Setting sail

Setting sail

The twin-hull yacht Explorer, skippered by French adventurer Bruno Peyron, set sail from Yokohama port bound for San Francisco on Aug. 2 in a bid to set a world record for the fastest crossing of the Pacific by yacht. Peyron said he hopes to complete the trip in 12-14 days, beating the 16-day record set by U.S. adventurer Steve Fossett in August 1995 with a bigger and speedier boat. The Explorer, 26 meters from bow to stern, is eight meters longer than Fossett's and has a top speed of 37 knots.

India celebrates Holi with full vigor as COVID-19 pandemic on decline

STORY: India celebrates Holi with full vigor as COVID-19 pandemic on decline DATELINE: March 18, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:16 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: CULTURE/HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): DEEPAK PRAKASH, Xinhua correspondent 2. various of Holi celebrations STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): DEEPAK PRAKASH, Xinhua correspondent "Indians are celebrating Holi, the festival of colors, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the festival is celebrated on March 18, though the festivities tend to run longer in some places." The festival of colors Holi was once again here on Friday and the whole of India is immersed in the mad festive mood, as people had avoided celebrating the festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years. Over the past four days, around 2,500 new cases are registered per day as daily deaths due to the pandemic have come down to below the 100-mark. Only two days ago, the country extended the vaccination drive to children in the age group of 12-14 years. India has been on