Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

A craftsman demonstrates pottery making for Pongal Festival activities during a media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

People paint on traditional clay pots used for Pongal Festival activities during a media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Performers dance during the media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

A woman shows a traditional clay pot used for Pongal Festival activities during a media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, accompanied by her daughter Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, visits Wadi Rum, where they met with local tour operators and explored a range of experiences the site offers visitors from Jordan and around the world, on January 7th, 2026, in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The site, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and protected area located in southern Jordan. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, accompanied by her daughter Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, visits Wadi Rum, where they met with local tour operators and explored a range of experiences the site offers visitors from Jordan and around the world, on January 7th, 2026, in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The site, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and protected area located in southern Jordan. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, accompanied by her daughter Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, visits Wadi Rum, where they met with local tour operators and explored a range of experiences the site offers visitors from Jordan and around the world, on January 7th, 2026, in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The site, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and protected area located in southern Jordan. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, accompanied by her daughter Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, visits Wadi Rum, where they met with local tour operators and explored a range of experiences the site offers visitors from Jordan and around the world, on January 7th, 2026, in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The site, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and protected area located in southern Jordan. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, accompanied by her daughter Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, visits Wadi Rum, where they met with local tour operators and explored a range of experiences the site offers visitors from Jordan and around the world, on January 7th, 2026, in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The site, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and protected area located in southern Jordan. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, accompanied by her daughter Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, visits Wadi Rum, where they met with local tour operators and explored a range of experiences the site offers visitors from Jordan and around the world, on January 7th, 2026, in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The site, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and protected area located in southern Jordan. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania of Jordan Tours Wadi Rum - Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, accompanied by her daughter Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, visits Wadi Rum, where they met with local tour operators and explored a range of experiences the site offers visitors from Jordan and around the world, on January 7th, 2026, in Wadi Rum, Jordan. The site, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and protected area located in southern Jordan. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Western Xia Mausoleum Landscape

Aerial view of the World Heritage Site - Western Xia Mausoleum landscape in Yinchuan City, Ningxia Province, China on January 6, 2026.

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 3, 2026, shows the World heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine dusted with snow (front) in Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan.

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on Jan. 3, 2026, shows the World heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine dusted with snow in Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan.

Peru: Train Crash Leaves Passengers Stranded at Aguas Calientes Station

On Tuesday, December 30, two trains collided head-on on a single-track route leading to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu in Peru. One train driver was killed and at least 36–40 people were injured. The crash occurred between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes stations, leaving many tourists stranded. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, and the injured were taken to hospitals in Cusco and nearby areas. This video shows chaotic scenes at Machu Picchu Station as tourists were left stranded.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Paper Cuttings

Paper Cuttings

ENSHI, CHINA - DECEMBER 30, 2025 - Primary school teachers and students learn intangible cultural heritage Paper Cuttings to welcome the arrival of 2026 in Enshi City, Hubei Province, China on December 30, 2025.

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

The conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, which is one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, were photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

An environmental activist from the Sustainable Forest Advocacy Institute (Lembahtari), Sayed Zainal walks beside piles of plastic waste from various global product brands that support deforestation, and logs carried by flash floods caused by Tropical Cyclone Senyar in the Leuser Ecosystem area at coordinates 4°16'26.26"N 97°48'47.74" E (UNESCO heritage site) on Sumatra Island, Indonesia on December 29, 2025. Sayed Zainal said that this real condition is evidence of large companies that still fail to fulfil their promises to stop deforestation in their supply chains. This deforestation is generally triggered by the production of major commodities such as palm oil, beef, soy, wood, pulp & paper, coffee, and cocoa, among the list of global brands and companies that are in the spotlight because they are considered to hurt forests, namely Mondelēz, Nissin Foods, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ferrero, Salim Group, Palm Oil and Pulp & Paper Sector, Sinar Mas Group (APP), RGE Group, and Wilmar International. Photo by Adity

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

An environmental activist from the Sustainable Forest Advocacy Institute (Lembahtari), Sayed Zainal walks beside piles of plastic waste from various global product brands that support deforestation, and logs carried by flash floods caused by Tropical Cyclone Senyar in the Leuser Ecosystem area at coordinates 4°16'26.26"N 97°48'47.74" E (UNESCO heritage site) on Sumatra Island, Indonesia on December 29, 2025. Sayed Zainal said that this real condition is evidence of large companies that still fail to fulfil their promises to stop deforestation in their supply chains. This deforestation is generally triggered by the production of major commodities such as palm oil, beef, soy, wood, pulp & paper, coffee, and cocoa, among the list of global brands and companies that are in the spotlight because they are considered to hurt forests, namely Mondelēz, Nissin Foods, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ferrero, Salim Group, Palm Oil and Pulp & Paper Sector, Sinar Mas Group (APP), RGE Group, and Wilmar International. Photo by Adity

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

The conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, which is one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, were photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

An environmental activist from the Sustainable Forest Advocacy Institute (Lembahtari), Sayed Zainal walks beside piles of plastic waste from various global product brands that support deforestation, and logs carried by flash floods caused by Tropical Cyclone Senyar in the Leuser Ecosystem area at coordinates 4°16'26.26"N 97°48'47.74" E (UNESCO heritage site) on Sumatra Island, Indonesia on December 29, 2025. Sayed Zainal said that this real condition is evidence of large companies that still fail to fulfil their promises to stop deforestation in their supply chains. This deforestation is generally triggered by the production of major commodities such as palm oil, beef, soy, wood, pulp & paper, coffee, and cocoa, among the list of global brands and companies that are in the spotlight because they are considered to hurt forests, namely Mondelēz, Nissin Foods, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ferrero, Salim Group, Palm Oil and Pulp & Paper Sector, Sinar Mas Group (APP), RGE Group, and Wilmar International. Photo by Adity

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

The conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

An environmental activist, Sayed Zaenal, witnessed the conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

The conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

The conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

An environmental activist, Sayed Zainal, witnessed the conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

The conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

The conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

Leuser's Grief Under Tropical Cyclone Senyar - Indonesia

An environmental activist, Sayed Zainal, witnessed the conditions of the Leuser Ecosystem, located at the coordinates 4°16'26.26" N and 97°48'47.74" E, are one of the UNESCO heritage sites, after being affected by flash floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Senyar on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, photographed on December 29, 2025. Photo by Aditya Sutanta/ABACAPRESS.COM