The bloodwood tree (Pterocarpus angolensis) is a deciduous tree with a high canopy, reaching about 15m in height and has dark bark. The red sap is used traditionally as a dye and in some areas mixed with animal fat to make a cosmetic for faces and bodies. It is also believed to have magical properties for the curing of problems concerning blood, apparently because of its close resemblance to blood. The name bloodwood for these trees stems from the dark red to brown sap that accumulates on wounds on the trunks.

Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Many laws still in existence throughout the united states are wildly outdated, rendering them completely ridiculous, useless and bizarre. The absurdity is illustrated by new York-based photographer Olivia Locher, who catalogs the crazy rules and regulations of each state in a playful photographic series ‘I fought the law’. Readers might be surprised to learn that in Rhode island, it is illegal to wear transparent clothing, nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool in California and Arizona residents may not have more than two dildos in a house. Take a look at the ongoing series below to find out more about the peculiar oddities present in the American legal system.

“Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the West Highland Line in Glenfinnan, Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It was built between 1897 and 1901. Located at the top of Loch Shiel in the West Highlands of Scotland, the viaduct overlooks the Glenfinnan Monument and the waters of Loch Shiel”. – Wikipedia

Photo: A view of the Glenfinnan Viaduct on March 30, 2012 in Glenfinnan, Scotland. Built by Sir Robert McAlpine, the single track viaduct that is made up of 21 arches is considered to have been one of the largest engineering projects of its time. Today, it is still used by ScotRail and was recently used for scenes in three of the Harry Potter films. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

Kahuna, an injured loggerhead turtle, returns to the ocean after years of rehabilitation. It has been two years since Kahuna, a 209-pond loggerhead turtle, was rescued from the wild by biologists at FPL’s St. Lucie Power. Half of one of her flippers had been sliced off, and the other flipper was badly injured. On top of that, she had severe bone infection doctors tried for months to cure with antibiotics, only to have it come back once they stopped the medicine.

Photo: Kahuna is kept calm and steady on the gurney by staff and volunteers.

“Anastasiya Shpagina is one of the famous women who have transformed themselves into looking like human dolls. Hailing from Ukraine, 19-year-old Anastasiya Shpagina always loved Japanese cartoon characters, and has dreamed of becoming a living doll that appears in animes. She transformed her look into something that can be seen in the pages of a manga book”.

Photo: “Human Anime Doll” Anastasiya Shpagina (R) with “Human Barbie Doll” Valeria Lukyanova. (Photo by Anastasiya Shpagina & Valeria Lukyanova)

A giant sculpture of a seven-month-old baby by artist Marc Quinn entitled “Planet” contrasts against the stately grandeur of Chatsworth House and the Derbyshire countryside on 4 September, 2008, Chatsworth, England. The bronze sculpture painted white is part of the Beyond Limits exhibition of modern and contemporary sculpture displayed in the gardens of Chatsworth by Sotherby's. More than 20 works will be on display from 9 September to 2 November 2008. In past years acclaimed artists Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, Salvador Dali and Henry Moore have had work exhibited. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)