Odd News Roundup: Kyrgyzstan moves to rid national flag of likeness to 'fickle' sunflower; Cycling-No more wooden medals for RideLondon finishers and more

But they have not been to everyone's liking. Thais give digital spin to ancient 'floating basket' festival Thai children crafted virtual rafts and sent them floating down digital rivers, in an environmentally friendly version of an ancient festival.

Following is a summary of current odd news briefs.

Kyrgyzstan moves to rid national flag of likeness to 'fickle' sunflower

Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted on Wednesday to tweak the design of the national flag after critics, including President Sadyr Japarov, said its central element looked like a sunflower which in the local culture symbolises fickleness and servility. The Central Asian nation's flag, adopted in 1992 after it gained independence from the Soviet Union, depicts a yellow sun - which doubles as the pinnacle of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt tent - with 40 rays on a red background.

Cycling-No more wooden medals for RideLondon finishers

A lightweight wooden medal proved an inadequate reward for the thousands of amateur cyclists who completed the RideLondon mass participation event last year so organisers have bowed to pressure and will reinstate metal medallions instead. Eco-friendly wooden medals have become more common for sporting events and were introduced for RideLondon in 2022 in part to make the event more sustainable. But they have not been to everyone's liking.

Thais give digital spin to ancient 'floating basket' festival

Thai children crafted virtual rafts and sent them floating down digital rivers, in an environmentally friendly version of an ancient festival. Over the centuries, people have sent 'krathongs' - small, baskets made from plants and loaded with flowers, candles and bamboo - down waterways to make wishes and pay their respects to water spirits.