An image of a woman - clad in a burqa and with hands covered by medical gloves, supporting a wounded relative in a mosque used as a hospital in Sana'a, Yemen - has been selected as the World Press Photo of the Year.

The photo, taken by Spain's Samuel Aranda in the midst of anti-government uprisings in Yemen in late 2011, has the look of a painting. According to one of the World Press jury members, his image captures the essence of the protests that spread across the Middle East last year.

"In the Western media, we seldom see veiled women in this way, at such an intimate moment," said Nina Berman. "It is as if all of the events of the Arab Spring resulted in this single moment."

Canadian photographer Donald Weber won first prize in the Portraits category for his series Interrogation Room, from photos taken in the Ukraine:

Here are some of other images from the 2012 World Press Photo contest. To see all the winners, visit the World Press Photo website:

Remi Ochlik, Battle For Libya, 1st place, General News (stories)

Lars Lindqvist, Earthquake in Japan, 2nd place, General News (singles)

Salil Bera, Leopard, Honorable Mention, Spot News (singles)

Donald Miralle, Jr., Ironman World Championships, 1st place, Sports

Damir Sagolj, North Korea, 1st place, Daily Life (singles)

Brent Stirton, Rhino Wars, 1st place, Nature

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Samuel Aranda's image of a burqa-clad Yemeni woman supporting her wounded relative evokes the spirit of the Middle East uprisings of 2011, and was named the World Press Photo of the Year ...