24 hours in pictures

Loetschental, Switzerland: A 'Tschaeggaettae' – a villager who takes part in the annual coming-of-spring carnival – walks in the streets of the village of Wiler. Traditionally people would wear horror masks to scare away winter and death Photograph: Olivier Maire/EPA

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Revellers participate in the traditional bloco da lama (mud block) carnival Photograph: Victor Moriyama/AFP/Getty Images

Sydney, Australia: A girl cheers after crossing the finish line of the colour run at Sydney Olympic Park Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters

Gao, Mali: Footprints from worshippers are left in the sand at the ancient Askia mausoleum's mosque Photograph: Jerome Delay/AP

Allahabad, India: Hindu pilgrims make their way over pontoon bridges near Sangam, during the Maha kumbh mela Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

Sao Paulo, Brazil: A member of the samba school Grupo Especial 'Imperio da Casa Verde' takes part in a parade at the Sambodromo of Anhebi Photograph: Sebastiao Moreira/EPA

Maine, USA: A woman digs out her car after it was blocked in by snow during a blizzard Photograph: Robert F. Bukaty/AP

Madrid, Spain: A performer spits fire during a carnival celebration Photograph: Andres Kudacki/AP

Macau, China: Performers with a 238-metre long golden dragon during the festivities of the lunar new year or spring festival Photograph: Carmo Correia/EPA

Luzon, Spain: A costumed man covered in oil and soot representing the devil, touches the face of a villager while taking part in carnival celebrations Photograph: Daniel Ochoa De Olza/AP

New York, USA: A squirrel sits in a tree in Central Park Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Rome, Italy: A woman attends a mass to mark the Order of the Knights of Malta inside St Peter's basilica at the Vatican Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/AP

Beijing, China: A woman burns incense in prayer on the first day of the year of the snake at the Lama temple Photograph: Diego Azubel/EPA