Deep Trouble: After 10 days trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand, 12 boys and their soccer coach were found alive after a search that involved professional cavers and divers. The boys range in age from 11 to 16, and their coach is 25.

To get rescuers in, crews had to use giant pumps to lower the water level in the cave before ropes and spare air tanks were placed along the route.

The group was described as being in a weakened condition and rescuers did not take them out right away. The group was going to be evaluated by a doctor. The choices are waiting for the water to subside, or teaching the 13 how to use scuba gear. Just taking one of them out underwater could take hours. In the meantime, food is being brought in. By some estimates, it could be weeks or months before the group is brought out.

On Second Thought: The personal lawyer who once said  he “would take a bullet” for Donald Trump now suggests he might cooperate with federal investigators even if it hurts the President.

Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos,  “My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will. I put family and country first.”

Asked what he would do if the President trashes and diminishes him, Cohen said, “I will not be a punching bag as part of anyone’s defense strategy. I am not a villain of this story, and I will not allow others to try to depict me that way.”

Although the FBI raided his home and office, Cohen has not been charged with anything yet. They are investigating whether he violated campaign and election laws.

Cohen declined to say anything about the $130,000 hush payment he made to porn actress Stormy Daniels on behalf of Trump. He did tell Stephanopoulos, ““I respect the prosecutors. I respect the process. I would not do or say anything that might be perceived as interfering with their professional review of the evidence and the facts.”

Dear Neighbor: President Trump in June sent stern letters to NATO allies including  Germany, Belgium, Norway, and Canada, castigating them for not spending enough on defense.  Defense spending by NATO allies has been one of Trump’s big complaints in international affairs. He says they are not living up to their agreement to spend 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense.

The letters suggest that Trump might pull back US military presence around the world if allies don’t pull more weight. He is reported to be studying a plan for a major troop withdrawal from Germany, where 35,000 Americans are stationed and have been based since world War II.

In a portions of a letter obtained by The NY Times, Trump wrote to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, “The United States continues to devote more resources to the defense of Europe when the Continent’s economy, including Germany’s, are doing well and security challenges abound. This is no longer sustainable for us.”

Environmental Pollution: Staffers for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt have told congressional investigators about their boss’s ethical transgressions, including demanding help finding a six-figure job for his wife, tending to his personal affairs, and booking first-class travel contrary to government rules.

The Washington Post reports that a staff member was enlisted to help Mrs. Pruitt get a job that paid $200,000 or more and that Pruitt demanded that his staff book high-end travel over their objections.

He still has his job.

Nation: A three-year-old girl who was among nine people stabbed during a birthday party at a Boise, Idaho apartment complex has died of her injuries. It happened during her birthday party. Timmy Kinner, 30, has been charged with murder. — In New York, new charges have been levelled against deposed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein that could send him to prison for life. The Manhattan district attorney announced that Weinstein has been indicted on charges of a criminal sexual act in the first degree against an unidentified victim and two counts of predatory sexual assault, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a max of life. He now faces charges involving three victims.

Get It, get It First: But first, get it right. Seven months after making an egregious reporting error involving President Trump and the Russia investigation, ABC  News lead investigative correspondent Brian Ross is leaving the network in the middle of his contract. He’s been with ABC for 24 years. Also leaving is his longtime producer, Rhonda Schwartz.

Ross was suspended for four months without pay after erroneously reporting that Donald Trump ordered his campaign aide Michael Flynn to make contact with the Russians during the campaign. The order actually came after the election.

Following his suspension, Ross was sent to Network Siberia until his apparent firing this week. Ross, who was paid big money, has made other serious mistakes over the years. His reputation was always a little sketchy.

Only He Can Do It: President Trump was up early claiming credit for world peace this morning. He tweeted, “Many good conversations with North Korea-it is going well! In the meantime, no Rocket Launches or Nuclear Testing in 8 months. All of Asia is thrilled. Only the Opposition Party, which includes the Fake News, is complaining. If not for me, we would now be at War with North Korea!”

As we recall, it was President Trump who threatened war with North Korea.

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