World digest || Chilean miners told to stay skinny

Chilean miners told to stay skinny

COPIAPO, Chile

Just 35 inches around the waist — that’s how skinny Chile’s 33 trapped miners have been told they need to be to squeeze through the escape tunnel, the health minister said Wednesday. Dr. Jaime Manalich said rescuers are applying a holistic plan to support the miners’ well-being during the months it may take to carve out the tunnel, including exercise and other activities to keep them from gaining weight. What the rescue team doesn’t want them to know is that they may be stuck below for up to four months.

Medicare drug plans

WASHINGTON

More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they’re perfectly happy with it, thanks to an attempt by the government to simplify their lives. The policy change could turn into a hassle for seniors who hadn’t intended to switch plans during Medicare’s open enrollment season this fall. A new analysis by a leading private research firm estimates that more than 3 million beneficiaries will see their current drug plan eliminated as Medicare tries to winnow down duplicative and confusing coverage.

Gunmen kill 4

MANILA, Philippines

Gunmen wearing police uniforms stopped a passenger bus in the southern Philippines early today and fatally shot four people, including two police marshals, officials said.

The attack came just three days after a disgruntled ex-policeman took hostage a busload of Hong Kong tourists in Manila, killing eight of them before he was shot dead by a police sniper.

Associated Press