Manitoba’s public health officer says while no cases of the potentially fatal swine flu have surfaced, they are monitoring the situation closely. Dr. Joel Kettner says officials are working to identify any cases of severe respiratory illness associated with travel in Mexico or the U.S. So far, more than 100 people have died in Mexico, since the outbreak of the virus.
Meantime, the death toll in Mexico is rising. Officials reported last night that the number of cases there has climbed to just over 1600. The country continues to hand out millions of surgical style masks, and has essentially shut down its capital city in hopes of containing the deadly outbreak.
The hunt is on for 7 suspects believed to be responsible for a number of fires this weekend. Cops say the arsonists, at least 3 of which are believed to be teens, are responsible for torching a vacant house, a garage and a garbage bin. The fires caused thousands of dollars in damage.
There are more problems resulting from the recent heavy flooding in Manitoba. Preliminary tests show that the Portage diversion, which has been in use for a month to avoid flooding on the Assiniboine river, is now dumping algae causing phosphorus into Lake Manitoba. However the province says the lake’s water quality is still good….but they will continue to run a series of tests.
General Motors has decided to kill the Pontiac brand as it plans to announce the end of more factories and jobs, as part of a massive restructuring plan. G.M. execs, will announce the news this morning, as the automaker makes an offer to its bondholders to swap debt for company stock.
People magazine may have twice named him the “Sexiest Man Alive,” but even Brad Pitt can look a little goofy in his blue “Maid of the Mist” poncho. The superstar actor was in Niagara Falls this weekend, taking in the sights of the world famous falls. Pitt’s partner, Angelina Jolie was just down the road in Albany, New York. She’s filming a new movie called “Salt.”
There’s a new flick at the top of the weekend box office. The fatal attraction type thriller, “Obsessed” staring singer Beyonce, was the weekend’s top draw in Canadian and American theatres, taking in 28 million in its debut. Way back in second and third place was “17 again” and “Fighting.”
