Fart Smeller Movement

The Yakuza

Beginning in 2008, photographer Anton Kusters began his attempt to infiltrate and document the mysterious Japanese mafia. He has spent two years with one of Japan’s notorious Yakuza gangs, known for their brutality, tattoos and strict code of honour.After months of painstaking negotiations, he was taken into their confidence and given a fascinating glimpse into the world of the secretive organised crime syndicate.Japan's National Police Agency estimated in 2009 that there were 80,900 active Yakuza, whose activities include drug dealing, extortion, illegal gambling and violent turf wars.The Yakuza are bound by a strict and ruthless moral code. To prove the sincerity of an apology some members are known to cut off the ends of their fingers.Those who wish to join the Yakuza receive a training, at a covert location, in hand-to-hand and meditation.The Yakuza are known for their tattoos, which they rarely show in public. Their tattoos are often made using the basic and painful technique of needle and ink.

Monster 20-foot crocodile captured

After capturing what could be the biggest crocodile caught alive in the world, hunters are already talking of going after an even bigger croc, possibly lurking in the creeks of Agusan del Sur.

The monster, 6.1-meter (20-foot) saltwater crocodile ensnared on Saturday in Bunawan town after a 24-day hunt has already been named “Lolong” by the villagers—and experts say Lolong may not be alone.

Lolong, believed by some residents to be 50 years old, is now kept in a huge metal cage

The world’s most endangered freshwater variety, Crocodylus Mindorensis, is found only in the Philippines, where only about 250 are known to be in the wild.

About 1,000 of the larger saltwater type, or Crocodylus Porosus, like the one captured in Bunawan, are scattered mostly in the country’s southern swamplands, wildlife official Glen Rebong said

(AP Photo)

Umbanda worshippers perform rituals in Brazil

Umbanda, an Afro-Brazilian religion that combines African religions with Catholicism and local indigenous beliefs, uses rituals to induce trances in worshippers who "incorporate" the spirits of slaves born in Africa and buried in Brazil.

Although some of its beliefs and most of its practices existed in the late 19th century in almost all Brazil, it is assumed that Umbanda originated in Rio de Janeiro and surrounding areas in the early 20th century, mainly due to the work of a psychic (medium), Zélio Fernandino de Moraes, who practiced Umbanda among the poor Afro-Brazilian population. Since then, Umbanda has spread across mainly southern Brazil and even to neighboring countries like Uruguay and Argentina.

Picture taken August 26, 2011. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

London's Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which since 1964 has taken place on the streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea , London, UK each August, over two days (the August bank holiday Monday and the day beforehand). It is led by members of the West Indian community, particularly the Trinidadian and Tobagonian British population or 'Trinis', many of whom have lived in the area since the 1950s. The carnival has attracted up to 2 million people in the past.

The carnival, Europe's largest street festival, began successfully with few problems reported on Sunday (August 28 2011). The festival closed before dark this year to discourage any repetition of the arson and looting which erupted in London and other cities earlier in the month. Metropolitan Police described the opening day of the two-day festival as peaceful, and reported only 33 arrests, including six for assault and one for an offensive weapon.

Photos by Getty Images

Miniature submarine

Zhang Wuyi, a Chinese farmer who is interested in scientific inventions, operates his self-made miniature submarine "Shuguang Hao" during a safety test at Moshui Lake in Wuhan.

Photos by REUTERS

Spain's annual "Tomatina" tomato fight

Tens of thousands of people pelted each other with 120 tons of ripe tomatoes Wednesday in an annual battle that left the eastern Spanish town of Bunol awash in red pulp.