'Separated by ICE' wins World Press Photo of the Year

A man's daughters cling desperately to him as he is removed by US immigration agents after a hearing. Four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Carol Guzy captured this traumatic moment, earning her the World Press Photo of the Year award. As President Donald Trump escalated deportations in public spaces, scenes like this played out across the US, creating a climate of fear and violence.

The situation was dire in March 2025 when Israel lifted their complete blockade of Gaza, allowing food and other essentials into the besieged area. Palestinians did whatever they could to secure something to eat, as captured by Gazan photographer Saber Nuraldin. The distribution points were criticized internationally for being militarized and dangerous, resulting in many Palestinian deaths.

During Guatemala's 36-year civil war (1960-96), rape was used as a weapon of war, including against Indigenous Achi women. The survivors filed a lawsuit, persisting for years despite discrimination. In May 2025, a court sentenced former state soldiers involved in the crimes to long prison sentences. Photographer Victor J. Blue portrayed the women standing resolutely in their final bid for justice.

A bride and groom in the Philippines kiss amid the floodwaters as their guests cheer them on. Despite the typhoon and flooding, they decided not to cancel their wedding. In a region increasingly affected by extreme weather due to climate change, this moment symbolized not only love but also resilience. Photographer Aaron Favila captured the scene for the Associated Press agency.

A policewoman in shock, photographed by Edwina Pickles for The Sydney Morning Herald. During an attack on the Jewish festival "Chanukah by the Sea" at Bondi Beach, two Islamists shot and killed 15 people. Among the first victims were Boris and Sofia Gurman, a Jewish couple from Ukraine, who were killed while trying to disarm one of the attackers.

A family breaks their Ramadan fast amid the rubble of their home in Beit Lahia, Gaza. This intimate moment contrasts with the chaos, destruction, hunger and ongoing violence, and reflects daily life in the enclave. Journalists on the ground are documenting these circumstances at great risk. Saher Alghorra captured this poignant moment for the New York Times.

The war in Ukraine is transforming modern warfare. Drones are being converted into weapons and controlled remotely over long distances. In this photo, which David Guttenfelder captured for The New York Times, two soldiers fit a grenade onto a drone. A tiger tattoo on the back of a hand with a wedding ring stands in stark contrast to the amputated limb securing the drone and a small blue flower.

Suspects involved in a large-scale police operation against a drug gang in Rio de Janeiro were photographed by Eduardo Anizelli from the daily newspaper Folha de S.Paulo. This operation is the largest in the country’s history and has resulted in at least 64 fatalities, primarily impacting the favelas — poor, predominantly Afro-Brazilian neighborhoods.

A female polar bear is seen feeding on the carcass of a sperm whale in the Arctic north of Spitsbergen. The ice-free season in this area has experienced a significant, long-term lengthening in recent decades. The whale likely drifted there due to ocean currents. As the ice recedes, both habitats and food sources are changing, particularly for polar bears, which typically hunt seals.

The aerial photograph by Brais Lorenzo shows San Vicente de Leira, heavily impacted by the Larouco wildfire. Drought, rising temperatures and changes in land use are exacerbating the risk of wildfire. In 2025, Europe experienced record wildfires, with over 200,000 hectares burned in Galicia alone.

Germany's nursing homes are experiencing staff shortages, leaving residents feeling lonely. To help, robots like "Emma," which can remember faces and conversations, are being tested. Photographer Paula Hornickel documented the relationship between resident Waltraud and the robot, despite her initial skepticism. But human contact is still invaluable for seniors.

Rider Noura works to regain control of her horse after the gunshot, the most dangerous moment in the Tbourida performance, captured by Chantal Pinzi. This centuries-old equestrian tradition, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, was once exclusive to men. Today, women are claiming their place, with seven all-female groups among about 300 Tbourida formations.

Young dancers wait backstage at the Soweto Theatre before their performance in this photo by Ihsaan Haffejee. During apartheid, ballet was exclusive to the white elite, but now the Joburg Ballet School offers discounted lessons for underprivileged children.