hSmallest baby released

hSmallest baby released
MAYWOOD, Ill. -- A baby born weighing less than a soda can and believed to be the smallest ever to survive went home Tuesday after nearly six months in the hospital. The prognosis for Rumaisa Rahman, above, "is very good," and she is expected to have normal physical and mental development, said Dr. Jonathan Muraskas, who provided care for the tiny girl and her larger twin sister, Hiba, after their births Sept. 19 at Loyola University Medical Center outside Chicago. Rumaisa weighed 8.6 ounces at birth and measured just 91/2 inches long. She is now 5 pounds, 8 ounces, and almost 17 inches long. She still requires around-the-clock oxygen -- common for premature babies with underdeveloped lungs -- but will be gradually weaned from the oxygen tank, said Loyola spokesman Stephen Davidow. Davidow said the parents, Mahajabeen Shaik and Mohammed Rahman of Hanover Park, wanted a low-key departure Tuesday for Rumaisa rather the media fanfare of when they introduced the babies to the world in December.
Wearing your pants lowin Va. can lead to a fine
RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt. The state's House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner." The bill's sponsor, Del. Algie T. Howell, has said constituents were offended by the exposed underwear.
Ex-street thug testifiesabout Blake conversation
LOS ANGELES -- A former street thug who became a minister and actor testified Tuesday in Robert Blake's murder trial that the actor complained to him about a woman who had become pregnant and offered him a blank check, which the witness thought was a solicitation to "whack somebody." Frank Minucci, who calls himself Brother Frank and wears a clerical collar, did not say that Blake actually asked him to commit a murder, but quoted him as saying in an angry phone call: "I'll kill her and I'll kill the kid." The New Jersey man, who never met Blake in person and only knew him through telephone calls, said Blake made that remark before he knew the baby was his.
Teacher faces sex charge
McMINNVILLE, Tenn. -- An elementary school teacher has been charged with having sex with one of her pupils, a 13-year-old boy, at his home and at school, authorities said Tuesday. Pamela Turner, 27, was charged Monday with 15 counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and 13 counts of statutory rape for acts between November and January. Turner, who teaches physical education at Centertown Elementary, lived at the boy's house "for a brief period of time when she was moving from residence to residence," Warren County prosecutor Dale Potter said. The boy's parents did not know anything about the relationship, he said.
Jewel heist suspectcharged with murder
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- An ex-convict suspected in a string of jewel heists that left three people dead in two states was charged Tuesday with murder. Christopher DiMeo, 23, is accused of killing a husband and wife during a robbery in Fairfield last Wednesday. His girlfriend, 23-year-old Nicole Pearce, also faces charges of felony murder and conspiracy to commit robbery. The girlfriend has already been charged with murder and burglary in a Dec. 21 heist in Glen Head, N.Y., in which a jeweler was shot to death. Authorities said DiMeo will be charged with murder in that case as well. Both suspects were sent Tuesday to New York from New Jersey, where they were arrested Friday.
Earthquake rocks Vanuatu
CANBERRA, Australia -- A powerful earthquake rocked the Pacific seabed near Vanuatu island early today, geologists said. A tsunami warning was issued, but no large waves were immediately detected. The 6.7-magnitude quake occurred at 1:48 a.m. about 250 miles northwest of the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila, according to the Web site of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Associated Press
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