FLAMIN’ GOOD SNAP WINS TOP PRIZE
AN image of a man running while engulfed in flames during a protest in Venezuela has been awarded the World Press Photo of the Year 2018.
Winner Ronaldo Schemidt was awarded first prize and €10,000 ($15,860) for his photograph – titled Venezuela Crisis – yesterday in Amsterdam. He works for AFP and is based in Mexico.
Mr Schemidt photographed 28-year-old Jose Victor Salazar Balza during the violent protests against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in May 2017. Mr Balza was pictured after being caught in the flames of an exploded motorcycle fuel tank. He survived with first- and second-degree burns.
The image was described as a “classic photo with energy and dynamism” by jury chairman Magdalena Herrera. THE recently closed classified advertising website Backpage and its CEO have pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges in the US.
Backpage – accused of being the biggest website for prostitution in the world, with its classifieds used to promote paid-for sex with minors and victims of human trafficking – was abruptly shut down by US authorities on April 6.
According to a plea deal, the company’s CEO Carl Ferrer, 57, has agreed to co-operate in the prosecution of alleged coconspirators Michael Lacey, 69, and James Larkin, 68.