National briefs 7a 7/3

INS launches Web site to track foreign students

WASHINGTON -- The Immigration and Naturalization Service has launched the Internet Web site that the nation's universities will use to register foreign students -- the first step in the government's plan to track the movements of all those with temporary visas, said INS officials.

Schools that have received INS permission to accept foreign students for three years can begin using the Web site system immediately, the agency announced Tuesday.

Other schools will have to go through an extended review period to gain approval to use the system, called "SEVIS." The system becomes mandatory Jan. 30. On that date, schools not approved to use the Web site will not be allowed to admit foreign students.

FDA approves device to treat back pain

WASHINGTON -- The government on Tuesday approved sales of a device that could radically change surgery for certain back pain sufferers -- because it carries a genetically engineered drug to spur bone growth.

The Infuse bone graft device is for people with spinal disc degeneration, a major cause of low back pain. While many people recover with time, others undergo surgery to fuse the two vertebrae surrounding the weakened disc.

First, a metal cage is placed in the spine. Then doctors do a second surgery, culling bone from the patient's hip to place inside that cage. Patients often call the hip operation more painful than the spinal surgery -- and nearly a third still have hip pain two years later, says Infuse manufacturer Medtronic Sofamor Danek.

Two Minnesota women sue Jehovah's Witnesses

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Two women sued their Jehovah's Witnesses congregation and the church's parent organization Tuesday, alleging church elders told them to remain silent about being sexually abused by a member.

The suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages for each of the women, now 22.

The lawsuit alleges Derek Lindala, 30, molested one girl repeatedly when she was between 11 and 13 years old and another girl once in 1990.

Both women say they told congregation elders but were told to remain silent. Police were never notified.

Nissan recalls cars for electrical problem

WASHINGTON -- Nissan is recalling 161,000 cars for an electrical problem that could start a fire under the hood.

The recall involves 1997 and 1998 models of the Infiniti I30 and Q45 and Nissan Maxima, according to a notice posted Tuesday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site.

A diode in the alternator may have been damaged when the cars were built, according to NHTSA. The problem can result in an electrical short that could melt the plastic housing.

The gas emitted by the melting plastic could ignite the fan guide in the alternator.

Nissan will notify owners of the recall next month, NHTSA said. Dealers will repair the cars for free.

-- From wire reports