War in Iran: twelve dead in American

The American-Israeli strikes in Iran last night killed at least twelve people according to Iranian media. Explosions were heard in Tehran and Zandjan in the northwest of the country. As the war in the Middle East enters its second month, neither party shows any signs of easing. Iranian strikes also continue on neighboring Gulf countries. During Friday night to Saturday, the Revolutionary Guards launched a dozen drones and ballistic missiles towards several countries in the region, including an attack on an American base in Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, Israel claims to have targeted several cities in southern Lebanon at dawn, asserting to have hit about ten terrorist infrastructure of Hezbollah, killing two senior communication unit officials. Three Lebanese journalists were reportedly killed in a Israeli strike on their car in southern Lebanon. Israel was hit by a missile from Yemen for the first time since the war began, a missile claimed by Houthi rebels. Allies of Iran, they threatened yesterday to take part in the conflict if attacks on Iran continued.

In other news, Pope Leon XIV denounced “the widening gap between the poor and the rich.” While visiting Monaco, the Pontiff delivered his first speech from 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 war in the Middle East. In response to this increase impacting certain industries severely, the government unveiled a plan of over 70 million euros in aid and a series of targeted measures for April. Small and medium-sized companies in the transport 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 have begun several blockades, including on the A7 highway on Saturday morning in Isère, the government’s announcements do not calm the anger of the affected professional sectors.

Finally, 57 municipalities with more than 3,500 inhabitants such as Vierzon, Carcassonne, Liévin, and La Flèche now have a mayor labeled as National Rally. While the far-right party reinforces its local presence, it is a mixed performance as the party has not succeeded in conquering large cities. Julien Sanchez, a European MP and campaign director for the National Rally municipal elections, is a guest on this news outlet.