All posts tagged: embassy

Politics Home | UK Reprimanded Over Social Media Laws By US Diplomats At Confidential Embassy Summit

Politics Home | UK Reprimanded Over Social Media Laws By US Diplomats At Confidential Embassy Summit

Published by Sam Flores

2 min read3 hr Exclusive: British officials were hauled into a private meeting at the US embassy on Monday and dressed down over the Online Safety Act, along with their plans to ban under-16s from social media and prioritise public broadcasters’ prominence online. According to sources familiar with the discussions, representatives from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) along with other high-ranking government officials were called in to hear the Deputy Chief of Mission’s concerns that the social media ban would discriminate against US tech companies.  Following a consultation, the under-16 ban was announced in June this year, after Australia introduced the world’s first outright ban on social media for under-16s in December 2025. The US is understood to believe there have been failures in the Australian social media ban, with officials highlighting small drops in usage by under-16s. They argue that more parental controls rather than a widespread ban would work better. Labour MP Emily Darlington, one of those who campaigned for the ban, told PoliticsHome: …

Singaporeans in Indonesia advised to e-register with MFA amid Anak Krakatau eruption

Singaporeans in Indonesia advised to e-register with MFA amid Anak Krakatau eruption

Published by Sam Flores

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Embassy in Jakarta on Monday (Sep 7) advised Singaporeans in Indonesia to e-register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if they have not already done so, amid disruptions caused by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The volcano has been erupting since Friday, with volcanic ash affecting parts of Indonesia and disrupting flight operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and other airports. In a Facebook post, the embassy said the situation remained “fluid” and that further disruptions to flight operations could occur. “Singaporeans in Indonesia are advised to prioritise their safety, minimise outdoor activities and remain indoors where possible, monitor local news and official Indonesian government sources for the latest developments, and follow the advice of the local authorities,” the embassy added. For those whose travel plans are affected, the embassy advised contacting their airline for updates on cancellations, delays and alternative arrangements, noting that flight operations could change at short notice. It also advised travellers to contact their travel insurance providers to understand their coverage and options for assistance or …

UK Approval for China’s Mega Embassy in London Was Lawful, Court Rules

UK Approval for China’s Mega Embassy in London Was Lawful, Court Rules

Published by Sam Flores

LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) – Britain’s approval for ⁠China ⁠to build a vast ⁠embassy in London was lawful, the High ​Court ruled on Friday, rejecting a legal challenge brought by a ‌group of local residents. China’s plans ‌to build an embassy on the site of the ⁠two-century-old ⁠Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London were approved ​in January, shortly before then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China, the first by a British leader since 2018. The decision was seen as ​part of a wide attempt to improve ties with Beijing ⁠despite British ⁠and U.S. politicians ⁠warning ​that it could be used as a base for spying. Britain’s intelligence ​agencies said any ⁠threat could be mitigated. Local residents argued this month that the decision was unlawful, including because officials failed to take into account the risk that the new embassy could curtail protests ⁠or be used to monitor Chinese dissidents. But the case brought by ⁠the Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association (RMCRA), representing a group of families and businesses who live in and operate from leasehold …

Trump Administration Pushes Ahead With Plans to Reopen the US Embassy in Libya

Trump Administration Pushes Ahead With Plans to Reopen the US Embassy in Libya

Published by Sam Flores

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has informed Congress that it plans to move ahead with the potential reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Libya, proposing to allocate nearly $41 million to restore America’s formal diplomatic presence in the North African nation after a near 14-year absence. The department told lawmakers on Monday that the money would cover “a range of security-related activities associated with plans for the potential phased resumption of embassy operations in Libya,” according to a copy of the notification obtained by The Associated Press. The move to reopen the embassy “is essential to advancing U.S. national security interests,” it said. “The United States must remain engaged in regions where near-peer competitors and other adversarial actors are actively expanding their influence.” “Libya’s strategic location on the Mediterranean and its role in regional security, energy markets, and migration flows make it vital to U.S. interests,” it said. “The country’s instability has drawn increased involvement from near-peer competitors, notably Russia, which threatens U.S. and allied objectives in North Africa.” Libyan officials representing both the …

US Embassy Offers Large Cash Sums For Groups In Lebanon To Promote America’s Image

US Embassy Offers Large Cash Sums For Groups In Lebanon To Promote America’s Image

Published by Jenni Sidey

Via The Libertarian Institute The US Embassy in Lebanon announced that the State Department is offering grants of up to $250,000 to groups that help promote American propaganda.  “The US Embassy in Beirut is opening a new Notice of Funding Opportunity for 2026,” a statement published this week explained. “We’re looking for partners to implement programs that strengthen ties between the US and Lebanon, with a focus on highlighting US-led peace and stabilization efforts, and advancing digital literacy to help people identify and push back on false, adversarial narratives.“ American Embassy in Beirut. The State Department website says the program is expected to award $500,000 to at least two groups to promote US propaganda in Lebanon. It adds that the program’s goal is to “strengthen local public understanding of US-led peace and stabilization efforts, and its role as a partner committed to security, economic opportunity, and responsible regional leadership.” Washington is attempting to broker a peace agreement between Tel Aviv and Beirut. However, Israel is at war with Hezbollah, a non-state military that operates outside of the control …

Hezbollah Accepts U.S. Proposal for Mutual Halt to Attacks With Israel, Lebanese Embassy Says

Hezbollah Accepts U.S. Proposal for Mutual Halt to Attacks With Israel, Lebanese Embassy Says

Published by Sam Flores

BEIRUT, June 1 (Reuters) – ⁠Lebanon’s ⁠embassy in Washington ⁠said in a statement ​on Monday that Hezbollah had ‌accepted a U.S. proposal ‌for a mutual ⁠cessation ⁠of hostilities that would be extended to ​encompass all Lebanese territory. The statement, shared by the Lebanese presidency ​on X, said the arrangement would ⁠first ⁠see Israel refrain ⁠from ​striking Beirut’s southern suburbs in exchange for ​Iran-backed ⁠Hezbollah halting its attacks against Israel, after Israel had threatened to attack the ⁠capital’s suburbs on Monday. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told ⁠the group’s Al-Manar broadcaster that Hezbollah would support a full ceasefire across all Lebanon as a precursor to the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and said the group ⁠would watch whether a cessation of hostilities took hold in the coming days. (Reporting by Maya ​Gebeily and Hatem MaherEditing ​by Nick Zieminski) Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters. Source link

Labour ‘hiding facts’ on civil servants at Iranian embassy celebration | Politics | News

Labour ‘hiding facts’ on civil servants at Iranian embassy celebration | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

Labour is accused of covering up details about Government officials attending an Iranian embassy event to mark the anniversary of the 1979 revolution despite the regime slaughtering thousands of protesters. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel is angered the Foreign Office has refused to disclose the rank and number of officials who attended the event. She has also demanded answers about whether the taxpayer-funded staff raised concerns about the “slaughter of civilians” at the embassy gathering on February 12. The Government’s own assessment of the killings in Iran states: “The estimated number of deaths, predominantly of protesters, numbered between approximately 12,000 and 20,000 by mid-January 2026.” Dame Priti told the Sunday Express: “It is outrageous that officials attended an event celebrating the Iranian revolution just weeks after the regime slaughtered tens of thousands of brave protesters. The least Labour could do is apologise and explain how this was allowed to happen. Instead, they have stonewalled our questions and tried to keep the facts hidden. As usual with Labour, they are running scared of scrutiny. The …

Razor wire put up at new Chinese super embassy site after youths scale gate in security incident

Razor wire put up at new Chinese super embassy site after youths scale gate in security incident

Published by Sam Flores

Razor wire has been put up at the site of the planned new Chinese super embassy in London after a security incident. A small group of youths are understood to have clambered over a gate, around ten feet high, to access a slip road to the site of the new diplomatic complex. They are believed to have been confronted by a security guard as objects were hurled over the gate by other youngsters. Around 20 youths in total were involved in the incident. In response razor wire has been put up around the area. Razor wire around the site of the planned new Chinese super embassy in Tower Hamlets (Unknown) But the wire has fuelled concerns of local residents over the scale of security measures that will be built for the new embassy. “That’s an excessive reaction. They have got CCTV and security guards,” said Mark Nygate, treasurer for the Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association. “It adds into our fears about what it will be like once the embassy is alive and active and being …