News in brief
By The Associated Press
Eiffel Tower reopens to visitors after closure due to employee strike
PARIS | The Eiffel Tower has reopened to visitors after a six-day closure because of striking employees demanding better maintenance of the historic landmark, showing traces of rust, and salary hikes.
The operator of the nearly 1,083-foot tower said Sunday in a statement it reached an agreement with unions representing the workers after promising to allocate about $412 million investment by 2031 for renovation work. This week, it also launched salary negotiations, expected to be finalized next month, after employees on strike demanded an increase proportionate to revenue from ticket sales.
Gov. Newsom launches ads to fight abortion travel bans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. | California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday announced an advertising campaign to combat proposals in several Republican-controlled states to prohibit out-of-state travel for abortions and other reproductive care.
The multistate ad campaign and an online petition effort will launch Monday, beginning with a TV commercial about a measure under consideration in Tennessee. The so-called “abortion trafficking” bill sponsored by GOP state legislators would make it a felony offense for an adult to recruit, harbor or transport a minor to get an abortion without parental consent.
Newsom told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that similar restrictions modeled on a law that has already passed in Idaho are also being proposed in Oklahoma and Mississippi.
Pope cancels meeting with Rome deacons because of mild flu
VATICAN CITY | The Vatican says that Pope Francis has canceled an audience as a precaution after coming down with mild flu. Francis was scheduled to meet with Rome deacons on Saturday morning. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the pope’s weekly Sunday Angelus address was still to be confirmed. No further health updates were expected for the day.
The 87-year-old pontiff has had several health problems in recent years. He was forced to cancel some of his activities and an international trip in late November because of breathing problems. A scan at the time ruled out lung complications. Francis had a part of one lung removed when he was young and still living in his native Argentina.
—From AP reports
