumultuous in recent years. He's faced several accusations of corruption and now he may be losing support among his own party members. The ANC's executive committee has called on Zuma to step down, after a three-day meeting in Pretoria. It's the only body within the party that can remove its leader. And three ministers in Zuma's cabinet are part of it. The committee members say the president's reputation could harm the ANC, especially in elections coming up in 2019. So, what does it all mean for president Zuma and the ANC? Presenter: Sohail Rahman Guests: Thembisa Fakude - Researcher at the Al Jazeera Centre For Studies and former Al Jazeera Bureau Chief for Southern Africa. Lawson Naidoo - Founding partner of the Paternoster Group and a former ANC Activist. Bantu Holomisa, member of the South Africa parliament and former ANC National Executive Committee member. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

It's been a year of political upsets - Brexit, the FARC referendum in Colombia, Trump - and now France has joined the trend. Former Prime Minister Fillon was trailing rival Alain Juppe for much of the recent campaign - only to end up winning by a considerable margin. Now he's expected to be up against National Front leader Marine Le Pen in the battle for the presidency next year. Fillon, who's been called Mr Nobody in the past, says he represents change, and compares himself to Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. So where is France headed? Presenter: Dareen Abughaida Guests: Renaud Girard, chief foreign correspondent for the French Newspaper Le Figaro. Nathalie Goulet, French Senator Nina Schick, European political analyst - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Video of a terrified young boy suffocating - and asking a medic if he was going to die - was shared on the internet a few days ago. It's thought he inhaled chlorine gas in yet another barrel bomb attack on Aleppo. Both government forces and opposition fighters are accused of dropping the bombs. The attack highlights the continued use of chemical weapons, in contravention of an international ban. But how are they obtained in Syria? And who's being held accountable for their indiscriminate use? Presenter: Dareen Abughaida Guests: Mamoun Abu Nowar, Retired Jordanian Air Force General Richard Butler, Former UN Chief Weapons Inspector Hamish De Bretton-Gordon, Chemical weapons expert - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

He ruled the Philippines with an iron fist for 20 years before being overthrown in a 'people power' uprising. Ferdinand Marcos died in exile 27 years ago but the former President and dictator is continuing to cause controversy. Many Filipinos are outraged by the secret burial of his body last week at the National Heroes' Cemetery in Manila. They said his last resting place is an insult to the thousands of Filipinos who were tortured and killed during his corrupt dictatorship. And they're furious at the current President Rodrigo Duterte for keeping his election promise to the Marcos family. Why do Filipinos remain divided over his legacy? Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra Guests: Renato Reyes - Secretary General of the leftist BAYAN alliance opposition group Antonio Contreras - Professor of politics at De La Salle University in Manila Richard Heydarian - Political analyst and Al Jazeera English columnist - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

It's the classic tale of David versus Goliath. Wallonia is the French-speaking region of Belgium. The European Union has a population 99% larger. Wallonia appears to be winning its argument. The tiny population has rejected a trade deal between Canada and the EU known as CETA. In doing so, Wallonia derailed an agreement seven years in the making - which has the approval of every other country in the EU. Opposition to the deal spread across Belgium after Wallonians complained. Although Belgian government leaders support the deal, they say they can't approve it without support from the people. So, will the deal be renegotiated? And how does it affect the world-wide reputation of the EU? Presenter: Dareen Abughaida Guests: Fabian Flues, Friends of the Earth Europe. Scott Sinclair, Senior Fellow, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, Director, European Centre for International Political Economy. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

It has been the squalid home of around 8,000 refugees and migrants. Now, the makeshift camp near Calais is being emptied, ready for demolition. Many refugees had hoped to cross the English Channel to start a new life in the UK. Instead, they've been bussed to alternative sites across France. Why are European governments failing to adopt a common policy on immigration? Presenter: Sami Zeidan. Guests: Clare Mosely, Co-Founder of the aid organization Care for Calais. Leonard Doyle, International Organization for Migration. Julian Lehmann, Researcher at the Global Public Policy Institute and Author of 'Shipwreck: The Failure of European Refugee Policy'. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

It seems OPEC is trying to increase prices again and strengthen oil producing economies. Some of the cartel's energy ministers met their counterpart from non-OPEC member Russia on Sunday. The ministers want to see greater cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC countries to stabilise the oil market. Prices fell to an all-time low in January. They're still half what they were at their peak two years ago. OPEC is looking to review its strategy. Will the potential agreement with Russia hold? How will we all be affected? Presenter: Sami Zeidan Guests: Richard Mallinson, Energy Aspects consultancy. Mikhail Krutihin, RusEnergy Consulting. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Since President Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down in 2011, Egypt has faced difficult times. Its first democratically elected leader, Mohamed Morsi was deposed by the military. Then, General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became president and led a major crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood. Now, the country is facing even more challenges, from rising food prices to the military's campagin against armed groups in the Sinai. On Saturday, a senior army officer, Brigadier General Adel Ragaai was killed outside his home. He was an armoured division commander who had served in northern Sinai. That's where the government has been fighting several armed groups including those it says are linked to ISIL. So, what's the Egyptian government doing to address these challenges? Presenter: Sami Zeidan Guests: Mohamad Elmasry - Associate Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Omar Ashour - Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at the University of Exeter. Wafik Moustafa - Chairman of the British Arab Network and author of 'Egypt: The Illusive Arab Spring'. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

The UN wants to extend a three-day ceasefire in Yemen, that all sides have been accused of violating. Presenter: Sami Zeidan Guests: Hussain Al Bukhaiti - supporter of Yemen's Houthi rebels Ahmed Alibrahim - Saudi affairs specialist Sultan Barakat - specialist in war and conflict - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

With the election just over two weeks away, it was a final chance to convince Americans. The candidates for the world's most powerful political job disagreed on policy including Iraq, Russia, Syria, the economy, and immigration. Trump said the poll is rigged and has refused to commit to accepting the election result if Clinton wins. There were no niceties. They skipped the customary handshake and didn't hesitate to go on the attack. So, did they convince American voters and will it make a difference on election day? Presenter: Martine Dennis Guests: J-D Gordon - National Security and Foreign Policy Adviser to Donald Trump Basil Smikle - Executive Director, New York State Democratic Party, and a former aide to Hillary Clinton Thomas Frank - Author, 'Listen Liberal: Or Whatever Happened to the Party of the People?' - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Kinshasa is normally one of Africa's busiest, most bustling even chaotic cities. But on the streets of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital barely anything moved on Wednesday. Shopes closed and public transport ground to a halt. A nationwide strike was called for by the country's main opposition group following the annoucement that presidential elections will take place in April 2018, instead of next month when they were due. Critics of President Joseph Kabila say he's using the delay to extend his 15 year long rule, and in so doing, violating the constitution. But President Kabila's government has claimed the election must be postponed so they can properly prepare. So, is this African country sliding into a crisis? Presenter: Martine Dennis Guests: Claude Mashala, national executive secretary of the ruling People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy. Theo Ngombo, the UK representative for the opposition party known as the Union For Democracy and Social Progress. Scott Campbell, Africa section chief for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Iraq calls it an invasion. Turkey says its insurance. Both are arguing over Turkish troops in Iraq. The Iraqi army, along with Kurdish, Sunni Arab and Shia Muslim troops, began the fight to recapture Mosul on Monday. Iraqi commanders say they've already inflicted heavy losses of life and equipment on ISIL. The Turkish President appears determined to join the battle - the Iraqi Prime Minister is against. Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Iraq can't push ISIL out of Mosul without Turkish military help. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says he won't allow Turkish forces to take part. Erdogan says Turkish troops are already in Iraq and will stay until Mosul is liberated. Is Turkey complicating the battle plans? And what are Turkey's main objectives in Iraq? Presenter: Martine Dennis Guests: Mustafa Akyol: Writer, International New York Times. Maria Fantappie: Senior Iraq Analyst, International Crisis Group. Robert Pape: Professor, University of Chicago. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Now, it's the only one they have left - and not for much longer if the Iraqi army has its way. The battle has begun to recapture Mosul. Iraqi commanders say victory will mean the end of ISIL in Iraq. Iraq's armed forces, along with Kurdish, Sunni Arab and Shia allies, have been preparing for months. They have the backing of the United States, which describes the operation as a 'defining moment.' Will the joint force be able to kick ISIL out of Iraq altogether? It was the largest city in Iraq captured by ISIL fighters. And how many civilians are in the firing line? Presenter: Laura Kyle Guests: Judit Neurink; Author of 'The War of ISIS: On the Road to the Caliphate'. William Patey; Former British Ambassador to Iraq. Hala Al Sarraf; Founder, Iraq Health Access Organization. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa form the bloc of emerging economies, but is it still relevant? For several years now, the most talked-about trend in the global economy has been the rise of developing markets. Some economists expected Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to lead the world to new economic heights. But as the BRICS bloc met for its 8th summit in India's state of Goa, those hopes appeared to be fading. Most of the countries involved are struggling to deal with slowing economies. They must find ways to forge closer business and trade ties. But there are other concerns to be addressed too, national security and the threat posed by terrorism. Presenter: Laura Kyle Guests: Sreeram Chaulia, Dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs. Aly-Khan Satchu, emerging markets economist Anastasia Nesvetai-lova, director of City Political Economy Research Centre at City University London. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/