Around 200 protesters in Albania tore down fences at a luxury development site, protesting against construction in environmentally sensitive areas and on confiscated land. The demonstrations highlight growing anger over projects, including one linked to Jared Kushner, near protected natural sites.
In Rio de Janeiro's Vila Cruzeiro favela, artists and children repainted Saint Luke's Square with national colours, transforming a site of trauma from a deadly police operation into a symbol of community resilience and national pride ahead of the World Cup.
Portuguese President António José Seguro vetoed a bill that would ban ideological, partisan, or associative flags on public buildings. The proposal, approved by center-right and far-right parties, now returns to parliament.
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai have approved a bill to punish acts such as desecrating the national flag. The bill, which aims to impose penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 yen, will be submitted to the Diet soon, with the aim of passing it during the current session. The LDP is seeking support from other parties, including Sanseito and the Democratic Party for the People, as the Upper House remains a minority ruling party.
The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has lifted all Ukraine conflict-related restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under national flags and anthems starting with the 2026 Senior World Championships. The decision aligns with Olympic Charter principles.
European Gymnastics has permitted Russian athletes to compete in the 2026 European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship in Bulgaria from May 27-31, allowing them to use their national flag and anthem. This decision follows a similar move by World Gymnastics.
World Gymnastics has lifted restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete under the national flag and anthem in artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, sports acrobatics, and aerobics. This decision reverses the ban imposed in March 2022 due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Chinese table tennis fans are outraged after official ITTF merchandise for the World Team Championships twice featured incorrect versions of China's national flag, sparking widespread social media complaints and calls for respect.
Russian Sports Minister and President of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev noted that "our anthem is already being played at many tournaments, and our national flag is present"
Unhappy Victorians are flying upside-down Australian flags in political protest, but what exactly does it mean, and what do their neighbours think?
Unhappy Victorians are flying upside-down Australian flags in political protest, but what exactly does it mean, and what do their neighbours think?
The parade began with a march of the banner group of the Preobrazhensky Regiment Honor Guard’s unit carrying the Russian national flag and the legendary Victory Banner across Red Square
Hong Kong education authorities have ordered a primary school to submit a report after a national flag was found hanging upside down on campus. The Education Bureau said on Thursday that it had followed up on the incident at F.S.F.T.F. Fong Shu Chuen Primary School in Fanling. Online images earlier showed that the national flag was hanging upside down on top of a building at the school. “The Education Bureau immediately contacted the school upon learning of the incident. The school promptly...
The "enormous work" of the Russian Wrestling Federation has allowed to clear youth and juniors to participate in international tournaments under the country’s flag and to the tune of the national anthem, the wrestler says
The IMMAF has also reinstated the membership status of the Russian MMA Union
President of the Russian Table Tennis Federation Oleg Zavalyuyev expressed hope that the team’s senior squad would be able to participate under national flag as well
Russia's women's water polo team defeated South Africa 27-5 at the 2026 Women's Water Polo World Cup in Malta, finishing 3-0 in Group Stage with wins over Argentina (33-11), Germany (26-4), and South Africa. The team finished first in Division 2 with nine points, securing a quarterfinal berth. This marks Russia's first international team competition since 2022 competing under their national flag and anthem after World Aquatics lifted sanctions on April 13.
A Russian national sporting team has competed under the national flag and anthem for the first time since 2022 Read Full Article at RT.com
