France’s government announces new measures to calm farmers’ protests, as barricades squeeze Paris

JOSSIGNY, France — France’s new prime minister showered promises of help on angry farmers Tuesday, from emergency cash aid to controls on imported food, in hopes that cools a protest movement that has seen tractors shut down highways across France and inspired similar actions around Europe. Farmers seeking better pay, fewer constraints and lower costs … Read more

Commodity markets are in a ‘super squeeze’— higher prices may continue

SUIXI, CHINA – DECEMBER 30: An employee works on the production line of aluminum foil at a workshop of Anhui Limu New Material Technology Co., Ltd on December 30, 2023 in Suixi County, Huaibei City, Anhui Province of China. (Photo by Li Xin/VCG via Getty Images) Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images Global … Read more

UK Treasury chief signals tax cuts and a squeeze on welfare benefits are on the way

LONDON — U.K. Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt says the government can afford to lower some taxes now that inflation is falling, but that any cuts will come along with a squeeze on welfare benefits. British media have reported that there will be relief for businesses and wealthy property-owners in Hunt’s autumn budget statement on Wednesday. … Read more