24 hours in pictures

Allahabad, India: A sadhu, or Hindu holy man, walks past labourers preparing for the Mahakumbh festival expected to draw millions of Hindu pilgrims in January 2013 Photograph: Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP

Edinburgh, Scotland: An artwork called 100 Blind Stars by Douglas Gordon is displayed at a preview show at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Photograph: David Moir/Reuters

Wisconsin, USA: A Geminid meteor streaks over a barn in Saukville Photograph: Jeffrey Phelps/AP

Karachi, Pakistan: A boy holds a banner at a sit-in protest to condemn the ongoing killing of Shia Muslims Photograph: Shakil Adil/AP

Milan, Italy: A man walks through a frozen fountain during a snowfall Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP

Madrid, Spain: A vendor at a Christmas market in Plaza Mayor Square. Many businesses are starting their sales early during the economic crisis Photograph: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Sao Paulo, Brazil: A member of Brazil's Movimento dos Sem-Teto (Homeless Movement) watches TV inside an empty building taken over by the movement Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters

Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina: A soldier takes position on Manjaca mountain during an officer training exercise Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

Las Vegas, USA: Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Nebraska is bucked off by the horse Tip Off during the saddle bronc competition of the National Finals Rodeo Photograph: Julie Jacobson/AP

Cairo, Egypt: People wait outside a polling station to vote in a referendum on a constitution drafted by Islamist supporters of president Mohamed Morsi Photograph: Khalil Hamra/AP

Connecticut, USA: A Connecticut state trooper stands guard at the entrance to Sandy Hook elementary school after Friday's mass shooting Photograph: David Goldman/AP

Paris, France: Skaters on a giant ice rink under the famous glass roof of the Grand Palais. The skating rink is the largest temporary ice rink ever created in France Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Yucatan, Mexico: People take part in a Mayan ritual on a street in Merida. Several states and cities are staging events as the day of the Mayan prophecy comes closer Photograph: Francisco Martin/EPA

Sydney, Australia: A giraffe receives a Christmas treat at Taronga zoo, which celebrated early by giving festive-themed activities to its animals Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Pyongyang, North Korea: Soldiers celebrate the successful launch of the Unha-3 rocket, carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, at Kim Il-sung Square Photograph: KNS/AFP/Getty Images