Headlines for Monday, August 30, 2010

Chilean miners hope for faster rescue plan, NASA sends team to help
33 men trapped almost half a mile underground in a Chilean gold and copper mine may be rescued sooner than expected if a new rapid drilling proposal is approved.  Drilling started yesterday on an escape shaft – but that approach could take until late December to complete. The new plan would expand the borehole through which supplies are being dropped down to the miners and could be complete in about half the time. NASA is sending a team to Chile today to share what they’ve learned about coping in isolated environments. NASA’s deputy chief medical officer - Michael Duncan:

“Our plan is to go down and provide the advice the Chileans have requested in the areas of nutritional support and behavioral health support.”

The men briefly spoke to their families yesterday. According to the former chief of Chile mining regulator, the San Jose mine was closed in 2007 after 16 miners died as a result of safety violations – and never should have been reopened.

Aid worker held captive for 100 days in Darfur freed
A humanitarian worker held captive for more than three month’s in Darfur is free today. Flavia Wagner works for Samaritan's Purse. According to their website – the aid agency is a “nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.” The group says they have delivered more than 80 million dollars in aid to Sudan over the past 10 years. Wagner was in good condition when she was recued by local authorities.

Report: UN panel on climate change generally a success but leadership changes recommended
A high-level commission released its assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change today. The report recommends fundamental changes to the leadership structure of the global scientific body, while praising the overall performance of the IPCC as a success. Jenny Johnson reports.

The Inter-Academy's review of the processes and procedures of the IPCC came in response to a flurry of public criticism of climate science over the past year. Some minor errors in the panel's latest report were seen as eroding its credibility. The United Nations responded by setting up the independent review. One of the main reforms the final report recommends is for a complete change of leadership at the top of the IPCC after each five-year review. This could potentially eliminate Rajendra Pachauri's long-held position as Chair. Pachauri said in a press conference in New York City that he has already been elected to carry through with the fifth assessment report set for completion in 2013. But he said he will listen to the decision of the full IPCC on the issue.

“I think the report has to be processed. There are recommendations which have been made, which we welcome greatly, but these will be debated by all the governments of the world.”

The commission suggested that the climate change panel be more willing to consider disparate views and to reveal potential conflicts of interest. The recommendations will be on the agenda at the IPCC's next meeting in Korea in October. Jenny Johnson, FSRN.

Neo-Nazi mob attacks Russian concert crowd
As many as 100 skinheads attack a crowd of 3000 concertgoers in Russia over the weekend.  Wielding clubs and sticks – the far-right wing, racist mob injured dozens of people. Some reports say one teenaged girl was killed.  Neo-nazi attacks on people of color are not uncommon in Russia. Ultra-nationalists and Neo-Nazi groups grew dramatically after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Possible arson at construction site of new Tennessee Islamic Center
In Murfreesboro, Tennessee FBI investigators are looking at evidence from a fire at the site of a proposed Islamic Center. Heavy construction equipment was set blaze at the 15 acre site of a facility designed to serve 250 families. While the site has been vandalized twice before, a spokesperson for the Islamic Center said they have not received any threats.

Somali President asks for international help combating Al-Qaeda/Al Shabab alliance
Somalia's President called for international help today after eight days of fighting in Mogadishu between government troops and extremist militias. President Sharif Ahmed said Somalia, even backed by African Union forces, e cannot contain the Al-Qaeda -Al Shabab alliance and asked for international help. The US has pledged support – but not in the form of either money or troops.

Nearly 150 people, mostly civilians, have died in just over a week. Hundreds of civilians have fled their homes. Al-Shabaab has vowed to redouble their attacks against the government during Ramadan -- the Holy month for Muslims. Ali Sheikh Moallim, is an elder in Mogadishu:

“We are appealing to the warring sides to stop fighting and shelling mortars in civilian areas. This war causes displacement and death for   civilians.  Please respect the holy month of Ramadan.

The fighting has also affected the largest market in Somalia -- known as Bakaro. The market is closed today -- for the sixth day, in a row.  The report was prepared by East African correspondent, Abdulkarim Jimale.