Tennis star says Wimbledon banned her from wearing pin in support of Palestine

Zeynep Sonmez used a watermelon-shaped vibration dampener on her racket (Picture: Getty)

Turkish tennis player Zeynep Sonmez claimed Wimbledon banned her from wearing a pin in support of Palestine while competing at the All England Club.

World No.51 Sonmez beat Ann Li in her first-round singles clash before suffering a straight-set defeat to America’s Claire Liu on Wednesday.

Sonmez returned on Thursday to compete in the women’s doubles alongside Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro but the pair were defeated in three sets by Shuko Aoyama and En Shuo Liang.

In all three matches, Sonmez’s racket had a vibration dampener in the shape of a watermelon, a well-known emblem of Palestinian solidarity.

The 24-year-old has often worn a similar pin on her dress when playing, but said she was banned from doing so at Wimbledon.

‘I used to wear a pin. Tournaments no longer allow me to wear it,’ she told Turkish news agency Anadolu.

‘We had a discussion with the organizers because the Ukrainian flag is allowed but the Palestinian is not.

Zeynep Sonmez is ranked 51st in the world (Picture: Getty)

‘They ultimately told us they definitely would not allow it. So, I can’t wear the pin. I can use the vibration dampener, and they can’t object to that. That’s why I put the watermelon symbol on my racket.’

Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak showed support for Sonmez’s efforts, writing on X: ‘We are proud of our athlete Zeynep Sönmez, who holds her conscience, courage, and human values above all else.

‘By refusing to remain silent in the face of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, she has once again demonstrated with her honorable stance that sport is not merely about competition; it is also a carrier of universal values.

Sonmez has previously worn a pin in support of Palestine (Picture: Getty)

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held outside Wimbledon on Monday (Picture: Getty)

‘For this meaningful sensitivity, we wholeheartedly congratulate our athlete and respectfully salute every conscientious voice that stands with the oppressed.’

Speaking back in 2024 about wearing a Palestine pin while competing, Sonmez told the WTA’s official website: ‘It’s a sensitive area for me. People in Palestine are suffering. I see the videos and photos and feel that there’s not so much we can do.

‘But we can always do our best — it’s like I was saying, you can be the best version of yourself. I want everyone to know that I’m standing with them.

‘There are bad things going on all around the world, but I feel like they’re not having the attention that they need. There is something very scary going on, and I want people to be aware of it. If I can take even a little bit of attention to them, that’s good.’

Wimbledon has a strict all-white dress code for players, stating on their website: ‘Competitors must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white and this applies from the point at which the player enters the court surround.’

But the organisers have, on occasion, shown a willingness to bend the rules, allowing Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina to wear a black ribbon back in 2024 to show solidarity with the victims of a Russian bombing of a children’s hospital in Kyiv.

Metro has approached the AELTC for comment.

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Graham Norton leads star-studded arrivals for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding

Graham Norton is among those who have arrived in NYC for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s big day (Picture: Getty)

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding is finally happening, and true to her word, she seems to have invited everyone she’s ever met.

Madison Square Garden is a hive of activity with rumours of an entire castle being built inside as the A-list couple spare no expense.

While fans have been speculating who is on the guest list since Travis first popped the question, we’re finally getting the first sightings of stars in New York.

That includes the legendary Graham Norton and his husband Jono McLeod, after Taylor promised he’d be on the list when she appeared on his talk show.

Graham, who was wearing a blue t-shirt and joggers at the airport, had asked about wedding planning in October, prompting the singer to joke she was inviting ‘anyone I’ve ever talked to’.

The singer said at the time: ‘I know it’s going to be fun to plan because I think the only stressful wedding is when you have a small amount [of space for guests]. That’s when you have to assess your relationship to see if they’re going to be there.’

Dua Lipa has been spotted among the A-listers arriving in the city (Picture: XNY/Star Max/GC Images)

Zendaya has also been spotted in the Big Apple and is expected to attend (Picture: Aeon/GC Images)

Anne Hathaway was also spotted in Tribeca on July 1 (Picture: Aeon/GC Images)

However, there isn’t an open-door policy for the MSG wedding, as, reportedly, plus-ones have only been extended to guests’ married partners.

This means friend Gigi Hadid might find herself going solo, unless of course, famous partner Bradley Cooper nabbed his own invite.

Taylor was seen heading to Gigi’s condo earlier, driving into the garage with tinted windows up as paparazzi swarmed.

Graham isn’t the only familiar face making the journey.

Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge was also spotted arriving in New York with family members, while Dua Lipa appears to have beaten many of the guests to the city.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, a longtime friend of Swift’s, is also in the city for the wedding (Picture: Rosalind O’Connor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Phoebe has been part of Taylor’s orbit for years and was among the famous faces cheering her on during the London leg of the Eras Tour in 2024.

Fans might remember the moment she and Andrew Scott were caught sprinting back towards the VIP tent the second Style began playing – a clip that quickly became a favourite on social media.

Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran has continued to fuel speculation that wedding festivities are already underway after being spotted having dinner with Taylor’s longtime collaborator Aaron Dessner in upstate New York, just a short drive from Manhattan.

Ed Sheeran was seen dining with a longtime collaborator (Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Taylor has previously joked she’d struggle to stop Ed from commandeering the microphone at the reception, and with rumours swirling that music legends Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw are also set to perform, the entertainment is looking like a Grammy Awards line-up.

Dua Lipa has also been keeping busy before the big day, with the singer photographed arriving at the famous Electric Lady Studios alongside Camila Cabello, prompting inevitable speculation they could be working on something together while in town.

Elsewhere, Sabrina Carpenter – who joined Taylor on the Eras Tour as one of its opening acts – was seen dining with friends in Manhattan, adding yet another superstar to what is becoming one of the most star-studded wedding guest lists in recent memory.

Sabrina Carpenter will certainly be on the guest list (Picture: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

And it’s not just music royalty who have reportedly received invitations.

According to reports, Taylor and Travis have also invited the starting five from the New York Knicks, with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart all expected to attend after helping deliver the team’s long-awaited NBA Championship earlier this year.

Brunson has previously admitted he’s a huge Swift fan, making him perhaps one of the few guests who might be just as excited to meet the bride as the groom.

At this rate, the hardest part of Taylor and Travis’ wedding won’t be seating the guests.

It’ll be finding a table plan big enough for what looks increasingly like half of Hollywood, the music industry and Madison Square Garden’s favourite basketball team.

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Daredevil couple arrested after 1,400ft high proposal on top of Empire State Building

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Two trespassers climbed to the top of New York City’s Empire State Building in a hair-raising stunt.

The masked daredevils scaled the lightning rod at the top of the iconic skyscraper in Manhattan before unfurling a banner.

The very tip of the Empire State Building, up to the antenna and spire, reaches 1,454 feet (443 metres).

Their cryptic protest banner said: ‘When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.’

The couple were seen from a helicopter unfurling the banner about love and peace on top of the Empire State Building

After climbing down from the rod, the masked man appeared to propose (Picture: CBS)

New Yorkers tried to get a glimpse of the couple at street level as they were spotted climbing up the rod and clinging onto it for a while.

Tourists could be seen on the observation deck below before it was cleared shortly after midday local time.

Eventually, the couple descended down to a lower level below the radio mast.

New Yorkers tried to get a glimpse of the commotion on top of the Empire State Building (Picture: AP Photo/Richard Drew)

That is when the other person, presumed to be a man, dressed in a black top and trousers, dropped to one knee.

He appeared to propose to the woman, who removed her mask and they kissed following the extreme proposal.

They were later taken into police custody, according to ABC News.

The masked climbers descended from the radio antenna to the lower level before the proposal (Picture: AP Photo/Richard Drew)

While the identity of the trespassers has not been officially confirmed, the stunt has been linked to artist Angela Nikolau, a Russian rooftopper known for scaling skyscrapers and posting about it on social media.

A post appeared on the influencer’s Instagram account with images of today’s stunt.

Her story, which said it was posted by an assistant, said: ‘Currently at the Empire State Building, you can watch on the city webcam.’

One of the posts had tagged Ivan Beerkus, a Russian musician and the boyfriend of Nikolau.

The couple appeared in a 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.

Empire State Building was erected in record-breaking 13 months in the aftermath of the Great Depression.

When it opened in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world, and remained so for 40 years.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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Danny Murphy baffles fans with cat anecdote during World Cup match

Danny Murphy put a cat among the pigeons on BBC commentary (Pictures: Getty)

Danny Murphy caught fans by surprise during Norway vs Ivory Coast at the World Cup on Tuesday as he told an eyebrow-raising cat anecdote out of nowhere.

The last 32 clash in Arlington, Texas was a perfectly entertaining one, which Norway dramatically won 2-1 late on.

Antonio Nusa had put Norway ahead in the first half with a brilliant strike into the top corner as he cut in from the left.

Manchester United’s Amad Diallo came off the bench to score arguably an even better goal as he jinked into the box and finished smartly.

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It was, predictably, Erling Haaland who had the final say, though, as he tapped home the winner on 86 minutes.

The Manchester City superstar has already scored five goals in this tournament and his latest booked his country a place in the last 16 against Brazil.

Murphy briefly turned attention away from the football during the second half as he indulged in a story about a cat, which caught BBC viewers by surprise.

Danny Murphy with a bizarre piece of commentary pic.twitter.com/YdiPDk4Src

— Cal_SCFC (@cal_scfc) June 30, 2026

Spurred on by Fulham’s Oscar Bobb rising from the bench, the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder said: ‘I used to have a cat called Bob.

‘He jumped in the back of a Royal Mail van and we lost him.’

There was a brief pause before he finished with: ‘Sad really. Anyway…’

As Murphy began the tale about his cat, commentator Steve Bower suggested, ‘the game’s not that bad!’

Erling Haaland scored the winner for Norway in Arlington (Picture: Getty Images)

There was a silence after the anecdote concluded, before Bower continued: ‘Anyway…18 minutes to go and Ivory Coast need a goal.’

Posting the clip on X, @cal_scfc described the words as a ‘bizarre piece of commentary.’

Popular podcast The Football Ramble was a bit more generous, posting: ‘Truly iconic commentary from Danny Murphy on the BBC just now.’

Comedian Mark Nelson added: ‘Good game that.

‘Highlight was Danny Murphy talking about his cat being kidnapped by the Royal Mail.’

‘Danny Murphy with the most ridiculous and greatest bit of commentary at this World Cup,’ added @Steve_Racing82.

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Hospital lockdown amid fears patient has Ebola symptoms

(Credits: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

A patient feared to have the deadly and contagious Ebola virus has put a Scottish hospital in lockdown.

The suspected patient had just arrived back in Glasgow from an affected Ebola country.

They went to the hospital after developing symptoms.

The unit has been sealed off to the public on Tuesday afternoon.

If confirmed it would be the first Ebola case in Scotland for a decade.

A source told the The National: ‘Obviously Ebola is a deadly and contagious illness, and emergency measures had to be put in place immediately to protect both staff and any members of the public.

‘The person came to the Acute Receiving Unit, where people are sent by their GP or the health board’s 101 number to avoid having to present at accident and emergency. This was quickly shut down and sealed off from the rest of the hospital.

‘The person was assessed there and then taken elsewhere in the hospital. I believe they were put into confinement while the tests to establish if they have Ebola or something else are carried out.’

Another hospital worker told the Glasgow Times: ‘The mere mention of the word Ebola strikes panic into people. You think of it as a disease that happens elsewhere.

‘The hospital has strict protocols and procedures to deal with these types of rare occurrences and everything seemed to be followed to a tee, but it is still a worry for those who were on duty at the time.’

A spokesperson for Public Health Scotland (PHS) said: ‘Public Health Scotland is working closely with UKHSA to assess routes by which travellers may enter the UK from affected countries.

‘The risk from people arriving in the UK from affected areas is low and the NHS has safe procedures in place for detecting and managing any such cases.

‘PHS and NHS boards across Scotland have well established protocols for assessing and testing travellers arriving in the UK from areas affected by Ebola where necessary.

‘Where required, contact tracing will occur and contacts may undergo clinical assessment and precautionary testing.

‘The UKHSA Returning Workers Scheme (RWS) which aims to protect and monitor the health of those who may travel from the UK to affected areas for their work, has been activated.

‘Organisations deploying workers to affected areas where they may be exposed to Ebola through their work, should register those workers with the scheme.’

The outbreak has been raging for over a month now (Picture: Reuters)

It came under a week after a French doctor working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) tested positive for Ebola after returning home.

France’s health ministry said the patient had been on a humanitarian mission and is currently isolating.

Those who may have come into contact with the patient are being traced, and the general risk the outbreak presents in Europe remains low.

Last week, it was revealed that the ‘first line of defence’ against the deadly strain of Ebola has collapsed.

Why is this Ebola outbreak so concerning?

The Red Cross is working to contain the deadly disease (Picture: Reuters)

The strain of Ebolavirus behind this outbreak, known as Bundibugyo, is rare and currently has no vaccine or treatment.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed this is the largest Bundibugyo outbreak on record.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency last month following the outbreak.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a rare haemorrhagic fever which spreads through the fluids of infected and dead patients.

Ebola symptoms can start between two and 21 days after infection. They can appear suddenly and include flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, extreme tiredness and a headache.

Other symptoms include:

• bleeding from the nose, gums or vagina
• being sick
• diarrhoea and tummy pain
• a skin rash
• yellowing of the skin and eyes
• blood in stools
• bruises all over the body
• bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose or mouth
• muscle pain
• sore throat
• blood in vomit

Contact tracing – identifying the people an infected person has come into contact with – has just 43% coverage in DRC.

Oxfam fieldwork found that there are just 0.2 doctors per 1,000 people, and some 70 health facilities have been destroyed by conflict.

The years-long violence in DRC has displaced millions, including people in Ituri, complicating contact tracing efforts.

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Novak Djokovic makes special request after ‘high-risk’ Wimbledon proposal

The couple got engaged during Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon match (Pictures: BBC/Getty)

Love was in the air on the first day of Wimbledon with one couple getting engaged during Novak Djokovic’s opening match on Centre Court.

As Djokovic and his opponent Wu Yibing took a breather after the conclusion of the first set, cheers could be heard from one corner of the arena.

BBC presenter Clare Balding was unaware of the cause of the jubilant scenes but Djokovic was seen making a heart with his hands as player was about to resume.

The tennis legend, bidding to win a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title, then turned to the couple and said: ‘I want an invitation to the wedding!’

It was only then that BBC commentator Andre Cotter and pundit John McEnroe clocked that a proposal had taken place at the All England Club.

The cameras then picked up the newly-engaged couple who appeared to grant Djokovic his wish of a wedding invite before celebrating their engagement with a kiss.

‘Novak has just said he wants an invitation to the wedding!’ three-time Wimbledon champion and seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe said.

Djokovic gestured to the newly-engaged couple (Picture: BBC)

Love was in the air at Wimbledon (Picture: BBC)

The proposal was described as ‘high-risk’ (Picture: BBC)

‘Apparently this lady was just asked if she would marry this gentleman. It’s quite a moment for these two!’

As the couple continue to revel in a successful proposal, commentator Cotter added: ‘Alright, concentrate on the tennis, everyone!

‘That’s a high-risk strategy, isn’t it? Asking that question on Centre Court at Wimbledon…’

McEnroe then added: ‘He probably mentioned it beforehand… he probably said, “if by some chance I decided to do this, what would you say?” just to make sure.’

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Manchester United looking to snap up two Man City prospects

Xavier Parker has emerged as a Manchester United target (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United are keen on two prospects from Manchester City’s academy, looking to snap up teenage talents Xavier Parker and Karim Cassim.

The Red Devils are plotting a summer of significant investment after an encouraging second half of last season under Michael Carrick.

Their third-placed finish secured them a return to Champions League action and they are looking for both added quality and numbers.

A deal to sign midfielder Ederson from Atalanta has been agreed, but fans can expect more arrivals in midfield and defence.

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However, the club is also looking to the future and is trying to bring in prospects they hope to make an impact in years to come.

The Daily Mail report reports that Manchester City starlets Xavier Parker and Karim Cassim are both on Manchester United’s radar.

In fact, they are not just well-liked at Old Trafford, the report states that the Red Devils are ‘attempting to raid’ their city rivals for the teenagers.

Karim Cassim will have a big decision to make on his future this summer (Picture: Getty Images)

Parker is a 16-year-old midfielder who has only been with City since 2024, when he moved north from West Ham.

Described by his club as a ‘dynamic, attack-minded’ midfielder, he stepped up to the Under-18 squad last season, despite only turning 16 in May.

Liverpool are also thought to be interested in the talented youngster, who has been capped by England Under-16s.

Cassim is also a 16-year-old and plays in central midfield and has been capped by England at youth level as well.

Ben Wilkinson is leaving Manchester City with a glowing reputation (Picture: Getty Images)

There are changes going on at academy level at Manchester City, with the head coach of the Elite Development Squad, Ben Wilkinson, leaving for Derby County.

Wilkinson has been praised with helping bring youth talents into the first team at the Etihad, most notably Nico O’Reilly in recent times.

Under-18s manager Oliver Reiss is stepping into Wilkinson’s role and Lauris Coggin takes Reiss’ former position.

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Charity takes on Dr Todd in Emmerdale – and the police take Mack

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Emmerdale’s Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker) might be smug, but she doesn’t realise who she’s actually taken on: Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) doesn’t have legendary status for nothing.

While battling with the enormity of keeping the attack and the blackmail from her family, Charity still managed to take herself to the police. Her initial report didn’t do the job – Todd was released shortly after being questioned – but Charity didn’t give up.

She later decides to risk everything and go back and report the blackmail to the police in the hopes it might be enough to knock Todd off her perch.

That too fails, as DS Reid (Angela Lonsdale) breaks the news that the two allegations would be treated separately rather than as part of a bigger crime.

But Charity still isn’t done.

Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) is now in the know about most of what happened and while he’s utterly rocked by it all, he initially manages to cope somehow to support his wife.

Things get even worse (Picture: ITV/Metro)

But as the Christening arrives, it’s his turn to crumble. Unable to cope with the self-loathing, he picks a fight with Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill).

In an unexpected turn of events, Kev doesn’t bite. He’s a baker now. These fists are built for kneading dough, not breaking jaws. Instead, he works it so that Mack feels compelled to explain himself.

Mack is as surprised as anyone when he blurts out that Charity cheated on him. Kev suggests he starts planning revenge – on Todd.

Charity is determined to get justice (Picture: ITV)

Mack finds support from a surprising source (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV)

This seems like a good way to channel his anger, and Mack easily tracks her down to a new hospital. She is there, gloating, like butter wouldn’t melt.

She tries to twist it that Charity isn’t trustworthy and that everything she’s said is lies. But to her surprise, Mack backs Charity, and seethes at Todd that she’ll be imprisoned soon.

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She’s not worried. Nothing will wipe the smile of Todd’s face, not even when Mack threatens to kill her – she clearly has more torture up her sleeve. Either that or she’s been here before and got away with it before.

Has Todd turned the tables again? (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV)

She thinks she knows how to play the game.

Charity is on the verge of giving up but it’s Serena Sugden (Casey Al-Shaqsy) who convinces her she must press on and go against her attacker. Serena’s words work, Charity is galvanised into action. But at that exact moment, the police arrive for Mack.

It never rains, eh?

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