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South Africa

Powell expects decision soon on Liberia troop commitment

Peacekeeping troops from West African nations should lead the way into Liberia, with the United States providing mostly support at first, Secretary of State Colin Powell said .

Powell, briefing reporters while traveling with President Bush on his five-day trip through Africa, said the president was likely to decide within days on the role the United States will play in enforcing a cease-fire in Liberia.

A team of U.S. military experts, now in the Liberian capital of Monrovia gathering information on the country’s security and humanitarian needs, has nearly finished its work, Powell said.

Another U.S. team plans to continue meeting with negotiators from West African nations this weekend in nearby Ghana, he said.

Washington, D.C.

Nader mulls presidential bid

Ralph Nader said Thursday he would decide by the end of the year whether to run again for president in 2004.

He minimized differences between the Democrats and Republicans and declared that President Bush was “very vulnerable” because of his domestic and foreign record.

The longtime consumer advocate, who received 2.8 million votes in 2000 as the presidential candidate of the Green party, said that, if he runs, he would run as an independent or again seek the Green Party designation. Noting his fund-raising efforts in its behalf, he added, “The rest is up to them.”

Nader condemned Democrats and Republicans for failing to deal with “a pattern of corporate crime.” While acknowledging there are some differences between them, he added, “They’re just not different enough. One may be a D+, and the other is a D- And they’re getting more similar year after year.”

Washington, D.C.

Infomercial marketers agree to $3.2 million settlement

The government has ordered infomercial marketers of products for breast enhancement, men’s virility and snoring to stop making false claims.

Marketers Wellquest International, Tony Hoffman Productions and others agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they made false claims for three products — Bloussant, sold for breast enhancement; EnerX, for men’s virility; and D-Snore, to relieve snoring.

The defendants will pay $3.2 million in the settlement.

Marketers claimed Bloussant stimulates breast cells to regenerate the growth process, enlarging breasts by two cup sizes. The FTC says the claims are unsubstantiated.

Bangladesh

Hope wanes for hundreds missing after ferry disaster

More bodies washed ashore today as rescue workers gave up hope for some 530 people missing after a ferry disaster in southern Bangladesh.

The M V Nasreen went down Tuesday night with about 750 people on board, and authorities said only 220 people survived. An estimated 530 people were missing and feared dead.

Rescuers plucked three more bodies today from Meghna River, bringing to 16 the number recovered so far.

The ferry sank at the meeting point of three flood-swollen rivers — the Padma, Meghna and Dakatia — in Chandpur.