The U.S. is refusing to send any officials to next year’s Winter Olympics in China. A diplomatic boycott was confirmed yesterday in protest of the country’s human rights abuses. This won’t prevent American athletes from competing. The White House says they’ll be cheered on at home. China already warned months ago it would retaliate if there was a boycott and the Foreign Ministry reportedly said today there will be a price to pay.
While Hawaii is in a state of emergency right now as pounding rain raises the risk of catastrophic flooding. The island of Oahu alone is getting up to three inches an hour but some communities could see 15 inches by later this morning. People have been warned to stay off the road unless they’re evacuating. Crews have already responded to several rescues including five children swept away by floodwaters. All escaped with minor injuries.
This is the latest news.
Here’s Mark Mayfield.