■ United States
Twins get photos taken
Formerly conjoined Egyptian twins visited face-to-face for a second time on Saturday and posed for their first individual photographs. "Surgery to separate these boys started exactly two weeks ago today," said Dr. James Thomas, chief of critical care services at Children's Medical Center Dallas. "Everyone involved is thrilled with how far the boys have come in such a short time." Mohamed and Ahmed Ibrahim were joined at the tops of their heads until being separated in a 34-hour procedure that ended Oct. 12. Saturday, they smiled at each other and clasped hands, a day after seeing each other for the first time. When time came for Mohamed to board his red wagon and leave the room, Ahmed started crying, Thomas said.
■ Jordan
Prime minister takes oath
Jordanian Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez took the oath of office on Saturday and pledged to increase democracy and work for a "moderate and tolerant" nation that would set an example to others. Al-Fayez, 51, and his 20 cabinet colleagues were sworn in during a brief ceremony in the Throne Chamber at Raghadan Palace in Amman on Saturday, according to a live broadcast on the state television. Several members of the royal family attended. King Abdullah II later issued a royal decree giving the names of the new ministers. According to the list, al-Fayez has retained nine ministers from the cabinet of former prime minister Ali Abul-Ragheb. Most significantly, al-Fayez has kept Marwan Muasher as foreign minister, indicating continuity in that sphere.
■ United States
Infants hit the fries
US infants are eating fattening foods such as french fries and drinking soft drinks instead of milk, which may help explain the country's growing obesity problem, researchers said. A survey of the eating habits of 3,000 youngsters aged four to 24 months found their diets were surprisingly similar to that of older children -- heavy on soft drinks, sweet candy, and other junk foods, and light on vegetables and fruits. "French fries are the most popular vegetable eaten by children 19 to 24 months old," researcher Dr. Kathleen Reidy said at an American Dietetic Association conference. "Twenty to 25 percent of these kids did not eat a single healthy vegetable on the day of the survey, and 25 to 30 percent did not eat a single fruit."
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