Eiffel Tower closed while workers strike on the anniversary of its founder’s death

PARIS (AP) — The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors Wednesday because of a strike over contract negotiations, timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the death of its creator, Gustave Eiffel. Tourists can still access the glass-enclosed esplanade beneath the tower, but access to the 984-foot landmark itself is closed for the day. One of the world’s most-visited sites, the Eiffel Tower is typically open 365 days a year, though it is occasionally affected by strikes. The tower normally receives about 20,000 visitors per day this time of year. It’s expected to play a central role in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Russian drone and artillery attack kills 6 in Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired almost 50 Shahed drones at targets in Ukraine and shelled a train station where more than 100 civilians were gathered to catch a train to Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday. The barrages killed at least five people and knocked out power in most of the southern city of Kherson. The aerial barrage came a day after Ukrainian warplanes damaged a Russian ship moored in the Black Sea off Crimea as both sides’ soldiers struggle to make much progress along the front line of the 22-month war. Overnight, the Kremlin’s forces launched an artillery and drone bombardment of the Kherson region just as some 140 civilians were waiting for a train at the region’s capital city of the same name, according to Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

Opposition candidate in Congo alleges police fired bullets

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A main opposition candidate in Congo accused police of using live bullets to break up a protest Wednesday in the capital, as demonstrators demanded a re-do of last week’s presidential election. Holding up a bullet, Martin Fayulu told The Associated Press that it landed near him while he was barricaded inside his headquarters during a standoff with police. His claim could not be verified. Police said no live bullets were used, only tear gas, and that they were restoring order. AP journalists saw police physically assaulting some of the protesters.

Turkey hits 70 sites linked to Kurdish groups in Syria and Iraq

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s defense minister says the military has hit more than 70 sites linked to Kurdish groups in Syria and northern Iraq in aerial strikes launched in retaliation for the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers in Iraq. Yasar Guler said Wednesday at least 59 militants were killed in the strikes as well as in clashes. On Friday, militants affiliated with the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, attempted to infiltrate a Turkish base in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, killing six soldiers. Six others were killed in clashes the following day. The PKK has led a decades-long insurgency in Turkey and is considered a terror organization by Turkey’s Western allies.