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05 Mar 2011 15:07

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World: Protip to Monks in Bhutan: Don’t carry any tobacco whatsoever

  • one 23-year-old monk living in the Himalayan Kingdom of in Bhutan
  • $3 worth of tobacco (well, roughly) in Sonam Tshering’s possession
  • three years in jail for being caught with said tobacco … wow source
  • » Yes, it’s illegal: Bhutan banned the practice of smoking in the country way back in 2005, and last year tightened the grip further by working to prevent smuggling. For his part, Tshering, who was in tears after the ruling, says that he deserved punishment, “but the penalty could have been lighter. I wasn’t aware about the act.”

01 Apr 2009 01:41

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Offbeat: Five fast historical facts about April Fool’s Day

  • one The holiday was invented by monks in the 11th century as a way to control laborers.
  • two Daylight Saving Time used to start on April 1st every year until it was staggered in the 20th century.
  • three The pulling of tricks on April Fool’s Day is a strictly Euro-American tradition.
  • four Families in some Asian nations celebrate by exchanging small, handmade gifts.
  • five In 2004, Monaco banned the holiday after a failed trick left three people dead. source