News in Photos

NASA’S Orion capsule test in preparation for trip to Mars

  NASA engineers successfully conducted the second to last splashdown tests with the Orion spacecraft on Thursday (August 25) bringing the agency one step closer to its goal of eventually carrying humans to Mars. The test, conducted at the Langley facility in Hampton, Virginia was designed to simulate one of the Orion spacecraft’s most stressful landing scenarios with crash test dummies inside, a case where one of the capsule’s three main parachutes fails to deploy. […]

Massive sandstorm engulfs parts of Qatar

By Duane Dizon and Abigail Basa Eagle News Service Qatar DOHA, Qatar (Eagle News) — Parts of Qatar have been swept by a sudden dust storm on Wednesday afternoon (August 24) causing reduced visibility and astonishment among residents. Strong winds and light rains followed the dusty conditions across the country. The Qatar Meteorology Department (MET) explained that the sudden weather disruption was caused by temporary, strong downdraft winds resulting from thunder cells in the north. […]

‘World’s largest’ pearl emerges in Philippines

  PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (AFP) —  A poor Philippine fisherman found what is thought to be the world’s largest pearl, but hid it under his bed for a decade without knowing its worth, local authorities said. The man found the 34-kilogramme (75-pound) pearl inside a giant clam that was snagged by his anchor as he waited out a storm at sea, according to local tourism department chief Cynthia Amurao, who is also his aunt. Not knowing […]