IN BRIEF (Page 8)

United States

Mayor's remarks condemned

The United States on Thursday denounced the "outrageous and offensive" remarks made by Japan's Osaka mayor regarding wartime sex slaves exploited by the Japanese military, or the so-called comfort women. "Mayor Hashimoto's comments were outrageous and offensive," US Department of State spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said. Toru Hashimoto said on Monday that sexual servitude by women was "necessary" for Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Pakistan

PM to free 51 Indian fishermen

Pakistan interim Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has decided to release 51 Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds in a goodwill gesture, the prime minister's office said on Friday. The prisoners have already served their sentences, the office said. The prime minister expressed hope that the Indian government will reciprocate the gesture and release Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.

12 killed in mosque blasts

At least 12 people were killed and 25 others injured as twin blasts hit two mosques during Friday prayer in Pakistan's northwest Malakand district on Friday afternoon, local Urdu TV channel ARY reported. Local paramilitary troops confirmed that the first blast happened before Friday prayer and the second took place when people were offering prayer in another mosque in the same area.

Bangladesh

Hundreds of factories reopen

Hundreds of garment factories in a manufacturing hub in Bangladesh reopened on Friday, days after they were shut down due to the unrest sparked by the country's worst industrial tragedy, employers said. The deadly collapse of a garment factory complex near the hub killed 1,127 people on April 24 and highlighted the appalling safety conditions in the sector.

Cyprus

UK teen gets 8-year sentence

A criminal court in Cyprus has sentenced a teenager from the United Kingdom to eight years in prison over the stabbing death of a British soldier during a nightclub brawl on the eastern Mediterranean island. The court said on Friday it accepted the defense's argument that the teenager was provoked and "lost self-control" when he pulled out a switchblade and fatally stabbed the 19-year-old soldier in the popular resort of Ayia Napa in November.

AFP-Xinhua- Reuters-AP

(China Daily 05/18/2013 page8)