Abe offers 'eternal condolences' for Americans killed in World War II in historic speech to Congress

Shinzo Abe became the first Japanese prime minister to address a joint meeting of the US Congress on Wednesday, offering heartfelt testimony on the need for deeper ties while facing controversy over his views of World War II.

Speaking in English, Abe stressed the tight bonds between two nations that were forged from the embers of brutal battles like Pearl Harbour and Iwo Jima, and offered a solemn personal apology for Japan's actions.

But it was Japan's actions in Asia during that war that threatened to overshadow his historic address.

In Congress, Abe was faced with the presence of 87-year-old Lee Yong-Soo, one of the estimated 200,000 Asian women who were forced into sexual slavery by occupying Japanese troops.

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Top Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Luz says will no longer draw Prophet Muhammad

Cartoonist Luz, who drew Charlie Hebdo's front cover picture of Muhammad following the massacre of the satirical weekly's editorial team by Islamic militants in January, has told a French magazine he will no longer draw the Prophet.

"I will no longer draw the figure of Muhammad. It no longer interests me," he told Les Inrockuptibles magazine in an interview published on Wednesday.

"I'm not going to spend my life drawing (cartoons of Muhammad)."

Luz's cover image in January portrayed Muhammad with a sign saying "Je Suis Charlie" under the words "All is forgiven".

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'Beach body' ads investigated after outcry in Britain

Britain's advertising watchdog is to investigate ads for a slimming product that sparked outcry on social media this week when they appeared in London's underground rail network.

The advert for Protein World slimming shakes showed a slim woman in a bikini with the words "Are you beach body ready?"

Many of the posters were defaced following a social media backlash and more than 60,000 people signed a petition to remove them.

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Football: Chelsea on brink of title after 3-1 win at Leicester

Chelsea came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 on Wednesday and move to within one win of clinching the Premier League title for the first time in five years.

Chelsea were labelled as "boring" by Arsenal fans during the 0-0 London derby on Sunday and they were below par against a Leicester side chasing a fifth successive league win to boost their chances of survival in the top flight.

Marc Albrighton fired Leicester ahead in first-half stoppage time but Didier Drogba equalised soon after the restart before late goals from John Terry and Ramires ensured Chelsea will seal the title with victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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Justin Bieber quizzed over Argentina assault, arrest request: Media

Pop star Justin Bieber is being quizzed by police in Rome in connection with Argentina's request for him to be arrested over the alleged assault of a photographer, Italian media reported Wednesday.

Two of the country's most respected dailies, La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, said the Canadian heart-throb was under interrogation at his five-star hotel, but had not been arrested.

Police contacted by AFP denied the star had been arrested but did not comment on the reports of him being questioned. Bieber, 21, arrived in Rome earlier this week to film a cameo role in the film Zoolander 2, which is being shot in the Italian capital.

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