'Start Here': 4 boys saved from Thailand cave as rescue races forward ahead of schedule
The dangerous rescue mission continues.
It's Monday, July 9, 2018. Here are some of the stories we're talking about on ABC News' new daily podcast, "Start Here."
1. The dangerous trip out
Four boys who were trapped inside a flooded cave in Thailand were freed this weekend with the help of experienced divers, but the rest of their soccer team and their coach remain behind.
It's a dangerous trek out of the cave and it takes nearly six hours -- the water is murky, rocks are sharp like glass, and a former Thai Navy SEAL died when he ran out of air trying to assist in the rescue process. ABC News' chief national correspondent Matt Gutman is near the cave site and he takes us through what divers and the soccer team are facing inside.
The boys who have made it out so far are now being treated at a hospital in Chiang Rai, where medical officials are examining their mental state and checking for infections, including "cave disease."
ABC News' Adrienne Bankert checks in from outside the hospital.
"Start Here" is a daily ABC News podcast hosted by Brad Mielke featuring original reporting on stories that are driving the national conversation. Listen for FREE on the ABC News app, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio -- or ask Alexa: "Play 'Start Here.'"Follow @StartHereABC on social for exclusive content, show updates and more: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
2. Decision day
Later today, President Donald Trump is expected to name perhaps the most anticipated selection of his presidency -- the selection of who he wants to nominate to replace Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court.
The president spent his weekend mulling the decision at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and ABC News’ John Santucci says not even Trump's closest advisors know whom he'll select.
3. 'Gangster-like'
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un’s top adviser in Pyongyang for two days of talks, the first high-level meeting since President Trump and Kim held their historic summit in Singapore. Discussions were tense as the U.S. has continued to push North Korea to denuclearize, but after the meeting, officials from the North accused their American counterparts of having “gangster-like” demands.
ABC News White House Correspondent Tara Palmeri is traveling with Pompeo and she tells us why the U.S. official didn’t meet with Kim this weekend.