Eiffel Tower strike ends after deal to tackle long waits
The Eiffel Tower turned away tourists for two days because of a strike by workers over access policy to the site4 August 2018: The Eiffel Tower plans to test a new access policy for visitors after management reached a deal to end a strike by workers complaining of "monstrous" waits at the Paris landmark.The monument reopened Friday after workers walked off the job Wednesday to protest at a new access policy that allocates separate lifts to visitors with pre-booked tickets and those who buy them on site.The tower now sets aside half of daily tickets for internet customers, who must choose specific time slots for their visit, up from just 20 percent previously.Labour unions said the changes, implemented in early July, could lead to lopsided queues that could extend to three hours for those waiting to pay for tickets, and up to an hour for e-ticket holders.The tower's operator had countered that lines were no worse than before for the more than six million people who visit each year.But on Thursday it said that starting next week it would test a new policy allowing all visitors to queue in separate lines at either of the two elevators.The goal is to keep both elevators full no matter the proportion of regular tickets to e-tickets. "Making sure the reserved time slot is respected will be the main criteria for evaluating the system being tested," tower operator SETE said.It also said it would increase further the percentage of daily tickets sold in advance, "the only measure available to reduce waits at the base of the tower".The reopening was a relief to visitors after thousands were turned away during the strike. "It's definitely great that we can just walk in and there's no problem at all, that's nice," said Patricia Joremsen, who lives in Copenhagen. "Of course we're happy it's open, we came especially to see it," said Darek, visiting from Poland.The tower's roughly 340 employees have staged strikes repeatedly in recent years over issues including pickpocketing and maintenance work.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:52 UTC
China tariffs threaten European capital goods supply chains
"While some of the 'direct' financial exposures are quite limited, we believe that it is the 'indirect' effects that could be more meaningful," Morgan Stanley capital goods analysts Ben Uglow and Lucie Carrier wrote in a note published this week. "Investors in European capital goods companies, which have been riding a wave of global economic growth, have not really flinched so far.After the U.S. announced steel and aluminium tariffs on March 8, investors fled industrial funds during March and April. "We see potential clouding on investment dynamics due to geopolitical tensions in some areas," finance chief Ralf Thomas told analysts. "We are operating in very competitive markets," CFO Miguel Ángel López told analysts during an earnings call last week. "The likelihood that we can pass through the effects into prices - I would consider this one rather low."
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:52 UTC
Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa calls for unity, rival questions election result
FILE PHOTO: Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa casts his ballot as he votes in the general election at Sherwood Park Primary School in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe July 30, 2018. "By many accounts, this imperfect election delivered sufficient transparency, especially in relation to past results in the country, that should allow reengagement to occur relatively smoothly. "Chamisa, who earlier accused the election commission of trying to rig the vote, said on Friday it should release "proper and verified" results. Water cannon and anti-riot police remained outside the MDC offices, a reminder of the clashes between opposition and the security forces this week. "The Herald newspaper, which acts as a mouthpiece for the government, hailed the election as reflecting the will of the majority and admonished the opposition.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:41 UTC
DowDuPont "defers" field trials to seek sale of GM corn seed in India
Cornheap- CC via WikimediaNEW DELHI - 3 August 2018: DowDuPont Inc has told India it is putting off trials needed for approval to sell a genetically modified variety of corn, taking a cue from U.S. rival Monsanto that has also pulled a similar application due to intellectual property concerns.In a letter addressed to India's environment ministry reviewed by Reuters, the Indian arm of DowDuPont said it had obtained permission to conduct trials growing a small crop of the corn in the northern state of Punjab but would like to "defer the undertaking".It did not give a reason behind its decision. "This is to confirm that we have deferred the Biosafety Research Level-I confined field trials with transgenic maize planned during the season of kharif 2018," a DowDuPont spokeswoman told Reuters in an email, referring to the summer planting season. "The company remains committed to advancing agricultural productivity in India. "She declined to give details. The decision to put off trials is not public.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:41 UTC
ANALYSIS-Lebanon hits political logjam after election
FILE- Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri gestures as he talks at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon June 22, 2018. support for Lebanon's army could also be in doubt.Firas Maksad, director of The Arabia Foundation think tank in Washington, said the election had created a conundrum. "You have election result that produced a more positive outcome for Hezbollah and its allies. Citing the economy, he said that the delay had come "at the worst time".The election reflected shifts in Lebanon and the wider region. But he lost more than a third of his seats in the last election, held under a new system.Hezbollah allies gained at his expense.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:41 UTC
India's 2018 monsoon likely to be below average after poor start to season
People inspect a house for water seepage during high tide at the sea front in Mumbai, India, July 15, 2018. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas. NEW DELHI - 3 Aug 2018: India's monsoon rains, a crucial element for the country's farm output, are likely to be below average in 2018, after the country experienced tepid rainfall during the first half of the season.There is a 47 percent chance of India recording below average rainfall during the second half of the monsoon season which stretches between June to September, India's weather office said in a statement on Friday.For the first two months of the monsoon season, rainfall was below average, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.The monsoon rains could be considered the lifeblood of India's $2 trillion economy since the farm sector contributes 14 percent of the country's economic output and employs more than half of its 1.3 billion people.A spell of good rains could keep a lid on inflation by holding down food prices, potentially tempting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring forward general elections due in May 2019.Lower rainfall could add to the woes of those dependent on agriculture for a livelihood. Indian farmers, who have been hitting the streets to protest low income levels, are a crucial vote bank for a poll-bound Modi.There is a 41 percent chance of India experiencing average rainfall, and 12 percent chance of above average rainfall during the second half of the monsoon season, the IMD said. "The rainfall for the country as a whole during the second half of the season is likely to be 95 percent of the long-period average," the IMD said.Modi has set an ambitious target of doubling farmer's income by 2022.Farmers have planted summer crops on 73.8 million hectares (182.3 million acres) of land as of July 27, down 7.5 percent from a year ago, the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare said.India is the world's biggest producer of cotton and pulses and the second-biggest producer of sugar and rice.The IMD had forecast earlier that India in 2018 would receive rainfall measuring 97 percent of the long-term average.The agency has accurately forecast the monsoon season only once in every five years in the last two decades, even after allowing for a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:30 UTC
US says Russia still carrying out 'pervasive' election meddling
FBI Director Christopher Wray and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats dismissed suggestions that US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly denied Russia helped him get elected, is not taking the issue of election meddling seriously3 August 2018: The US government on Thursday accused Russia of carrying out a "pervasive" campaign to influence public opinion and elections, in a public warning just months before crucial legislative elections. ""This is not just an election cycle threat," Wray said. "Our adversaries are trying to undermine our country on a persistent and regular basis, whether its election season or not. "The two men dismissed suggestions that President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly denied Russia helped him get elected, is not taking the issue seriously.In a letter to Congress, National Security Advisor John Bolton said the administration had taken "extensive, historic action" to stop the threat.Trump has mulled easing sanctions against Russia. He has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and refused to criticize him for meddling in the 2016 election.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:30 UTC
Ethiopian prosecutors to charge five over rally blast -Fana
People walk past shops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 19, 2018. picture taken July 19, 2018. REUTERS/Maggie FickNAIROBI - 3 Aug 2018: Federal prosecutors in Ethiopia are to file charges against five people suspected of involvement in a grenade attack on a rally that was attended by new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, state-affiliated media said on Friday.Two people were killed and more than 150 injured in the attack in Addis Ababa in June.Fana Broadcasting Corporation reported that prosecutors had asked a court to grant them 15 days to file charges and to reject the suspects' request for bail.Abiy, whose first few months in office have indicated that the nation of 100 million will open up to the world after decades of isolation, was whisked away by bodyguards moments after the attack.Since the 41-year-old former intelligence officer assumed office, the ruling EPRDF coalition has ended a state of emergency, released political prisoners and announced plans to open up the economy -- including letting foreigners take stakes in state-run Ethiopian Airlines.Earlier this month, the first commercial flight from Ethiopia to Eritrea in 20 years landed in Asmara, cementing a stunning rapprochement that ended a generation of hostility between the Horn of Africa neighbors.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 10:30 UTC
EETC delegation visits Egypt-Sudan interconnection project
File: Electricity towersCAIRO – 3 August 2018: A delegation from the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and the Indian engineering firm Larsen & Toubro visited the location of grid inter-connectivity project with Sudan on Thursday.Larsen & Toubro is the engineering company responsible for linking the electricity grids of Sudan and Egypt. The linkage line is about 100 km long. The government actively encouraged the private sector to establish its own solar and wind farms. It installed huge solar panels on the roofs of hundreds of government buildings and encourages Egyptians to create solar power plants on their home roofs. Some Egyptians sell electricity produced by their solar panels to the national grid.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 09:33 UTC
Cairo sees slight drop in temperature Friday
An overview for the Nile River in Cairo/ Hossam AtefCAIRO – 3 August 2018: Cairenes will feel a slight improvement in weather on Friday after a heat wave relents. The temperature is expected to drop by two degrees reaching highs of 37°C and lows of 27°C.Meanwhile, a hot weather will be continue in other parts across Egypt, including Upper Egypt’s Aswan recording highs 42°C and Qena reaching 40°C; however, there will be a slight decline in temperatures during the night.Clouds will be low in northern Egypt. Winds are moderate northeasterly, active in Gulf Suez and Red Sea, which may causes disturbance in navigation.The Mediterranean Sea’s wavelength will be varied between light to mild, with two meters to 2.5 meters and northwesterly surface winds.The Red Sea waves will be moderate to disturbed, with their lengths reaching 1.5 to two meters and northwesterly surface winds.In the below lines, we display the expected temperature (in degrees Celsius) across some of Egypt's governorates:Cairo: 37°C - 27 °CAlexandria: 32°C - 26°CLuxor: 4°C - 28°CAswan: 42°C - 29°CQena: 40°C - 28°CHurghada: 38°C - 30°CSharm El Sheikh: 37°C - 29°CAl Minya: 38°C - 25°CSuez: 37°C - 24°CHalayeb: 34°C - 30°CShalateen: 37°C - 39°C
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 09:22 UTC
Chelsea's Pedro signs one-year contract extension
Soccer Football - FA Cup Quarter Final - Leicester City vs Chelsea - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - March 18, 2018 Chelsea's Pedro celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Andrew YatesAug 3 (Reuters) - Chelsea playmaker Pedro has signed a one-year contract extension to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge until 2020, the Premier League club has said.The 31-year-old, a World Cup and European Championships winner with Spain, joined Chelsea in 2015 and has since made 131 appearances across all competitions, winning the league title in 2017 and the FA Cup last term. "It's important for me to continue with Chelsea, I am comfortable here and want to win new titles and trophies. I want to help the team, score goals, and I repeat, I am really happy," Pedro told the club's website https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/8/3/pedro-extends.The Spaniard previously played for La Liga club Barcelona, where he made more than 300 appearances and collected around 20 titles, including three Champions League triumphs.Chelsea play league champions Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, six days before travelling to Huddersfield Town for their opening league fixture on Aug. 11.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 08:37 UTC
Argentina name under-17 boss as interim coach
Soccer Football - Argentina Training - City Football Academy, Manchester, Britain - March 21, 2018 Argentina's Angel Di Maria and assistant coach Lionel Scaloni during training Action Images via Reuters/Jason CairnduffBUENOS AIRES, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Argentina have named current under-17 coach Lionel Scaloni as interim boss for upcoming friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia.Scaloni, a former right back who also helped as assistant coach with the national side, replaces Jorge Sampaoli, who stood down last month after a disappointing World Cup in which Argentina were eliminated by France 4-3 in the round of 16. "The AFA informs that after a meeting of the Executive Committee, Lionel Scaloni will coach the future friendlies along with his assistants Pablo Aimar and Martin Tocalli," the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said in a one-line statement.The association's president Claudio Tapia told reporters they were going to take their time to appoint a permanent coach.Argentina have had three different men in charge since Alejandro Sabella resigned in 2014 after taking the team to the final of the World Cup, where they lost to Germany in extra time.Since then Gerardo Martino, Edgardo Bauza, and Sampaoli have all had spells at the helm but none have won any silverware and Argentina's trophy drought now extends back to 1993, the last time they won the Copa America.The two-time World Champions meet Guatemala in Los Angeles on Sept 7 and then face Colombia in New Jersey four days later.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 07:41 UTC
Antonio Calderon appointed as Nogoom FC manager
FILE - Antonio CalderonCAIRO – 3 August 2018: Nogoom FC announced on Monday that they have reached an agreement with Spanish manager Antonio Calderon to be the club’s new manager.Nogoom FC participates at the Egyptian Premier League for the first time in their history. The club started their run at the league with a goalless draw against Tala’a El-Gaish on Wednesday.Calderon will start his mission with the club on Aug. 9 and the caretaker manager, Alaa Hassab Allah, will lead the club at their second game against Smouha on Wednesday.“We faced many difficulties at the pre-season especially after the departure of the manager, Diaa el Sayed,” the club’s chairman, Mohamed Altawila, told radio program “Estad El-Hadaf”.As a player, Calderon represented his hometown club, Cadiz, RCD Mallorca and Lleida at the Spanish League’s top division.Calderon started his managerial career in 2002 with Scottish club, Raith Rovers, before his decision to return to Spain where he managed many big clubs like Cadiz, Albacete, Huesca, Tenerife and Fuenlabrada.Calderon’s first game as Nogoom FC manager will be on Aug. 15 against the Arab Contractors.
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 00:45 UTC
Turkey vows retaliation in crisis with US over pastor
"A historic rupture," said the headline in the opposition daily Cumhuriyet.Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Programme at the Washington Institute, told AFP the crisis had erupted with Turkey undergoing a "transformation" under Erdogan which has seen the country more closely orientating towards the Muslim Middle East.But Cagaptay said Ankara would think twice before escalating, given "the pain of the economic burden which is really costing Turkey", and suggested Erdogan might seek a "graceful exit" from the crisis.The sanctions rattled financial markets with the Turkish lira hitting five to the dollar for the first time in history. The currency has lost four percent against the dollar in the last week alone.Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, who is Erdogan's son-in-law, insisted the impact on the economy would be "limited" and said Turkey's priority "is to solve the issue with diplomacy and constructive efforts".- Exchange deal? -The row over Brunson escalated last week when US Vice President Mike Pence, like the pastor an evangelical Christian, said Turkey would face "significant sanctions" if this "innocent man of faith" was not freed.His language was immediately echoed by President Donald Trump, who had enjoyed a relatively warm relationship with Erdogan and was even reported to have "fist-bumped" the Turkish president at a NATO summit last month.US media reported there had been a deal with Turkey to free Brunson after Washington's ally Israel released a Turkish woman held on terror charges. But Turkish officials have rubbished the claims.The senior US general in Europe, Curtis Scaparrotti, was on Thursday holding talks with Turkish military officials in Ankara but there was no indication the Brunson case would be raised.The court trying Brunson has repeatedly refused to allow him to go free. "Gul dismissed the sanctions, saying: "I have neither a tree planted nor one penny in the US or any other country outside of Turkey."
Source:Egypt Today
August 03, 2018 00:33 UTC
U.S. Congresswoman calls on Vietnam to release American held during visit
"The Vietnamese government needs to know that there will be consequences if they don't treat American citizens with respect," Walters said. "I will do everything in my power to make sure we bring Mr Nguyen home. Helen, who works as a nurse, was last in contact with her husband on July 5.This week, after frantic appeals for information, Nguyen's family learned from U.S. officials that he had been detained, Roberts said, adding that they had been told that U.S. officials had met with Nguyen.When asked about Nguyen at a news conference on Thursday in Hanoi, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry said her office would "ask the relevant authorities. "After another Vietnamese-American was detained in the Southeast Asian country during nationwide protests in June, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked for a speedy resolution to the case. The American was later ordered deported.Pompeo is scheduled to meet on Friday in Singapore with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes Vietnam.
Source:Egypt Today
August 02, 2018 23:26 UTC