A Texas couple has given birth to quintuplets at a Phoenix hospital nationally known for its successful multiple-birth deliveries. Three girls and two boys, who are expected to debut in Houston in August, were delivered last Thursday to 33-year-old mother Ellen Howell. Doctors at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center delivered the five babies via elective caesarean section within three minutes of each other. Though they arrived nine weeks early, each weighed about two pounds and appear healthy.

Somali pirates are demanding at least $1 million for the immediate release of kidnapped German couple, their young son and a French boat captain, a Somali government official privy to the negotiations said Thursday. Somalia's minister of state for security Jama HIrsi Farah said the gunmen was asking for a $1 million ransom for the release of their hostages.

A gang of six Romanians was arrested for stealing laptops and cellular phones in a high-speed robbery on Germany's autobahn. The Associated Press said the police were tipped off about the unusual robberies from a driver who witnessed the stunt a couple of weeks ago. In a stake out, police witnessed the robberies first hand.

McDonalds has been a favorite whipping boy of health buffs and nutrition experts, with its French fries and Quarterpounders being blamed for obesity among Americans. A Virginia man, however, credits the fastfood outlet for his losing about 80 pounds. But Chris Coleson, who was 278 pounds in December, did not gorge on McDonald's fattening offers. Rather, he feasted on the hamburger chain's healthy menu such as salads, wraps and apple dippers, less the caramel sauce.

The home and auto industries are two of the hardest hit sectors in the U. S. Rising foreclosures mark the housing sector, while closing car manufacturing plants are common in the auto plant. Given the parallel routes these two industries pass through, it is not surprising to hear American couples throwing in a used car as a freebie, just to unload on the market a debt-ridden home.