The American-Israeli strikes in Iran last night reportedly killed at least twelve people according to Iranian media. Explosions were heard in Tehran as well as in Zandjan in the northwest of the country. As the war in the Middle East enters its second month, neither party shows any sign of easing tensions. Iranian strikes also continue on neighboring Gulf countries. Friday night into Saturday, the Revolutionary Guards launched a dozen drones and ballistic missiles towards several countries in the region, including targeting an American base in Saudi Arabia.
On the other hand, Israel claims to have targeted several cities in southern Lebanon at dawn, stating they struck about ten terrorist infrastructures of Hezbollah, killing two high-ranking officials of the communication unit of the pro-Iranian Islamist movement. Three Lebanese journalists were reportedly killed by an Israeli strike on their vehicle in southern Lebanon. Israel was targeted by a missile from Yemen for the first time since the start of the war, claimed by the Houthi rebels who are allies of Iran and threatened to join the conflict if attacks on Iran continue.
Pope Leon XIV denounced “the widening gap between the poor and the rich.” During his visit to Monaco, the pontiff delivered his first speech on the balcony of the princely palace before presiding over a mass on Saturday afternoon. Leon XIV, the first pope of the modern era to visit the Rock.
The soaring fuel prices are one of the consequences of the Middle East war. Facing this increase that severely impacts certain industries, the government announced a relief plan of over 70 million euros yesterday and a series of targeted measures for April. Small and medium-sized enterprises in the transportation sector will receive the equivalent of twenty cents per liter of fuel, as well as fishermen. Farmers will benefit from a tax exemption for non-road diesel, of four cents per liter. While road transporters initiated several blockades, including on the A7 highway in Isère on Saturday morning, the government’s announcements do not quell the anger of the affected professional sectors.
Vierzon, Carcassonne, Liévin, La Flèche: 57 municipalities with more than 3,500 inhabitants now have a mayor labeled as National Rally. While the far-right party strengthens its local foothold, it is a mixed performance as the party has not succeeded in conquering major cities. Julien Sanchez, European parliamentarian and campaign director for the municipal elections at National Rally, is the guest of this journal.
