24 hours in pictures

Beijing, China: A police officer patrols in the National Olympic Stadium Photograph: China Photos/Getty

Berlin, Germany: Passers-by look at a sculpture resembling a crashed car on Potsdamer Platz Photograph: Gero Breloer /EPA

Katmandu, Nepal: A boy covered in powdered dye rests at home after new year celebrations Photograph: Ed Wray /AP

Athens, Greece: The Acropolis is barely visible as a dust cloud blows in from North Africa Photograph: Simela Pantzartzi /EPA

Milan, Italy: An official counts ballots after the closure of polling stations in the country's parliamentary elections Photograph: Luca Bruno /AP

Nairobi, Kenya: A woman is surrounded by riot police during disturbances in the Dandora district Photograph: AFP

Washington DC, USA: A couple pose with a 6ft cutout of Pope Benedict XVI, put up in preparation for the Pope's first visit to the US Photograph: Chip Somodevilla /Getty

Kiev, Ukraine: A breakdancer performs in a city centre street Photograph: Sergei Supinsky /AFP

Ramallah, West Bank: A man works on a rooftop at sunset Photograph: Muhammed Muheisen/AP

Arlington, USA: Military personnel take part in a naturalisation ceremony at the Pentagon Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty

Israel: A soldier directs tanks as they prepare for an operation just outside the Gaza Strip Photograph: Sebastian Scheiner/AP

Eldorado, Texas: Two members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints talk to reporters on the Yearning for Zion ranch Photograph: Tony Gutierrez /AP

Tokyo, Japan: A Japanese maritime self-defence force crew member and his son are reflected in a puddle during a sending off ceremony Photograph: Franck Robichon /EPA

Katmandu, Nepal: A Tibetan protester falls off the back of a police vehicle after being arrested during a demonstration outside the Chinese consulate Photograph: Manish Swarup /AP

Sadr City, Iraq: Children look through a hole caused by an airstrike in which six civilians were killed and 27 others injured Photograph: Karim Kadim/AP

Fatullah, Bangladesh: A security guard at a garment factory where workers are striking for higher wages prevents the media from looking inside Photograph: Lalage Snow /AFP