Author: France 24

Lens delivered a statement performance on Friday, thrashing Angers 5-1 at home to provisionally move back to the top of Ligue 1. The Sang et Or are closing in on a Champions League place, and piling the pressure on PSG.

Strikes on the natural gas production facilities of Iran and Qatar have sent energy prices soaring, with central bankers around the world struggling to set monetary policy amid a highly uncertain inflationary outlook. We take a closer look. Also in this edition: the French shipbuilding industry welcomes the start of construction of the country’s next nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

South Korean megastars BTS reunite Saturday for their first show in nearly four years, with an expected 260,000 fans taking over central Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldwide.

Renée Davis is live from Beirut.

Lyon have been eliminated from the Europa League following their 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo in the second leg of the round of 16 (1-1 in the first leg). Lyon were hampered by Moussa Niakhaté’s red card in the 19th minute. Rueda opened the scoring just after the hour mark, before Jutglà sealed the Spanish side’s qualification in additional time. After seven consecutive matches without a win, Lyon now turn their focus to Ligue 1.

The spiralling conflict in Iran has highlighted the potential vulnerability of Gulf states when it comes to food and water security. Countries like Bahrain and Qatar depend heavily on desalinated water, and strikes on desalination plants have sparked concern about water supplies. Meanwhile, the usual flow of food imports through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted by the fighting.

He was the star, taciturn lawman of the show “Walker, Texas Ranger”: Chuck #Norris passed away aged 86 on March 19. The martials arts grandmaster turned actor had become the iconic, tough guy over the years.

Four women were killed in the occupied #WestBank following missile fire from #Iran – the first Palestinian victims of the Middle East #war since it started on February 28. For Palestinians, it is yet another conflict they find themselves caught up in, with little protection.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday underlined the body’s commitment to making sure the World Cup goes ahead “as scheduled” with “all teams” taking part amid doubts about Iran’s presence at the tournament.

Natural gas prices soared, as attacks intensified on energy infrastracture in the Middle East. The Ras Laffan plant in Qatar has sustained ‘significant damage,’ according to its operators, which could take years to fully repair. That will have a significant impact on global supplies, because the facility produces around a fifth of the world’s LNG. Also in the show – the World Trade Organization warns a trade slowdown could lead to mounting food insecurity.