South Korea's government has raised its terror alert level for five diplomatic missions warning that North Korea could attack South Korean diplomats in the OC's missions include Seoul's embassies in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Unusual terror alert for South Korea's embassies

The Chinese foreign ministry recently issued a notification for foreign embassies and international organisations asking them not to display “politicised propaganda,” on buildings, reported news agency Reuters, on Wednesday (May 17).&nbsp;

The notice was issued sometime this week and media reports citing diplomatic sources have said that this is in connection with several Western embassies across Beijing displaying Ukrainian flags in solitary amid the ongoing Russian invasion.&nbsp;

Since the invasion began over a year ago, Western embassies across Beijing have put up Ukrainian flags in solidarity, some of which are also accompanied by messages of support in English and Chinese, reported news agency AFP. China, remains an ally of Russia which since the beginning of the conflict has garnered international condemnation along with thousands of sanctions.&nbsp;

“Do not use the building facilities’ exterior walls to display politicised propaganda to avoid inciting disputes between countries,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a notification dated May 10, a copy of which was seen by Reuters. The notice in question is also said to be addressed to “all embassies, and international organisations’ China representative offices.”

While the notice did not mention Ukrainian flags or what amounted to “propaganda” displays, AFP citing several European missions also confirmed that such a notice was sent to officials. Four Beijing-based diplomats, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said it was clearly related to Ukraine solidarity exhibits.&nbsp;

Similarly, one official from a European embassy told AFP it was almost certainly related to several embassies’ prominent display of a Ukrainian flag. However, the report citing another European embassy official said it was unclear whether the request was linked to Ukraine or the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.&nbsp;

This comes as foreign embassies in Beijing reportedly also raised pride flags in recognition of the campaign which was marked on Wednesday ahead of Pride Month in June to raise awareness about the LGBTQ+ rights violations worldwide.&nbsp;

When asked about the notice, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin in his daily briefing, on Wednesday, said that embassies of foreign countries and offices of international organisations in China have the “obligation” to respect Beijing’s “laws and regulations.”&nbsp;

He added, “China calls on embassies of all countries in China...to perform their duties in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or relevant international agreements,” said Wang, without any further details. Notably, the convention does not list any prohibitions about political signage being displayed on embassies’ outer walls.

The official also told AFP that they “strictly adhere to the Vienna conventions. There is therefore no reason for us to react to this note or to change our display policy”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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The Chinese foreign ministry recently issued a notification for foreign embassies and international organisations asking them not to display “politicised propaganda,” on buildings, reported news agency Reuters, on Wednesday (May 17).

The Chinese foreign ministry recently issued a notification for foreign embassies and international organisations asking them not to display “politicised propaganda,” on buildings, reported news agency Reuters, on Wednesday (May 17). The notice was issued sometime this week and media reports citing diplomatic sources have said that this is in connection with several Western embassies across Beijing displaying Ukrainian flags in solitary amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Since the invasion began over a year ago, Western embassies across Beijing have put up Ukrainian flags in solidarity, some of which are also accompanied by messages of support in English and Chinese, reported news agency AFP. China, remains an ally of Russia which since the beginning of the conflict has garnered international condemnation along with thousands of sanctions. “Do not use the building facilities’ exterior walls to display politicised propaganda to avoid inciting disputes between countries,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a notification dated May 10, a copy of which was seen by Reuters. The notice in question is also said to be addressed to “all embassies, and international organisations’ China representative offices.” While the notice did not mention Ukrainian flags or what amounted to “propaganda” displays, AFP citing several European missions also confirmed that such a notice was sent to officials. Four Beijing-based diplomats, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said it was clearly related to Ukraine solidarity exhibits. Similarly, one official from a European embassy told AFP it was almost certainly related to several embassies’ prominent display of a Ukrainian flag. However, the report citing another European embassy official said it was unclear whether the request was linked to Ukraine or the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. This comes as foreign embassies in Beijing reportedly also raised pride flags in recognition of the campaign which was marked on Wednesday ahead of Pride Month in June to raise awareness about the LGBTQ+ rights violations worldwide. When asked about the notice, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin in his daily briefing, on Wednesday, said that embassies of foreign countries and offices of international organisations in China have the “obligation” to respect Beijing’s “laws and regulations.” He added, “China calls on embassies of all countries in China...to perform their duties in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or relevant international agreements,” said Wang, without any further details. Notably, the convention does not list any prohibitions about political signage being displayed on embassies’ outer walls. The official also told AFP that they “strictly adhere to the Vienna conventions. There is therefore no reason for us to react to this note or to change our display policy”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China warns Western embassies in Beijing over ‘propaganda’ displays: Reports

The foreign embassies are painted in hues of togetherness, happiness & joy. As Holi is celebrated across the nation, embassies of different countries extended their wishes on the auspicious occasion.

Foreign embassies painted in hues of togetherness for Holi celebration

Amid the ongoing Dollar crunch and economic crisis, Sri Lanka is planning to close several of its missions and embassies in various nations.

Sri Lanka mulls closure of embassies as it faces dollar crunch

Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst financial crisis as of now. The island nation is now struggling to cope with the worst economic crisis which has now pushed the country to shut down its overseas embassies.

Sri Lanka mulls closure of embassies amid financial crunch

Amid the ongoing Dollar crunch and economic crisis, Sri Lanka is planning to close several of its missions and embassies in various nations. It has also deployed army at fuel stations

Sri Lanka deploys army at fuel stations amid the ongoing Dollar crunch

Foreign forces should hold 'no hope' of keeping a military presence in Afghanistan after the US and NATO withdraw troops, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;said Saturday, warning the security of embassies and airports would be the responsibility of Afghans.

It comes as western diplomats and military officials scramble to work out how to provide security for any future civilian presence they keep in the country.

Turkey has reportedly said it is prepared to keep troops in Afghanistan to protect Kabul airport, the main exit route for western diplomats and humanitarian workers.&nbsp;

"Every inch of Afghan soil, its airports and security of foreign embassies and diplomatic offices is the responsibility of the Afghans, consequently no one should hold out hope of keeping military or security presence in our country," a statement issued by the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;on Saturday said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/intense-iran-nuclear-talks-resume-as-germany-calls-for-rapid-progress-391080">Also Read |&nbsp;'Intense' Iran nuclear talks resume as Germany calls for rapid progress</a>

"If anyone does make such a mistake, the Afghan people and the Islamic Emirate shall view them as occupiers and shall take a stance against them," it added.

The United States is in the final stages of completing a military drawdown, alongside NATO forces, by September 11 -- twenty years after they invaded Afghanistan and toppled the&nbsp;Taliban.

The decision to end America's longest war has raised fears that an emboldened&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;could topple the Western-backed government in Kabul.&nbsp;

The possibility of keeping troops in Afghanistan is expected to be discussed during a meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels on Monday.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last month the alliance would provide funding to help run Kabul airport and train Afghanistan's special forces after it had left.

Turkish media later reported that Ankara was willing to maintain a presence in the country, including at the country's main gateway, if NATO provided financial support.

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;has attempted to calm foreign missions by saying they could "continue their operations as usual", after Australia closed its embassy citing an "increasingly uncertain security environment".

The militants have in recent weeks made territorial gains in and around the country, including in provinces close to the capital.

On Saturday, at least seven civilians were killed in two separate explosions in the city, the Interior Ministry said, the latest in a series of bombings targeting buses.&nbsp;

Foreign forces should hold 'no hope' of keeping a military presence in Afghanistan after the US and NATO withdraw troops, the Taliban said Saturday, warning the security of embassies and airports would be the responsibility of Afghans.

Foreign forces should hold 'no hope' of keeping a military presence in Afghanistan after the US and NATO withdraw troops, the Taliban said Saturday, warning the security of embassies and airports would be the responsibility of Afghans. It comes as western diplomats and military officials scramble to work out how to provide security for any future civilian presence they keep in the country. Turkey has reportedly said it is prepared to keep troops in Afghanistan to protect Kabul airport, the main exit route for western diplomats and humanitarian workers. "Every inch of Afghan soil, its airports and security of foreign embassies and diplomatic offices is the responsibility of the Afghans, consequently no one should hold out hope of keeping military or security presence in our country," a statement issued by the Taliban on Saturday said. Also Read | 'Intense' Iran nuclear talks resume as Germany calls for rapid progress "If anyone does make such a mistake, the Afghan people and the Islamic Emirate shall view them as occupiers and shall take a stance against them," it added. The United States is in the final stages of completing a military drawdown, alongside NATO forces, by September 11 -- twenty years after they invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban. The decision to end America's longest war has raised fears that an emboldened Taliban could topple the Western-backed government in Kabul. The possibility of keeping troops in Afghanistan is expected to be discussed during a meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels on Monday. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last month the alliance would provide funding to help run Kabul airport and train Afghanistan's special forces after it had left. Turkish media later reported that Ankara was willing to maintain a presence in the country, including at the country's main gateway, if NATO provided financial support. The Taliban has attempted to calm foreign missions by saying they could "continue their operations as usual", after Australia closed its embassy citing an "increasingly uncertain security environment". The militants have in recent weeks made territorial gains in and around the country, including in provinces close to the capital. On Saturday, at least seven civilians were killed in two separate explosions in the city, the Interior Ministry said, the latest in a series of bombings targeting buses.

Taliban says security of airports, embassies to be 'Afghan responsibility'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the country to limit the number of Russians employed at embassies of countries determined to be unfriendly, or to ban their employment entirely.&nbsp;

The measure, announced by the Kremlin on Friday, comes amid a flurry of expulsions of Russian diplomats from the United States and European countries and Moscow's retaliatory expulsions. &nbsp;

The decree directs the government to draw up a list of countries determined to be unfriendly. It would affect not only those countries' embassies, but consular offices and offices of state institutions. &nbsp;

The United States last week expelled 10 Russian diplomats in connection with interference in the 2020 US Presidential election and for involvement in the SolarWind hack of federal agencies.&nbsp;

The Czech Republic last week expelled 18 Russian envoys they labeled as spies, prompting Russia to send 20 Czech diplomats home. That devastated Czech Embassy operations in Moscow, prompting Czech authorities on Thursday to order 63 more Russian diplomats to leave so that both countries had the same number of staff in their respective embassies.&nbsp;

Poland last week said it was expelling three Russians and Moscow expelled five in retaliation. The Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia ordered a total of four Russian envoys to leave. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the country to limit the number of Russians employed at embassies of countries determined to be unfriendly, or to ban their employment entirely.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the country to limit the number of Russians employed at embassies of countries determined to be unfriendly, or to ban their employment entirely. The measure, announced by the Kremlin on Friday, comes amid a flurry of expulsions of Russian diplomats from the United States and European countries and Moscow's retaliatory expulsions. The decree directs the government to draw up a list of countries determined to be unfriendly. It would affect not only those countries' embassies, but consular offices and offices of state institutions. The United States last week expelled 10 Russian diplomats in connection with interference in the 2020 US Presidential election and for involvement in the SolarWind hack of federal agencies. The Czech Republic last week expelled 18 Russian envoys they labeled as spies, prompting Russia to send 20 Czech diplomats home. That devastated Czech Embassy operations in Moscow, prompting Czech authorities on Thursday to order 63 more Russian diplomats to leave so that both countries had the same number of staff in their respective embassies. Poland last week said it was expelling three Russians and Moscow expelled five in retaliation. The Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia ordered a total of four Russian envoys to leave. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin: 'Unfriendly' embassies may face Russian hiring bans 

Turkey called on Muslim countries on Friday to stop other nations from following the United States and moving their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem, as it opened a meeting in Istanbul on Friday.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called the summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) after Israeli forces this week killed dozens of Palestinian protesters who were demonstrating in Gaza against the opening of the US&nbspEmbassy in Jerusalem.

Turkey has been one of the most vocal critics of the US&nbspmove and the violence in Gaza, declaring three days of mourning. Erdogan has described the actions of the Israeli forces as a "genocide" and Israel as a "terrorist state".

"We will emphasise the status of the Palestine issue for our community, and that we will not allow the status of the historic city to be changed," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an opening address. "We must prevent other countries following the US&nbspexample."

The events in Gaza have also sparked a diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel, with both countries expelling each other's senior diplomats this week.

The plight of Palestinians resonates with many Turks, particularly the nationalist and religious voters who form the base of support for Erdogan, running for re-election next month.

Trade ties

Despite the rhetoric, Israel was the 10th-biggest market for Turkish exports in 2017, buying some $3.4 billion of goods, according to IMF statistics.

"We have excellent economic ties with Turkey. And these relations are very important for both sides," Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon told Israel Radio on Friday when asked if Israel should break ties with Turkey.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's decision to move the embassy reversed decades of US&nbsppolicy, upsetting the Arab world and Western allies.

Guatemala this week became the second country to move its embassy to the holy city, and Paraguay said it would follow suit this month.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iranian television after arriving in Istanbul that "Israel's recent crimes in Palestine and the relocation of the US&nbspEmbassy to Jerusalem need serious coordination between Islamic countries and the international community".

UN&nbsphuman rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein on Friday said Israel had systematically deprived Palestinians of their human rights, with 1.9 million people in Gaza "caged in a toxic slum from birth to death".

Despite the rhetoric, Israel was the 10th-biggest market for Turkish exports in 2017, buying some $3.4 billion of goods, according to IMF statistics

Turkey called on Muslim countries on Friday to stop other nations from following the United States and moving their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem, as it opened a meeting in Istanbul on Friday. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called the summit of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) after Israeli forces this week killed dozens of Palestinian protesters who were demonstrating in Gaza against the opening of the US&nbspEmbassy in Jerusalem. Turkey has been one of the most vocal critics of the US&nbspmove and the violence in Gaza, declaring three days of mourning. Erdogan has described the actions of the Israeli forces as a "genocide" and Israel as a "terrorist state". "We will emphasise the status of the Palestine issue for our community, and that we will not allow the status of the historic city to be changed," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an opening address. "We must prevent other countries following the US&nbspexample." The events in Gaza have also sparked a diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel, with both countries expelling each other's senior diplomats this week. The plight of Palestinians resonates with many Turks, particularly the nationalist and religious voters who form the base of support for Erdogan, running for re-election next month. Trade ties Despite the rhetoric, Israel was the 10th-biggest market for Turkish exports in 2017, buying some $3.4 billion of goods, according to IMF statistics. "We have excellent economic ties with Turkey. And these relations are very important for both sides," Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon told Israel Radio on Friday when asked if Israel should break ties with Turkey. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's decision to move the embassy reversed decades of US&nbsppolicy, upsetting the Arab world and Western allies. Guatemala this week became the second country to move its embassy to the holy city, and Paraguay said it would follow suit this month. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iranian television after arriving in Istanbul that "Israel's recent crimes in Palestine and the relocation of the US&nbspEmbassy to Jerusalem need serious coordination between Islamic countries and the international community". UN&nbsphuman rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein on Friday said Israel had systematically deprived Palestinians of their human rights, with 1.9 million people in Gaza "caged in a toxic slum from birth to death".

Muslims must stop other countries opening Jerusalem embassies: Turkey

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