■ United States
Mineta leaves Cabinet
US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, the only Democrat in Republican President George W. Bush's Cabinet and one of its three remaining original members, will step down on July 7. Mineta, the son of Japanese immigrants, oversaw the huge transportation security buildup after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He had been plagued at times by back problems and spent months working from home and the hospital. But he has since recovered. He is "moving on to pursue other challenges," his spokesman, Robert Johnson, said on Friday. White House press secretary Tony Snow announced the resignation. Asked why Mineta, 74, decided to leave, Snow said: "Because he wanted to," Snow said.
■ United States
Man wins implant suit
The Rhode Island Supreme Court on Friday awarded a former handyman more than US$400,000 in a lawsuit over a penile implant that gave him a 10-year erection. Charles "Chick" Lennon, 68, received the steel and plastic implant in 1996. The Dura-II is designed to allow impotent men to position the penis upward for sex, then lower it. But Lennon could not position his penis downward. He said he could no longer hug people, ride a bike, swim or wear bathing trunks because of the pain and embarrassment. He has become a recluse and is uncomfortable being around his grandchildren, his lawyer said.
■ United States
Police nab 13 `flashers'
New York police said on Friday they had nabbed 13 flashers and gropers in a recent sting operation on the city subway system that used undercover policewomen as bait. "We hope there'll be deterrent value for potential perpetrators who recognize their victim may be a police officer," said Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne. The two-day sting mission, dubbed Operation Exposure, was actually carried out last month in response to increased complaints from women commuters of men behaving lewdly on the subway network. The 13 suspects were charged with forcible touching or public lewdness.
■ United States
Arnie turns down request
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this week rejected a request from the Bush administration to send an additional 1,500 National Guard troops to the Mexican border, the governor's office confirmed. The National Guard Bureau asked for the troops to help with the border-patrol mission in New Mexico and Arizona, but Schwarzenegger said the request would stretch the California Guard too thin in case of an emergency or natural disaster. Schwarzenegger spokesman Adam Mendelsohn confirmed the governor's decision on Friday. Mendelsohn said the governor believed sending more troops would create an inappropriate burden on the state.
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