Japan: Brilliant Mpemba Effect Captured in Hokkaido Amid Massive Cold Wave

As a massive cold wave hit a wide area of Japan on Friday, January 23, social media footage from Hokkaido captured a brilliant display of the Mpemba effect. The video shows boiling water being thrown into the freezing air, where it instantly transforms into a shimmering cloud of ice crystals.

Athletes attend pep rally ahead of Olympics

FUNABASHI, Japan, Jan. 19 Kyodo - Japanese athletes wave during a pep rally held in Funabashi near Tokyo on Jan. 18, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. (Kyodo)

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Inauguration of Japan's new centrist opposition party

Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Tetsuo Saito, co-leaders of Japan's new centrist opposition party, called the Centrist Reform Alliance, wave at the end of the party's inaugural convention in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 2026. Over 160 lawmakers joined the party formed following a deal between the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Komeito party ahead of a general election set for Feb. 8.

Japan: Strongest Cold Wave of Season Brings Heavy Snow to Wide Areas 2

A cold wave described as the strongest of the season has brought heavy snowfall to wide areas of Japan, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast. The snow is expected to persist through around Sunday, January 25.

Japan: Strongest Cold Wave of Season Brings Heavy Snow to Wide Areas

A cold wave described as the strongest of the season has brought heavy snowfall to wide areas of Japan, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast. The snow is expected to persist through around Sunday, January 25.

US: Hundreds Rally in Atlanta Against Trump Immigration Policies

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Hurt Park in downtown Atlanta Tuesday, January 20 to voice opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration-enforcement policies, part of a broader wave of demonstrations sparked by controversial actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Italy: Terrifying Ocean Surge Slams Coastal Road in Scilla

A video captured a terrifying moment when an ocean surge crashed onto a coastal road in the Italian town of Scilla on January 11, 2026. Two vehicles approaching a seaside tunnel were briefly stranded as a massive wave from the Tyrrhenian Sea swept across the road, flooding the lane. Both cars slowly reversed away as waves continued to pound the shoreline. No injuries were reported.

Kurds Protest Syrian Attacks - Turkey

Kurds Protest Syrian Attacks - Turkey

Protesters wave an Antifa flag during a demonstration in Diyarbakir, Turkey on January 19, 2026, against attacks by Syrian government forces. At least 500 people rallied in the Kurdish-majority southeast city, where clashes erupted as police tried to stop the demonstrators. The protest follows Syria's army taking control of parts of northern regions, dislodging Kurdish forces from territory after over a decade of effective autonomy. Photo by Bilal Seckin/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

A wave breaks on a seawall. Illustration of Rouet Beach. France, Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhone, January 18, 2026. Photo by Thibaut Durand /ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

A man surfs a wave. Illustration of Rouet Beach. France, Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhone, January 18, 2026. Photo by Thibaut Durand /ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

A man surfs a wave. France, Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhone, January 18, 2026. Photo by Thibaut Durand /ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

A man surfs a wave. France, Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhone, January 18, 2026. Photo by Thibaut Durand /ABACAPRESS.COM

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

Illustration - Surf in Carry-Le-Rouet - France

A man surfs a wave. Illustration of Rouet Beach. France, Carry-le-Rouet, Bouches-du-Rhone, January 18, 2026. Photo by Thibaut Durand /ABACAPRESS.COM

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

16.01.2026, Tallinn. Estonia's Iranian community held a demonstration in support of people taking part in a wave of deadly protests across Iran and to call on the international community to take action. Photo Mihkel Maripuu, Postimees

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

16.01.2026, Tallinn. Estonia's Iranian community held a demonstration in support of people taking part in a wave of deadly protests across Iran and to call on the international community to take action. Photo Mihkel Maripuu, Postimees

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

16.01.2026, Tallinn. Estonia's Iranian community held a demonstration in support of people taking part in a wave of deadly protests across Iran and to call on the international community to take action. Photo Mihkel Maripuu, Postimees

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

16.01.2026, Tallinn. Estonia's Iranian community held a demonstration in support of people taking part in a wave of deadly protests across Iran and to call on the international community to take action. Photo Mihkel Maripuu, Postimees

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

16.01.2026, Tallinn. Estonia's Iranian community held a demonstration in support of people taking part in a wave of deadly protests across Iran and to call on the international community to take action. Photo Mihkel Maripuu, Postimees

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

16.01.2026, Tallinn. Estonia's Iranian community held a demonstration in support of people taking part in a wave of deadly protests across Iran and to call on the international community to take action. Photo Mihkel Maripuu, Postimees

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

Iranians in Estonia rally outside the US. Embassy in Tallinn

16.01.2026, Tallinn. Estonia's Iranian community held a demonstration in support of people taking part in a wave of deadly protests across Iran and to call on the international community to take action. Photo Mihkel Maripuu, Postimees

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

An inmate watches a riot at the Men's Detention Center Fraijanes II, Fraijanes Municipality, Guatemala, January 17, 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday. The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers. Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported. Photo by Str/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

An inmate watches a riot at the Men's Detention Center Fraijanes II, Fraijanes Municipality, Guatemala, January 17, 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday. The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers. Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported. Photo by Str/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

An inmate watches a riot at the Men's Detention Center Fraijanes II, Fraijanes Municipality, Guatemala, January 17, 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday. The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers. Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported. Photo by Str/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

People watch a riot at the Men's Detention Center Fraijanes II, Fraijanes Municipality, Guatemala, January 17, 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday. The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers. Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported. Photo by Str/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

Police officers guard at the gate of the Men's Detention Center Fraijanes II, Fraijanes Municipality, Guatemala, January 18, 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday. The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers. Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported. Photo by Str/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

State of Siege Declared After Gang Killings of Eight Police Officers - Guatemala

Inmates watch a riot at the Men's Detention Center Fraijanes II, Fraijanes Municipality, Guatemala, January 17, 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday. The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers. Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported. Photo by Str/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers are clearing the snow covering the corn in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers are clearing the snow covering the corn in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers are clearing the snow covering the corn in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers clearing snow from agricultural greenhouses in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers clearing snow from agricultural greenhouses in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers are clearing the snow covering the corn in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers clearing snow from agricultural greenhouses in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers clearing snow from agricultural greenhouses in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

Agriculture Under Cold Wave

BINZHOU, CHINA - JANUARY 18, 2026 - Farmers clearing snow from agricultural greenhouses in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China on January 18, 2026.

Athletes attend pep rally ahead of Olympics

Athletes attend pep rally ahead of Olympics

Japanese athletes wave during a pep rally held in Funabashi near Tokyo on Jan. 18, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Athletes attend pep rally ahead of Olympics

Athletes attend pep rally ahead of Olympics

Japanese athletes wave during a pep rally held in Funabashi near Tokyo on Jan. 18, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Athletes attend pep rally ahead of Olympics

Athletes attend pep rally ahead of Olympics

Japanese athletes wave during a pep rally held in Funabashi near Tokyo on Jan. 18, 2026, ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

File French Astronaut Claudie Haignere

File French Astronaut Claudie Haignere

Handout photo shows ISS003-E-7251 (23-31 October 2001) --- The Soyuz Taxi crewmembers wave from a Soyuz spacecraft docked to the International Space Station (ISS). Clockwise from the top are Commander Victor Afanasyev, Flight Engineer Konstantin Kozeev and French Flight Engineer Claudie Haignere. Afanasyev and Kozeev represent Rosaviakosmos, and Haignere represents ESA, carrying out a flight program for CNES, the French Space Agency, under a commercial contract with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency. This image was taken with a digital still camera by one of the Expedition Three crew from the nadir docking port on the station. Photo by Johnson Space Center/NASA via ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Civilians Flee Aleppo Amid Kurdish-Government Clashes - Syria

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in the city of Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) forces. Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighbourhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on December 8, as it prepared to conduct a fresh wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions. Thousands have already fled the area following clashes between the army and Kurdish-led forces that have killed more than a dozen people. Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM