It has convened an investigative committee that can look into or summon to testify anyone it wants, and has access to confidential bank, tax and phone records.

ECONOMIST: Corruption in Brazil

The floats come in two varieties: yama floats with platforms decorated to resemble mountains and hoko floats dominated by tall wooden poles originally intended to summon the Plague God so that he could be transformed into a protective spirit through music, dance and worship.

UNESCO: Culture

The handful of folks who were able to summon up the courage to enter the water were huddled into small groups a few feet offshore and periodically groups of teenage girls would shriek and run from the surf, inciting a mad scramble for the shore by the remaining bathers.

FORBES: You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat