Nation in brief

President tightens ban on steroids

WASHINGTON - President Bush on Friday signed legislation that would curtail sales of steroid precursors and seek to stiffen penalties for offenses involving anabolic steroids.

The legislation adds 18 substances to the list of banned anabolic steroids, including androstenedione and tetrahydrogestrinone.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the law establishes a new grant program, which will provide $15-million to teach kids about the dangers of steroids.

It directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review the federal sentencing guidelines and consider amending those guidelines to provide for increased penalties.

Congress took an increased interest in the issue this year after reports of steroid use among athletes, particularly professional baseball players. A federal grand jury in San Francisco has indicted four men on charges of illegally distributing steroids, including the personal trainer of Giants slugger Barry Bonds.

ROMULUS, Mich. - The body of a stowaway was found early Friday in the wheel well of an American Airlines jet that had just finished a flight from Miami to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The body was found about 1 a.m. by an airport worker after passengers had disembarked. The Wayne County Medical Examiner's office said the man is estimated to be in his 20s and died from a lack of oxygen stemming from high altitudes.

Authorities are hoping to use the man's fingerprints to establish his identity. Airport spokeswoman Barbara Hogan said the man was wearing a T-shirt and pants and carrying coins from the Dominican Republic. He was not carrying ID.

ROME, Ga. - A federal judge has approved a settlement agreement between family members and a northwest Georgia crematory operator accused of failing to burn hundreds of corpses.

The agreement, approved Thursday by U.S. District Judge Harold L. Murphy, says the plaintiffs cannot go after the assets of Ray Brent Marsh or his family. Instead the $80-million settlement, proposed in August, will come from Marsh's insurance company, Georgia Farm Bureau.

The case stems from the discovery of 334 decaying bodies at the Tri-State Crematory in Noble in February 2002.

But it is not guaranteed that plaintiffs will receive any money from the settlement. The insurance company contends it did not cover the crematory business.

While the settlement ends the civil trial, Marsh still faces 787 criminal charges in the case.

ST. LOUIS - The National Park Service on Friday dropped its concerns about illuminating the 630-foot Gateway Arch in pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

National Park Service Director Fran Mainella said in a statement that the agency "supports the president and Congress" and will adhere to the newly passed law that was introduced by Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., whose mother died of the disease.

The Arch will be illuminated in pink on Monday night only. Normally, the national monument is bathed in white light.

SURRENDER ENDS STANDOFF: The former employee who walked into a conveyor belt factory in Earth City, Mo., and opened fire surrendered after a seven-hour standoff, authorities said. One person suffered minor injuries in the shooting that began about 3 p.m. Thursday at Beltservice Corp. Officers confined the gunman to a storage area, where he negotiated with police by telephone for several hours. "A little after 10 p.m., the guy put down the gun and came out to police," Keller said. The suspect's name was not released.

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