US plans diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

22 Sept 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

The U.S. announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, citing China's "egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang."
While U.S. athletes will still compete with full support, no American diplomatic or official representation will attend, aiming to avoid legitimizing China's actions.
China immediately condemned the move as an "outright political provocation" and warned of "firm countermeasures."
The decision underscores the U.S.'s commitment to promoting human rights globally, with some lawmakers urging allies to join the boycott.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.