Two pandas are heading back to their homeland, China, as of today. Since the panda is China's national symbol, all pandas located outside that country are really on "loan."

The Atomic Testing Museum of Las Vegas, Nevada, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. The museum has just received two artifacts from the World Trade Center for permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution affiliate.

One of the most prominent and historical churches in Yerevan, Armenia uses solar panels on the top of its roof to promote renewable energy and green lifestyle.

The world's worst weather has been challenged by Australian Tropical Cyclone Olivia. Mount Washington's record wind speed of 231 mph, set in 1934, was blown away at 253 mph in 1996 on Barrow Island in Australia. The 62 year old record will be difficult to part with for the weather station, considering it took 14 years for the announcement to be made.

Penguins are cute, flightless birds that look like they're wearing tuxedos. I'm sure you need no introduction to them, but if you, today is National Penguin Awareness Day.

The Doomsday Clock is now officially six minutes away from midnight after scientists turned the clock back one minute on Thursday in New York. Midnight on the Doomsday Clock represents "catastrophic destruction", so a reprieve was given today with scientists from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) citing a more "hopeful state of world affairs" in relation to the twin threats posed by nuclear weapons and climate change.

It is troubling enough when one realized just how many near-earth objects (NEOs) there are. It's still more troubling when one knows that 2010 AL30 is about to pass within a uncomfortably close distance: 80,000 miles or 1/3 the distance to Earth. It's worse when scientists call it a "mystery object."

There is a lot of talk on the Internet about the Doomsday Clock today. It sounds like something that might be a bit of a hoax, but there really is a Doomsday Clock. Maintained since 1947 by the board of directors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS) at the University of Chicago, the clock face is actually quite symbolic.

Minneapolis filmmaker Doug Hajicek has set up a bear cam, broadcasting at www.wildearth.tv. What's most interesting is that the bear in question appears pregnant and may give birth to cubs in mid-January.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)reported a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck off of California's northern coast at approximately 4:30 pm PT on Saturday about 25 miles from Eureka. There were no reports of major damage or injuries but some residents of nearby Ferndale, California reported downed phone lines and broken windows. There were reports of gas leaks and items falling but no reports of building collapses.

Snow rarely occurs in the state of Florida but it's been big news this weekend as snow fell in parts of the sunshine state as a result of record low temperatures. The snow fell early in the morning but quickly gave way to icy rain and chilly winds. The Ocala National Forest is reported to have the most snow with reports of snow as low as in the 20's throughout Friday night.