European diplomats at the talks in Vienna with Iran warned that the 2015 nuclear deal could soon become “an empty shell".

JCPOA will soon become an empty shell, wars European diplomats

The European Union, Russian and Iranian diplomats struck a pretty upbeat note, talks began reviving the 2015 nuclear deal in Vienna but it is not clear whether optimism at this point of time is still justified.

Iranian, Russian and European Diplomats resume Vienna talks to restore nuclear deal

Islamic State(IS) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-saudi-man-crashes-car-into-meccas-grand-mosque-339196">Saudi </a>cemetery on Wednesday where European diplomats had gathered for World War I commemoration.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blast-in-jeddah-cemetery-in-saudi-arabia-with-several-european-diplomats-present-342401">Also Read:&nbsp;Blast in Jeddah cemetery in Saudi Arabia with several European diplomats present</a>

In a statement on Telegram channel, the terrorist organization said: "IS fighters planted an explosive device in... the cemetery in the city of Jeddah yesterday (Wednesday)."

The group said the attack was carried out&nbsp;"in support" of the Prophet Mohammed.

After the blast, France cautioned its citizens to be on &nbsp;"maximum vigilance" as Greece, UK and the US assured Saudi authorities they would support an investigation into the attack.

The incident comes just a month after a guard at the French consulate in Jeddah was wounded by a knife-wielding Saudi amid anger over satirical cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-arabian-man-crashes-car-into-gates-of-meccas-grand-mosque-339306/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Diplomats of various European countries had gathered for the Armistice Day commemoration ceremony in the Red Sea port city and as the French consul was delivering a speech during the ceremony when the&nbsp;blast took place triggering panic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/terrorist-cell-trained-by-irans-revolutionary-guards-busted-by-saudi-arabia-331051">Also Read:&nbsp;Terrorist cell trained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards busted by Saudi Arabia</a>

The French foreign ministry said: "The annual ceremony commemorating the end of World War I at the non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah, attended by several consulates, including that of France, was the target of an IED (improvised explosive device) attack this morning, which injured several people."

The various embassies issued a statement calling it a "cowardly attack" with several people injured in the attack.

Saudi authorities have launched an investigation into the attack. 
&nbsp;

Islamic State(IS) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Saudi cemetery on Wednesday where European diplomats had gathered for World War I commemoration.

Islamic State(IS) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Saudi cemetery on Wednesday where European diplomats had gathered for World War I commemoration. Also Read: Blast in Jeddah cemetery in Saudi Arabia with several European diplomats present In a statement on Telegram channel, the terrorist organization said: "IS fighters planted an explosive device in... the cemetery in the city of Jeddah yesterday (Wednesday)." The group said the attack was carried out "in support" of the Prophet Mohammed. After the blast, France cautioned its citizens to be on "maximum vigilance" as Greece, UK and the US assured Saudi authorities they would support an investigation into the attack. The incident comes just a month after a guard at the French consulate in Jeddah was wounded by a knife-wielding Saudi amid anger over satirical cartoons of Prophet Mohammed. Watch: Diplomats of various European countries had gathered for the Armistice Day commemoration ceremony in the Red Sea port city and as the French consul was delivering a speech during the ceremony when the blast took place triggering panic. Also Read: Terrorist cell trained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards busted by Saudi Arabia The French foreign ministry said: "The annual ceremony commemorating the end of World War I at the non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah, attended by several consulates, including that of France, was the target of an IED (improvised explosive device) attack this morning, which injured several people." The various embassies issued a statement calling it a "cowardly attack" with several people injured in the attack. Saudi authorities have launched an investigation into the attack.

Islamic State group claims responsibility for Saudi cemetery attack

China said Thursday it had invited European diplomats to visit the restive northwest region of Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of rights abuses against the ethnic Uighur Muslims.

"In order to enhance the understanding of the achievements of Xinjiang's economic and social development in Europe... the Chinese side invited the diplomatic envoys of European countries to visit Xinjiang," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters.

The dates of the visit and other arrangements were under discussion, he said, hoping the trip would allow the diplomats to "experience the stability and harmony of Xinjiang, and the real situation of people of all nationalities living and working in peace and contentment".

As many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps in Xinjiang, according to a group of experts cited last year by the United Nations.

Beijing claims the camps are "vocational training centres" that help steer people who may be drawn to extremism away from terrorism and reintegrate them into society in a region plagued by violence blamed on Uighur separatists or Islamists.

Questioned during a press briefing, French ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said that as far as he knew, no ambassador from an EU country had yet received an invitation.

"We were told that we would be invited to Xinjiang," he said, adding they had indicated they would be happy to go.

After months denying the existence of the internment camps, Beijing last year launched a campaign to defend its "training centres", organising visits starting with diplomats or media from friendly countries.

However, a delegation of three EU officials who visited Xinjiang in January as part of a carefully organised visit said they had the impression that the people they had spoken to in a "training centre" were reciting a dictated speech.

Former detainees say they were interned for simply following Islamic traditions, such as having a long beard or wearing a veil.

China said Thursday it had invited European diplomats to visit the restive northwest region of Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of rights abuses against the ethnic Uighur Muslims.

China said Thursday it had invited European diplomats to visit the restive northwest region of Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of rights abuses against the ethnic Uighur Muslims. "In order to enhance the understanding of the achievements of Xinjiang's economic and social development in Europe... the Chinese side invited the diplomatic envoys of European countries to visit Xinjiang," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters. The dates of the visit and other arrangements were under discussion, he said, hoping the trip would allow the diplomats to "experience the stability and harmony of Xinjiang, and the real situation of people of all nationalities living and working in peace and contentment". As many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps in Xinjiang, according to a group of experts cited last year by the United Nations. Beijing claims the camps are "vocational training centres" that help steer people who may be drawn to extremism away from terrorism and reintegrate them into society in a region plagued by violence blamed on Uighur separatists or Islamists. Questioned during a press briefing, French ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said that as far as he knew, no ambassador from an EU country had yet received an invitation. "We were told that we would be invited to Xinjiang," he said, adding they had indicated they would be happy to go. After months denying the existence of the internment camps, Beijing last year launched a campaign to defend its "training centres", organising visits starting with diplomats or media from friendly countries. However, a delegation of three EU officials who visited Xinjiang in January as part of a carefully organised visit said they had the impression that the people they had spoken to in a "training centre" were reciting a dictated speech. Former detainees say they were interned for simply following Islamic traditions, such as having a long beard or wearing a veil.

China 'invites' EU diplomats to visit Xinjiang

US President Donald Trump's administration has lowered the status of the European Union's diplomats in Washington without notifying Brussels, EU officials said on Tuesday.

The change in protocol for a close US ally means the bloc's Washington-based diplomats are less likely to be invited to high-profile events and have a lower importance than under former President Barack Obama.

The snub, first reported by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, was illustrated at the December 5 funeral of another former US president, George H.W. Bush, when Europe`s envoy was among the last diplomats to be called to pay respects, one EU official said.

"We understand that there was a recent change in the way the diplomatic precedence list is implemented by the United States` protocol," a Commission spokeswoman told a briefing, declining to give more details.&nbsp;

"We are currently discussing with the relevant services in the administration possible implications for the EU delegation in Washington."

Two other EU diplomats confirmed the downgrade, with one saying it was unlikely the bloc would retaliate given its desire for good relations.

US diplomats in Brussels were not immediately available for comment.&nbsp;

Trump has often shown his disdain for the EU and has backed Britain`s planned departure from the bloc.

But the United States and EU have the world`s biggest bilateral trade ties, and US investment in the bloc is three times higher than in Asia, according to EU data.

While the shift does not stop senior EU officials from meeting US counterparts, it follows a tumultuous year for transatlantic ties. Trump withdrew from several international agreements backed by the EU and vowed to reform "the liberal international order" he says the bloc helps underpin.&nbsp;

In a speech in Brussels in December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Trump`s "America First" policy was reshaping the post-World War Two system on the basis of sovereign states, not multilateral institutions.

He also took aim at "bureaucrats" responsible for upholding multilateralism "as an end in itself" and cast doubt on the EU`s commitment to its citizens, drawing a rare rebuke from the European Commission, the bloc`s executive.

US President Donald Trump's administration has lowered the status of the European Union's diplomats in Washington without notifying Brussels, EU officials said on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump's administration has lowered the status of the European Union's diplomats in Washington without notifying Brussels, EU officials said on Tuesday. The change in protocol for a close US ally means the bloc's Washington-based diplomats are less likely to be invited to high-profile events and have a lower importance than under former President Barack Obama. The snub, first reported by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, was illustrated at the December 5 funeral of another former US president, George H.W. Bush, when Europe`s envoy was among the last diplomats to be called to pay respects, one EU official said. "We understand that there was a recent change in the way the diplomatic precedence list is implemented by the United States` protocol," a Commission spokeswoman told a briefing, declining to give more details. "We are currently discussing with the relevant services in the administration possible implications for the EU delegation in Washington." Two other EU diplomats confirmed the downgrade, with one saying it was unlikely the bloc would retaliate given its desire for good relations. US diplomats in Brussels were not immediately available for comment. Trump has often shown his disdain for the EU and has backed Britain`s planned departure from the bloc. But the United States and EU have the world`s biggest bilateral trade ties, and US investment in the bloc is three times higher than in Asia, according to EU data. While the shift does not stop senior EU officials from meeting US counterparts, it follows a tumultuous year for transatlantic ties. Trump withdrew from several international agreements backed by the EU and vowed to reform "the liberal international order" he says the bloc helps underpin. In a speech in Brussels in December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Trump`s "America First" policy was reshaping the post-World War Two system on the basis of sovereign states, not multilateral institutions. He also took aim at "bureaucrats" responsible for upholding multilateralism "as an end in itself" and cast doubt on the EU`s commitment to its citizens, drawing a rare rebuke from the European Commission, the bloc`s executive.

Trump administration snubs European diplomats in US: Officials