Sarkozy Faces Strike Threat as Lady Gaga Scraps Two Paris Shows

French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces a double threat as labor unions consider extending their protests over his planned pension overhaul and as debate over amendments delays a Senate vote on the legislation.

Government officials began tallying the cost of transport disruptions and strikes at oil refineries, saying they’re hurting French competitiveness. Strikes against the bill, which would raise the retirement age to 62 from 60, have caused about half the country’s service stations to run out of gasoline and prompted the singer Lady Gaga to cancel two shows in Paris.