Budapest the scene of Hollywood dreams

Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Hugh Jackman. Spotting hunky Hollywood actors is no big deal any more in Budapest, now one of Europe's top hubs for foreign film productions thanks to attractive tax breaks and cutting-edge facilities.

Venues on the map in proposal season

It's courtin' time and that still means going down on one knee for many proposers of marriage. Only now, more are choosing a special destination to do the asking.

Airline cracks down on unruly passengers

Korean Air said on Wednesday it would let its crew use stun guns more aggressively and put more male staff aboard flights to clamp down on violence, after an incident involving an unruly passenger.

Police demand for Amazon data in murder case raises concerns

Privacy concerns have been raised after police investigating a murder case in the United States issued a warrant for audio and other records from an Amazon Echo digital assistant in the accused's home.

Smartphone fans lead the world in internet screen time

On the crowded morning metro in Helsinki, silence prevails. Everyone is hunched over their smartphone screens, reading the news, checking emails or watching videos.

Opposition to sex slave deal mounts

South Korea's opposition politicians on Wednesday called for nullifying a settlement reached between Seoul and Tokyo on compensation for South Korean "comfort women" who were forced into sexual slavery by Japan's military in World War II.

Ex-minister detained

South Korean investigators on Wednesday detained the country's former health minister as they expand their inquiry into a corruption scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye.

Erdogan accuses West of backing IS

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said the West was breaking promises in Syria, accusing Ankara's partners of backing "terror groups" including Islamic State in the country.

Facebook triggers false bomb scare

Facebook sparked fear - and anger - among Thailand's social media users after its Safety Check feature triggered a false bomb alert in Bangkok.

Israel cancels vote on new settlements

Jerusalem's city hall canceled a vote on Wednesday on applications to build nearly 500 new homes for Israelis in East Jerusalem, a municipal official said, plans that had drawn US criticism in a raging dispute over settlements.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Ex-president charged with corruption

Former Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was charged in a corruption case on Tuesday and slapped with a $630-million asset freeze over public tenders awarded to a businessman friend during her administration.