EARNEST PRAYER: Buddhist monks offer prayers during ceremonies in Phuket, Thailand, to remember those killed in the 2004 tsunami. Photo: AP
IN WITH THE NEW: People walk under decorations for New Year through the alley leading to Asakusa Sensoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Photo: AP
QUICKEST TRAIN TRIP: High-speed trains are seen at the Wuhan Railway Station in central China. The Wuhan-Guangzhou railway, China's longest high-speed railway and one of the world's fastest with an average speed around 350kph was opened today. Photo: AP
STARBOARD AT THE HOBART: Maxi yachts Wild Oats XI, left, and Alfa Romeo race down Sydney Harbour at the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Photo: AP
FOURTH ESTATE ATTACKED: Mexican journalist Alberto Velazquez, of the Expresiones de Tulum newspaper, is transported to a hospital after being shot in Tulum, Mexico. He ded shortly after. Mr. Velazquez's killing has brought the number of journalist's deaths in Mexico to 12 this year. Photo: AP
AIR SCARE: Unidentified law enforcement officials leave the international arrival gates at the Detroit metropolitan airport. A Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria, who said he was acting on al-Qaida's instructions, tried to blow up the plane. He has been arrested. Photo: AP
PRESIDENTIAL BREATHER: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama laugh as they greet marines during Christmas dinner at Anderson Hall on Marine Corps Base in Kailua, Hawaii. The Obamas are in Hawaii for the holidays. Photo: AP
INSPIRING FANS: Japan's Cathy Reed and her brother Chris perform during their free dance at the Japan National Figure Skating Championships in Osaka. Photo: AP
SLY STALLONE: Actor Sylvester Stallone during an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Los Angeles. Photo: AP