Police have convicted a former Franklin District Court security officer in a strange case of prostitution after he offered $20 to a couple for having sex in front of him. Robert Theriault, 49, was convicted Tuesday after the couple testified that he convinced them that they would be testing bed sheets and condoms for an insurance company. The couple said they trusted Theriault because of his position as a court officer.

In an effort to bring sex education into China's public consciousness, the Chinese province of Zhejiang has taken matters into its own hands. Bars and hotels in the Zhejiang province must provide customers with access to condoms and other contraceptives, or face a $650 fine for non-compliance.

New York's top Catholic leaders on Thursday said the city's decision to distribute 18 million free condoms as "tragic and misguided," saying that it degrades society and encourages promiscuity. The condom give-away took place on Valentine's Day at various locales, including a street corner in midtown Manhattan close to Saint Patrick's Cathedral. New York Cardinal Edward Egan and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn said in a joint statement released late Thursday: "Our political leaders fail to protect the moral tone of our community when they encourage inappropriate sexual activity by blanketing our neighborhoods with condoms.

nstead of your traditional chocolates or flowers, New York City officials decided to celebrate this year's Valentine's Day by handing out free condoms to city residents. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose health department's condom program already distributes 1. 5 million free condoms each month, hopes the city's special Valentine's Day efforts will help encourage people to engage in safe-sex practices during the holiday and beyond.

New York City Hall will soon release a branded official city condom to encourage its use. Currently, the city distributes 1. 5 million free condoms monthly in ordinary wrappers. Plans are in place to implement a distinctive package design for the city's official condom, be it a subway themed one with the lines shown in different colors.