Parents With a Crying Baby Kicked Off Flight

An art photographer is facing criticism after her photographs of a pink elephant went viral. Julia Buruleva first posted pictures of her Jaipur series in December and shared additional shots in February and March. In these photos, a model with pink body paint is sitting atop an elephant, also painted bright pink, at an abandoned temple. The images were taken in the northern city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India, which is commonly known as the Pink City.  

The photos are drawing backlash from animal rights activists and animal lovers, who call this abuse. Critics are condemning Buruleva for using a wild animal as a prop for creativity. “Many practices have existed for generations—that alone doesn’t make them ethical,” one comment said. “We’ve evolved past a lot of things once considered ‘normal.’ And turning an animal into visual content—no matter how beautifully framed—feels fundamentally wrong. Respecting local communities and questioning harmful practices can exist at the same time.”

Buruleva has repeatedly stated in her posts that the paint used was non-toxic and safe. She also added that the paint was washed off after the shoot, that the elephant was comfortable throughout, and that everything was supervised by handlers.  

Sadly, the elephant, named Chanchal, died in February at around 65 to 70 years old of natural causes. Initially, social media users blamed the photographer for her death, but a doctor’s report confirmed it was unrelated to the photoshoot. Nonetheless, the forest department has launched an investigation into the matter.

Related: Why Jaipur Will Be Your Favorite City in the Golden Triangle Circuit

Caribbean Airlines had an unexpected extra passenger after a woman went into labor on April 4. The flight took off from Kingston, Jamaica, and was about to land at New York City’s JFK airport when the pilot informed the controller that a woman had gone into labor. She delivered the baby on board, and medics tended to them after landing. “After asking if it was out, the controller joked with the pilot saying, ‘All right, tell her she’s got to name it Kennedy.’”

Last week, a dust storm hit the island of Crete in Greece, turning the sky a dramatic, apocalyptic red. The capital city, Heraklion, was covered in dust from the Sahara, and several flights were rerouted. Tourists and locals wore face masks to prevent dust inhalation. Meanwhile, Athens faced Storm Erminio, which brought torrential rain and winds that felled trees and flooded streets. At least one person died after he was swept away and trapped under a car. The city saw major disruptions, with ferries canceled and schools closed.