2015 News Picture Story
First Place: Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Series chronicling the migrant crisis in Europe and the influx of them coming ashore in Lesbos, Greece. More than 500,000 people have arrived in the European Union this year, seeking sanctuary or jobs and sparking the EU's biggest refugee emergency in decades. Tens of thousands of people trying to escape conflict and poverty in places like Syria and Afghanistan have been making their way across Europe this summer and fall, embarking on grueling journeys that typically start with a short boat trip from Turkey to Greece, then continue north and west on foot and by bus and train. Afghan migrants disembark safely from their frail boat in bad weather on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A man holds three children wearing thermal blankets after their arrival in bad weather from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos , Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Migrants disembark from a dinghy on a beach after arriving from the Turkish coast to the village of Skala Sikaminias on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
The lifeless body of an elderly unidentified man is seen on the beach after washing up on the shoreline at the village of Skala, on the Greek island of Lesbos, on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A volunteer tries to calm a child after his arrival with other migrants and refugees on a dinghy from the Turkish coast to the Skala Sykaminias village on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Paramedics and doctors try to revive a young boy after a boat with refugees and migrants sank while crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. The condition of the child is not known.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Volunteers provide first aid to a refugee suffering from hypothermia immediately after his arrival on a dinghy from the Turkish coast to the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Paramedics and doctors care for a baby girl after a boat with refugees and migrants sunk while was crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. The condition of the child is not known.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Refugees wait under the rain for a bus, transferring them to a processing center, in Skala Sikaminias village, on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, early Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
The body of a young man covered with a blue blanket remains on Eftalou beach after his dinghy capsized on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, Friday, Oct. 30, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A volunteer holds a baby who cries after the arrival of refugees and migrants from the Turkish coast to the Skala Sykaminias village on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
First Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Refugees and migrants are covered with thermal blankets after their arrival on a dinghy from the Turkish coast to the Skala Sykaminias village on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, Friday, Oct. 23, 2015.
Santi Palacios / Associated Press
Second Place: Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Massive protests broke out across the United States following decisions to not indict white police officers who used force against and ultimately killed unarmed black men in New York and Missouri. Eric Garner died after being placed in a chokehold by New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo and Michael Brown, who allegedly had his hands in the air, was shot to death by Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson. A protestor stands with his hands up as he confronts police vehicles during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A Police officer confronts protestors as they attempt to disperse a crowd from in front of the Ferguson police station on November 25, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A protestor holds a mirror in front of a line of Berkeley police officers during a demonstration on December 8, 2014 in Berkeley, California.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A demonstrator cries as she pleads for peace in front of the Ferguson police department on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Demonstrators march through the streets while protesting the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown on November 23, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A police officer runs by a burning police car during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Police officers walk by a burning police car during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A protestor confronts a line of Berkeley police officers during a demonstration on December 8, 2014 in Berkeley, California.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Demonstrators listen to a car radio as a grand jury's decision is delivered in front of the Ferguson police department on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Second Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Protestors run away after police deployed tear gas during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
Justin Sullivan
Third Place: Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Chernobyl 30 years after. On April 26, 1986 at 1:24 a.m. a disastrous event occurred, the worst technological catastrophe of the modern age, which blighted the lives of millions of people. That night reactor number four of the Chernobyl nuclear power station exploded. The explosion unleashed tons of radioactive dust into the air, where, transported by winds it contaminated both hemispheres of our planet, settling wherever it rained. Almost the whole of Europe was fouled: 65 million people were contaminated. Belarus was the worst hit, with 30% of its territory rendered useless and it will take millennia to recover. It is estimated that the most contaminated areas stretching over 260.000 square kilometers of land, (almost as large as Italy) will return to normal radioactive levels in about one hundred thousand years time. Almost 30 years have gone by, so we have another ninety nine thousand, nine hundred and seventy to go More than 400.000 people were forced to evacuate the area, losing their homes and possessions. At the present time nine million people in Belarus, the Ukraine and western Russia continue living in areas with very high levels of radioactivity, consuming contaminated food and water. Eighty percent of the population of Belarus, Western Russia and North Ukraine suffers from various pathologies. After the Chernobyl disaster, in the contaminated areas there has been a huge increase in radiation-related tumours, such as leukaemia, bone and brain tumours, and also malformations due to genetic mutations, pathologies of the senses, cardio vascular, skeletal and muscular systems. And there will be still more effects to come from the women who at the time of the disaster were under the age of six and are now starting to have children. Only now will we begin to understand the effects of genetic mutation on future generations. a sunk quay, at the Chernobyl river port
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A fox in the main square of Pripyat, exclusion zone. Wild animals, thanks to the absence humans, have taken possession of the environment. In the zone now is plenty of wild animals like foxes, wolves, boars, moose and even bears
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
After 29 years of abandonment, nature has taken possession of the Chernobyl exclusion zone. One of the main squares of the abandoned city of Pripyat, where there was the playground, now is invaded and surrounded by trees. Despite the high contamination, the absence of humans for so many years has allowed nature to regenerate, a contaminated, mutated nature but flourishing.
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Olia, 14 years old is affected by an osteosarcoma. Here she is filming her friend Ania playing guitar. Ania suffers from a thyroid and ovaius cancer. family home, Kiev
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Anna, 6 months, she suffers from hydrocefalus, here she lies on the surgery bed before the surgery to reduce the liquor on her brain
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
A worker inside the damaged control room of reactor number 4. Here everythng began. The control room number four now is buried in a small sarcophagus of concrete and the access is limited to workers only. The levels of radioactivity inside the control room of reactor number four are 30 times the normal level. Chernobyl nuclear power plant 2,000 workers are involved in the safety of the reactors 1-2-3 until they can be dismantled. This will only be in 2065 when the levels of radioactivity in the core will be decreased. another 2,000 workers are building a new sarcophagus to bury the reactor number 4. This will be completed in November 2017.
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
one of the greatest dangers existing in the exclusion zone are fires. Fire burns trees raising radioactive ash that is spread in the air, causing a new nuclear fallout. On April 27, 2015 the largest fire ever happened in the exclusion zone exploded, burning more than 113 km2 of radioactive forest and throwing back tons of radioactive particles into the air. In the background of the city of Pripyat the great fire of April 27, 2015
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Vitali, 7 years old, he suffers from a congenital malformation called craniostenosis. Her mother is showing the mold of Vitalis skull. The mold is used to build the titanium plate, that will help for a certain period of time to develop the growth of Vitali skull. Neurological Hospital, Kiev
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Vladik, 9 years old, he suffers from a bone cancer. He would like to become an herpetologist. Here he is showing a photograph of him with his best friend: a spider. Oncology hospital, Kiev
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Inside the kindergarten "Zolotoj Kluchik", the golden key, Pripyat, exclusion zone the excluson zone is 30 km radius from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It is considered the most radioactive spot on the planet and it will remain for millennia.
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Children in Radinkas school. Radinka is an heavily contaminated village 300 meters from the fence of the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Here 80% of the children suffer from disorders of heart rhythm, one of the most common pathology caused by the accumulation on the body of radionuclide cesium 137
Pierpaolo Mittica
Third Place - 2015 News Picture Story
Fresh painted radiation warning signs ready to be put around the zone, Pripyat city
Pierpaolo Mittica
Honorable Mention: Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
Series chronicling racial unrest in Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray. A pillow sits inside Freddie Gray's casket before a funeral, Monday, April 27, 2015, in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
Lipstick marks Freddie Gray's casket at his burial, Monday, April 27, 2015, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
J.R. White, right, takes a selfie in front of a mural that was painted at the site of Freddie Gray's arrest, Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Baltimore, as protesters prepare to march to City Hall.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
A member of the Baltimore Police Department stands guard outside of the department's Western District police station as men hold their hands up in protest during march for Freddie Gray, Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
Blighted buildings stand behind a protester as he leads marchers in a chant from atop a vehicle, Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
A demonstrator raises his fist as police stand in formation and a CVS store burns, Monday, April 27, 2015, during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
A man carries items that he looted from a store as police vehicles burn, Monday, April 27, 2015, after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
A police officer throws an object at protestors, Monday, April 27, 2015, during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
A woman runs for safety as police throw tear gas canisters while enforcing curfew, Tuesday, April 28, 2015, in Baltimore, a day after unrest that occurred following Freddie Gray's funeral.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
Firefighters fight a fire in eastern Baltimore, Monday, April 27, 2015, during unrest following the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
A member of the Maryland National Guard stands guard outside Baltimore City Hall as marchers protest the death of Freddie Gray, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
A protestor raises his fist outside of Baltimore City Hall as marchers protest the death of Freddie Gray, Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky / Associated Press
Honorable Mention: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
SUMMARY: SLAUGHTER IN THE HOUSE OF GOD -- On June 18, 2015, white supremacist Dylann Storm Roof, 21, of Lexington, South Carolina, attended a prayer meeting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church for an hour before opening fire and killing three men and six women. Among the dead was the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a state senator and a pastor at the church, the oldest black congregation in America south of Baltimore. On the heals of other high-profile murders of unarmed African Americans, the impact of the mass shooting shook the city and the nation, sparking dialogue about race and violence in America. CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 18: The Rev. Sidney Davis (C) leads people in prayer as they hold hands in a Circle of Atonement" during a community prayer service at Second Presbyterian Church for the nine victims of the shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church June 18, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 19: Crime scene investigators comb the parking lot on the back side of the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church where nine people were shot dead June 19, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 18: Young people light candles outside the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, June 18, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 21: People leave messages of hope and encouragement in whatever space they can find on a large board in front of the historic Emanuel African American Methodist Church, four days after nine of its members were shot to death in the building, June 21, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. Church elders decided to hold the regularly scheduled Sunday school and worship service as they continue to grieve the shooting, which was allegedly carried out by a 21-year-old white supremacist who wanted to start a 'race war.'
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 20: (L-R) Sheila Smalls, Lucinda Magwood and Anthony Gibbs pray together in front of the historic Emanuel African Methodist Church where nine people were shot to death earlier this week June 20, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. The Charleston community continues to grieve the murder of nine churchgoers who were killed by Dylann Storm Roof, 21, a self-proclaimed racist who was captured and charged in their deaths.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 21: Members of St. Patrick Catholic Church organize a prayer meeting outside the historic Emanuel African American Methodist Church, four days after nine of its members were shot to death in the building, June 21, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. Church elders decided to hold the regularly scheduled Sunday school and worship service as they continue to grieve the shooting, which was allegedly carried out by a 21-year-old white supremacist who wanted to start a 'race war.'
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 21: A church member waits to attend the Sunday morning service at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Church June 21, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. Church elders decided to hold the regularly scheduled Sunday school and worship service as they continue to grieve the shooting death of nine of its members and its pastor earlier this week.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 20: Karma Thompson (C) prays with Betty Owens (L) and Linda Blankenship from the Master's Touch Ministries outside the historic Emanuel African Methodist Church where nine people were shot to death earlier this week June 20, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 21: People hug, cheer and sing together after participating in a "unity chain" across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge over the Cooper River June 21, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina. The march was organized to commemorate the nine people shot to death last Wednesday at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church by a 21-year-old white supremacist who claimed to want to start a race war.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News
Honorable Mention - 2015 News Picture Story
CHARLESTON, SC - JUNE 21: People fill the street in front of the historic Emanuel African American Methodist Church and sing along to hymns being broadcast during the Sunday morning service, four days after nine of its members were shot to death in the building, June 21, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News