Latest Western Europe News

Oil wrestlers seek glory in Turkey's centuries-old contest
ISTANBUL (AP) — It took nearly an hour of grappling with his opponent under the blazing Turkish sun for Cengizhan Simsek to win the tournament and join a long list of previous victors. A very long list — this was the 661st Kirkpinar oil wrestling championship, taking place in...

NATO poised to sign accession protocols for Sweden, Finland
BRUSSELS (AP) — The 30 NATO allies are set to sign off on the accession protocols for Sweden and Finland on Tuesday, sending the membership bids of the two nations to the alliance capitals for legislative approvals. The move will further increase Russia's strategic isolation in the...
IEA: High prices, uncertainty will slow growth in gas demand
BERLIN (AP) — The International Energy Agency says high prices for natural gas and supply fears due to the war in Ukraine will slow the growth in demand for the fossil fuel in the coming years. In a report published Tuesday, the Paris-based agency forecast global demand for natural...
Bayern Munich defends contentious sponsorship with Qatar
BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich is realizing that all publicity is not necessarily good publicity. Bayern’s chief executive, Oliver Kahn, defended the German soccer club’s contentious sponsorship agreement with Qatar on Monday, saying he was sure their partnership had helped bring...

Poulter, 2 others win court stay to play in Scottish Open
VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Ian Poulter and two other players who signed up for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series won a stay Monday from a British court that allows them to play in the Scottish Open. Poulter, Adrian Otaegui of Spain and Justin Harding of South Africa challenged...

Dior does folklore in Paris couture, riffing on Ukraine art
PARIS (AP) — Images of traditional embroideries and floral paintings adorned the walls of Dior’s celebrity-laden runway homage to Ukraine as Paris' four-day Couture Week kicked off Monday. The set, from Ukrainian artist Olesia Trofymenko, was the starting point for designer Maria...

Wimbledon updates | Gauff, Sock into mixed doubles semis
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — The Latest from Wimbledon (all times local): ___ 9:20 p.m. American duo Coco Gauff and Jack Sock are into the semifinals of the mixed doubles tournament. The pair defeated the French team of Edouard...
American Griffin Yow transfers from DC United to Westerlo
WASHINGTON (AP) — Griffin Yow, a 19-year-old American forward, transferred Monday from Major League Soccer's D.C. United to Westerlo in Belgium's first division. Yow, who was born in Clifton, Virginia, signed with D.C. as a homegrown player in March 2019 and made his MLS debut that...
Drought emergency declared for northern Italy, frees up aid
ROME (AP) — The Italian government on Monday declared a state of emergency for much of the rain-parched north amid a drought, freeing up 36.5 million euros (about $38 million) in funds for the heavily agricultural regions. The aid was approved at a late evening Cabinet meeting. ...

Judge in Italy ends detention for Haggis in sex abuse case
ROME (AP) — A judge in southern Italy on Monday ordered film director Paul Haggis released from detention at his hotel while prosecutors decide whether to pursue their investigation of whether he allegedly had sex with a woman without her consent over two days, his lawyer said. ...
