Fifty gay men and women went on a "kissing demonstration" in central Athens in protest at a 100,000 euro fine imposed by the Greek TV regulator for scenes in a late-night drama that included a kiss between two men. The watchdog criticized the sexually charged language and portrayal of a relationship between gay men in the hit series Close Your Eyes, which deals with the lives of a group of 20-somethings. It said it "could damage young people by making them too familiar with vulgarity." Representatives of gay and transsexual rights groups gathered outside the building of the regulator to protest at what they said was a racist decision.
■ United States
Big crack forces evacuation
At least 4,800 people were evacuated from three downtown buildings in Wilmington, Deleware, on Friday after a crack that stretched eight stories was discovered in an office tower. An employee discovered the 2.5cm crack running from the ninth floor to the top floor in the facade of the 17-story Bank One building, authorities said. A city official said bolts connecting the panels to three floors of the building were loose. Inspectors examined bolts through the top story but found no other problems, officials said. About 1,000 people were evacuated from the Bank One building, 3,500 from the New Castle County Courthouse across the street and 350 people from another nearby building.
■ United States
Niagara survivor joins circus
The only person to survive a plunge over Niagara Falls without a safety device has run off and joined the circus. Kirk Jones, 40, planned to make his debut as the "world's greatest stunt man" during a Friday night gig with the Toby Tyler Circus, now touring Texas' Mexican border towns. Last month, the former auto parts salesman from Canton, Michigan, jumped over the Canadian side of the falls and somehow emerged from the rushing foam with only a few broken ribs. Jones said circus promoters called him a few days ago and promised him something "spectacular." He would not say what his act would involve.
■ United States
Dad denies beating Jackson
Michael Jackson's father says he never beat his son but admits in a TV interview to be broadcast today that he whipped him. Joe Jackson told the BBC that he whipped Michael with a switch and a belt but says he never dealt out a beating. "You beat someone with a stick," the BBC quoted him as saying in a story on its Web site on Friday. The pop singer has consistently accused his father of beating him as a child. The interview was conducted in a hotel room in an unspecified location in the US and overseen by a man, Majestik Magnificent, who described himself as Michael Jackson's personal magician.
■ Hungary
Art actually a corpse
Police on Friday removed the corpse of a man believed to have hanged himself at least a year ago after builders and students at Budapest's University of Arts had initially mistaken it for a modern sculpture. The body hung for a whole day in a garden building that had been re-opened for repairs before onlookers realized what it was and called the police, local media said. The building, in campus grounds crowded with different types of sculpture, had been closed five years ago pending reconstruction work.
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