24 hours in pictures

Allahabad, India: Newly initiated Naga sadhus throw ritual offerings on to a bonfire as they chant their mantras at the Maha Kumbh Mela Photograph: Saurabh Das/AP

Reuil Malmaison, US: A Goodyear employee protests in front of the US company's headqaurters against its decision to close its plant in Amiens Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Dong Ky, Vietnam: A villager is tossed into the air during the traditional firecracker festival Photograph: Luong Thai Linh/EPA

Tokyo, Japan: Students watch cheerleaders perform at a job-hunting rally Photograph: Yuya Shino/Reuters

Sydney, Australia: A black swan swims on the lake in Centennial park Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters

Vatican City: Cardinals take their places prior to Pope Benedict XVI's weekly general audience Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: The sun goes down over the Mekong river Photograph: Heng Sinith/AP

Brasilia, Brazil: Inri Cristo, a religious leader who claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, reacts to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Cristo said he was happy the pope had resigned because he, Cristo, was the 'real son of God'. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Hong Kong, China: An actor yawns backstage at the Bamboo theatre, an 800-seat temporary arena made of bamboo to house a special series of Cantonese opera shows Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

New York, US: Terriers prepare to compete at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club dog show Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

Jerusalem: A priest gives holy communion to a nun during the Ash Wednesday mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Photograph: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images

Washington DC, US: Barack Obama is greeted before his State of the Union address prior to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill Photograph: Charles Dharapak/AFP/Getty Images