AP PHOTOS: Athletes, fans go to great lengths to stay warm

By The Associated Press
February 11, 2018 | 7:05 AM

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) — Bitter temperatures and biting winds haunted athletes and fans alike during the second day of competition at the Pyeongcheng Olympics on Saturday.

Gusts up to 72 kph (50 mph) forced the men’s downhill race to be postponed. Racers risk being blown off a safe racing line on a course where they hit speeds of about 125 kph (75 mph).

But other events went on as scheduled.

Athletes donned the usual helmets, glasses and heavy gloves to protect themselves. Some added an unusual element — tape across their faces.

Fans bundled up with scarfs, hats and mufflers, but sometimes to no avail.

“It is Koreeezing here!!!,” read one fan’s sign. “(Be glad you’re warm at home).”

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China abruptly postpones ambitious Chang’e-7 lunar mission launch

By The Associated Press
August 23, 2026 | 1:30 PM

HAIKOU, China (AP) — China said on Sunday it was postponing its planned ambitious Chang’e-7 lunar mission, which was set to carry out explorations including searching for water ice on the moon. The Chang’e-7 spacecraft was originally set to lift off in the coming days from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on China’s southern Hainan island. The mission does not meet the launch conditions, said the China Manned Space Agency in a brief statement, and “cannot take place during the planned window this year.” The decision was made following a “comprehensive assessment,” the agency added, and was based on the principles of “prudence, reliability and absolute mission success.” It did not further elaborate on the reasons behind the decision.

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