Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem has been awarded the prestigious 2024 World Press Photo of the Year for his powerful image capturing the devastation of conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The winning photograph depicts a Palestinian woman, Inas Abu Maamar, cradling the lifeless body of her five-year-old niece, Saly, in the morgue of Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. The scene, captured on Oct. 17, 2023, amidst the Israeli bombing of the enclave, portrays the profound grief and anguish experienced by civilians caught in the midst of conflict.
Rickey Rogers, Reuters Global Editor for Pictures and Video, announced Salem's achievement at a ceremony in Amsterdam, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the human impact of war, especially on children. Salem, a seasoned photojournalist who has been with Reuters since 2003, responded to the news with humility, acknowledging the somber nature of the photograph while expressing gratitude for its recognition and the opportunity to raise awareness about the realities of war.
The World Press Photo Foundation, based in Amsterdam, underscored the dangers faced by journalists covering conflicts, particularly during the Israel-Hamas war. The organization noted that 99 journalists and media employees had lost their lives in the line of duty during the conflict, highlighting the risks inherent in documenting humanitarian crises.
Joumana El Zein Khoury, the executive director of the World Press Photo Foundation, emphasized the trauma experienced by journalists in conflict zones and emphasized the importance of shedding light on the humanitarian impact of war through visual storytelling.
Salem's award-winning photograph, described by the jury as "composed with care and respect," provides a poignant glimpse into the unimaginable loss experienced by Palestinian families amidst the violence in Gaza. The image captures the chaos and desperation of civilians seeking information about their loved ones, with Abu Maamar's refusal to let go of her niece's body serving as a poignant symbol of the broader human tragedy unfolding in the region.
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Bengaluru (PTI): A case has been registered after a class one student at a private school in the city was allegedly made to stand under the scorching sun for two hours as punishment for arriving late, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred at a school in Yelahanka Attur Layout here, they said.
According to Police, the child's parents alleged that for being two minutes late to class, the school authorities made the boy stand in the sun for two hours as a punishment.
When the parents questioned the principal about the incident, they complained that she acted rudely and was arrogant.
Accusing the school staff of "misbehaviour", they demanded an explanation from the school administration.
After the incident came to light on social media platform 'X' on Saturday, where a video of the principal being questioned about the act was posted, the Bengaluru City Police responded saying subjecting children to physical or mental suffering is a punishable offence.
"We have taken serious note of the incident reported under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, regarding the reported incident where a child was allegedly made to stand under the sun for two hours as punishment for being late. Subjecting children to physical or mental suffering is a punishable offence," the police said in the post.
A case has also been registered under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, which prohibits revealing the identity of any child involved in an investigation or case, it said.
Police also requested the public not to share videos or information that may reveal the child’s identity.
Such incidents should be reported directly to the police or child protection authorities, they added.
