■ UNITED STATES
Cheeky ads draw protest
A bidet company's advertising plans in Times Square are too cheeky for the pastor of a nearby church. Reverend Neil Rhodes, pastor of the interdenominational Times Square Church, is asking a state court to block a billboard company from posting huge ads that feature naked buttocks with smiley faces on them on two sides of the building that houses Rhodes' church. "You walk into a church building, you have naked bodies before your eyes. How are you going to close your eyes and seek God?" Rhodes said. The ads promote the Washlet, a bidet-toilet seat that uses warm water and air.
■ UNITED STATES
Bon bon bandit strikes again
A series of armed robberies over the last three months at chocolatiers, ice cream shops, a patisserie and other establishments has the Boston police scrambling to give the robber his just deserts. "He's considered armed and dangerous," Elaine Driscoll, a police spokeswoman said. Since April 17, 18 robberies have occurred at shops like All Things Chocolate, Lindt Chocolate, Bon Bon and Ben & Jerry's. Usually wielding a knife, a handgun or a sawed-off shotgun, the robber has made off with a total of about US$10,000 in cash so far. Nobody has been injured. He has struck at all hours, every few days and picks "boutique-style vendors" likely to have lighter security and more women employees.
■ UNITED STATES
Pennsylvania budget woe
The governor has ordered a range of state government services shut down and placed about a third of Pennsylvania's government workforce on indefinite unpaid furlough after frantic last-minute negotiations failed to break a budget stalemate. Governor Ed Rendell said the shutdown would go forward but he and legislators will continue to work toward a deal. "I sincerely hope that this will be a one-day furlough and I have reason for optimism," he said. Starting yesterday, Pennsylvanians were no longer able to take driver's license tests and state-run museums were shuttered.
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