Pangolins in Crisis: Brent Stirton, South Africa; 1st place, Natural world and wildlife. “Pangolins are the world’s most illegally trafficked mammals, with an estimated one million trafficked to Asia in the last 10 years. Their scales are used in traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine, and their meat is sold as a high-priced delicacy. As a result, pangolins are listed as critically endangered and anyone who trades or consumes them is breaking the law. This body of work exposes the trade, while exploring aspects of illegality and celebrating the people who are trying to save these animals”. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Sony World Photography Awards 2020)

People collect fish on the beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Da Nang, Vietnam on May 6, 2020. (Photo by Kham via Reuters)

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action against Karolina Muchova at Roland Garros Grand Slam Tournament – Day 12 on June 08, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lisi Niesner/Reuters)

Security grab a Just Stop Oil protester during day one of the second Ashes test match at Lord's, London on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

In this handout image provided by Red Bull, Maria Paula Quintero of Colombia dives from the 20 metre balcony during the first competition day of the third stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on July 01, 2023 at Polignano a Mare, Italy. (Photo by Romina Amato/Red Bull via Getty Images)

Three young women sprint for cover after getting caught but they were laughing with joy. Fun for some – not so much for others. Leaping over and into puddles. Torrential rain and lightning and thunder in North London Highgate on August 17, 2022. Storm drenched people out and created huge puddles for traffic People ran to escape. (Photo by Gavin Rodgers/Pixel8000)

Volunteers wait before taking part in the 66th National Day celebrations in Malaysia's administrative capital Putrajaya, on August 31, 2023. The country commemorates the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. (Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP Photo)

Argentina's Clara Baiocchi pats Puerto Rico's Alondra Negron as she falls during the women's 3000-meters steeplechase final at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, November 4, 2023. (Photo by Fernando Vergara/AP Photo)