Diplomats from China have been banned from attending Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state by parliament’s leading authority, allegedly in retaliation for Beijing’s sanctioning of British MPs.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is understood to have turned down a request from the Chinese delegation to be given access to view the queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall, which is part of the parliamentary estate.
An angry diplomatic exchange has also broken out as Conservative MPs barred from China for condemning its human rights record have criticised the decision to send Beijing a funeral invitation.
While Britain has recently taken a more assertive stance against China it has still extended an invitation to its government, and Vice President Wang Qishan is expected to attend the queen's funeral in Westminster Abbey on Monday.
Invitations have not been sent to Russia and Belarus, or Myanmar, as Britain does not have diplomatic relations with them.
A year-long ban was imposed by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords on the Chinese ambassador entering parliament in September last year. It came after Beijing sanctioned seven British parliamentarians following allegations of “lies and disinformation” about Chinese treatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province. The ban remains in place while sanctions remain.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader and an MP banned by Beijing, was among several parliamentarians who wrote to Sir Lindsay stating that they were “greatly concerned” that Chinese representatives had received a funeral invitation.
“Given that the United Kingdom Parliament has voted to recognise the genocide committed by the Chinese Government against the Uighur people it is extraordinary that the architects of that genocide should be treated in any more favourable way than those countries who have been barred.”
However, another Conservative MP, Richard Graham, said the spat was “a huge distraction” during a period of national mourning “when there is a ceasefire on all political issues”.
A House of Commons spokesman said “we do not comment on security matters” and a spokesman for Sir Lindsay also declined to comment.
China's President Xi Jinping met Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Uzbekistan on Wednesday where Russian officials admitted the Chinese leader had expressed “concern and questions” over the invasion of Ukraine.
As foreign secretary Liz Truss took a hard line against China and that policy is likely to continue now she is prime minister.
Britain’s limited diplomatic relations with Iran led to it being only invited at ambassadorial level, it was reported.
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Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
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Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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Jawab Iteiqal
Director: Mohamed Sammy
Starring: Mohamed Ramadan, Ayad Nasaar, Mohamed Adel and Sabry Fawaz
2 stars
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Jetour T1 specs
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More coverage from the Future Forum
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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