Sark flag emoji will prove island's 'own identity'

The release of a Sark flag emoji will be in April, as part of the iOS 18.4 update, Apple officials have confirmed.
Requirements for an official flag as an emoji are different than for other icons, and have included getting featured on the International Standards List (ISO) 3166, which provides unique codes to recognised countries and jurisdictions.
Sark qualified for the ISO's "exceptionally reserved" recognition category, while trying to secure a new online domain for the island - cq - meaning it was automatically allocated a country flag emoji.
Paul Armorgie, former owner of Stocks Hotel, said it was "important" for Sark to have its own identity that was separate from Guernsey.

Mr Armorgie said he was "really excited' for what the emoji meant for local business.
He said: "It really is a chance to put Sark on the map and enhance its reputation.
"We're terribly small, so to be recognised globally is very exciting for all sectors.
"It identifies Sark as being separate to Guernsey. To have our own identity I think is really important," he added.

Conseiller Mike Locke, from Sark's Chief Pleas Online Identity Committee, said most Sarnians were "interested and excited" about being able to use their flag online.
Mr Locke explained the Online Identity Committee ended up securing the emoji as a "bonus" while working on a long-term project.
The committee was working to get Sark a unique website domain that would help internet users there be distinguished online from users in Guernsey, and prevent problems such as people not knowing about island's different taxes.
The first part of achieving this was securing international recognition, which coincidentally was also the requirement of securing the emoji.
Mr Locke said: "It [Sark's existing domain] either doesn't say where we are or it says we are in a different country entirely, and that's just confusing.
"The most important thing... [is] that those people in businesses who wish can proudly say... 'dot.cq' so that people will know that 'cq' means you're on Sark."
Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].