Nation digest 11/04/05

Merck absolved in Vioxx user's heart attack

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Merck & Co. won its first court battle over its Vioxx painkiller Thursday when a New Jersey state jury found that the drugmaker properly warned consumers about the risks of the medication. The verdict absolved Merck of liability for a heart attack suffered by a Vioxx user. The verdict was Merck's first win out of two Vioxx-related trials. In August, a Texas jury found the company liable in a Vioxx user's death. Merck is appealing that ruling yet still faces about 7,000 lawsuits over Vioxx, which it voluntarily pulled off the market last year because of links to heart attacks and strokes after 18 months' use.

House bill counters eminent domain ruling

WASHINGTON -- The House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday to block the court-approved seizure of private property for use by developers. The bill, passed 376-38, would withhold federal money from state and local governments that use powers of eminent domain to force businesses and homeowners to give up their property for commercial uses. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling in June, recognized the power of local governments to seize property needed for private development projects that generate tax revenue. The bill now moves to the Senate.

Cheney aide pleads not guilty in CIA leak inquiry

WASHINGTON -- Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff pleaded not guilty to a five-count felony indictment Thursday in the CIA leak case. I. Lewis Libby appeared at his arraignment with trial lawyers Ted Wells and William Jeffress, known for their ability to win jury acquittals for high-profile clients in white-collar criminal cases. Cheney and other top White House officials could be called to testify if Libby goes to trial. He is charged with obstruction of justice, two counts of lying to the FBI and two counts of committing perjury before a federal grand jury.

Man glued to toilet, sues store for being ignored

BOULDER, Colo. -- Home Depot was sued by a shopper who claims he got stuck to a restroom toilet seat because a prankster had smeared it with glue. Bob Dougherty, 57, accused employees of ignoring his cries for help for about 15 minutes because they thought he was kidding. The lawsuit, filed Friday, said Dougherty thought he was having a heart attack when he got stuck at the Louisville store on the day before Halloween 2003. The lawsuit said store officials called for an ambulance after about 15 minutes. Paramedics unbolted the toilet seat, and as they wheeled Dougherty out of the store, he passed out. "This is not Home Depot's fault," Dougherty said. "But I am blaming them for letting me hang in there and just ignoring me."

Illinois lawmakers OK pseudoephedrine law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois lawmakers approved new restrictions Thursday on the purchase of medicines that can be used to make methamphetamine. Under the legislation, people who want to buy Sudafed or certain other cold and sinus medicines would have to show identification and sign a log. People under 18 could not buy medicine containing pseudoephedrine. The state Senate approved the bill 59-0. It now goes to the governor.

Amazon.com to allow purchases by the page

NEW YORK -- Book buyers, soon you'll be able to pay by the page. With its new Amazon Pages service, Amazon.com Inc. plans to let customers to buy portions of a book -- even just one page -- for online viewing. A second program, Amazon Upgrade, will offer full online access when a traditional text is purchased. Both services are expected to begin next year. For Amazon Pages, the cost for most books would be a few cents per page, although readers would likely be charged more for specialized reference works.

-- From wire reports