Top 50 UPI photos of 2012 (51 images)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians walk through the rubble at the scene where multiple bombs explosions hit the center of Aleppo, Syria on October 3, 2012. The apparent suicide car blasts in the government controlled district came within minutes of each other and killed at least 40 people. Aleppo is Syria's largest city and is essentially split in half with the rebels controlling the eastern part and the government controlling the western part. UPI

Meryl Streep and Jean Dujardin, Best Actress and Best Actor, hug with their Oscars backstage at the 84th Academy Awards at the Hollywood and Highlands Center in Los Angeles on February 26, 2012. UPI/Jim Ruymen

A statue of Saint Domenico, surrounded by live snakes, is held up by worshipers during the annual St. Domenico's procession in the streets of Cocullo, Italy, on May 1, 2012. The procession is held every year on the first of May. St. Domenico is believed to be the patron saint for people who have been bitten by snakes. UPI/Stefano Spaziani

An Jewish settler boy wears a police costume in front of a closed Palestinian shop, during the annual parade marking the Jewish holiday of Purim in the divided West Bank town of Hebron, Thursday, March 8, 2012. The festival of Purim commemorates the rescue of Jews from genocide in ancient Persia as told in the book of Esther. UPI/Debbie Hill