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(Bloomberg) -- US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming special envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, arrived in Israel on Saturday to discuss a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, Axios reporter Barak Ravid wrote in a post on X, citing an unidentified person familiar. Witkoff will meet with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu later Saturday, Ravid added in another post, citing an Israeli official NOTE: Trump's Mideast Envoy Hopes Hostage Deal With Hamas Is Close©2025 Bloomberg L.P.By Valentine BaldassariReported by Author [Extracted from the article]

Private equity firm Hellman & Friedman is considering listing security group Verisure, potentially valuing it at over €20 billion. The float is not expected for another 12 to 18 months, with London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Zurich being potential listing locations. Verisure, previously known as Securitas Direct, offers monitored alarm systems for homes and businesses in Europe and South America, boasting over 5.5 million customers. No official decision has been made, and both Verisure and Hellman & Friedman have not commented on the matter. [Extracted from the article]

Centerview Partners co-founder Blair Effron has indicated that the firm may be considering a potential share sale or accepting external investors, following interest from big investors. The boutique advisory firm, with approximately 80 partners, could explore options such as selling a stake to an outside investor or a public offering. Despite a record year in 2024 with $1.9 billion in revenue, co-founders Effron and Robert Pruzan caution that a deal is not guaranteed to happen soon. [Extracted from the article]

The owners of Shawbrook Group Plc are considering listing the UK lender in London in the first half of 2025, potentially valuing the bank at over £2 billion. BC Partners and Pollen Street Capital are reportedly close to appointing Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to oversee the initial public offering, with other investment banks possibly playing a role. While no final decision has been made, a successful IPO could revitalize the London IPO market and mark a significant development in Shawbrook's ownership history. [Extracted from the article]

Bangladesh is seeking to renegotiate its power purchase agreement with Adani Group, as reported by Reuters. The Bangladeshi high court has ordered a review of the contract, with the possibility of renegotiation or cancellation based on court-ordered investigations. Issues such as tax exemptions and benefits to Bangladesh are expected to be part of the renegotiation process. Adani Group has not yet responded to requests for comment. [Extracted from the article]

Holcim AG, a Swiss building materials company, has agreed to sell its Nigerian business to China's Huaxin Cement Co. for $1 billion. The sale of its 83.8% stake in Lafarge Africa PLC is expected to close next year. Holcim is focusing on shedding non-core assets and plans to spin off and list its North American business in the US in the near future. This move comes after the company sold a majority stake in its Zambian operations to Huaxin Cement in 2021. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- US consumers likely spent a record $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, according to data from Adobe Inc. on Saturday.This weekend, after the US Thanksgiving holiday, Adobe expects consumers will spend $5.2 billion on Saturday and a further $5.6 billion on Sunday.Adobe is also reaffirming its forecast for Cyber Monday, when it expects $13.2 billion in spending.©2024 Bloomberg L.P.By Valentine BaldassariReported by Author [Extracted from the article]

Iran is set to engage in talks regarding its nuclear program with the UK, France, and Germany, with the European Union acting as a mediator. These discussions, scheduled for November 29 in Geneva, will be the first since Masoud Pezeshkian assumed the presidency in July. The talks will cover Iran's nuclear program, European sanctions on Iranian airlines and shipping companies, as well as other bilateral, regional, and international issues such as the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. Iran's decision to increase its nuclear fuel-making capacity following criticism from the United Nations atomic watchdog has heightened tensions, despite recent pledges to halt uranium enrichment near weapon-grade levels. [Extracted from the article]

Iran is planning to engage in talks regarding its nuclear program with the UK, France, and Germany, with the European Union acting as a mediator. These discussions, scheduled for November 29 in Geneva, would be the first since Masoud Pezeshkian assumed the presidency in July. The talks are expected to cover Iran's nuclear activities and European sanctions on Iranian airlines and shipping companies. This initiative comes in the context of Iran increasing its production of fissile material following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. [Extracted from the article]

Potential buyers, including CVC Capital Partners, are considering bids for ITV Plc due to a low share price and strategic uncertainties, as reported by Sky News. CVC and an unnamed European broadcaster are exploring a transaction, with a focus on ITV Studios and the broadcasting arm, which includes the ITVX streaming platform. Other companies like All3Media Holdings Ltd. and Mediawan SA are also showing interest in ITV Studios. CEO Carolyn McCall has discussed the possibility of separating the company's main business units. ITV's shares have dropped 11% following a forecasted decline in advertising revenue. [Extracted from the article]

The owners of Cineworld are considering listing the movie theater chain in New York in 2026, after it left the London Stock Exchange in 2023. The potential listing would likely focus on operations outside of the UK, with a possible sale of its British business in the future. Cineworld faced challenges, including filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US in 2022 and dealing with reduced new releases due to industry strikes in 2023. [Extracted from the article]

Nvidia Corp. has encountered an overheating issue with the server racks for its new Blackwell graphics processing unit, prompting design changes and potential delays, as reported by The Information. The alterations to the Blackwell racks have been made late in the production process, causing concerns about the timeline. Nvidia has not yet informed customers of any delays, and the company has faced previous engineering challenges with the Blackwell chip lineup, leading to a delayed release by at least a quarter. The company's quarterly earnings are set to be released on November 20th. [Extracted from the article]

The UK's hospitality sector is concerned about a planned tax hike that could lead to job cuts and potential closures of businesses. Over 200 hospitality industry leaders have expressed worries about the impact of changes to national insurance contributions, estimating a cost of £3.4 billion annually. Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget includes tax increases and changes to national insurance contributions, prompting concerns about the industry's ability to absorb these costs without cutting jobs or reducing investments. Retailers like J Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer have also warned of higher costs due to the budget measures. [Extracted from the article]

KKR & Co, along with other investors like Carlyle Group Inc. and Castle Water Ltd., are considering participating in a share sale by Thames Water Utilities Ltd. The UK's largest water and sewage operator is looking to raise about £3 billion to secure its financial stability. Rothschild & Co. is overseeing the process, with KKR having accessed a data room for potential investors. [Extracted from the article]

Paris proceeded with its 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony despite a "massive attack" on France's high-speed rail network. The coordinated acts of sabotage disrupted train services and affected around 800,000 passengers. The attacks targeted critical rail-line nodes, causing fires at three locations and an attempted attack at a fourth site. The perpetrators remain unknown, and investigations are ongoing. Despite the disruptions, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo confirmed that the opening ceremony would proceed as planned, as the transport within the city was unaffected. [Extracted from the article]

Paris plans to proceed with its 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony despite a "massive attack" on the country's super-fast rail network. The attack disrupted trains and caused delays and cancellations, affecting around 800,000 passengers. The acts of sabotage were carried out in a coordinated and premeditated fashion, indicating a certain knowledge of the rail network. The perpetrators have not been identified, and investigations are ongoing. Despite the disruption, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo confirmed that transport within the city has not been affected. [Extracted from the article]

Trains in Paris, including the Eurostar service, were targeted in a "massive attack" aimed at disrupting France's high-speed train network just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Fires were set at three critical rail-line nodes, causing significant disruptions and cancellations. The perpetrators of the attack are unknown, and investigations are ongoing. The disruptions come amid heightened security measures in Paris for the Olympics, with thousands of police and military officials on patrol. Eurostar services to London and Brussels were affected, and delays are expected across the rail network. [Extracted from the article]

Trains in Paris, including the Eurostar service, were targeted in a "massive attack" just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Fires were set at three critical rail-line nodes, causing significant disruptions and cancellations. The French government has not identified the perpetrators, but there have been suggestions of far-left groups or Russia being involved. The attacks come amid heightened security measures in Paris, with thousands of police and military officials on patrol. Eurostar services to London and Brussels have been affected, with delays and cancellations reported. [Extracted from the article]

Trains in Paris, including the Eurostar service, were targeted in a "massive attack" just hours before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Fires were set at several rail-line nodes, causing disruptions and affecting around 800,000 passengers. The attacks occurred during a period of heightened security in Paris, with tens of thousands of police deployed to secure the Games. Eurostar services to London and Brussels were affected, and high-speed trains to and from Paris were diverted, resulting in longer journey times. The head of the national rail company suggested that the attacks were aimed at disrupting the traditional vacation period in France. [Extracted from the article]

Train services in France, including the Eurostar, experienced disruptions due to coordinated acts of sabotage just hours before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games inauguration ceremony. French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete described the acts as malicious and stated that they would significantly disrupt traffic until the weekend. The disruptions occurred amidst heightened security measures in Paris, with tens of thousands of police deployed and various areas of the city cordoned off. The national rail company, SNCF, reported fires at multiple sites, leading to the suspension of services on the fast train line between Paris and Tours and delays on the Northern service to Lille. Eurostar services between Paris and London were also affected, resulting in several cancellations. [Extracted from the article]

Laurence Tubiana, a veteran climate negotiator and potential prime minister candidate for France's Socialist Party, has withdrawn her candidacy after the New Popular Front alliance of left-wing parties failed to support her. The New Popular Front, which includes parties ranging from the far-left to the moderate Socialists, is struggling to agree on a candidate for prime minister. President Emmanuel Macron's decision to dissolve parliament has led to political chaos in France, with no single faction holding enough seats to govern alone. Macron will ultimately choose a new prime minister, who will need broad appeal to build majorities and pass legislation. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his government early next week, following their defeat in snap legislative elections. Attal had offered to step down on Monday, but Macron asked him to remain in his post for stability. The resignation is expected to be accepted after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The outgoing administration members who have won seats in the election need to resign before the new National Assembly sits for the first time next Thursday. Macron will then appoint a new prime minister, but the ability of parliament to topple the government makes his choice delicate. The government will continue to function with limited powers until a new one is formed. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron plans to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his government early next week, following their defeat in snap legislative elections. Attal had offered to step down on Monday, but Macron asked him to remain in his post for stability. The resignation is expected to be accepted after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The outgoing administration members who have won seats in the election need to resign before the new National Assembly sits for the first time next Thursday. Macron will then appoint a new prime minister, but the ability of parliament to topple the government makes his choice delicate. The government will continue to function with limited powers until a new one is formed. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his government following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Attal had offered to step down after Macron's centrist group suffered defeat in the snap legislative elections, but Macron asked him to remain for now to maintain stability. The outgoing administration members who have won seats in the election will need to resign before the new National Assembly sits for the first time next Thursday. France has been in political paralysis since the election, with the National Assembly split among three main factions. The leftist New Popular Front alliance, the largest of the factions, has said it will propose a candidate to succeed Attal. The president has the authority to appoint a new prime minister, but the ability of parliament to topple the government makes Macron's choice delicate. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron plans to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his government following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Franceinfo radio reported.Attal offered to step down on Monday after Macron's centrist group suffered defeat in the snap legislative elections, but the president asked him to remain in his post for now to maintain stability.Franceinfo cited a person who attended a meeting with the president at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Friday.©2024 Bloomberg L.P.By Valentine BaldassariReported by Author [Extracted from the article]

The left-wing parties in France that won the most seats in the recent election are struggling to come together and agree on a candidate for prime minister. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to accept the resignation of current premier Gabriel Attal and his government next week, but it may take some time for a successor to be appointed. The internal disagreements within the left-wing alliance are providing an opportunity for other parties, including Macron's centrist group, to attract more moderate members. France is currently facing political paralysis as no faction has an outright majority in the National Assembly. Macron has called for a broad coalition, but both left-wing parties and right-wing parties have rejected his appeal. The choice of prime minister is delicate as parliament has the power to topple the government. The current government will continue to function with limited powers until a new one is formed. A poll shows that 43% of respondents favor a coalition government, while 29% prefer a technocratic administration. [Extracted from the article]

The left-wing parties in France, who won the most seats in the recent election, are struggling to come together and agree on a candidate for prime minister. This internal disagreement provides an opportunity for other parties, including President Emmanuel Macron's group, to attract more moderate members. The New Popular Front, the largest faction in the National Assembly, is far from having a majority, so some form of alliance with other political groups would be necessary to form a stable government. Macron has the power to appoint the prime minister, but parliament can overthrow the government, making the choice delicate. A recent poll showed that a coalition government is favored by 43% of respondents, while 29% prefer a technocratic administration. [Extracted from the article]

Marine Le Pen's National Rally is working to secure an absolute majority in the final round of France's legislative election, while rival parties are strategizing to prevent the far-right party from gaining power. President Emmanuel Macron's centrist group and the left-wing New Popular Front alliance have withdrawn their candidates from certain runoffs to avoid splitting the vote against the far right. The National Rally is seeking allies to help it win a majority in the lower house of parliament in order to implement its program, which includes reversing the government's pension reform and reducing certain aid for foreigners. The election on Sunday will determine whether voters prefer Macron's pro-business, pro-Europe vision or Le Pen's agenda of cutting migration and undoing some of Macron's reforms. [Extracted from the article]

Marine Le Pen's National Rally is working to secure an absolute majority in the final round of France's legislative election, while rival parties are strategizing to prevent the far-right party from gaining power. President Emmanuel Macron's centrist group and the left-wing New Popular Front alliance have withdrawn their candidates from certain runoffs to avoid splitting the vote against the far right. The National Rally is seeking allies to help it win a majority in the lower house of parliament in order to implement its program, which includes reversing the government's pension reform and reducing aid for foreigners. The election forces voters to choose between Macron's pro-business, pro-Europe vision and Le Pen's agenda of cutting migration and undoing some of Macron's reforms. The National Rally is the only party with a realistic chance of an absolute majority, and if it falls short, there would be a hung parliament. [Extracted from the article]

Marine Le Pen's National Rally is working to secure an absolute majority in the final round of France's legislative election, while rival parties are attempting to prevent the far-right party from gaining power. President Emmanuel Macron's centrist group and the left-wing New Popular Front alliance have withdrawn their candidates from certain runoffs to avoid splitting the vote against the far right. The National Rally is seeking allies to help it win a majority in the lower house of parliament in order to implement its program, which includes reversing the government's pension reform and reducing certain aid for foreigners. If the National Rally falls short of an absolute majority, there would be a hung parliament, with Macron still dictating foreign policy and needing to compromise on a prime minister for domestic policy. [Extracted from the article]

President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance and the left-wing New Popular Front are strategically pulling candidates from France's final round of voting in an effort to prevent the far-right National Rally from gaining power. So far, 190 candidates have dropped out, reducing the National Rally's chances. The potential for a hung parliament raises the possibility of a minority government. Macron's coalition and the National Rally are both seeking to court voters from various parties in order to secure a majority. [Extracted from the article]

President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance and the left-wing New Popular Front are strategically pulling candidates from France's final round of voting in an effort to prevent the far-right National Rally from gaining power. So far, 190 candidates have dropped out, reducing the National Rally's chances. In more than half of the constituencies, three candidates qualified for the runoffs, allowing the third-placed candidate to withdraw and boost the chances of another mainstream party defeating the National Rally. The French political world is engaged in intense negotiations as parties try to maximize their chances in the final ballot. [Extracted from the article]

President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has dropped to its lowest level in three months, which could benefit Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party in the upcoming French legislative election. Macron's support fell six points to 36%, according to a recent poll. Other polls suggest that National Rally is on track to become the largest group in the lower house of parliament. Macron's decision to dissolve the National Assembly and call for a snap vote has caused tensions and uncertainty over who will control certain areas of policy. [Extracted from the article]

Eurofins Scientific SE has rejected allegations made by Muddy Waters Research, a short seller, that caused its stock to plummet. The company stated that it is confident in the integrity of its accounts and pointed to its profit and revenue growth over the past two decades as evidence of its sound investment decisions. Eurofins's stock has since recovered, rising more than 5% in Paris trading. The company plans to work with its auditors to refute the allegations further. This is not the first time Eurofins has been targeted by a short seller, with a similar incident occurring in 2019. [Extracted from the article]

Eurofins Scientific SE, a Luxembourg-based lab-testing company, has rejected allegations made by Muddy Waters Research. Eurofins stated that it is confident in the integrity of its accounts, operational performance, internal controls, and risk management. The company's shares fell by 25% after Muddy Waters disclosed a short position and raised doubts about Eurofins' financial statements. Eurofins has called Muddy Waters' claims inaccurate, irrelevant, biased, and misleading, and plans to work with auditors to conduct further analyses. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has fallen to a record low just before the start of the legislative election. Meanwhile, support for Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party has risen to 38%. Experts predict a hung parliament and uncertainty in French politics. The election has also caused concern among businesses, with private-sector activity slowing and the French business community criticizing the economic programs of the competing political groups. The decision to call a snap election has also had negative effects on the markets, with the CAC 40 Index experiencing significant losses. Additionally, France has been admonished by the European Union for breaking deficit and debt rules. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has fallen to a historic low, according to a recent poll. The survey conducted by BVA Xsight for RTL revealed that 26% of respondents have a positive opinion of Macron, a decrease of 6 points from May. This is the lowest approval rating Macron has received since April 2023 and late 2018. Macron's decision to dissolve the National Assembly and call for a snap legislative vote came after his party's poor performance in the European Parliament elections. [Extracted from the article]

Carrefour SA, a French retailer, is contesting a government report that recommended a €200 million fine for the company's practices regarding franchisees. The report accuses Carrefour of engaging in practices that restrict competition and suffocate franchisees. The government claims that Carrefour requires franchisees to sign multiple contracts that prevent them from obtaining supplies at lower prices. Carrefour denies the allegations and believes it can demonstrate the validity of its contracts and the fairness of its relationships with partners. The court will issue its ruling in the next 12 to 18 months. [Extracted from the article]

Carrefour SA, a French retail company, is facing a potential €200 million fine from the government over its management of its franchise network. The French finance ministry has recommended the fine, citing an imbalance in favor of the company in its agreements with franchise stores. The government is calling for immediate changes to certain clauses and has requested a penalty of €50,000 per day if Carrefour fails to comply. The case will be decided by the commercial court of Rennes within the next 12 to 18 months. Carrefour operates approximately 5,200 franchises. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has reached its lowest level in 5 1/2 years, following his decision to call a snap vote after defeat in European elections. A poll conducted by Elabe for daily Les Echos showed that 24% of respondents trust Macron to address France's problems, a 5-point decrease from May. The poll suggests that Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally has an increased chance of finishing first in the legislative ballot later this month, potentially giving the party more influence in economic policy. Macron's decision to dissolve the National Assembly and call for a two-round legislative ballot has caused turmoil in French equity markets, with the CAC 40 index falling 2% and the spread between French and German 10-year yields widening. The political uncertainty has also led to investors dumping French stocks and bonds, putting France at risk of losing its position as the largest equity market in Europe. Macron's high-risk strategy is seen by many as likely to consolidate his party's losses and undermine his economic agenda, potentially even giving Le Pen's party control. The strong performance of the National Rally has caused disarray among rival parties on the right, with the conservative Republicans expelling their president, Eric Ciotti, for reaching out to Le Pen's party. Le Pen has expressed her willingness to work with both the Republicans and Marion Marechal, the vice president of the nationalist Reconquest party, in order to secure a majority and impose her agenda on the president. The National Rally [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has reached its lowest level in 5 1/2 years, according to a recent poll. The survey shows that 24% of respondents trust Macron to address France's problems, a decrease of 5 points from May. This decline in popularity increases the likelihood that Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally will come out on top in the upcoming legislative ballot, potentially giving her party more influence in economic policy. Macron's decision to call for a snap vote came after his party's defeat in the European elections, causing turmoil in French equity markets and widening the spread between French and German 10-year yields. There is concern that France may lose its position as the largest equity market in Europe due to the political uncertainty surrounding the election. [Extracted from the article]

French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating has dropped to its lowest level since December 2018, according to a recent poll. The survey, conducted by Elabe for daily Les Echos, found that 24% of respondents trust Macron to address France's problems, a decrease of 5 points from May. Macron's decision to call for a snap vote after his party's defeat in the European elections may have contributed to the decline in his approval rating. The poll surveyed 1,502 adults online and has a margin of error of about 2.2 points. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- French tech company Atos SE has received four offers that will frame the discussions with its stakeholders around its restructuring.David Layani's OnePoint, a group of creditors, private equity firm Bain Capital and Daniel Kretinsky alongside Attestor Ltd. submitted offers last week, the company said in a statement on Monday. The company decided not to pursue discussions with Bain Capital.Atos intends to reach a restructuring deal with its creditors on May 31 and a final agreement by July 2024.©2024 Bloomberg L.P.By Irene García Pérez and Valentine BaldassariReported by Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

French billionaire Xavier Niel is set to acquire a 19.8% stake in Swedish telecommunications company Tele2 AB for approximately $1.3 billion. Niel's investment vehicle, Freya Investissement, will purchase the stake from Nordic investor Kinnevik. Niel has been expanding his telecom services throughout Europe, offering low consumer prices and lean costs. This acquisition is part of his broader expansion plans, which include entering markets in Ukraine, Portugal, and the UK. The transaction will be completed in three tranches, with the first closing shortly after signing. [Extracted from the article]

Freya Investissement, an investment vehicle jointly owned by Iliad and NJJ Holding, has agreed to purchase approximately a 19.8% stake in Tele2 from Kinnevik for SEK13 billion. The transaction will involve the purchase of 20.7 million A shares and 116.9 million B shares at a weighted average price of SEK 94.2 per share. The deal will be completed in three tranches, with the first tranche closing soon after signing and the subsequent tranches expected to close in the second and third quarters of this year. [Extracted from the article]

Huawei's office in France was searched by French financial prosecutors as part of a preliminary investigation into suspicions of "atteinte à la probité," which could include corruption, misuse of public funds, or influence peddling. Huawei France stated that it fully cooperated with the investigation and remains confident about its compliance with French laws and regulations. The company has research centers in France and is building its first production factory outside of China, but France's decision to exclude Huawei from certain parts of its wireless infrastructure has impacted the company's revenue in the country. [Extracted from the article]

Huawei's offices in France were searched by French financial prosecutors as part of a preliminary investigation into suspicions of "atteinte à la probité," which could include corruption, misuse of public funds, or influence peddling. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been provided. Huawei has research centers in France and is building its first production factory outside of China, which is scheduled to open in 2025 and employ 500 people. However, France's decision to exclude Huawei from certain parts of its wireless infrastructure has impacted the company's revenue in the country. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Huawei offices in France were searched as part of a preliminary investigation by French financial prosecutors.The investigation is into suspicions of "atteinte à la probité," a catch-all term that could include corruption, misuse of public funds or influence peddling, among other infractions, a justice ministry official said. The person declined to provide any further details on the alleged actions.A representative for Huawei France didn't immediately return a call and a text message seeking comment.©2024 Bloomberg L.P.By Valentine Baldassari and Benoit BerthelotReported by Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

French farmers have blocked highways around Paris using tractors to pressure the government for further concessions to alleviate rising costs and red tape. The FNSEA and Young Farmers unions called for a "siege" of Paris after previous support pledges failed to end the protests. The farmers are protesting higher production costs, stringent regulations, and unfair competition from abroad. The French government plans to hold talks with union leaders and announce fresh measures on Tuesday. Similar protests have also taken place in Germany and Belgium. [Extracted from the article]

French farmers have blocked highways around Paris using tractors to pressure the government for concessions to alleviate rising costs and red tape. At least five highways within 100 kilometers of the capital were closed, while others operated with reduced lanes. The protests, which began over a week ago, have been sparked by higher production costs, stringent regulations from Brussels, and perceived unfair competition from abroad. The farmers' unions called for a "siege" of Paris after previous pledges of support from Prime Minister Gabriel Attal failed to end the demonstrations. Similar protests have also taken place in Germany and Belgium. [Extracted from the article]