WORLD IN BRIEF : NICARAGUA : Managua Moves to Avert Protests

The government announced that it will lower utility bills for the poor, suspend layoffs of civil servants and give food to hungry peasants in an apparent effort to head off a nationwide protest. The announcement came after a meeting Thursday with the leftist Sandinista Front. Sandinista leader and former President Daniel Ortega said “there was good will” to alleviate the hunger and unemployment that have accompanied government efforts to make market reforms in the economy. But Sandinista labor leaders say a nationwide protest is still set for Monday.