Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto on Wednesday sought to clarify his remarks on a system to recruit women into sexual servitude for Japan's soldiers during World War II, saying he personally does not condone the scheme. Two days after he made controversial remarks that the so-called comfort women were "necessary to maintain discipline" in the Japanese military, Hashimoto told reporters he simply stated a fact that people at the time had that kind of view.

Super-hero blockbuster sequel "Iron Man 3" smashed to the top at the US box office with a mega $175.3 million take -- the second best opening weekend ever -- industry estimates showed Sunday. The film starring Robert Downey Jr as the title character now sits behind just "The Avengers" -- another Walt Disney comic book superhero flick -- which earned $207.4 million when it opened a year ago. "'Iron Man 3' is definitely playing like a pseudo-sequel to last summer's mightiest flick, 'The Avengers,'" said Exhibitor Relations analyst Jeff Bock.

Chinese film director Wong Kar Wai will join one of the art world's most exclusive clubs on Sunday when he is appointed a Commander of France's Order of Arts and Letters. The renowned filmmaker is to be presented with the medallion awarded to recipients of France's highest cultural honour by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at the opening of the French May arts festival in Hong Kong.

An Indian national on death row in Pakistan who was attacked by fellow inmates armed with bricks has been put on a ventilator as he fights for his life, officials said Saturday. Sarbajit Singh, who was sentenced to death 16 years ago on espionage charges, was rushed to hospital Friday with multiple wounds, including a severe head injury, after an argument in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail.