Mexico Shuts Down to Stem Outbreak

Officials fear paramilitary groups could undermine government

(NEWSER) - A vigilante group calling itself the "Zeta Killers" has surfaced and claimed responsibility for the slaughter of 35 drug cartel members in Veracruz last week . The group—which describes itself as "anonymous warriors" working for the good of the Mexican people—appears to be connected to a rival drug cartel, the New Generation, creating fears that Mexico's drug gangs are creating paramilitary operations that seek popular approval by confronting violence that the authorities seem helpless to fight, reports the Wall Street Journal . More»

Flights kept hush-hush because they're probably illegal

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration has begun sending high-altitude spy drones deep into Mexican territory to keep an eye on the movements of drug traffickers, the New York Times reports. The information is intended to be shared with Mexican law enforcement, and Felipe Calderón formally agreed to the flights in his March 3 meeting with President Obama, but they’ve been kept secret because of legal and political considerations in Mexico. More»

Obama reiterates that Gadhafi must step down

(NEWSER) - President Obama kept up the pressure on Moammar Gadhafi during his press conference with visiting Mexican President Felipe Calderon, reports CBS and the New York Times . Highlights:

• “The US and the entire world continues to be outraged by the appalling violence against the Libyan people. Moammar Gadhafi has lost the legitimacy to lead, and he must leave."
• He said the US is sending military planes to the border to help Egyptians fleeing the country get out, and he instructed the State Department to charter civilian aircraft for other refugees.
• He didn't rule out the idea of a no-fly zone, an idea being met with opposition from other nations, and said the Pentagon is considering a "full range of options"

It's not what you're thinking

(NEWSER) - Must've been something in the air, but dozens of people at a Playboy Mansion fundraiser earlier this month contracted a really ... nasty ... respiratory infection, and LA County public health officials are now investigating, reports the LA Times. Officials are surveying all 700 attendees of a conference called Domainfest global after reports of a rash of problems including pneumonia. More»

And now the rumors are more widespread

(NEWSER) - What a mess for Mexican President Felipe Calderón: A top female journalist in the nation says he forced her bosses to fire her because she raised allegations on radio that he's got a drinking problem, reports the Wall Street Journal . Carmen Aristegui, also an influential columnist, isn't going away quietly, nor are her many supporters. "What kind of democracy is this, that for an editorial against the president, they cut off the head of who spoke?" she declared at a news conference. More»