The head of the scandal-plagued IRS apologized to Congress Friday for "foolish mistakes" made by the federal tax agency in targeting conservative groups but insisted the action was not politically motivated. Amid swirling controversy buffeting the US capital, lawmakers hammered Steven Miller, who offered his resignation as demanded by President Barack Obama, over abuse at the agency that Democrats and Republicans alike criticized as outrageous and unacceptable.

Hundreds of people were arrested in the United States in 2012 as authorities crack down on "the evil" of human trafficking, US officials said Friday, warning modern-day slaves could be hidden in any neighborhood. Around the world some 27 million people, including women and girls, are the victims of trafficking, US Secretary of State John Kerry said as he chaired an inter-agency White House meeting on trafficking.

The operator of a Cambodian shoe factory where two workers were killed this week when a ceiling collapsed admitted Friday to neglecting staff safety and vowed to take full responsibility. Eleven other people were injured in Thursday's incident at the Taiwanese-owned Wing Star facility, which makes shoes for Japanese sports brand Asics. "For the neglect that led to this unintentional incident, the company will take full responsibility for the families of the dead and injured," Wing Star said in a statement Friday without specifying whether it would offer compensation.

Myanmar released about 20 political prisoners on Friday, a top official said, hours before its reform-minded leader was due to leave on a landmark visit to the United States to meet President Barack Obama. President Thein Sein, a former general, has freed hundreds of political detainees since coming to power in early 2011 as part of sweeping changes that have led to the end of most Western sanctions.