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Nation in brief

AIDS strain resembles 2001 cases

By wire services
Published February 19, 2005

WASHINGTON - The virulent and highly drug-resistant case of AIDS recently found in a New York City man is similar in some ways to two Canadian cases that appeared in 2001 and did not lead to the spread of a "supervirus," as some fear may happen in New York.

The Canadian cases turned out to be readily treatable despite their worrisome features. The infected patients, two men who had no contact with each other, are alive and in good health today, according to the physician who treated them. He originally described the unusual findings two years ago in a medical journal.

New York City's health commissioner, Thomas Frieden, announced a week ago that a man in his 40s was diagnosed with advanced AIDS in January, 20 months after he had tested negative for HIV. Tests on the virus in his blood showed it was resistant to three of the four families of antiretroviral medicines.

GLENDALE, Calif. - A man accused of killing 11 people by parking his sport utility vehicle in a train's path intended to get his estranged wife's attention by causing "a horrific tragedy," not to kill himself as originally thought, police said.

Authorities also said Juan Manuel Alvarez told them he had poured gasoline on the SUV before the Metrolink struck it Jan. 26 as it carried commuters to downtown Los Angeles.

Police initially believed Alvarez had meant to remain in the SUV but then lost his nerve and fled. He and his wife, Carmelita Alvarez, had separated, and she had obtained a restraining order against him, police said.

Police Chief Randy Adams said Alvarez may have considered suicide, but "the investigation has revealed that his actions are not consistent with that of an individual who is attempting to follow through with that act.

"His actions were deliberate with the intent of causing a horrific tragedy," Adams said Thursday.

Alvarez, 25, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 11 counts of murder and an arson charge. Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.

WASHINGTON - Federal investigators will review a $135,540 settlement the government reached with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's biggest retailer, over accusations that the company violated child labor laws.

The investigation was sought by Rep. George Miller. The California Democrat had criticized the deal made public Feb. 12 because it provided that Wal-Mart would receive 15 days notice in most cases before the Labor Department investigated employee complaints of wage and hour violations.

Miller, the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, said the two-week window could give Wal-Mart a chance to sweep violations under the rug.

"We plan to review the circumstances surrounding this agreement," Labor Department Inspector General Gordon S. Heddell wrote in a letter to Miller. The congressman's office released the letter Friday.

The letter didn't offer details on the scope or timing of the review. David Pine, a spokesman for the inspector general's office, said the investigation was already under way but declined further comment.

Wal-Mart spokesman Gus Whitcomb said the Bentonville, Ark., company welcomed the review.

NASA scientists said Friday that preflight safety preparations at the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral are progressing on schedule for a May 15 launch of the space shuttle Discovery.

Although the launch window could remain open through at least June 12, NASA launch director Mike Leinbach said the May 15 date "feels really good to me."

The shuttle fleet has been grounded since the 2003 accident that claimed the lives of seven astronauts aboard the shuttle Columbia. NASA said after it would not resume shuttle flights without unprecedented new safeguards.

[Last modified February 19, 2005, 00:58:04]