Mexican mascot for flu outbreak!

September 9th, 2009 Hijackers hold Mexican plane on runwayMEXICO CITY — Hijackers are holding a flight from Cancun to Mexico City. Mexico Communications Secretary Juan Molinar says the plane is sitting on the runway at the Mexico City international airport.

August 23rd, 2009 Mexican president congratulates NASA astronautMEXICO CITY — Mexico's president is so excited about a NASA astronaut of Mexican descent that he invited him to dinner when the astronaut returns to Earth. President Felipe Calderon told Jose Hernandez that he is "very happy that your are putting Mexico's name in space." Hernandez was born in California and is the son of Mexican migrant workers.

July 7th, 2009 The eyes have it: Busty mascot can keep her curvesREADING, Ohio — BarBe Q, the shapely mannequin outside KT's Barbecue restaurant in Reading, Ohio, can continue wearing her revealing halter top and short shorts. On May 13, the city's Design Review Board agreed to let BarBe Q remain on display outside as long as she dressed more modestly.

July 7th, 2009 Ohio restaurant won't have to dress up mascotREADING, Ohio — BarBe Q, the shapely mannequin outside KT's Barbecue restaurant in Reading, Ohio, can continue wearing her revealing halter top and short shorts. On May 13, the city's Design Review Board agreed to let BarBe Q remain on display outside as long as she dressed more modestly.

June 22nd, 2009 William & Mary mascot ideas include an asparagusWILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The College of William & Mary in Virginia is looking for a mascot and ideas have ranged from a feathered horse to an asparagus stalk.

May 12th, 2009 HAVANA - The former Cuban president Fidel Castro accused Mexico of not telling other countries earlier about the outbreak of ongoing influenza epidemic due to the visit of US President Barack Obama. 'Mexican authorities did not inform the world about the presence of the (epidemic) because they were awaiting Obama's visit.

May 7th, 2009 MEXICO CITY - The outbreak of influenza A(H1N1), which has killed 42 people and sickened 1,070 in Mexico, was not yet completely under control in the country despite a fall in the number of confirmed cases, President Felipe Calderon has said. Measures taken by health authorities have helped check the disease, the president said during a visit to the eastern state of Michoacan Wednesday.

May 6th, 2009 MEXICO CITY - Mexico has submitted a request to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) asking eight countries to explain why they were restricting access of Mexican pork products to their markets in response to the swine flu outbreak here. 'We won't allow them to impose unjustified measures on Mexican exports and we will defend the place that the quality of our products deserves in markets around the world,' Economy Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Mateos said at a press conference.

May 4th, 2009 MEXICO CITY - The Mexican government has said the swine flu outbreak has peaked in the country and is now in decline, with a confirmed human death toll of 22. Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told reporters Sunday: 'The evolution of the epidemic is now in a phase of decline.' According to the latest data, 22 people have died of swine flu and 578 people have been infected with the virus.

May 3rd, 2009 MEXICO CITY - Getting arrested is often a last hurrah for a drug lord, a time when a notorious desperado gets to sneer once more for the cameras. Everything was set for Gregorio Saucedo, alias El Caramuelas, one of the most dreaded leaders of Mexico's ruthless Gulf Cartel and fugitive from the long arm of the US Drug Enforcement Agency, to have his blaze of glory.

April 29th, 2009 Swine flu causes Mexico fan ban at soccer matchesMEXICO CITY — The Mexican Football Federation says all pro soccer games in Mexico this weekend will be played without fans in an effort to slow the spread of swine flu. The ban announced Wednesday covers 176 matches in all divisions, including nine top division matches to 115 matches in the third division.

April 28th, 2009 TORONTO - Canada, which has so far reported six cases of swine flu linked to the Mexican outbreak, Monday tightened airport screening for home-bound passengers and farm workers coming from Mexico. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the measures were needed to check the spread of the swine flu which originated in Mexico, killing 149 people so far.

April 27th, 2009 Six Flags closes indoor park facilities in MexicoNEW YORK — Six Flags Inc. confirmed Monday that it shut down indoor facilities — including restaurants and show venues — at its Mexico City theme park over the weekend at the recommendation of Mexican health officials working to contain the spread of swine flu.

April 25th, 2009 Mexico may isolate flu patients, inspect homesMEXICO CITY — The Mexican government has issued a special decree clarifying Health Department powers to isolate patients and to inspect homes, incoming travelers and baggage to curb an outbreak of swine flu. Officials say the decree gives clear legal authority to health department workers who might otherwise face lawsuits.

February 15th, 2009 MEXICO CITY - The US Coast Guard and Mexican Navy seized seven tonnes of cocaine on the high seas off Mexico's Pacific Coast, officials said Sunday. Investigators found the drugs in a fishing trawler near the coast off the southern Mexican province of Oaxaca.