Stories about Humor from October, 2012
Israel: The Unification of Right-Wing Parties Gives Birth to Bibirman
Israelis took to Facebook and Twitter to react to the announcement that the two largest right-wing parties in Israel will run on a joint ballot in the upcoming January 2013 elections. The parties, Likud, headed by Prime Minister Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu, and Yisrael Beyetenu headed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, are projected to form the next Israeli government, as all polls show that the right-wing blog will once against be dominant one in the Knesset.
Arab World: Salafi Awkward Moments
Recognised by their long beards, and short garbs (thobe), Salafists, who follow a strict interpretation of Islam, were the butt of jokes on Twitter under a new hash tag #SalafiAwkwardMoments. While the West ponders on how to deal with them, let's tune into Twitter to see how funny netizens think they are.
Egypt: Advice to Protesting Kuwaitis
As Kuwaitis embarked on their largest ever protest to denounce changes to the electoral law, passed by the country's hereditary ruler while the Parliament was dissolved, Egyptians kept themselves busy on Twitter, dishing advice to them on what to do and not to do.
Chile: #LosQueSobran Campaign to Pull Youth to Polls
A group of Chilean NGOs have come together in a fun campaign to encourage young people to vote in the Municipal elections this Sunday, October 28. For the first time in Chile, voter registration is automatic and the vote is voluntary.
China: Gangnam Style by Beijing Foreigners
Jesse Appell a a Fulbright research fellow studying Chinese comedy made a video, “Laowai Style“, another fantastic parody of the Korean pop “Gangnam Style”.
Democratic Republic of Congo: A Francophone Summit too Focused on the Protection of the French Language ?
Sékou Diabate reacts on his Facebook page about the end of the fourteenth edition of the Francophone Summit, which was held from October 12th to 14th in Kinshasa. He writes: So how about this great Francophone Summit in Kinsasha, where millions and millions [of Euros] were spent while people are...
Bolivian Politicians Turned ‘Gangnam Style’
The “Gangnam Style” parody has reached Bolivian politicians. Earlier this week, KwonBanYa, a Bolivian YouTube user, uploaded a humorous version of the Korean rap-pop song featuring prominent political figures.
China: ‘Are You Happy?’
During a recent national holiday news story feature broadcast by Chinese state-run television, reporters were filmed asking ordinary people questions including whether or not they were happy. Some the quite literal answers have quickly drawn the attention of netizens.
On National Holiday Portugal's President Hoists Flag – Upside Down
The official celebrations of October 5 in Portugal, a national holiday that celebrates the establishment of the republic in 1910, was marked this year by a symbolic and rather unfortunate act by President Cavaco Silva, who unintentionally hoisted the country's flag upside-down.
Peru: “Talk to My Back, Mr. President”
Peruvian Twitter users show their wit after the release of a video that captures what seems to be a harsh exchange of words between the presidential couple.
Russia: Echo of Moscow Pokes Fun at Environmentalist Dissident
Earlier today, oppositionist blogger Oleg Kozyrev took issue [ru] with an apparent gag that graced the website of Echo of Moscow. In an article titled “Leader of the Khimki Ecologists and Mayoral Candidate Evgenia Chirikova Complains About Interference In Her Election Campaign,” the accompanying photo [ru] features Chirikova against the background of...
