Briefly
Toy-train maker must pay rival $40 million
Detroit A U.S. District Court jury decided Monday that model-train maker Lionel LLC and others should pay $40.8 million to rival Mike’s Train House Inc. for misappropriating its designs.
Mike’s Train House of Columbia, Md., sued Michigan-based Lionel in 2000, saying Lionel sold trains made from designs stolen from a South Korean manufacturer hired by Mike’s Train House.
The jury found that Lionel, along with its supplier Korea Brass Co. Ltd. and an individual, Yoo Chan Yang, earned millions of dollars by misusing designs that belonged to Mike’s Train House.
Moms warned about milk-increasing drug
Washington, D.C. Officials are warning breast-feeding women not to use a drug called domperidone to increase their milk production, saying it is illegal and could harm mother and child.
The FDA cracked down on the drug Monday, moving to end imports and ordering firms to quit making or distributing it here. There are reports of serious side effects, and domperidone is excreted in breast milk.
Domperidone has not been approved in the United States. It is used in some countries to treat stomach disorders.
Women have ordered it via the Internet. The FDA discovered a few U.S. pharmacies providing “compounded” supplies – made for certain customers.
Judge: Mayor cannot officiate gay weddings
Kingston, N.Y. A mayor who performed marriages for 25 gay couples was barred Monday from marrying same-sex couples after a judge ruled it was up to the Legislature or courts to decide the issue.
New Paltz Mayor Jason West performed the marriages on Feb. 27. He faces misdemeanor charges of solemnizing marriages without a license in this town about 90 miles from New York City.
An Ulster County Supreme Court Justice barred West from performing such marriages in the future. His ruling did not address the constitutionality of gay marriages.
Mayor says Olympics security prep on track
Washington, D.C. Athens mayor Dora Bakoyannis said Monday the city’s $8.5 billion preparations for the Summer Olympics are on track, and he expressed confidence that security measures can deter a potential terrorist attack.
Bakoyannis spoke in Washington, D.C., while visiting with officials to discuss Athens’ ability to provide security during the Aug. 13-20 Olympics.
Greece is devoting $1.2 billion for security, four times the amount spent for the Sydney games. A seven-nation advisory group including the United States and European nations is sharing data on possible strikes, an official said.
Laci Peterson’s mother testifies at murder trial
Redwood City, Calif. Laci Peterson’s mother testified Monday that her son-in-law avoided friends and family as a search got under way for his wife the evening she was reported missing, and he didn’t answer a question about where she might be.
Scott Peterson, 31, is accused of killing his pregnant wife in their Modesto home in 2002. Prosecutors say he drove her body to San Francisco Bay and dumped it from his boat.
Evangelist Billy Graham released from hospital
Asheville, N.C. Evangelist Billy Graham was released from a hospital Monday after surgery for a broken pelvis he suffered in a fall, officials said.
Graham, 85, had been recovering at a hospital in Asheville.
Graham fell at his home last month while recovering from a partial hip replacement after he fell earlier this year in a hotel room.