US: Meteor Spotted in Allegheny County, Western Pennsylvania

A suspected meteorite landed near Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday morning, March 17, after a bright fireball was reported across multiple states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan — and as far as Virginia and Canada. NASA and the National Weather Service confirmed the event, describing the space rock as weighing about 7 tons and traveling at nearly 45,000 mph. The impact released energy equivalent to 250 tons of TNT, rattling windows and triggering hundreds of emergency calls from alarmed residents.

China: Wild Giant Panda Stuns Tourists After Walking in Front of Sightseeing Bus

A group of Chinese tourists screamed with excitement after unexpectedly spotting a wild giant panda while riding a sightseeing bus. Filmed on February 24, 2026, in Ya’an, Sichuan, the video shows a rare close encounter at the Labagou scenic area on Erlang Mountain in Tianquan County. As the bus traveled along a mountain road, the panda appeared by the roadside and calmly walked along the forested slope. Passengers quickly noticed it and reacted with joy and disbelief. The panda briefly paused near the road before disappearing into the trees. The driver, Wang Wenbo, said he had been working at the scenic area for just over 20 days and was surprised to witness such a close sighting. The clip ends as the panda fades into the dense woodland and the bus continues on its way.

US: Gas Line Explosion Reported Near Willow River in Minnesota, Forcing Evacuations

A large gas line explosion was reported on Friday, January 16, near Willow River in Pine County, Minnesota, forcing nearby residents to evacuate. Minnesota Energy Resources said customers in the area could be without natural gas for days, though authorities reported no injuries and suspect no criminal activity at this time.

US: Gas Line Explosion Reported Near Willow River in Minnesota, Forcing Evacuations 2

A large gas line explosion was reported on Friday, January 16, near Willow River in Pine County, Minnesota, forcing nearby residents to evacuate. Minnesota Energy Resources said customers in the area could be without natural gas for days, though authorities reported no injuries and suspect no criminal activity at this time.

US: Mid-Missouri Hit by Severe Storms and Possible Tornado, Thousands Lose Power

Severe storms swept through mid-Missouri on Sunday, April 20, prompting tornado warnings and causing widespread damage. A possible tornado in Callaway County injured one person in New Bloomfield. Thousands of customers experienced power outages.

CHINA-SICHUAN-TIANQUAN-STURGEON BREEDING (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-TIANQUAN-STURGEON BREEDING (CN)

(240306) -- CHENGDU, March 6, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Luo Wei (2nd R), associate technician of a local sturgeon breeding base, checks the growth of sturgeon with colleagues in Tianquan County of Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 20, 2024. TO GO WITH "Economic Watch: High-end Western fine dining finds ingredients in rural China" (Xinhua/Li Like)

CHINA-SICHUAN-TIANQUAN-STURGEON BREEDING (CN)

CHINA-SICHUAN-TIANQUAN-STURGEON BREEDING (CN)

(240306) -- CHENGDU, March 6, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 20, 2024 shows a local sturgeon breeding base built by Sichuan Runzhao Fishery Co., Ltd. in Tianquan County of Ya'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. TO GO WITH "Economic Watch: High-end Western fine dining finds ingredients in rural China" (Xinhua/Li Like)

Xinhua Headlines: From teahouses to Great Hall: How democracy works in China

Xinhua Headlines: From teahouses to Great Hall: How democracy works in China

(220308) -- BEIJING, March 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Li Chaolan, 106, casts her ballot in Xinhua Township of Tianquan County, Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 15, 2021. (Xinhua)