The World Press Photo Exhibition opens in London tomorrow (9 November), showcasing a series of powerful and moving images that capture world events that made the news agenda in 2011.

From the Japanese tsunami to the rebel uprising in Libya, come take a look at some incredible images of hope, chaos and despair with award-winning highlights from the collection, below.

The World Press Photo exhibition is free to visit from 9 November to 27 November at the Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank Centre. See more information here.

ABOVE: World Press Photo of the Year

Samuel Aranda, Spain, for The New York Times

Sanaa, Yemen, 15 October 2011

Fatima al-Qaws cradles her son Zayed (18), who is suffering from the effects of tear gas after participating in a street demonstration, in Sanaa, Yemen, on 15 October.

ABOVE: Harlem Protest

Tomasz Lazar, Poland

Harlem, New York, 21 October 2011

A protester is arrested during demonstrations against police stop-and-frisk tactics in Harlem, New York on 21 October.

ABOVE: Rhino Wars

Brent Stirton, South Africa, Reportage by Getty Images for National Geographic magazine

Mount Kenya, 13 July 2011

An anti-poaching team guards a northern white rhino, part of a 24-hour watch, at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

ABOVE: Tsunami

Yasuyoshi Chiba, Japan, Agence France-Presse

Miyagi prefecture, Japan, 3 April 2011

Chieko Matsukawa holds up her daughter’s graduation certificate, which she salvaged from the ruins of their home in Higashimatsushima.

ABOVE: On Revolution Road

Yuri Kozyrev, Russia, Noor Images for Time

Ras Lanuf, Libya, 11 March 2011

Rebels battle for Ras Lanuf, an oil-refining town on the Libyan coast, on 11 March.

ABOVE: World Aquatics Championships

Adam Pretty, Australia, Getty Images

Shanghai, China, 17 July 2011

Divers practice during the second day of the 14th FINA World Aquatics Championships, in Shanghai, China, in July.

ABOVE: Cliff-Climbing Polar Bear

Jenny E. Ross, USA

Ostrova Oranskie, Russia, 30 June 2011

A young male polar bear climbs on a cliff face above the ocean at Ostrova Oranskie, in northern Novaya Zemlya, Russia, attempting unsuccessfully to feed on eggs from the nests of Brünnich’s guillemots, in early July.

ABOVE: Danish And Iranian Culture

Laerke Posselt, Denmark, for Politiken

Copenhagen, Denmark, 4 May 2011

Actress Mellica Mehraban, who was born in Iran but grew up in Denmark, played a lead role in the Iranian spy thriller Fox Hunting, which had its first Danish screening at an Iranian film festival in Copenhagen in May.