Shooting star by Tony Wu, US/Japan. Winner, underwater. The electrifying reproductive dance of a giant sea star. As the surrounding water filled with sperm and eggs from spawning sea stars, Wu faced several challenges. Stuck in a small, enclosed bay with only a macro lens for photographing small subjects, he backed up to squeeze the undulating sea star into his field of view. The dancing posture of spawning sea stars rising and swaying may help release eggs and sperm, or may help sweep the eggs and sperm into the currents where they fertilise together in the water. Kinko Bay, Japan. (Photo by Tony Wu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

Racegoers brave the rain during 2022 Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 1, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/Getty Images for VRC)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (L) is welcomed by the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola ahead of a meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, 03 November 2022. (Photo by Stephanie Lecocq/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A protester lies on the ground after being pushed during a protest over coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in mainland China, during a commemoration of the victims of a fire in Urumqi, in Hong Kong, China on November 28, 2022. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

Dogs and humans dressed in all manner of costume participate in the 32nd Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade inside Tompkins Square Park on October 22, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Schwartz/Splash News and Pictures)

A model presents a creation from designer Fahad Hussayn during a fashion show of Bridal Couture Week in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, December 15, 2023. (Photo by K.M. Chaudary/AP Photo)

English television presenter Maya Jama attends The Fashion Awards 2022 at the Royal Albert Hall on December 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Backgrid UK)

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator sticks her tongue out as she is escorted to a police vehicle outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco, Monday, June 3, 2024. Police arrested Palestinian supporters Monday who occupied the lobby of the building. (Photo by Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)