MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - A 5-year-old Iraqi boy scarred as an infant from a roadside bombing has been formally adopted by his uncle at a special ceremony on Long Island.
The uncle, Hasan Khazaal, nursed his nephew back to life following the 2008 car bombing.
A Long Island judge sealed the adoption Wednesday.
The boy, Zeedabdeen Hadi, was gravely injured when the explosion downed a power line outside his home. It left his face badly disfigured.
Khazaal, an auto body shop worker, lives in Floral Park. He said doctors in Iraq gave the boy no hope for recovery but he persuaded doctors at an American military base to help save his life.
The boy's parents allowed Khazaal to adopt him. Hadi has had dozens of surgeries and is scheduled for another in March.
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Saturday, May 18 2013 7:07 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:07:35 GMT
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Nassau County police have identified the career criminal who allegedly shot and killed a Hofstra University student in a home invasion robbery early Friday morning.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:09:46 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million dollars for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery. The lump-sum cash value of the jackpot is an estimated $376.9 million.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:40 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:40:30 GMT
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York.
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York, according to the head of the Nassau County Off-Track Betting Corp. and a legislative bill.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:59:22 GMT
USDA photo
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island.
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island, according to state agriculture officials.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:57 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:57:44 GMT
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building.
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building. Investigators won't say was said in the message discovered over the weekend.
Sunday, May 12 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-13 00:33:35 GMT
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.
