12 Facts About the Swine Influenza Virus

On April 25, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that an outbreak of Swine Influenza in Mexico and the United States could become a pandemic. There are reports that the outbreak may be labeled an event of "global concern" by WHO, which could prompt travel restrictions to and from affected area.

Twelve Facts about Swine Influenza

1. Caught through direct contact with pigs.

2. Can also be transmitted be spread from human to human.

3. Cannot be contracted by eating pork products.

4. Usually, one human case reported in U.S. every 1 to 2 years.

5. New strain reported in 2009.

6. Symptoms of new strain are similar to those of regular flu.

7. New strain more resistant to anti-viral medicines.

8. Over 100 new cases reported in April 2009.

9. Cases reported in Mexico, California and Texas.

10. Reported death toll as of April 24, 2009: 68.

11. None of the Americans affected in 2009 had had direct contact with pigs.

12. 250 cases reported in 1976 outbreak.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the outbreak cannot be contained and reported eight confirmed cases in California and Texas.

Video on Mexico Flu Deaths Raise Global Epidemic Fears




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19 Facts About Phil Markoff : aka Craigslist Killer

Philip H. Markoff, a 22-year-old medical student at Boston University, was arrested as the so-called Craigslist Killer, charged with a string of crimes against women who had advertised private services on Craigslist in April of 2009.

Nineteen Facts About Phil Markoff:

1. Full name: Philip H. Markoff.

2. Fiancee: Megan McAllister.

3. 22-years-old upon arrest.

4. Enrolled as medical student at Boston University.

5. Graduate of University at Albany.

6. Engaged to marry Megan McAllister, whom he met at Albany.

7. Originally from upstate New York.

8. Arrested April 20, 2009.

9. Charged with murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

10. Pulled over on Interstate 95, south of Boston.

11. Arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on April 21, 2009.

12. Lives in sea-side Boston suburb of Quincy.

13. Rents an apartment in Quincy's 800-unit High Point apartment complex.

14. Had been under surveillance days before arrest.

15. Charged with murder of Julissa Brisman, found dead April 13 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.

16. Brisman had posted an ad offering massage services on Craigslist.

17. Also charged with robbing two other women he met through Craigslist, one of which was Trisha Leffler.

18. Suspect tried to bind the hands of the women with plastic cords.

19. Police believe Markoff may have other victims.

On April 23, it was announced that Markoff's fingerprints had been found at the murder scene of 26-year-old Julissa Brisman. The prints were taken from the surface of plastic zip ties and duct tape that Markoff allegedly used to restrain the victim.

'Craigslist Killer' Video



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10 Facts About Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek is a Mexican-born actress and producer who has appeared in a number of films for director Robert Rodriguez and currently produces the TV series Ugly Betty.

10 Facts About Salma Hayek

1. Full name: Salma Valgarma Hayek Jimenez.

2. Born: September 2, 1966.

3. Birthplace: Coastzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico.

4. Made acting debut in 1989 on the Mexican TV show Nuevo Amancer.

5. Daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, was born in September of 2007.

6. Nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of artist Frida Kahlo in the 2002 movie Frida.

7. Appears as Sofia Reyes on Ugly Betty.

8. Dated Edward Norton and Josh Lucas.

9. Spokesperson/model for Revlon and Avon cosmetics.

10. Married Francois-Henri Pinault on Valentine's Day in 2009.

People Magazine reported that Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault married on February 14, 2009, in Paris. Hayek and Pinault will reportedly have a second ceremony in Venice on April 25, 2009, at the Palazzo Grassi where the couple first met.

Salma Hayek on Ugly Betty Video



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8 Facts about Earth Day

Earth Day is a global celebration held annually on April 22. The observance was conceived by former Senator Gaylord Nelson. Nelson's Earth Day is celebrated by over one billion people around the globe, making it the largest secular holiday in the world.

8 Facts about Earth Day

1.First Earth Day celebrated April 22, 1970.

2. Founder: Gaylord Nelson.

3. Considered the birth of the environmentalism movement.

4. Celebrated in 174 countries.

5. Earth Week, an extension of Earth Day, begins April 16th.

6. Seeks to recognize and educate about environmental issues.

7. Major Environmental Issues: Global Warming, Climate Change, Peak Oil, Global Ice Loss, Alternative Energy and Recycling.

8. The date is on or near the birthdays of several environmental spokespersons which included Eddie Albert, John Muir and Julius Sterling Morton.


Earth Day Tribute Video



HAPPY EARTH DAY 2009 EVERYONE!!!

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14 Quik Facts about Google

Google is the world's dominant online search engine, but also offers email, online word processing, and other services.

Google Quik Facts
1. Stock Symbol: GOOG (NASDAQ)
2. Annual revenue (2007): $16.594 billion (United States)
3. Founders: Sergey Brin and Larry Page
4. Year established: 1998
5. Phone: (650) 330-0100
6. Fax: (650) 618-1499
7. HQ: Mountain View, California
8. CEO: Eric E. Schmidt
9. CFO: George Reyes
10. Staff: 19,156
11. Products: Desktop, Mobile, Web and Hardware Computer products
12. Google named in a 2009 Time Magazine article as one of ten U.S. companies not likely to experience layoffs
13. On February 4, 2009, Google introduced Google Latitude, an add-on feature to Google Maps that uses GPS tracking to allow users to see where their contacts are on a map via a smartphone
14. On February 24, 2009, Google launched a new tool bar for Internet Explorer that allows the user to search without opening the browser.

Video: An Inside Look at Google (Time: 7:21)


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10 Quik Facts About Tax Day - April 15

Each year on April 15th millions of Americans flock to the post office to file their income tax returns at the last minute.

Many post offices extend their hours until midnight to offer their patrons the required date as long as the day lasts. Some even provide refreshments as taxpayers line up outside their doors.

10 Quik Facts About Tax Day

1. Date: April 15th unless it falls on a weekend
2. Began with the passing of the 16th Amendment
3. First proposal for American Income tax denied in 1812
4. A 3% income tax on all income over $600 passed 1861
5. The 3% tax was later declared unconstitutional
6. Original due date: March 1st
7. Date moved back to allow the IRS more time to hold onto refunds and to give IRS employees a break
8. Sometimes falls on Patriot's Day
9. Tax extension does not exempt you from paying any due taxes by April 15th
10. If unable to pay due taxes by April 15th, a payment plan may be available

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13 Quik Facts About Harry Kalas

Harry Kalas was a sports announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies and narrator for NFL Films. Kalas was known for his "Outta here!" home run call. He received the 2002 Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of fame.

On April 13, 2009, the Phillies President David Montgomery reported that Kalas died at the age of 73.

13 Quik Facts About Harry Kalas

1. Born March 26, 1936
2. Died on April 13, 2009
3. Found unconscious in a broadcast booth on the day he died
4. Full Name: Harry Norbert Kalas
5. Nickname(s): Harry the K, The Voice of Philadelphia
6. Spouse: Eileen Kalas
7. Three sons, Todd, Brad and Kane
8. Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
9. Graduated from University of Iowa in 1959 with a BA degree in speech, radio and television
10. Favorite expression: "That ball's outta here!"
11. Joined the Phillies in 1971
12. Original member of the Houston Astros radio broadcast team
13. Did voice overs for NFL films and commercials
14. Was awarded with the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award in 2002
15. Named as the Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year 17 times
16. Called over 5,000 Phillies games during his career
17. Worked with Richie Ashburn "Whitey" for 27 years; Ashurn died in 1997

KYW TV-3 Philadelphia with Harry Kalas (Time: 2:48)



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