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· February, 2009

Stories about Humor from February, 2009

The Greatest Street Party on Earth: The Brazilian Carnival

Barack Obama, Fidel Castro and the Iraqi journalist who threw one of his shoes at George Bush were just some of the characters spotted on the streets of Brazil, during this year's Carnival. See a selection of the most interesting pictures published under a Creative Commons license.

Written by Paula Góes
28 February 2009

DRC: When it rains in Kinshasa

Cedric Kalonji describes Kinshasa after a heavy rain [FR].  The roads turn into lakes, but “high up in their 4x4s, the authorities are untouched by the problem, the result being...

Written by Jennifer Brea
21 February 2009

China: Riding on Chairman Mao's head

On Feb19，a set of pictures that shows a girl riding on the head of Chairman Mao was circulated around the internet. Of course, what she rides is just a statue...

Written by Bob Chen
20 February 2009

Georgia: Eurovision Pop Protest

Writing for the new Frontline Club blog, Matthew Collin says that Georgia might use this this year's Eurovision international song contest to be held in Moscow to poke fun at...

Written by Onnik Krikorian
17 February 2009

Japan: Hetalia Axis Powers and the limits of parody

Hetalia, a satirical manga set mainly during the Second World War and featuring national protagonists of that era, has attracted attention among both domestic and international audiences for its caricature of world nations. In this post, read reactions in translation from bloggers in both Japan, where the manga originated, and in Italy, the country most strongly ridiculed.

Written by Scilla Alecci
17 February 2009

Brazil: A Falling Castle (and Congressman) in Two Acts

Recently elected Vice-President and Ethics Magistrate of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, Edmar Moreira has resigned following only one week in the post, after a property of his – a medieval-style castle in the middle of tropical Brazil about which the tax office were not told – has suddenly come into the spotlight. Will he be investigated? Bloggers speculate on this tragic-comic plot.

Written by Thiana Biondo
14 February 2009

India: The Pink Underwear Resistance

In some parts of India, celebrating Valentine's Day could be considered harmful to women's and couple's health, as Morality Police decide to hunt down couples and women that may be holding hands or in pubs. The Pink Chaddi campaign is a step towards demonstrating that women can and will take matters into their own hands to make sure the situation changes.

Written by Ruchika Muchhala
13 February 2009

Korea: Seven Reasons Why You’re Dumped by Women

There was an interesting post in a Korean blog introducing seven reasons why men are dumped by women on a date and giving tips on how you as a man should prevent this disaster. Don’t trust this 100 percent. It won’t always be right.

Written by Hyejin Kim
13 February 2009

China: Grass Mud Horse

Joel Martinsen from DANWEI explains the popular online term, Grass Mud Horse, which originally is a legendary beast and recently used as a political parody for the harmonious society.

Written by Oiwan Lam
12 February 2009

Trinidad & Tobago: Be Advised

As five developed countries issue travel advisories for Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life says: “Government’s Vision is clear and that is what is so frightening.”

Written by Janine Mendes-Franco
10 February 2009

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