Briefly

UNITED KINGDOM

WikiLeaks' Assange starts final legal battle

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange begins what could be his last chance to stop his extradition from Britain to the United States on Tuesday, after more than 13 years battling the authorities in English courts. US prosecutors are seeking to put Assange, 52, on trial on 18 counts relating to WikiLeaks' high-profile release of vast troves of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables. They argue the leaks imperiled the lives of their agents and there is no excuse for his criminality.

FRANCE

Strike at Eiffel Tower a blow to tourists

The Eiffel Tower closed on Monday as staff went on strike in protest against the way the Paris monument is managed financially. The strike comes as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, which will begin on July 26. Unions claim Paris City Hall, which owns 99 percent of the company that oversees the tower, is underestimating the cost of maintenance to the monument planned ahead of the Olympics.

Agencies via Xinhua