The World in Pictures: April

Whales on the Move

Photograph by Mazdak Radjainia, Reuters

A pod of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens)—a rare species related more to dolphins than true killer whales, or orcas—swim off the coast of New Zealand on April 13.

False killer whales swim in the open ocean and often socialize with bottlenose dolphins. Orcas, however, are not so friendly. They have been seen attacking their false counterparts.

Published May 1, 2013

Earthquake Survivor

Photograph from Reuters

Nearly 200 people were killed in an earthquake that hit southwestern China on April 22—but one life was brought into the world during the disaster. (Related pictures: "Strong Earthquake Strikes China's Sichuan Province.")

Above, medical staff attend to a baby born in a relief tent in the Sichuan Province the day the earthquake hit.

Published May 1, 2013

Night Light

Photograph by Shannon Stapleton, Reuters

Second only to Texas, North Dakota's oil business is booming, thanks to the Bakken oil formation.

Natural gas flares like the one pictured in the aerial picture above light up the night, and thousands of workers have flocked to the state in search of oil industry jobs—something that has led to a housing shortage in recent months. This picture was taken March 12 but released in April.

Published May 1, 2013

Celebration in Red

Photograph by Navesh Chitrakar, Reuters

A smear of vermillion powder is the price of admission for this child at the Sindur Jatra festival in Thimi, Nepal, on April 15.

The festival celebrates the Nepalese New Year and the beginning of spring.

Published May 1, 2013

Election Protest

Photograph by Tomas Bravo, Reuters

Burning garbage blocks a street in Caracas, Venezuela, as supporters of opposition leader Henrique Capriles protest on April 15.

The day before, Nicolas Maduro won a narrow victory in the presidential election. Some votes are being reviewed but Capriles continues to demand a full recount.

Published May 1, 2013

Temple Prayers

Photograph by Channi Anand, AP

Women pray at a temple in Jammu, India, during Navratri, a nine-night festival devoted to Hindu goddesses, on April 16.

The festival is celebrated in the spring and the fall.

Published May 1, 2013

On Exhibit

Photograph by Charles Platiau, Reuters

A sculpture by Australian artist Ron Mueck hangs in the spotlight at the Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Comtemporain in Paris on April 15.

The piece, called "Drift," is part of an exhibit of Mueck's work that will be displayed until September 29.

Published May 1, 2013

Gray Skies

Photograph by Beawiharta, Reuters

Ominous April skies loom over land and sea as a dog perches on a seawall in the Muara Karang district of Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 16.

Published May 1, 2013

Orange Is the New Black

Photograph by Cris Toala Olivares, Reuters

A stylish man in orange shades sells T-shirts adorned with images of Dutch Queen Beatrix, who abdicated the throne after 33 years in power. Her eldest son, Willem-Alexander, took her place on April 30.

Published May 1, 2013