A period of relative stability has put the Iranian capital No1 on the list of world cities that have achieved biggest improvements in liveability over the past five years, as calculated by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The “most improved” top 10 contains some unexpected names. So, eg, the fourth place: Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Latest ranking: 128; Ranking five years ago: 131; Five-year index movement: 3.8%. Here: A supporter of Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara campaigns in a market in the city’s Koumassi quarter. (Photo by Sia Kambou/AFP Photo)

A 180 degrees rotated photograph shows the shadows of Polina (L), a six-year-old Belarusian first grade school girl, and her father, cast on the street while on their way to Polina's first day of school, which marks the traditional start of the academic year, in Minsk, Belarus, 02 September 2019. The start of a new academic year in Belarus, officially called Day of Knowledge, is a festive day for all school and university students in the country. (Photo by Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA/EFE)

It’s a tradition that dates back hundreds of years, where two stallions fight over a female to ring the Chinese new year. And when it’s the Year of the Horse, the fights are considered to be even more significant. They’re held in small villages across southern China and have been condemned by animal rights groups, including Hong-Kong based Animals Asia. But those who participate in the events defend the fights and insist they take care of the animals.

A Saudi police officer receives emergency calls at a call center, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, August 6, 2019. The hajj occurs once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. (Photo by Amr Nabil/AP Photo)

First year cadets of the Military University of Communication smile before an oath-taking ceremony in St.Petersburg September 6, 2014. Some 700 first year cadets of the academy attended the ceremony before starting their studies. (Photo by Alexander Demianchuk/Reuters)

The Heavens opened as students from Wells Blue school year 13 pupils arrived at The Bishop's Palace in Wells, Somerset on June 30, 2022 for their end of year school prom. (Photo by Jason Bryant/Apex News)

Aoife Ni Heochaidh enjoys the sunrise as she welcomes winter solstice at the 5000-year-old stone age passage tomb of Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, as entry inside the chamber is closed for the second year due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Newgrange, Ireland, December 21, 2021. (Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

People take part in the Burning of the Clavie fire festival in Burghead, Moray, UK on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Burghead welcomes in the New Year twice each year, on both January 11th and the more traditional January 1st. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)