INTERNATIONAL

Hundreds protest season opener of 'Big Brother' TV reality show in Greece
Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece - Hundreds of demonstrators protested the season opener of Greece's version of the "Big Brother" reality television show yesterday, saying it erodes respect for privacy.

The protesters threw eggs and rocks at the studios of Greece's Antenna television station, which is broadcasting the show. Riot police prevented the protesters from entering the studios. There were no arrests or injuries.

The demonstrators, which included anti-globalization activists, were protesting what they call the degradation of life and privacy in the name of profit.

"The basic problem is that it basically violates the private life of people in the name of profit," said Kostas Sarris, a member of the Genoa 2001 initiative against globalization. "It puts a big eye into the lives of people."

During "Big Brother," 12 contestants will live for 112 days in a house filled with cameras and microphones following their every move. One by one, the television and Internet audience will vote them off the show. The last one to leave receives a cash prize of $130,000.

"Big Brother" started on Dutch television in 1999, and its success spawned other reality shows around the world.

The show borrows its name from George Orwell's classic novel "1984," in which society lives in constant terror and surveillance of a one-party state led by Big Brother.

WASHINGTON

Justice Dept. to begin racial study
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department will soon begin a study of racial profiling at local police departments but won't force police to participate, the Bush administration's civil rights chief said yesterday.

Assistant Attorney General Ralph Boyd said a study of whether police are singling people out for traffic stops based on their race should be voluntary - something critics say will create a major loophole and weaken the study.

Boyd said making the study voluntary will foster trust between the department and local law enforcement agencies.

"The preference is to have folks do it voluntarily, to be invested in what they're doing," said Boyd, a former federal prosecutor in Boston who was confirmed as the head of Justice's Civil Rights Division in July.

"We are not here to micromanage police departments all over the country,'' said Boyd in an interview with The Associated Press. "The overwhelming preponderance of police officers are struggling mightily to get it right."

The Justice Department will seek assistance from researchers and academicians who have studied racial profiling data from police departments to ensure the integrity of the study, he said.

STATES

Court dismisses underage drinking case against one of Bush's daughters
Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas - The underage drinking case against President Bush's 19-year-old daughter Barbara was dismissed yesterday after she completed community service and other requirements, a city spokeswoman said.

Bush had pleaded no contest in June to a charge of minor in possession of alcohol. She completed eight hours of community service at Goodwill, attended an alcohol awareness class, paid $100 in court fines and stayed out of trouble for three months, city spokeswoman Patty Gonzales said.

The charge will be wiped from her record, Gonzales said.

Bush, who attends Yale University, and her twin sister, Jenna, who attends the University of Texas, were ticketed after their visit to a Mexican restaurant in Austin in May.

Jenna was fined $600 in July and her driver's license was suspended for 30 days. She pleaded no contest to trying to use someone else's ID to buy liquor in the May incident and a judge convicted her of underage drinking in an April incident.

For trying to use someone else's ID, Jenna Bush was ordered to pay $100 in court fees, perform 36 hours of community service and attend a session where victims of alcohol-related crimes discuss their experiences. She has until Oct. 6 to complete the requirements and the charge could be dismissed.

However, Jenna Bush's underage drinking charge will go on her record as a conviction because of the restaurant violation. Community Court Judge Elisabeth Earle fined Jenna Bush $500 and suspended her license for that charge.

LOCAL

Three communities to vote on mayors
Associated Press

PHOENIX - Voters in Yuma could decide in a primary whether to keep Mayor Marilyn Young, while residents in Prescott will pick the successor to Mayor Sam Steiger, who decided against seeking another term.

Polls open today at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Giuliano has been elected to four terms as mayor, winning his last election with 70 percent of the vote.

The recall effort began over the city's dealings with the United Way.

Last fall, then-interim City Manager John Greco announced the city would no longer let employee donations go to organizations that discriminate, based on Tempe's zero-tolerance discrimination policy.

Initially, Giuliano said the city as an employer should neither try to influence how employees donate their money nor coordinate the campaign for the United Way, which contributes to the Boy Scouts. The scouts don't accept gay members or troop leaders.

But after an avalanche of e-mails, phone calls and letters criticizing the decision, he changed his position, saying employees should determine their own contributions to be made to the United Way.

Giuliano's opponents have since criticized him for large projects around the city, including a proposal to install a light rail system.

Giuliano and his supporters, however, have suggested that the recall effort is linked to the fact that he's openly gay.

Giuliano is opposed by actor Gene Ganssle. The winning candidate will serve out the remainder of Giuliano's term, which ends next July.

In Prescott, City Councilman Dick Cooper faces local business owner Rowle Simmons, who has never held public office, in a mayoral primary.

Since there are only two candidates, the winner will become the mayor, unless there's a tie.

In Yuma, Mayor Marilyn Young is seeking a third term. She faces retired businessman Larry Nelson and write-in candidate Jack Kretzer, a community activist and retired civil engineer. The candidate receiving more than 50 percent of the vote in the today primary will become the new mayor.