24 hours in pictures

Iceland: A vehicle disappearing into the distance as the Eyjafjallajokull volcano continues to erupt
Photograph: Viktor Goenczoe/EPA

Bangkok, Thailand: An anti-government protester fires a homemade firework toward security forces
Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

Boldva, Hungary: A local resident waits to load sandbags to protect houses against flooding
Photograph: Bela Szandelszky/AP

Havana, Cuba: A man carries his pet snake around his neck
Photograph: Desmond Boylan/Reuters

Sydney, Australia: A tornado rises from the sea behind a surfer on Bondi beach
Photograph: James Alcock/AFP/Getty Images

Beijing, China: Pupils practise self-defence at a school. Several attacks on young children in recent weeks have shocked the nation
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Colombo, Sri Lanka: A woman loses her umbrella in high winds and heavy rain
Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Reuters

Shanghai, China: Visitors look at a huge screen at the Saudi Arabia pavilion at the World Expo
Photograph: AP

Allahabad, India: A bride poses for photographs at a mass marriage on the Hindu holy day of Akshaya Tritiya
Photograph: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP

Detroit, Michigan: A father weeps over the loss of his seven-year-old daughter, who was shot and killed when a police officer's gun went off during a raid to search for a murder suspect
Photograph: Mandi Wright/AP

Shanghai, China: A trading house employee comments on stock index curves
Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Paris, France: Gay and lesbian people kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower to mark International Day Against Homophobia
Photograph: Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images