24 hours in pictures

Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithfull from his popemobile on his way to visit the nativity in St.Peter's Square Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/guardian.co.uk

Espoo, Finland: Two girls embraceduring a vigil for the victims of a shooting at a shopping mall Photograph: Markus Schreiber/guardian.co.uk

Erez, Israel: Israeli Arab demonstrators hold Palestinian flags in front of police officers during a protest near the border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip Photograph: Amir Cohen/guardian.co.uk

Peshawar, Pakistan: Birds fly at sunset Photograph: Arshad Arbab/guardian.co.uk

Tokyo, Japan: A young boy prays during a visit to Meiji shrine to mark New Year's Day Photograph: Toshifumi Kitamura/guardian.co.uk

Manila, Philippines: Children celebrating on New Year's eve are illuminated by sparklers Photograph: Romeo Gacad/guardian.co.uk

Budapest, Hungary: A horse and its jockey trot in the fog during the traditional New Year's Eve trotter race in Kincsem Park Photograph: Bela Szandelszky/guardian.co.uk

Hazerim, Israel: Newly graduated Israeli pilots throw their caps into the air during a graduation ceremony at the air force base in the Negev desert Photograph: Jack Guez/guardian.co.uk

Manila, Philippines: Plants are silhoutted by the Blue Moon at dawn after a rare partial lunar eclipse Photograph: Bullit Marquez/guardian.co.uk

New York, USa: Snow falls on a statue of George Washington on Wall Street Photograph: Mike Segar/guardian.co.uk

Brittas , Ireland: A bird stands on a frozen lake in the Wicklow Mountains Photograph: Niall Carson/guardian.co.uk

Rome, Italy: A man dives into the Tiber River as part of traditional New Year celebrations Photograph: Tony Gentile/guardian.co.uk

Fujikawaguchiko, Japan: A man raises his hands and shouts banzai as he watches the sunrise over Mount Fuji on New Year's day Photograph: Yuriko Nakao/guardian.co.uk

Quezon city, Philippines: A mother holds her baby boy after giving birth on New Year's day Photograph: Jay Directo/guardian.co.uk