April Fool's Day a Serious Joke in Europe

[tocqueville]

By DEREK KRAVITZ, Associated Press Writer
Sat Apr 1, 8:01 PM ET
LONDON - When it comes to April Fool's Day, Europe's media are having the last laugh.

Britain's Daily Mail reported that British Prime Minister Tony Blair repainted the traditionally black front door of his Downing Street office "socialist red" to match his Labour party colors. The Times ran a story about a new song-activated credit card security system called "Chip 'n' Sing."

• The Rome daily Il Messaggero reported that a new group in the city of Aquil had persuaded officials to cover up monuments in the main square by dressing the naked men and women with clothes of bronze.

• Sweden's daily Dagens Nyheter scared thousands of bicyclists by claiming that Stockholm's city government would impose speed limits of 12 mph on bikes in the inner city.

• The Moscow daily Moskovsky Komsomolets turned the day into a contest, offering free subscriptions to callers who identified false stories. Its gag stories included a secret research institute where Kremlin candidates to succeed President Vladimir Putin undergo scientific testing, and plans for a parliament building where lawmakers' offices would boast a bar, a balcony and a Jacuzzi.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060402/ap_on_re_eu/europe_april_fool_s_1

[shenmue]

1. Here in the USA...

our biggest joke is actually president!