A failed 'Swedish flag' hoax shows the decline of the extremist 4chan message board

By Mike Wendling
BBC Trending
1 hour ago
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fake Swedish flag

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This mock up of a 'crescent and star' Swedish flag was produced by alt-right activists- but their hoax failed to take off
Internet pranksters tried to start a hoax campaign to change the cross on the Swedish flag to a Turkish-style crescent and star. Although a few people were tricked, the lacklustre response to the campaign co-ordinated on 4chan could be a sign that the extreme message board's influence on internet culture is starting to wane.
The petition on campaigning site Avaaz.org was written in strident, over-the-top language by someone trying to mimic a hard-left activist: "The Swedish flag is a constant reminder of our dark and oppressive past. Refugees and migrants are forced to live under its Christian Cross; a symbol of the Crusades and the slaughter of millions of innocent Islamic lives in Sweden's past that makes them feel unwelcome and unsafe. Sweden should be a safe space for everyone."
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Miss Iraq and Miss Israel selfie strikes a nerve
By Sherie Ryder, Nada Rashwan & Veri Sajwari
BBC UGC and Social News, and BBC Monitoring
9 hours ago
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Miss Israel and Miss IraqImage copyrightSARAH IDAN/INSTAGRAM
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Miss Israel and Miss Iraq wanted to promote peace and love
As contestants for Miss Universe 2017 gather in Las Vegas, it's no surprise many have been grabbing photo opportunities together.
However, when Miss Iraq, Sarah Eedan, posted a selfie with fellow contestant Miss Israel, Adar Gandelsman, they may not have realised how mixed reaction would be on social media.
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Confusion over Zimbabwean parties' social media accounts
By BBC Trending
What's popular and why
16 November 2017
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Many twitter profiles claiming to be involved with Zanu PFImage copyrightTWITTER
On social media there are several accounts claiming to be the mouthpiece of Zimbabwe's governing Zanu-PF party, but it's unclear which, if any, are official, and what links they have with those currently in charge.
News networks across the world have been reporting on the seizure of power by military generals in Zimbabwe.
Read full article Confusion over Zimbabwean parties' social media accounts
Cards Against Humanity versus Trump's US-Mexico border wall
By Sherie Ryder
BBC UGC and Social News
15 November 2017
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Portion of the fence near El Paso, Texas
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Portion of the fence near El Paso, Texas
Board and card games can be fun, challenging and keep family and friends occupied. But one rather risqué game has recently embarked on a more politically strategic challenge.
Cards Against Humanity - "a party game for horrible people," according to its creators - has been mentioned in over 14,000 tweets, at time of writing, after revealing it had purchased a plot of land on the US border with Mexico.
Read full article Cards Against Humanity versus Trump's US-Mexico border wall
Mankini-wearing 'Borat' tourists arrested in Kazakhstan
By Paul Harrison
BBC UGC and Social News
14 November 2017
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Czech men in Borat mankinis in KazakhstanImage copyrightINFORMBURO.KZ
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The Czech men were detained on Friday for 'minor hooliganism'
Six Czech tourists who dressed up as Borat have been arrested in Kazakhstan for wearing nothing but mankinis.
The group posed for photos dressed in the revealing swimsuits in the capital city of Astana last week.
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