Eiffel Tower Operator Says Strike by Staff Has Ended, Site to Reopen on Sunday

 This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)
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Eiffel Tower Operator Says Strike by Staff Has Ended, Site to Reopen on Sunday

 This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on February 23, 2024, shows the Eiffel Tower on a cloudy day in Paris. (AFP)

A strike by staff at the Eiffel Tower has ended, the company that runs one of the most visited tourist sites in the world said in a statement on Saturday.

The tower will reopen on Sunday, the Societe d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), which is owned by Paris City Hall, added.

Workers at the Eiffel Tower went on strike on Feb. 19 in protest over the way the Paris monument is managed.

It came as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, which begin on July 26 and will feature metal from the tower in the winners' medals.

SETE and trade unions "reached an end-of-strike agreement stipulating that the parties will regularly review the company's business model, maintenance costs and sales through a body that will meet every six months", the company said.

SETE said visitors who bought tickets between Feb. 19-24 will get refunds.

Unions claim Paris City Hall, which owns 99% of SETE, is underestimating the cost of planned maintenance and repairs to the monument ahead of the Olympics.



Nearly 6,000 New Sites Registered in Saudi National Register of Architectural Heritage

The sites collectively reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom
The sites collectively reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom
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Nearly 6,000 New Sites Registered in Saudi National Register of Architectural Heritage

The sites collectively reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom
The sites collectively reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced on Sunday the registration of 5,969 new architectural heritage sites in the National Register of Architectural Heritage, bringing the total number of registered sites to 34,171.

These sites collectively reflect the richness and diversity of architectural heritage across the Kingdom.

The newly registered sites include 258 in Riyadh Region, 483 in Makkah Region, 761 in Qassim Region, three in Eastern Region, 3,893 in Aseer Region, 60 in Hail Region, eight in Jazan Region, 499 in Al-Baha Region, and four in Al-Jouf Region.

The registration process is based on regulations related to antiquities and architectural heritage, following a decision by the Board of Directors of the Heritage Commission to delegate authority to the commission’s CEO to register heritage sites. The initiative aims to protect these sites from encroachment or neglect and to ensure their preservation for future generations.