Spotify expands audiobooks to more than 180 markets
Stocks decline as oil climbs on Mideast flareup
French-Japanese duo wins chemistry Nobel for solving molecular 'mystery'
Gauff says online abuse was 'draining' after China Open exit
Sports
England's Nations League surge helps heal World Cup wounds
England's free-scoring start to the Nations League has begun to heal the wounds of a painful World Cup exit as Thomas Tuchel's men train their sights on winning a home Euros in 2028.
Politics
As sector struggles, Porsche puts luxury ahead of volume
Luxury sports car maker Porsche announced Wednesday it plans to sell fewer vehicles, but at a higher price to try to regain profitability hit by competition from China.
Last news
Ukraine war set to dominate crucial NATO summit
The Ukraine war will take centre stage at a NATO summit in Madrid on Wednesday, while Finland and Sweden will be formally invited to join the alliance after Turkey dropped its opposition.
Uber inks deal for Australian gig worker rights
Uber has reached a deal with a powerful Australian union after years of legal battles, campaigns and negotiations that will offer 100,000 drivers and food delivery workers more protections.
Hong Kong economy faces uncertain future 25 years after handover
When Hong Kong transitioned from British to Chinese rule, Edmond Hui was a floor trader at the bustling stock exchange, witnessing the roaring growth of a city at the crossroads of the West and Asia.
'Brick wall' Djokovic, Murray eye Wimbledon third round
Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis attempts to demolish the "brick wall" of Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon on Wednesday while Andy Murray needs to defuse the big-serving threat of John Isner.
Israel heads towards snap election, Lapid poised to be PM
Israel's parliament is expected to dissolve Wednesday, ending Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's year-long tenure and triggering a fifth election in less than four years that could see ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu reclaim power.
Philippines' Ressa says 'business as usual' despite news outlet's shutdown order
Philippine Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa's news company Rappler was ordered Wednesday to shut down, a day before President Rodrigo Duterte is due to leave office, but she vowed to keep the site running.
EU approves end of combustion engine sales by 2035
The European Union approved a plan to end the sale of vehicles with combustion engines by 2035 in Europe, the 27-member bloc announced early Wednesday, in a bid to reduce CO2 emissions to zero.
Folau, ex-All Blacks hailed as Pacific rugby star power returns
Controversial former Wallaby Israel Folau's Pacific Nations Cup debut at the weekend, along with four former All Blacks, will provide a gilt-edged opportunity to raise the profile of the game in the region, the players' association chief told AFP on Wednesday.
Range extenders: solar panels provide more juice to EVs
Startups and major carmakers are starting to incorporate solar panels on their electric vehicles, an addition that extends the range of the cars even if perpetual motion remains a dream.
Saudi artists marvel at surprise patron: their own rulers
In one of Saudi artist Ahmed Mater's best-known works, a silhouette of a gas pump morphs into a man holding a gun to his head –- a clear critique of oil's damaging influence.
EU insurance ban targets Russian oil exports
An EU ban on insuring ships transporting Russian oil could potentially hurt Moscow more than its embargo on the nation's crude, analysts say.
Asian market losses driven by recession, inflation fears
Fears of a recession caused by sharp interest rate hikes aimed at fighting soaring inflation sent Asian markets tumbling Wednesday, tracking a sharp drop on Wall Street.
Paris attacks trial: the 20 suspects
A total of 20 people have been tried over the November 2015 attacks by the Islamic State group on the Bataclan concert hall and other targets around Paris, with the verdicts expected on Wednesday.
Philippine news site Rappler ordered to shut down
A Philippine news site co-founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa has been ordered to shut down, the company said Wednesday, a day before President Rodrigo Duterte -- its arch-nemesis -- leaves office.
Sony launches PC gaming gear, expanding beyond PlayStation
Japan's Sony is launching a new brand that will offer PC gaming gear, the company announced Wednesday, as it aims to expand beyond its flagship PlayStation console.
Paris court to issue verdicts after marathon 2015 attacks trial
After the biggest trial in modern French history, judges are set to hand down verdicts Wednesday to 20 men accused over the November 2015 Paris attacks that left 130 people dead.
Tennis's forgotten pathfinder Gibson is given a voice
Althea Gibson's journey from poverty to becoming the first black person to win Wimbledon is the fulfilment of the American Dream but she remains shamefully unknown, the English playwright and actor who is playing her on stage told AFP.
UEFA do not lack ambition for women's Euro, says Kessler
UEFA's head of women's football Nadine Kessler has dismissed claims European football's governing body lacked ambition in the selection of venues for Euro 2022, with attendance records for the tournament in England set to be smashed.
At least 52 inmates die in Colombia prison riot and fire
At least 52 inmates were killed and 26 more injured early Tuesday after a fire broke out during a prison riot in southwestern Colombia, the national prisons agency said.
With 'Thirteen Lives,' Ron Howard revisits Thai cave rescue
The dramatic rescue of 12 youth football players and their coach from a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018, a captivating operation already revisited in an award-winning documentary, is now getting the big-screen dramatic treatment from Ron Howard.
Singer R. Kelly faces sentencing over sex crimes case
A US federal judge on Wednesday was set to sentence disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly nearly a year after he was convicted of leading a decades-long effort to recruit and trap teenagers and women for sex.
DeChambeau: Saudi LIV Golf critics should 'move on' from 'bad'
Bryson DeChambeau says he understands criticism of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series over human rights issues, but said Tuesday people need to "move on" from past "bad" Saudi actions.
US ramps up monkeypox vaccination campaign, releasing 56,000 doses
US health authorities said Tuesday they were immediately releasing 56,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine -- five times the number distributed so far -- to areas of high transmission as part of a major escalation of the country's immunization strategy.
'Motivated' Serena brushes off retirement talk despite Wimbledon defeat
Serena Williams brushed off any talk of retirement on Tuesday by insisting she is "motivated" to play at the US Open later this year despite a shattering Wimbledon defeat.
Colombian Truth Commission hands over grim final report on civil conflict
Colombia's Truth Commission, established to probe atrocities committed during the country's near six-decade civil conflict, presented its final, 896-page report on Tuesday.
Wimbledon Day 2 - Who said what
Who said what at Wimbledon on Tuesday, the second day of the 2022 championships at the All England Club:
Venezuela opposition says not party to talks between Caracas, Washington
Opposition parties in Venezuela, whose President Nicolas Maduro is not recognized by the United States, said Tuesday they were not invited to new talks between the two governments.
Google's new California offices bank on in-person work
Roofs coated with canopy-like solar panels and indoor spaces awash in sunlight: Google has bet big on in-person work with its sprawling new Silicon Valley offices.
Serena loses in Wimbledon comeback as Nadal digs deep
Serena Williams tasted bitter defeat on her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon on Tuesday as Rafael Nadal overcame a huge scare to progress to the second round.
US medical experts call for Omicron-specific Covid boosters
A panel of US medical experts on Tuesday called for Omicron-specific boosters this fall, as anticipation mounts that Covid vaccines will be needed on an ongoing seasonal basis, as is the case for influenza.
Serena loses on Wimbledon return
Serena Williams was defeated in her first singles match for a year on Tuesday, going down 7-5, 1-6, 7/6 (10/7) to unseeded Harmony Tan in the first round of Wimbledon.
US opens probe after 51 migrants die in sweltering trailer
The death toll of undocumented migrants who were abandoned in a scorching-hot trailer in Texas rose to 51 Tuesday, as President Joe Biden blamed "criminal" professional smugglers for the tragedy.