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  • EPA

    A 25-meter-long whale lies dead on a beach of the San Rossore protected area near Pisa, Italy, on Jan. 26. Reports state that the employees of the San Rossore protected area and the port authority have been authorized to remove the carcass.

    A whale of a loss off the coast of Italy

    While sad, even in death, the magnificence of this animal is undeniable. The colors of the sunset reflected in its skin make for a lovely obituary.

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  • Brian Kersey / Getty Images

    U.S. President Barack Obama tours Orion Energy Systems, Inc. on Jan. 26, in Manitowoc, Wisc.. President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other members of the President's Cabinet are traveling to Manitowoc, Wisconsin to highlight the administration's efforts to rebuild the American economy.

    Everything is illuminated? Obama tours energy company in Wisconsin with his 'win the future' message

    NBC's Athena Jones reports: The visit is meant to amplify the argument he made in the House chamber last night -- that a country that "out-educates" and "out-innovates" others can better compete in the global economy.

    "We need to make sure American workers can go head-to-head with every other country on Earth," he told the crowd at Orion, after touring the plant.

    Read the full story in NBC's First Read here.

  • Photo Op: A grand piano, a yacht, a dolphin and a duck hang out at a sandbar in Miami bay

    We caught wind of this story yesterday, but these images that AP photographer Alan Diaz and Getty Images photographer Joe Raedle captured today makes this story even a little more magical. Watch the video and check out the full story below.

    Alan Diaz / AP

    Freelance photographer Karla Murray of New York photographs a grand piano that recently appeared on a sandbar in Biscayne Bay, Miami, on Jan. 26. Whoever put the piano there placed it at the highest point of the sandbar so that it?s not underwater during high tide.

    Joe Raedle / Getty Images

    A grand piano is seen on a sandbar in Biscayne Bay on Jan. 26 in Miami, Florida. It is unknown how or why the heavy musical instrument was on the sandbar but some were speculating it was part of a music video production. The piano was charred from being burned.

    A grand piano mysteriously shows up on a sandbar in Miami's Biscayne Bay and no one seems to know how it got there. TODAYshow.com's Dara Brown reports.

    How do you think the piano came to rest on this sandbar? Read the full story here and share your theories in the comments below.

  • Mike Blake / Reuters

    U.S. golfer Tiger Woods speaks during a news conference from Torrey Pines golf course in San Diego, Calif, on Jan. 26.

    He's baaaaack: Tiger Woods is looking forward to "basically feeling the heat again"

    Getty reports that Woods is "pleased" with his game and the balance in his life. "I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing and basically feeling the heat again,"Woods said on Jan. 26.

    Read the AP opinion piece here that says "Tiger's foes no longer fear his mystique." Do you think the golfer still has what it takes?

  • 20-year-old leukemia patient weds his sweetheart after being given only months to live

    One of our producers, Meredith Birkett, came across these images in a recent edit and we realized that while this picture story moved to us just after the holidays, it had not yet been published anywhere on our site. The photographer, Chris Bergin, did a lovely job conveying the joy, and the exhaustion, of this young man's big day. View several of the images and a link to Jesse and his brides' story below.

    Chris Bergin / The Star Press via AP

    Jesse James Smith kisses his wife Amber during their wedding reception in Muncie Ind. on Dec. 18, 2010. Jesse was diagnosed with leukemia on July 2. Doctors say the soft-spoken, articulate 20-year-old has only a few months to live.

    Chris Bergin / The Star Press via AP

    Jesse James Smith uses a rail as support while greeting people following his wedding ceremony in Muncie Ind.on Dec. 18, 2010.

    Chris Bergin / The Star Press via AP

    Jesse James Smith and Amber Hirst exchange rings during their wedding ceremony officiated by Rev. Kenneth Boles in Muncie Ind. on Dec. 18, 2010.

    Chris Bergin / The Star Press via AP

    Jesse James Smith and his aunt Tamara Willard hug during Jesse's wedding reception in Muncie Ind. on Dec. 18, 2010.

    Chris Bergin / The Star Press via AP

    Jesse James Smith and his wife Amber Hirst walk to greet friends and family following their wedding ceremony officiated by Rev. Kenneth Boles in Muncie Ind. on Dec. 18, 2010. Jesse was diagnosed with leukemia on July 2. Doctors say the soft-spoken, articulate 20-year-old has only a few months to live.

    Read Jesse and Amber's story here.

  • Interview with Tim Hetherington, Oscar-nominated director of the film 'Restrepo'

    Tim Hetherington, a photographer and filmmaker, co-directed the movie Restrepo with Sebastian Junger. The film, an intense and powerful insight into the experiences of a platoon of American soldiers in Afghanistan, has been nominated for an Academy Award in the documentary feature category.

    Hetherington and Junger followed the men of Battle Company on their deployment to a remote hilltop outpost that they had named 'Restrepo' in honor of a fallen comrade, 20 year old medic Juan Restrepo.

    Tim Hetherington

    Tad Donoho pictured after he was given a 'pinkbelly', a traditional slapping of the stomach administered by other members of the platoon on someone's birthday. Battle Company, 2nd Battalion Airborne of the 503rd US Infantry are undergoing a 15 month deployment in the Korengal Valley, epicentre of the war and scene of fierce fighting with the Taliban.

    I spoke by phone with Tim Hetherington this morning.

    Q. How does it feel to be nominated for an Oscar?
    A. It's great, we're completely thrilled. For us, just to make this film in what were incredibly difficult conditions, to get it edited and released, that was success. What's happening now goes beyond our wildest imaginations. It's an honor to be nominated for the Oscar, but most of all we hope that it helps to recognise the courage of the soldiers. What it means is the film will get more exposure and continue to contribute to the national conversation and that's the most important thing.

    Tim Hetherington

    Corporal 'Doc' Old, a medic with Battle Company, treats an injured soldier during an attack on the Restrepo bunker by insurgents.

    Q. You got to know many of the families of the soldiers in the film. How have they reacted to the nomination?

    A. Well, we posted a message on Facebook to thank everybody for their support, and we got a great response. One that stood out was from Deborah Ussery, who said:

    'On behalf of our family, and my son-in-law, Sgt. Sterling Jones, Congratulations gentlemen! It is a big deal....a very big deal. The work that you did brought attention to the war that truly was forgotten and the plight of our soldiers. This has been a journey for our family and we thank you both for your honesty and candor during that year.'

    The film tries to bridge the gap between the military community and the public. That's what's really gratifying: that we've been able to give the families a voice. When we're caught up in the politics of the war, we can forget about the human dimensions to it, including the fallout for soldiers and their families. In the time we spent in the Korengal Valley, we were acutely aware that war affects people - both the Afghan citizens and the soldiers who are there and the families on the other side of the world.

    Tim Hetherington

    Sgt. Sterling Jones of 2nd Platoon, Battle Company, 2nd Battalion Airborne of the 503rd US Infantry, on deployment in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan.

    Q. What about Juan Restrepo? His name is living on, in a way, through the movie. Have you spoken to his family?

    A. I was on the phone yesterday with Marcela, his mom. We've been in contact with her a lot. We approached her before the film came out and told her we wanted to call it Restrepo, and she gave us her approval. We made sure the soldiers were the first people to see the film, and I know that some of them flew down to Florida to go to the preview screening there with Marcela.

    Restrepo lived an amazing life. Here was a man who was born in Colombia, emigrated with his family when he was a child and became a US citizen, joined the military and ended up dying on the side of a mountain in Afghanistan. If you think about it, especially in terms of the immigration debate, that's an incredible story.

    I said to Marcela, obviously nothing can bring back your son, but I hope that the film is a small tribute to him.

    Tim Hetherington

    Filmmakers Sebastian Junger (left) and Tim Hetherington (right) at the Restrepo outpost in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan.

     For more of Tim Hetherington's work from Afghanistan, see the stories In the bunker and Return to the bunker at Panos Pictures.

    Hetherington's book on Afghanistan, Infidel, is published by Chris Boot.

    The Sun Sentinel has an interview with Marcela Pardo, Juan Restrepo's mother.

    Tim Hetherington joins the Morning Joe gang for a discussion on how soldiers relate to the war.

     

  • Thousands protest against President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt

    Thousands of Egyptians defied a ban on protests by returning to Egypt's streets on Wednesday, calling for President Hosni Mubarak to leave office. Read the story here.

    AFP -Getty Images

    An Egyptian protester faces policemen during a protest in downtown Cairo, Egypt, onJanuary 26, 2011.

    Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images

    An Egyptian demonstrator protests in Cairo on January 26, 2011. Placard in Arabic reads: "Mr President Leave."

    Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

    Riot policemen clash with protesters in Cairo on January 26, 2011.

    Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters

    An anti-government protester gestures during clashes with police in Cairo on January 26, 2011.

    Khaled El Fiqi / EPA

    Egyptian policemen face protesters during a protest in downtown Cairo, Egypt, on January 26,2011.

  • Filip Singer / EPA

    A female baby giraffe stands next to her mother Kleopatra (R) at the Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, on January 25,2011.

    Baby giraffe is born at the Prague Zoo

    I love the expression on this baby Rothschild Giraffe, also known as Baringo Giraffe or as Ugandan Giraffe. According to the zoo, the baby giraffe was born on January 23, 2011 and its first appearance in public will be beginning February 2011.

  • Petros Karadjias / AP

    A worker walks by newly-dug graves that will receive the recently identified remains of Greek Cypriots who had been listed as missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, at Tymvos Makedonitissas military cemetery in the island's divided capital Nicosia, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011.

    Identified remains of missing Greek Cypriots are laid to rest

    Associated Press reports that the U.N. chief says he sees some progress toward clearing the air between divided Cyprus' rival leaders and eventually reunifying the ethnically split island. Ban Ki-moon emerged from a meeting Wednesday January 26, between Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, expressing optimism over reunification talks that could determine the outcome of Turkey's troubled bid to join the European Union. Cyprus was split into a Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south in 1974.

  • Photos from the archive: Somalis mark 20 years of war after government fell

    From the Associated Press: Wednesday Jan. 26, 2011 marks the twentieth anniversary of the fall of Siad Barre, Somalia's socialist dictator whose overthrow ushered in years of brutal conflict. Now the arid Horn of Africa nation is home to a whole generation who have known nothing but war fed by corruption, clan politics and regional rivalries.

    Alexander Joe / AFP - Getty Images file

    March 1, 1995 photo showing U.N. Pakistani tanks leaving Mogadishu airport to get aboard a Ukrainian cargo ship in the Somali capital's harbor.

    Alexander Joe / AFP - Getty Images file

    January 30, 1991 photo showing a group of Somali rebels raising their arms up and smiling to express their victory in Mogadishu, Somalia, after rebel troops of the Somali United Congress (USC) took control of Mogadishu, following a three-week long war with Siad Barre's troops.

    Alexander Joe / AFP - Getty Images file

    February 26, 1992 photo shows a young clan fighter loyal to interim President Ali Mahdi Mohamed, displaying his machine gun in Mogadishu in front of a burnt-out Soviet-made T-54 tank belonging to the rival clan of General Mohamed Farah Aidid, which was destroyed in clashes opposing two warlords on February 14.

    Alexander Joe / AFP - Getty Images file

    September 9, 1992photo shows a father, his son and an old man waiting for food at a CARE feeding center in Baidoha.

    Abdurashid Abdulle / AFP - Getty Images file

    May 12, 2010 photo showing an Islamist militia man walking past a house engulfed by flames in the Harar-Yale village, Wardhigley district of Mogadishu.

    Archival video- 1993: The Battle of Mogadishu

    Related story:The most dangerous city in the world (even for sharks)

  • Cuh caw! Birdlike fashion hits the runway

    Fashion that flies? I thought of the movie 'Black Swan' when I saw these On Aura Tout Vu designs from the Spring-Summer 2011 Haute Couture Collection Show in Paris. Click here to see more PhotoBlog fashion coverage.

    Pierre Verdy / AFP - Getty Images

    A model presents a creation by On Aura Tout Vu during the Spring-Summer 2011 Haute Couture Collection Show, Jan. 26, in Paris.

    Ian Langsdon / EPA

    A model presents a creation by On Aura Tout Vu fashion house during the Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, Jan. 26. The presentation of the Spring Summer 2011 Haute Couture collections takes place from 24 to 27 January.

    Pierre Verdy / AFP - Getty Images

    A model presents a creation by On Aura Tout Vu during the Spring-Summer 2011 Haute Couture Collection Show, Jan. 26, in Paris.

    Pierre Verdy / AFP - Getty Images

    A model presents a creation by On Aura Tout Vu during the Spring-Summer 2011 Haute Couture Collection Show, Jan. 26, in Paris.

    Pierre Verdy / AFP - Getty Images

    A model presents a creation by On Aura Tout Vu during the Spring-Summer 2011 Haute Couture Collection Show, Jan. 26, in Paris.

    Ian Langsdon / EPA

    A model presents a creation by On Aura Tout Vu fashion house during the Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, Jan. 26. The presentation of the Spring Summer 2011 Haute Couture collections takes place from 24 to 27 January.

  • Brick factory workers face hard times in Libbar Hari, India

    Full Reuters report here: Inflation-hit poor feel short-changed in rising India

    Adnan Abidi / Reuters

    A laborer works in a brick factory at Libbar Hari in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, Jan. 23. The Indian economy has been growing an average of 8.5 percent over the last five years, propelling millions into what is often described as the great Indian middle class and making the south Asian giant a darling for overseas investors. But 40 percent of its 1.2 billion population still lives below the U.N.-estimated poverty line.

    Adnan Abidi / Reuters

    Laborers load bricks onto a truck at a brick factory at Libbar Hari in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, Jan. 23. The Indian economy has been growing an average of 8.5 percent over the last five years, propelling millions into what is often described as the great Indian middle class and making the south Asian giant a darling for overseas investors. But 40 percent of its 1.2 billion population still lives below the U.N.-estimated poverty line.

    Adnan Abidi / Reuters

    A woman laborer watches television inside her house at the compound of a brick factory at Libbar Hari in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand Jan. 23. The Indian economy has been growing an average of 8.5 percent over the last five years, propelling millions into what is often described as the great Indian middle class and making the south Asian giant a darling for overseas investors. But 40 percent of its 1.2 billion population still lives below the U.N.-estimated poverty line.

    Adnan Abidi / Reuters

    Laborers work in a brick factory at Libbar Hari in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, Jan. 23. The Indian economy has been growing an average of 8.5 percent over the last five years, propelling millions into what is often described as the great Indian middle class and making the south Asian giant a darling for overseas investors. But 40 percent of its 1.2 billion population still lives below the U.N.-estimated poverty line.

     

  • The Wild Kingdom: Animals in transit at Heathrow Airport

    Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

    Triston Bradfield holds a West African Dwarf Crocodile at Heathrow Airport's Animal Reception Center, Jan. 25, in London. Many animals pass through the center's doors ranging from exotic animals such as snow leopards and elephants, snakes and crocodiles, to the more common such as cats and dogs. In 2010 alone the center processed approximately 10,500 cats and dogs, 1,300 birds, 105,000 day old chicks, 246,000 reptiles, 230 horses and 29 million fish. Most animals are part of zoo transfer schemes, the pet trade, or are pets in transit.

    Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

    A Panther Chameleon is pictured at Heathrow Airport's Animal Reception Center, Jan. 25, in London, England.

    Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

    A dog called Baxter is held by Susie Perry at Heathrow Airport's Animal Reception Center, Jan. 25, in London, England. Many animals pass through the centre's doors ranging from exotic animals such as snow leopards and elephants, snakes and crocodiles, to the more common such as cats and dogs. In 2010 alone the centre processed approximately 10,500 cats and dogs, 1,300 birds, 105,000 day old chicks, 246,000 reptiles, 230 horses and 29 million fish. Most animals are part of zoo transfer schemes, the pet trade, or are pets in transit.

    Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

    A giant toad is held at Heathrow Airport's Animal Reception Center, Jan. 25, in London, England. Many animals pass through the center's doors ranging from exotic animals such as snow leopards and elephants, snakes and crocodiles, to the more common such as cats and dogs. In 2010 alone the center processed approximately 10,500 cats and dogs, 1,300 birds, 105,000 day old chicks, 246,000 reptiles, 230 horses and 29 million fish. Most animals are part of zoo transfer schemes, the pet trade, or are pets in transit.

    Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

    A Galapagos Tortoise shell is used as a foot rest at Heathrow Airport's Animal Reception Centre, Jan. 25, in London, England. Many animals pass through the centre's doors ranging from exotic animals such as snow leopards and elephants, snakes and crocodiles, to the more common such as cats and dogs. In 2010 alone the centre processed approximately 10,500 cats and dogs, 1,300 birds, 105,000 day old chicks, 246,000 reptiles, 230 horses and 29 million fish. Most animals are part of zoo transfer schemes, the pet trade, or are pets in transit.

    According to Getty, many animals pass through Heathrow Airport's Animal Reception Center's doors ranging from exotic animals such as snow leopards and elephants, snakes and crocodiles, to the more common such as cats and dogs. In 2010 alone the center processed approximately 10,500 cats and dogs, 1,300 birds, 105,000 day old chicks, 246,000 reptiles, 230 horses and 29 million fish. Most animals are part of zoo transfer schemes, the pet trade, or are pets in transit

  • Peach blossom in Vietnam

    Luong Thai Linh / EPA

    A man tends to his peach blossom orchard in a garden in Hanoi, Vietnam on Jan. 26. Vietnam is preparing for Tet, or lunar new year, the most important holiday of the year. Many households buy peach blossoms, qumquat trees and flowers to celebrate the new year.

    Luong Thai Linh / EPA

    A military officer walks through a peach blossom orchard garden in Hanoi on Jan. 26.

  • How Norman Rockwell used photography to create his iconic paintings

    His paintings and illustrations are iconic representations of American life in the mid 20th century. But did you know that Norman Rockwell used photography as a tool to bring his ideas to life? 

    Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera, currently exhibiting at the Brooklyn Museum, places the study photographs and Rockwell's finished works side by side. Comparing the two is a fascinating process. Take a look at these examples:

    Norman Rockwell / Collection of the Brooklyn Museum

    The Dugout, 1948. Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, September 4, 1948

    Gene Pelham / Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust

    Photograph for The Dugout, 1948. Study for The Saturday Evening Post, September 4, 1948.

    Norman Rockwell Museum Archival Collection

    Going and Coming, 1947. Tear sheet, The Saturday Evening Post, August 30, 1947.

    Gene Pelham / Norman Rockwell Museum Archival Collections

    Photograph for Going and Coming, 1947. Study for The Saturday Evening Post, August 30, 1947.

    A press release from the Norman Rockwell Museum explains:

    A natural storyteller, Rockwell envisioned his narrative scenarios down to the smallest detail. Yet at the easel he was an absolute literalist, who rarely painted directly from his imagination. Adopting photography in the late 1930s, he began to call on friends and neighbors to model and bring new flesh-and-blood realism to his work. Their cooperative enthusiasm in front of the camera and unassuming tolerance for his demands enabled Rockwell to capture difficult poses and nuanced expressions more spontaneous than any professional model could deliver. Photography opened a door to the keenly observed authenticity that defines Norman Rockwell's art.

    Louis Lamone / Norman Rockwell Museum Archival Collections

    Photographer Bill Scovill (left) and Norman Rockwell, circa 1962.

    Rockwell acted like a movie director, orchestrating each shot and even acting out some of the poses himself, but he relied upon a number of skilled professional photographers, including Gene Pelham, Bill Scovill, Louis J. Lamone, to take the pictures.

    The exhibition runs at the Brooklyn Museum until April 10.

    Part one of a 2007 Norman Rockwell Museum video detailing Norman Rockwell's life and work in Stockbridge, Mass. from 1953 to 1978.

     

  • Luong Thai Linh / EPA

    A man sells fish on a street in Hanoi, Vietnam on Jan. 26. Vietnamese families on the 23rd day of the last month of the lunar year are busy preparing a farewell ceremony for the Kitchen Gods (Tao Quan) on their yearly trip to heaven. As the Tao Quan make their journey on the backs of fish, it is traditional to release live carp into lakes or rivers, which is considered to bring good luck.

    Taoist Gods travel to heaven on the backs of fish

  • Up the ladder: Cleaning crude palm oil in Jakarta

    Dadang Tri / Reuters

    A worker climbs a ladder after cleaning crude palm oil inside a container at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta, Jan. 26. Indonesia will set the export tax for crude palm oil in February at 25 percent versus 20 percent in January, said a trade ministry official, confirming reports by industry sources.

    Dadang Tri / Reuters

    A worker cleans crude palm oil inside a container at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta Jan. 26.

    Interesting perspective.

  • All set for the demo? Just let me apply my herbal facemask

    Sukree Sukplang / Reuters

    A supporter of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) applies herbal facemask on another protester's face as they rally outside the Government House in Bangkok on Jan. 26.

    We've published a lot of photographs from demonstrations in recent days. What I like about the one above, from Thailand, is that it's not at all what I expect a picture of a protest to look like.

    UPDATE: Another unusual picture of People's Alliance for Democracy protesters in Bangkok just appeared on the wires. It's good to see photographers looking for new ways to tell the story. Here's the latest:

    Apichart Weerawong / AP

    Thai police officers walk in line past supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or the Yellow Shirts, during a demonstration outside the government house in Bangkok on Jan. 26. Thailand's government faced renewed street protests as the right-wing nationalist group that seized Bangkok's airports two years ago gathered in the capital to pressure the prime minister over a land dispute with Cambodia.

     

  • New aquarium opens at Aqua Zone in Hong Kong

    Here's a selection of images of the new aquarium at Aqua Zone in Hong Kong, featuring some 5,000 marine animals of over 400 species.

    Ym Yik / EPA

    Small fish swim in front of a Grey Nurse Shark at the Grand Aquarium during the opening ceremony of Aqua City in Ocean Park in Hong Kong.

    Bobby Yip / Reuters

    Visitors stand in front of a giant aquarium at its opening in Aqua City, the new flagship marine-themed zone of the Hong Kong Ocean Park, Jan. 26.

    Vincent Yu / AP

    An aquarium is seen at the opening in Aqua City, the new flagship marine-themed zone of the Hong Kong Ocean Park Wednesday, Jan. 26.

    Mike Clarke / AFP - Getty Images

    Visitors take a look at a new giant aquarium in Hong Kong, Jan. 26. The aquarium at a local theme park contains over 5,000 marine animals and is one of the top ten largest in the world.

    Vincent Yu / AP

    A man walks past an aquarium at the opening in Aqua City, Jan. 26.

  • Musadeq Sadeq / AP

    Afghan President Hamid Karzai inspects a guard of honor to inaugurate the new parliament in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. President Hamid Karzai swore in the country's new parliament Wednesday in a ceremony that marked the end of a drawn-out battle over whether the lawmakers would be able to start work despite ongoing investigations into electoral fraud.

    New parliament inaugurated by Afghan president

    The Associated Press reports:

    President Hamid Karzai swore in the country's new parliament Wednesday in a ceremony that marked the end of a drawn-out battle over whether the lawmakers would be able to start work despite ongoing investigations into electoral fraud.

    It is still unclear whether a disputed tribunal looking into allegations of misconduct will be able to change the results of the September elections, but the 249 members of the lower house will now be able to start work immediately, rather than waiting until late February as Karzai had ordered last week.

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