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World International Affairs A widely covered news story about North Korea's alleged ongoing development of ballistic missile sites misconstrued the findings of the report it was based on, according to a leading monitor. The Stimson Center's 38 North group published a commentary Tuesday criticizing what it called a "misleading story" featured the day before in The New York Times. The newspaper cited satellite imagery analyzed by experts Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., Victor Cha and Lisa Collins to argue that North Korea was continuing its ballistic missile program by working on secret launch sites despite supreme leader Kim Jong Un's public assurances to President Donald Trump. Leon V. Sigal, director of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project at the Social Science Research Council and former Times editorial board member, argued Tuesday in a 38 North commentary that the three researchers "make no such claim." Sigal noted that the original report even … [Read more...] about North Korea May Not Be Expanding Missile Program After All, Monitor Says Media Got It Wrong

World International Affairs An illusionist in Spain had to be rescued from drowning in his own stunt after he failed to escape from a straitjacket as he was submerged within a tank of water. Footage of Pedro Volta attempting to perform the stunt in front of a large crowd, including many young children, at the Plaza del Doctor Gerada in Navacerrada, in Madrid, shows the escape artist struggling to remove the straitjacket while inside the clear water tank. Eventually, his body goes motionless, leading assistants to realize something has gone terribly wrong. In the clip, children can be heard crying as four rescuers rush in to open the tank and drag the drowning performer into the air. According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Volta was in the tank for about two minutes before he was rescued. Despite the quick response from assistants, Volta nearly died from the incident and was transferred to the Collado Villalba Hospital for treatment. “I was four minutes in cardiorespiratory … [Read more...] about Magician Rescued From Drowning in Tank After Failing to Escape from Straitjacket

Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page By Stephen Castle New York Times  November 13, 2018 LONDON — British and European Union officials reached a long-awaited draft agreement on Tuesday on Britain’s troubled withdrawal from the bloc, opening the way for a high-stakes meeting of Prime Minister Theresa May’s most senior ministers to consider the plans, the prime minister’s office said.Cabinet ministers will have a chance to review the draft text before a critical meeting of the full Cabinet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, the prime minister’s office said.After months of deadlock over the terms of Britain’s exit from the bloc, the presentation of the draft agreement is a moment of truth for May, who is desperate to avoid a chaotic and disorderly “no-deal” Brexit. But she cannot be assured of support from hard-line Brexiteers in her Cabinet, whom she may need to face … [Read more...] about Britain and EU Agree on a Plan for Brexit

Visit The Boston Globe Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Comment on this Scroll to top of page By Benjamin Din and Nick Wadhams Bloomberg News  November 13, 2018 President Trump played down concern about a new report that identified 13 undeclared North Korean missile bases, saying that the US was fully aware of them and suggesting that negotiations with the country remain on track.“We fully know about the sites being discussed, nothing new — and nothing happening out of the normal,” Trump tweeted on Tuesday. “I will be the first to let you know if things go bad!”The 13 sites are among an estimated 20 bases, small and dispersed across the country, that are believed to have underground facilities containing mobile launchers that can be quickly dispersed to other locations, according to the report from Beyond Parallel, a group at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Advertisement Although not … [Read more...] about Trump scoffs at report North Korea has undeclared nuclear sites

World International Affairs Donald Trump Special counsel Robert Mueller is asking for information about Nigel Farage, the former leader of the far-right United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), according to one of the individuals being questioned by Mueller.   Mueller’s team is currently investigating whether the Trump campaign collaborated with Russia to influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and Farage is one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters abroad. He was also one of the main voices who advocated for the U.K. to leave the European Union, and many analysts say that Russia backed Farage’s campaign for Britain to cut ties with Brussels. The U.K. is currently investigating whether Russia attempted to influence the outcome of the June 2016 referendum, in which a slim majority of British citizens voted to leave the EU. Mueller’s investigation appears to be currently focused on whether Trump's allies had ties to … [Read more...] about Robert Mueller Wants Info on Donald Trump’s British Ally, Far-right Politician Nigel Farage, Says Russia Probe Target