Global press agency AFP have released their selection of 2012’s best pictures. There are 99 in total, and together they capture every major news story of the year so far – from Mo Farah’s win at the Olympics, to police officers surrounding the bodies of the Marikana miners they shot just moments earlier.

Other big moments include scenes from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the ongoing violence in Syria, and the grounding of the Costa Concordia. On a lighter note, there are also images of Barack and Michelle Obama embracing after his win earlier this month, Adele hugging her six Grammy’s, and two lesbians kissing in front of an anti-gay protest.

Check out all the highlights in the gallery below. The complete set of 99 images can be seen here.

[Source: Denver Post]