International News
A picture of a spot news, general news or issue reporting event taken outside the United States.
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First Place
David Gilkey
NPR
UNTITLED
A Marine yells for help while under heavy fire from a machine gun in the Helmand River Valley in Helmand province, Afghanistan on July 2, 2009. Marines have met significant resistance from Taliban fighters using rocket-propelled grenades, small arms and machine guns.
Second Place
Louie Palu
ZUMA Press for The Toronto Star
DEAD
An Army Medic gently closes the eyes of an young Afghan man after he was accidently caught in crossfire and fatally shot during a battle between the Afghan Army and Taliban insurgents in Zhari District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on July 23, 2009. The escalating conflict has resulted in a record number of Afghan civilian casualties this year with more expected as the conflict escalates.
Third Place
Sarah L. Voisin
The Washington Post
CHALKLINE
In Mexico City, on July 3, 2009, night brings another body, another chalk line and another battle lost as the war on drugs rages on. More than 16,500 people including criminals, police, children and innocent bystanders have died in Mexico since the start of 2007, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared war on drugs.
Award of Excellence
David Gilkey
NPR
UNTITLED
An Afghan man is detained and questioned on July 2, 2009, after shooting at the Marines in Helmand province, Afghanistan. To their frustration, he had thrown his gun into a nearby river, so they were forced to release him. Marines are often unable to distinguish insurgents from civilians.
Award of Excellence
Sarah L. Voisin
The Washington Post
VIOLENCE
The level of violence in all of Mexico, including Tijuana, is at a record high, and it has swept up even the youngest generation. This boy was arrested for trying to rob someone with a realistic-looking toy gun. More than 16,500 people, criminals, police, children and innocent bystanders have died in Mexico since the start of 2007, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared war on drugs.
Award of Excellence
Sarah L. Voisin
The Washington Post
VIGILANTISM
Gregorio Toyar Lopez, 52, was caught stealing in Tijuana, Mexico, and rather than calling the police, the owner smashed Lopez's face into the sidewalk and left the scene. The bloody bodies Mexicans see daily in the media and on the streets have desensitized residents to brutality. More than 16,500 people -- criminals, police, children and innocent bystanders -- have died in Mexico since the start of 2007, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared war on drugs. Many citizens have no faith in corrupt or ineffective police, instead turning to vigilantism.
