MASSOUD HOSSAINI

1st Place - Photojournalism/Social Documentary

AFGHANISTAN, Kabul : GRAPHIC CONTENT
Afghan Shia Muslim 12-year-old Tarana Akbari (C) cries near dead and injured after explosions during a religious ceremony in the centre of Kabul on December 6, 2011. At least 30 people were killed in an explosion at a Kabul shrine where Shia Muslims were marking the Day of Ashura Tuesday, an AFP photographer saw. The blast came in the city centre where Shias had gathered to carry out religious rituals to mark the day, a public holiday in Afghanistan. AFP PHOTO/ Massoud HOSSAINI

GALI TIBBON

2nd Place - Contemporary Life

JERUSALEM : Christian Orthodox worshippers hold their heads up as a ray of light comes through a skylight in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's old city on April 14, 2012 during the 'Holy Fire' ceremony on the eve of the Orthodox Easter. Believers hold that the fire is miraculously sent from heaven to ignite candles held by the Greek Orthodox patriarch in an annual rite dating back to the 4th century that symbolises the resurrection of Jesus. AFP PHOTO/GALI TIBBON

MAHMUD HAMS

Honorable Mention - Photojournalism/Social

GAZA CITY : Palestinian relatives of Islamic Jihad militant Mohammed Daher, who was killed the night before along with another comrade in an Israeli air strike, mourn during his funeral in Gaza City on March 13, 2012. Israel and militants in Gaza agreed to cease hostilities on March 13 after Egypt brokered a "mutual truce" following four days of bloodletting which left 25 Gazans dead. AFP PHOTO/ MAHMUD HAMS

BEHROUZ MEHRI

Honorable Mention - Photojournalism/Social Documentary

AFGHANISTAN, HELMAND : A severely wounded US Marine hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is carried by his comrades to a medevac helicopter of U.S. Army's Task Force Lift "Dust Off", Charlie Company 1-171 Aviation Regiment to be airlifted in Helmand province on October 31, 2011. The Marine who hit by an IED lost both his legs and fights for his life. All foreign combat troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and will require the Afghan army and police to play an ever-greater role in fighting the Taliban insurgency. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI