24 hours in pictures

Brighton, UK: Santa surfers keep a watchful eye out for troubled Christmas swimmers during the annual Christmas Day swim Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Sofia, Bulgaria: A man lights a candle during the Christmas Holly mass at the St Alexander Nevski Cathedral Photograph: Vassil Donev/EPA

Sydney, Australia: Spectators up the mast on the Tasmanian tall ship James Craig watch the fleet sail out of Sydney Harbour after the start of the 2008 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht race Photograph: Daniel Forster/AP

Porthcawl, UK: Leaving the sea after participating in the Porthcawl Christmas morning swim Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA

Fengjiashan village, China: Worshippers walk on a mountain footpath, which connects the local villages, during the 'Dajiao' Taoist festival. Residents of villages in Northern Shaanxi province gather to the annual three-day religious festival to thank the gods and pray for a good harvest and fortune in the upcoming year Photograph: Reinhard Krause/Reuters

Tokyo, Japan: The dark shadow of unemployment is cast on the pavement. According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, more than 85,000 temporary jobs will be cut in the half year through March 2009 following the global recession that hit export-oriented manufacturers, such as electronics companies and automakers Photograph: Franck Robichon/EPA

Kerem Shalom border crossing, Israel: An Israeli articulated lorry carrying Gerber baby food waits to be admitted to the Kerem Shalom border crossing Photograph: Jim Hollander/EPA

Veliky Novgorod, Russia: A doctor examines a baby's chest during her visit to a Gipsy's familiy in the town of Veliky Novgorod Photograph: Mikhail Mordasov/AFP/Getty Images

Bulacan province, Philippines: A man, covered with firecracker powder, works in a firecracker factory. Authorities are discouraging people from using fire crackers during New Year celebrations because of possible accidents Photograph: Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

Dhaka, Bangladesh: A supporter of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina tries to look at her through a wall of hands raised to pledge support for the party at a rally addressed by Hasina. Bangladesh goes to the polls on 29 December Photograph: Saurabh Das/AP

Observation Post Hatchet, Afghanistan: US Army soldiers with 6-4 Cavalry keep watch from a lookout tower near the Pakistan border Photograph: Bob Strong/Reuters

Xiangtan County, China: People gather at a ceremony to mark the late Chairman Mao Zedong birthday anniversary in a square of Shaoshan, the hometown of Mao Photograph: Stringer /Reuters

Hagley Hall, UK: Members of the Albrighton Woodland Hunt gather before the start of their Boxing Day meet at the ancestral home of Lord Cobham Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan people enjoy a dip in the sea on a beach. Sri Lanka paid tribute to an estimated 31,000 people killed by the Asian tsunami exactly four years ago Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images

Rivas, Nicaragua: Residents ride in the back of a truck past a windmill farm recently built on the edge of Lake Nicaragua. Energy minister Emilio Rappaccioli said the project will be operating at full capacity by the end of January Photograph: Esteban Felix/AP