Pictures of the day from The Huffington Post brings you the very best news and sports images from around the world, chosen and created by our own photo editors, Elliot Wagland, Tahira Mirza and Michael Cripps.
pictures of the day
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Riki Wessels of the Sixers looks on during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers at Blundstone Arena on December 23, 2014 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Barbour via Getty Images)
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Members of the Libyan army stand on a tank as heavy black smoke rises from the city's port in the background after a fire broke out at a car tyre disposal plant during clashes against Islamist gunmen in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on December 23, 2014. Forces loyal to former general Khalifa Haftar and to internationally recognised Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani have been battling for weeks against Islamists who have taken control of much of Libya's second city, and the capital Tripoli. AFP PHOTO / ABDULLAH DOMA (Photo credit should read ABDULLAH DOMA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ABDULLAH DOMA via Getty Images)
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A view of Eastbourne Pier in East Sussex, as work continues to dismantle the steel carcass of the amusement arcade on the Grade II-listed pier which was left devastated by a fire earlier this summer. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
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A view of Eastbourne Pier in East Sussex, as work continues to dismantle the steel carcass of the amusement arcade on the Grade II-listed pier which was left devastated by a fire earlier this summer. (credit:Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
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Hot air balloons fly over Cappadocia, a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevsehir Province, known for the fairy chimneys, during the winter season, on December 23, 2014. (Photo by Murat Oner Tas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Girls dressed in festive swimwear brave the cold to ski in a world of ice and snow on December 23, 2014 in Xuchang, Henan province of China. Christmas girls celebrated the upcoming Christmas Day by skiing in Xuchang on Tuesday. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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Farmer Ed Sandeman harvests red and green kale for packing at Watts Farm in Kent; Asda is responding to the high demand for this year’s trendiest veg by introducing festive mixed bags of red and green kale into stores for Christmas. British kale is the fastest growing brassica in recent years with sales skyrocketing in 2014, up 76% YOY as Brits add this nutrient rich superfood to their diets – that's 860,000 packs or an additional 165 tonnes of kale eaten this year alone!
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Greece's lawmakers attend the second round of voting to elect a new Greek president at the Parliament in Athens on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. Greek lawmakers have failed to elect the countryâs new president in a second round of voting, leaving the government with a final attempt next week to break an impasse that could force early elections. The conservative-led governmentâs candidate, Stavros Dimas, received 168 votes in Tuesdayâs ballot, far short of the 200 needed for his election. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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KABUL, AFGHANISTAN - DECEMBER 21: An electric motorcycle is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan on December 21, 2014. Motorcycle mechanic Mustafa Muhammadi designed an electric motorcycle which is charged up with both solar energy and electrical power. Motorcycle is completed in a month and has the capacity for 3 person. It covers a 40 km distance with a fully charged battery. (Photo by Muhammed Fahim/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Myanmar land grab victims from Michaung Kan in eastern Yangon shout slogans as they leave a township court after their court appearance Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, in Yangon, Myanmar. Protesters of Michaung Kan have been demanding their land confiscated by the military years ago. They have been staging a protest for months by blocking entrance of Yangon city hall. About 14 protesters were charged with blocking the entrance of the city hall. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Guns and gloves of India's Air Force soldiers lie on a road during rehearsals for the upcoming Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. India marks Republic Day on Jan. 26 with military parades across the country. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Japan's Emperor Akihito, third from left, accompanied by his wife Empress Michiko, fourth from right, and their family members, wave to well-wishers as they appear on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark the emperor's 81th birthday in Tokyo, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. From left to right are: Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Akihito, Michiko, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko and Princess Mako. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The Shard in central London launches Shard Lights, a daily-changing light display from 5pm to midnight capturing the energy, dynamism and colour of the city, building to a climax on New Years Eve. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday December 19, 2014. The installation will be installed within the top 40 storeys of Western Europes tallest building to create a light spectacle in the sky. The project will countdown to 2015 the UNs International Year of Light. Photo credit should read: Geoff Caddick/PA Wire (credit:Geoff Caddick/PA Wire)
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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 23: Floral tributes are placed near to the scene of yesterday's bin lorry crash on December 23, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Six people were killed and eight injured after a bin lorry careered out of control in Queen Street in the city centre and ploughed into pedestrians out Christmas shopping. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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A lion cub named Dominjun, right, and a tiger cub named Jangbori wear Santa Claus caps are held by amusement park employees during an event to celebrate Christmas at the Everland amusement park in Yongin, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014. (credit:Ahn Young-joon/AP)
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GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 23: Members of the public lay floral tributes near to the scene of yesterday's bin lorry crash on December 23, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Six people were killed and eight injured after a bin lorry careered out of control in Queen Street in the city centre and ploughed into pedestrians out Christmas shopping. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
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A lion cub named Dominjun, right, and a tiger cub named Jangbori wearing Santa Claus caps are held by amusement park employees during an event to celebrate Christmas at the Everland amusement park in Yongin, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014 (credit:Ahn Young-joon/AP)
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A view of a lake house near the Golcuk Natural Park in Bolu, a city in Turkey, during the winter season, on December 22, 2014. (Photo by Mehmet Emin Gurbuz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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Protestors of the 'Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the Occident' (PEGIDA) demonstrate in Dresden, eastern Germany, on December 22, 2014. A new record of more than 17,000 anti-Islamic protesters rallied for their tenth 'Monday demonstration' in a row in eastern Germany, celebrating the rise of their far-right movement by singing Christmas carols as about 4,000 counter-demonstrators marched through the city under the slogan 'Dresden Nazi-free'. (credit:KAY NIETFELD via Getty Images)
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ANKARA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 11: Turkish Air Forces Commander General Akin Ozturk flies with the Turkish Air Force Solo Turk display team to control choreography at the 141st Fleet Command in the capital Ankara, Turkey on December 11,2014. Ozturk has become the first Air Forces Commander General and the most senior pilot flied with Solo Turk. (Photo by Turkish Air Forces/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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TACLOBAN CITY, PHILIPPINES - 2014/12/22: A vessel that was not yet retrieved by the shipping line owner for almost a year after Typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban City, which only shows how the typhoon greatly devastated the place. (Photo by Sherbien Dacalanio/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
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CHANGSHA, CHINA - DECEMBER 22: (CHINA OUT) Hundreds of discarded bicycles are seen at Central South University on December 22, 2014 in Changsha, Hunan province of China. 'Bicycle Cemetery' made of discarded bicycles appeared at Central South University, which will be reconditioned and donated to impoverished student on Monday in Changsha. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)
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Buddhist monks follow the coffin of Sydney siege victim Tori Johnson as it is carried to a hearse after a funeral service in Sydney on December 23, 2014. A private funeral was held for Johnson -- hailed a hero after reportedly trying to wrestle the gun from Iranian-born gunman Man Haron Monis -- with hundreds of mourners arriving dressed in black outside the St Stephen's Uniting Church just metres from where he died. AFP PHOTO/William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:WILLIAM WEST via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) Flowers are left as a sign of respect at Martin Place for deceased hostages Tori Johnnson and Katrina Dawson, on December 17, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images) (Bottom) the same location is seen on December 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Volunteers have gathered at Martin Place this morning to begin clearing the thousands of bouquets and cards left in tribute to Tori Johnnson and Katrina Dawson, who were killed in last week's hostage siege at the Lindt Cafe. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: SES Volunteers carefully carry away a photo tribute of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson at Martin Place on December 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Volunteers have gathered at Martin Place this morning to begin clearing the thousands of bouquets and cards left in tribute to Tori Johnnson and Katrina Dawson, who were killed in last week's hostage siege at the Lindt Cafe. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images) (credit:Don Arnold via Getty Images)
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: (EDITORS NOTE: NO ARCHIVING. ONLINE USAGES MUST BE DELETED BY 1500 AEDT DECEMBER 25, 2014.) Sally Webb, Cate Stewart and Bride McDermott attend a memorial service for Katrina Dawson at the The Great Hall at the University of Sydney on December 23, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Mother of three, Katrina Dawson, was killed during a hostage siege at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place last week. A funeral for the second vitim, Tori Johnson was held earlier today. (Photo by James Brickwood - Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
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A man dressed as Santa Claus walks on the wall of the Old City in Jerusalem Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Artist Andy Edwards poses with WWI sculpture on display outside the reception of The Britannia Stadium after the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke City and Chelsea, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1914 Christmas truce during the World War One, in Stoke on Trent, England, Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. The ceremony marks the Christmas Day truce 100 years ago when rival WWI troops stopped fighting, left the trenches and are said to have played football instead. The 8-feet clay sculpture, by artist Andy Edwards from Stoke, titled All Together Now, shows two soldiers, one British, the other German, greeting each other at their side with a football. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 23: Bernini's Fiumi Fountain in Piazza Navona is lit up in red during Christmas holidays on December 23, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images) (credit:Giorgio Cosulich via Getty Images)
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ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 23: Santa Claus waits for children in Piazza Navona on the background of the Bernini's Fiumi Fountain lit up in blue during Christmas holidays on December 23, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images) (credit:Giorgio Cosulich via Getty Images)
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ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 23: Christmas decorations and lighting hang over Via Condotti on December 23, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images) (credit:Giorgio Cosulich via Getty Images)
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Children turn the skewers while roasting calves in Manila on December 23, 2014, for the busy holiday season. 'Lechon', or roasted calf, has always been a regular fare at Philippine festivities, especially during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The Philippines Christmas season runs from December until the second week of January. AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS (Photo credit should read NOEL CELIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NOEL CELIS via Getty Images)
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A zookeeper in a Santa Claus costume feeds ring-tailed lemurs at Tokyo's Ueno zoological garden on December 23, 2014. The animals received 'Christmas gifts' from the zoo during the promotional event. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
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Motorcyclists dressed in Santa Claus and reindeer outfits ride down the streets in downtown Tokyo during a Christmas 'toy run' by the Harley Santa Club on December 23, 2014. Some 500 motorcyclists took part in the run on December 23 - a local holiday - to campaign against child abuse ahead of Christmas. AFP PHOTO / Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TORU YAMANAKA via Getty Images)
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YONGIN, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 23: A three-month-old female lion named Dominjoon and a three-month-old female tiger named Jangbori play with Christmas trees at the Everland amusement park on December 23, 2014 in Yongin, South Korea. Tigers and lions dressed in Santa Claus costumes entertained visitors at the Everland, South Korea's largest amusement park. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Chung Sung-Jun via Getty Images)
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SHENYANG, CHINA - DECEMBER 23: (CHINA OUT) 300 snowmen sculptures get exhibited near a shopping mall on December 23, 2014 in Shenyang, Liaoning province of China. 300 'Snowmen' appeared near a shopping mall to celebrate the upcoming Christmas Day in Shenyang on Tuesday. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images) (credit:ChinaFotoPress via Getty Images)