24 hours in pictures

Valencia, Spain: Falleras in traditional costume prepare to present flowers to Saint Mary at the Fallas festival Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Muscat, Oman: A man with a blue-eyed pink horse awaits their appearance in a cavalry event in honour of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's visit, during the royal pair's tour of the Middle East Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Galaxidi, Greece: Revellers celebrate Ash Monday by participating in the traditionally colourful 'flour war', a festivity marking the end of the carnival season Photograph: Yannis Behrakis/Reuters

Singapore: Liquid and blood are seen during a cupping session Photograph: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images

Gaza City, Gaza: Members of Hamas security forces take part in a graduation ceremony Photograph: Suhaib Salem/Reuters

Kathmandu, Nepal: A young candy floss vendor waits for passing trade at Hanumandhoka Durbar Square Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters

Rome, Italy: A woman takes cover from the rain in St Peter's Square outside the Vatican Photograph: Oded Balilty/AP

Alabama, US: Lightning streaks across the sky behind the Young Meadows Presbyterian church in Montgomery Photograph: Dave Martin/AP

Tokyo, Japan: the outgoing Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa bows after his last news conference as head of the central bank Photograph: Yuya Shino/Reuters

Allahabad, India: A man walks past piles of burning rubbish Photograph: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP

Rome, Italy: Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he arrives in the 'popemobile' for his inauguration mass in St Peter's Square Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

London, UK: Campaigners dressed as Chancellor George Osborne protest against austerity measures on Westminster Bridge Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Katmandu, Nepal: A Buddhist devotee prostrates in ritual at the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest sites in the region Photograph: Niranjan Shrestha/AP