Newspaper Editors Detained Over Malaysian Flag Blunder Linked to AI-Generated Image

APRIL 17, 2025 — Police have detained the Chief Editor and Deputy Chief Sub-Editor of Sin Chew Daily following backlash over an inaccurate depiction of Malaysia’s national flag on its front page, the Malaysian National News Agency reports. The graphic, published April 15 to mark Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit, featured a version of…

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Paris Court Orders Removal of Independence Flag from New Caledonia Driver’s Licenses

FEBRUARY 18, 2025 — A French administrative court has ruled that the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) flag must be removed from driver’s licenses in New Caledonia, siding with the non-independence party Générations NC, according to Franceinfo. The Paris Administrative Court of Appeal upheld a prior ruling that declared the inclusion of…

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Russian Man Fined Over Faded Flag on License Plate That Resembles White-Blue-White Flag

FEBRUARY 12, 2025 — A court in Volgograd fined a local resident, Igor Yermilov, 1,000 rubles ($10.64 USD) for having a white-blue-white flag on his car’s license plate, reports Kavkazr. Authorities deemed the colors similar to the flag of the Freedom of Russia Legion, a group fighting for Ukraine that Russia classifies as a terrorist…

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Russia to Implement New License Plate Rules Mandating Tricolor Flag

DECEMBER 30, 2024 — Starting January 1, 2025, license plates in Russia must include the national tricolor flag, following amendments to the state standard (GOST) introduced in November 2024, auto.ru reports. This regulation will apply only to plates issued after the effective date, leaving existing plates unaffected by the new rule. Izvestia reports that Igor…

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Controversy in Bashkiria Over Forced Apologies for Russian Imperial Flag

DECEMBER 16, 2024 — Two young men in Bashkiria, Russia were compelled to apologize after unfurling the black-yellow-white flag of the Russian Empire, Telegraf UA reports, in an incident that has sparked controversy and political scrutiny in the region. The controversy began when a photo circulated online of the individuals holding the Russian Empire flag,…

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Denmark Passes Law Restricting Foreign Flags on Flagpoles

DECEMBER 3, 2024 — The Danish Parliament has approved a new law prohibiting the display of most foreign flags on flagpoles taller than four meters, effective January 1, 2025, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation reports. Flags from neighboring countries such as Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark’s territories, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, will remain…

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