Following an internal investigation into Sir Lee Pearson’s conduct, British Equestrian and British Dressage have lifted his suspension as a 14-time Paralympic gold medalist.
After his membership was reinstated, Pearson is now free to compete abroad and not compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
Sir Lee will return to the British Equestrian World Class Program with “urgent effect” and will be able to compete and coach both domestically and abroad, according to a statement from British Equestrian.
With 14 gold medals, the 51-year-old cyclist is Britain’s third-most successful paralympic athlete, only to be surpassed by swimmer Mike Kenny and cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.
The Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028, which ParalympicsGB claimed it was open to, was a statement released last year. Pearson, a British flagbearer at Rio 2016, had already stated his intention to compete there.
Lee has publicly stated that because of personal reasons, he did not intend to apply for Paris 2024.
He and the British Equine team are in charge of this, and it does not diminish his previous accomplishments or the possibility that he might compete in the Paralympics in the future.
Prior to the Paris Paralympics in May of last year, a four-strong British Para-equestrian team was chosen for the event. Pearson’s suspension was in place. He was not qualified for selection because he had not competed since March 2023.
The Irish-language band Kneecap and the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan performed at the Glastonbury Festival over the weekend and chanted slogans for “death” to the Israeli military and a “free Palestine,” according to British police.
According to police, the performances at Britain’s biggest summer music festival were “recorded as a public order incident” on Monday.
Up until the weekend, rapper Bobby Vylan, who was largely unknown, sung chants to “free, free Palestine” and “death, death” to the Israeli military.
The BBC said it regrets having the performance livestreamed, and that the broadcaster should have canceled it.
There is no justification for such “appalling hate speech,” according to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other UK politicians. Starmer added that the BBC must “tell us how these scenes came to be broadcast.”
The broadcasting regulator Ofcom expressed “very concern” about the BBC livestream and stated that the broadcaster “clearly has questions to answer.”
In response to Bob Vylan’s “hateful tirade at Glastonbury,” the US Department of State announced that it had suspended his visas for the country.
In a social media post, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote that “foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
Pro-Palestinian protests are erupting all over the world as a result of Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza, which has sparked pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses and in many capitals. Israel and some of its supporters have called the demonstrations anti-Semitic, but its opponents claim Israel uses such descriptions to silence its supporters.
Kneecap performs at the Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, Somerset, England [Jaimi Joy/Reuters]
According to the Gaza-based Ministry of Health, Israeli forces have killed at least 56, 531 people and injured 133, 642 while maintaining a crippling siege over the bombarded enclave.
In its lyrics, Bob Vylan, who is known for bringing together grime and punk rock, addresses racism, homophobia, and the class divide, and has previously endorsed Palestinians.
In a post on Instagram, the group’s lead vocalist, Bobby Vylan, said, “I said what I said,” referring to the weekend performance.
The only way to improve the world is to teach our children to speak up for the changes they need, he continued.
The duo’s set was not livestreamed by the BBC but still attracted a sizable online following thanks to TikTok, which the duo performed Saturday afternoon just before Kneecap. Another band with a strong pro-Palestine stance that has previously sparked controversy.
Kneecap chanted “Free Palestine” to a crowd of tens of thousands at the festival. Starmer, who had claimed he didn’t think it was “appropriate” for Kneecap to play Glastonbury after one of its members was accused under the Terrorism Act, was also sprayed with expletive-laden chants.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who goes by the name Mo Chara, is accused of supporting a prohibited organization after allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London last year.
Israel’s war effort in Gaza has been met with constant international apprehension. In support of Palestinians, thousands of people gather every week in Europe and around the world.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi abruptly rejected its leader Rafael Grossi’s request to visit nuclear facilities that Israel and the United States bombed earlier this month during a 12-day conflict. The country’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has unwavering support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Araghchi on X on Monday said that Grosssi’s insistence on visiting the bombed sites under the pretext of safeguards was “meaningless and possibly even malign in intent.” Iran “reserves the right to pursue any defenses of its interests, its people, and its sovereignty.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and French President Emmanuel Macron both stated in a statement that Grossi’s “destructive” attitude toward Iran had led to Tehran halting cooperation with the IAEA.
According to a statement from the presidency, Pezeshkian told Macron in a phone call that “the action taken by parliament members is a natural response to the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s unjustified, unconstructive, and destructive conduct.”
Iranian leaders are making it clear that the IAEA is an “international body with defined responsibilities, and these responsibilities are not political but technical,” according to Resul Serdar of Al Jazeera, who is based in Tehran. Tehran, he continued, is under “unrelenting]political] pressure” from Israel and the US, and it views the nuclear agency as an international body.
In response to Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran and subsequent US strikes on nuclear facilities, Iranian lawmakers on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA.
On June 24, Iran and Israel reached a truce.
Iranian officials have sharply criticized the IAEA since the start of the conflict because they did not condemn the Israeli and US strikes and because they passed a resolution on June 12 accusing Tehran of breaking its nuclear obligations the day before Israel attacked.
“Angry of Iranian public opinion”
In the interim, Grossi’s accusations have been criticized by France, Germany, and Britain.
Foreign Ministers Jean-Noel Barrot, Johann Wadephul, and David Lammy issued a joint statement, saying that “France, Germany, and the United Kingdom condemn threats made against the IAEA director general Rafael Grossi and reiterate our unwavering support for the organization.”
We urge Iranian authorities to halt any actions that might interfere with their cooperation with the IAEA, they continued. We urge Iran to resume all of its legally binding cooperation and to take all necessary precautions to protect IAEA personnel’ safety.
Iran’s ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper recently claimed that documents showed Grossi was an Israeli spy and should be executed despite none of the threats they were referring to.
Grossi or the agency’s inspectors have been kept safe, according to Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated on Monday that the Iranian parliament’s decision to cut off cooperation with the IAEA was “concerned and angered of the Iranian public opinion.”
He also criticized the US and Europe for sticking to Iran’s nuclear program, which he described as a “political approach.”
According to Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for Iran’s judiciary, at least 935 people died in the most recent conflict with Israel, citing most recent forensic evidence. 132 women and 38 children were among the deceased, Jahangir added.
A Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman said the nation is actively working to resolve the Iranian nuclear conflict and offer a guarantee against any further escalation by all parties.
In a sweet social media post, a Coronation Street actress announced that she is expecting their first child. Imogen Pascoe, who played the soap between 2017 and 2019, struggled to contain her excitement as she revealed the happy news to her online fans.
The 35-year-old actress and disability activist shared a video of her husband and daughter cradling her already-blooming baby bump on the beach. As Melissa dazzled in an orange and red floral dress, the soon-to-be parents were seen hugging one another on sandy beaches with the water behind them.
Along with a pair of booties and a knitted stuffed toy, Melissa and her husband Dan also spotted a mirror that read “Baby H-J, 2025.”. as they were seen posing in the reflection, on it.
The actress shared her happy news on Instagram (@melissa_johns_1)
She wrote, “Oh baby, I love you. We made a wish, and it was granted. We look forward to meeting you, Baby H-J. “Forever grateful.” Her post, which has received hundreds of likes, was filled with happy-making messages.
One social media user congratulated both of them. “So beyond excited for you both,” added one more time. “Eeeep!! A third gushed out with congratulations. A fourth enthralled fan typed, “Congratulations! Welcome to the mummy club! I’m so excited for you. Amy Forrest, a stage actor, yelled, “Congratulations!” along with an emoji for a red heart.
It’s time to shift the perspective on how disabled people are treated in a world where they still receive love, sex, and family, Melissa said in a statement about her pregnancy.
The actress has vowed to keep working (Instagram/melissa_johns_1) throughout her pregnancy.
The actress continued, “We rarely see pregnant actors in work, but it’s entirely possible with the right approach, and I want others to know that.” She is scheduled to reprise her role as Miss Scott in Grantchester. It’s exactly the same as the disability access we’ve been fighting. Access and adjustments are involved.
Less than a year after the couple’s stunning wedding, Melissa and Dan are happy to announce their engagement. Melissa said, “I know it sounds really weird, but what I mean is, I just feel absolutely wonderful,” after her wedding.
I simply believed the day would be a wedding and a party. I didn’t anticipate seeing such a remarkable alteration in my relationship or myself. It’s strange to feel like you’ve completely fallen in love with someone. It’s simply wonderful.
She and her husband Dan got married in October of last year (Getty Images for BAFTA).
On October 11, a day Melissa describes as “perfect,” the beautiful ceremony took place in the stunning setting of the 14th-century Brinsop Court Manor House and Barn. While her groom, a transport planning consultant, looked dapper in a three-piece tweed suit and paisley tie, the bride looked stunning in a strapless fishtail gown with a fitted corset and bead embellishments.
Melissa, who was born without half of her right arm, understood how important it was to say, “I Do””. When I was younger, I wasn’t necessarily sure getting married was something I wanted because I had one arm and looked very different to other people growing up, according to Melissa.
People do comment on it and ask whether you’ll fall in love or marry simply because you look bad or because you’re disabled. Our special day means a million times more to me, in part because of how I grew up.
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Jonathan Jurejko
Wimbledon news correspondent for BBC Sport tennis
Wimbledon 2025
Venue: All England Club, June 30 – 13 .
In the first round of Wimbledon, two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Italian veteran Fabio Fognini met in a meeting with British qualifier Oliver Tarvet to prepare for a seismic shock.
Alcaraz won the grass-court Grand Slam tournament 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, and 6-1 as he broke through the first day’s sweaty opening session.
After a 15-minute break in the final set, the 22-year-old Spaniard quickly seized control of the match.
A sunburned spectator was taken to the hospital, and Alcaraz gave them a bottle of cold water to aid in their recovery.
Alcaraz struggled on serve and made uncharacteristic errors off the ground throughout the four-and-a-half hour contest at temperatures topping 32C, finishing second to Italian rival Jannik Sinner.
Fognini, 38, twice fought back in his final Wimbledon match before his planned retirement, but Alcaraz resurrected control and shortened his winning streak to 19 matches.
Alcaraz won the Queen’s trophy on his return to British grass after defeating Sinner in an all-time classic final earlier this month. Alcaraz won his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open.
Alcaraz burst into a wide smile and shared a warm embrace with his rival as he finally put an end to Fognini’s resistance.
“I tried my best, but I can’t.” In the upcoming round, I need to improve, Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz’s nightmare begins
Alcaraz is well-versed in playing in the scorching heat because he is originally from Murcia’s sun-soaked region.
However, it was not ideal to have to start his most recent title defense with a protracted contest in the challenging circumstances.
The players hoping to win the fortnight want to keep as much energy as possible in the opening matches, but Alcaraz needed to work up his physical and mental reserves to defeat Fognini.
Playing in such high heat is “incredibly challenging,” Alcaraz said, “and it gets even more challenging when you play long matches and rallies.”
“Part of the match is when the sun starts to hit you constantly, so you may feel a little down.” I must be prepared for battle.
Alcaraz is familiar with playing the opening game of Wimbledon on its most famous court, as tradition dictates, but he lacks the freedom and fluency he is known for.
Getty Images
Alcaraz’s first shot has been inconsistent this season, which may have contributed to Fognini’s constant pressure-adjusted first-serve percentage below 50%.
Fognini turned professional when Alcaraz was just a toddler, but the expressive Italian showed how much he still enjoys displaying his talents on the biggest stages.
Alcaraz, who was criticized for gesturing and hurling at his team, was puzzled by his return, which showed his trademark variety and continued to play with his trademark variety.
Alcaraz’s free attack, however, causes trouble for his rivals.
Alcaraz’s face was brightened by a humorous exchange at the start of the decisive, when Fognini playfully threatened to hit a ball at his younger rival.
From that point, he found more rhythm and dominated the fifth set, passing both the forced emergency break, which had stifled Fognini’s concentration.
Alcaraz remarked, “Playing the first match on Center Court is never simple.”
Fognini bids Wimbledon adieu.
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Fognini is a vibrant character who can be entertaining to watch, but he’s also been known to overstep the mark, most recently when he said he wished a bomb would detonate on Wimbledon.
However, his pushed Alcaraz in a way that recalled the fluid, natural talent that has frequently caused the best players to struggle over the years.
Andy Murray’s ability on the red dirt also troubled the former world number nine, who is one of the few players to have won in a row over Rafael Nadal on clay.
Fognini, who reached the 2011 French Open quarter-finals, has announced he plans to retire at the end of this year, though he has not specifically stated when. His best major appearance came in 2011.
Before hurling his shoes into the crowd, Alcaraz quickly led the crowd to applaud Fognini, who was then given a heartfelt ovation.
Because of his level of play, Alcaraz can play for another three or four years, he said, “I don’t know why this is his last Wimbledon.”
“Fabio has consistently demonstrated his level and talent throughout his career.
