Forecasters have warned of ‘elevated’ pollen levels over the coming days

The Met Office has warned of ‘elevated’ pollen levels for many across England and Wales over the next five days, with it issuing ‘very high’ alerts across three regions of the UK. A further eight regions of the country have also been hit with a ‘high’ pollen alert.

During the spring and summer months, the Met Office publishes a five-day pollen forecast which ranks pollen levels from low to very high.

With more than 10 million Brits suffering from hay fever, these alerts indicate when allergies to pollen may be more pronounced. There are different types of pollen, such as grass, weed and tree, and people can be allergic to specific types.

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According to the Met Office, pollen levels will ‘remain elevated’ across much of England and Wales for the next five days. The weather agency warns that grass pollen will continue to be the dominant allergen, but adds that some weed pollen will still be around.

For Thursday (July 2), the Met Office issued a ‘very high’ alert for grass and weed pollen across London and South East England. It also issued ‘high’ pollen alerts across eight regions of the UK, including North West England.

Experts have warned that Friday (July 3) will bring the highest pollen levels of the period, with forecasters having issued ‘very high’ pollen alerts across the East of England, East Midlands, London and South East England.

Across the East of England and East Midlands, the Met Office warns of high grass pollen and moderate weed pollen levels, while across London and South East England it warns of very high grass pollen and high weed pollen levels.

Pollen levels are forecast to ‘ease slightly’ across some areas of the UK on Saturday, with the Met Office reducing its ‘very high’ pollen alerts to a ‘high’ warning level throughout the country

However the Met Office does warn that pollen levels will remain consistent throughout the weekend across a number of western and southern regions, including Wales, the Midlands, the southwest and the southeast as well as Yorkshire and the Humber, where a ‘high’ pollen level alert will remain in place on Sunday (July 5).

Northern areas of the country will generally experience lower pollen levels, particularly towards the start of next week.

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Full list of Met Office red and amber alerts

Friday, July 3

‘Very high’ red alerts

• East Midlands
• East of England
• London and South East England

‘High’ amber alerts

• Grampian
• North East England
• Yorkshire and Humber
• North West England
• West Midlands
• Wales
• South West England

Saturday, July 4

‘High’ amber alerts

• Yorkshire and Humber
• East Midlands
• West Midlands
• East of England
• South West England
• London and South East England

Sunday, July 5

‘High’ amber alerts

• Yorkshire and Humber
• East Midlands
• West Midlands
• Wales
• East of England
• South West England
• London and South East England

‘High’ amber alerts

• East Midlands
• West Midlands
• East of England
• South West England
• London and South East England

By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: 23:31 BST, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 00:51 BST, 3 July 2026

A coroner will investigate the death of a Brisbane law student who plunged to his death in London, as his grieving family seeks answers about what happened. 

Fletcher Beasley, 21, could not be revived after he fell from the Victoria Embankment in central London in the early hours of June 25. 

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He had been with his girlfriend and friends at the popular riverside promenade, a scenic 2km stretch along the northern bank of the River Thames lined with some of London’s most famous landmarks. 

London Ambulance Service reported a man in his 20s died after he fell from a height. 

‘Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man died at the scene,’ police said. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Beasley was a fourth-year business and law student at the Queensland University of Technology while working as a research assistant at tax specialist law firm West Garbutt.

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In an emotional statement, Fletcher’s parents, Katrina and Matt Beasley, remembered their son as a kind and generous young man who touched countless lives. 

‘Our adored son Fletcher was our much-loved brother, grandson, partner, friend and colleague, who is deeply loved and cherished by all who knew him,’ they said.

Fletcher Beasley  fell to his death from the Victoria Embankment in central London last week

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The Brisbane law student (right) had been with his girlfriend and friends in the popular riverside area along the River Thames

‘He was at the centre of our close and loving family with siblings Sam and Holly. He was our perfect boy. Fletcher shared a beautiful relationship with his long-term partner Angelina and made the most of life with the people that he loved.

‘Funny, loyal, curious about the world, and always full of warmth, he lived a balanced life, playing sport, running, travelling and having fun.

‘Fletcher was deeply generous, selfless and community minded. His family knows he would have wanted to help others in any way he could.’

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Mr Beasley’s father has flown to the UK to bring his body home. 

The family added that they had been overwhelmed by the support received for a fundraiser established in Fletcher’s memory.

‘The fund will support the ongoing investigation into Fletcher’s death and support the Beasley family and close friends to help rebuild their lives and to bring Fletcher home,’ the statement read.

‘Just as Fletcher would have wanted to help and support others, this fund has been established to support Fletcher’s friends who were with him in London at the time.

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The riverside walkway where the young Aussie died runs along the River Thames and passes some of London’s most famous landmarks 

The popular riverside promenade is a scenic 2km stretch along the northern bank of the River Thames lined with some of London’s most famous landmarks.

‘It is impossibly unfair that he has been taken after only 21 years, however he lived a beautiful, but far too short life.

‘His loss leaves an immeasurable absence, but his warmth, kindness and love will continue to shape the lives of all who were lucky enough to know him.’

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The outpouring of support has prompted the family to establish the Fletcher Beasley Fund, which will help others affected by similar circumstances. 

 

Arsenal had been in talks to sign Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, but Manchester City are now reportedly advancing on a deal for the forward

Manchester City are reportedly poised to beat Arsenal to the signing of Leicester City’s teenage forward Jeremy Monga. The Gunners had been leading the chase to secure the 16-year-old, who has already featured in both the Premier League and Championship.

Colleagues at football.london suggest that a fee of between £10million and £15m has been discussed between the Gunners and Leicester. It is also understood that thought was given to whether a season in League One might benefit the teenager’s development more than another year in academy football.

However, that prospect now appears to have faded, with BBC Sport reporting that City have entered the running to sign him. Approaches have been made in recent days regarding a potential transfer, with the Athletic reporting that Arsenal have withdrawn from the race due to the asking price being too high.

Monga made his Premier League debut during the 2024/25 season as a 15-year-old for Leicester, making seven league appearances between April and the end of the campaign.

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Leicester managed to fend off interest from rival clubs last summer, despite their relegation to the Championship, and Monga put pen to paper on an academy scholarship when he turned 16.

That agreement is due to become a professional contract this summer, on his 17th birthday on July 10. While a fee with Leicester could be negotiated, there remains the possibility of a tribunal to determine whether whichever club signs him has paid a fair price for the youngster.

The forward joined an elite group of young talents when he became the second-youngest player ever to feature in a Premier League match, though he has since been pushed into third place by Arsenal’s Max Dowman.

Monga was just 15 years, eight months and 28 days old when he came off the bench in a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle United on April 7, 2025.

The young starlet made 30 appearances across all competitions during the 2025/26 season, and etched his name in the record books as the Championship’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he found the net against Preston North End in August.

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The teenager has recently been representing England at Under-18 level, netting the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Greece Under-19s and also getting on the scoresheet in a dominant 6-1 triumph over Cyprus.

City have already been busy this summer after confirming on Thursday that they have struck an agreement with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. The Blues finalised the deal with the East Midlands outfit last month, with the midfielder receiving FA clearance to complete a medical in New York last week.

The England international will become a record-breaking signing for City, with the club paying a straight fee of £116million to secure the 23-year-old. Anderson will put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the Etihad, bolstering the midfield options following Bernardo Silva’s exit.

Cristiano Ronaldo will bring to an end his storied career with Portugal after the World Cup, according to his sister.

Katia Aveiro claimed Portugal fans can ‘say goodbye’ to the 41-year-old star and that the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico would be his ‘last dance’ with the national team.

The news comes just hours before Ronaldo’s side take on Croatia in Toronto for a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

‘From the information I have, they can say goodbye,’ she told Sport TV outside the Toronto Stadium.

‘Not today, but I believe this is the farewell. I’m talking about the national team. From a reliable source, it’s the “last dance”, the World Cup.’ 

Ronaldo has earned his 232nd international cap after being named in the starting XI to face Croatia. He is the all-time men’s international goalscorer with 145 for his country. 

The claim was made by his sister Katia Aveiro, who was speaking before Portugal vs Croatia

His impending exit from the Portuguese national team will not come as a surprise. Ronaldo will be 43 by the time of the Euros in 2028 and 45 when his nation co-hosts the next World Cup with Spain and Morocco.

The Al-Nassr star has endured a mixed tournament in north America, scoring twice against Uzbekistan after a disappointing performance in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Portugal’s opening match.

The laboured display against the African side sparked claims of a ‘civil war’ in the Portugal dressing room.

It followed accusations aimed at Ronaldo’s team-mates from his zealous fanbase – including from Aveiro – alleging a plot to edge the ageing forward out of the game.  

Aveiro liked an Instagram post attacking Bruno Fernandes after the DR Congo draw, which sparked claims of tension within the Portugal camp.

But Ronaldo responded with two goals against Uzbekistan to become the first player to score at six World Cups. He then declared ‘I’m back’ before abruptly leaving a post-match interview after being asked a question about Lionel Messi. 

‘Just so you don’t forget, just so you don’t forget,’ he said of his message to the cameras. 

‘I knew it. God helps those who work hard. It was a difficult, dark week, it felt like I was already retired from football, but I held on as I always do because I believe more in hard work than in football. It was difficult, I have to confess, but we’re back.

Ronaldo opened his account by scoring twice against Uzbekistan, making him the first man to score in six World Cups

‘Very happy, but for me the most important thing is the work the team did, the confidence we had,’ he said about his historic moment. 

‘We took a lot of hits during the week, we knew that would happen. The team worked very well, we improved a lot. There are evils that come for good, as they say. 

‘Speaking for myself, it’s always nice to break records, but my goal is to help the national team achieve its objectives. In this part, it was to get through the qualifying round, with four points I think we’ve already done it.’ 

Aveiro again addressed the criticism her brother has faced during the tournament, suggesting his detractors lack intelligence.

‘For intelligent people, those who like football have to like Ronaldo,’ she said. ‘They’re the ones who lose out. 

‘He’s been tearing it up for 20-odd years.’

Ronaldo’s first goal for his country came 20 years ago in Germany, when he scored against Iran in Frankfurt.

Aveiro’s comments come after she also sparked claims of tension within the Portugal camp

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He added another in 2010 against North Korea, and a third against Ghana in Brazil four years later. Four more followed in Russia in 2018 – a hat-trick against Spain in the opening game and one more against Morocco.

He then became the first player to score in five editions of the tournament when he scored the only goal of the game against Ghana at Qatar 2022 – a record since matched by his great rival Lionel Messi at this tournament.

But Ronaldo is now out on his own again with goals in six tournaments – the perfect riposte to those who felt he was a negative influence on the team after failing to register a shot on target in the opener against DR Congo.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward is also making history against Croatia as the first player aged 41 to feature in a World Cup knockout match. 

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Now, weeks after Iran allowed the partial reopening of the strait – under a ceasefire agreement with the US that is mostly holding – the sea is calm once more and fishermen are returning.

One of them, Abdol Rahman, took the BBC through the strait for a close-up view of how the war has affected life in and around Bandar Abbas.

As we sailed through the strait, two container ships seized by the IRGC in April, at the height of the conflict, came into view.

At the time, the IRGC said the vessels had endangered maritime security “by operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems”.

Despite the ceasefire, the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas, which were flagged to Panama and Liberia respectively, have not been released.

Dozens of other cargo ships could be seen offshore, waiting for permission from the Iranian authorities to pass through the strait.

As we approached Hormuz Island, 8km (five miles) off the coast of Bandar Abbas, our guide Rahman pointed out an old fortress overlooking the sea.

Its weathered red walls are a reminder that control of the strait has been fought over for centuries. Built in the early 16th Century, it was central to the Portuguese Empire’s control of this vital waterway – until 1622 when Portugal was driven out by Shah Abbas I of Persia, after whom Bandar Abbas is named.

For much of an international career that began a decade ago at the age of 19, Oyarzabal has not enjoyed much of the limelight.

He missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.

But four years later – and before a World Cup debut – he was in the form of his life with 12 goals in 12 international appearances.

The double against Austria extended that run to 17 in his last 16 starts, with four goals at this tournament.

“His last two seasons, since he recovered, are the best of his career,” added Balague.

“Four goals in the World Cup – our most decisive player, no doubt.”

Spain memorably played without a recognised striker at Euro 2012, but Oyarzabal is now very much the focal point of their attacks with two excellent finishes against Austria.

“Sometimes people are in doubt about Spain because of the centre-forward, but Oyarzabal is doing the job,” former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta told BBC One.

“A few years ago, Oyarzabal was playing a bit more on the right wing and he has transitioned more into the middle.”

Since the start of last year, the only European player with more international goals than Oyarzabal is Norway striker Erling Haaland with 22.

He also became the first Spanish player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueno against Denmark in the last 16 of the 1986 tournament.

The statistics are impressive, but it is not to say he is overshadowed by Lamine Yamal, with the 18-year-old playing a key role in Oyarzabal being able to shine.

The Barcelona forward’s excellent ball control and dribbling skills clearly unsettles defences and pulled the Austrian defenders towards him to create more space for Oyarzabal.

“When you have someone in your team like Lamine Yamal who attracts so much attention, you know you will get more space,” said former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger.

“Oyarzabal uses that space, gets the ball, and scores goals.”

By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER

Updated: 00:06 BST, 3 July 2026

The York band will release their new album, called Shed Seven, on January 8, 2027.

It will be their first release since 2024’s A Matter of Time and Liquid Gold both charted at number one – meaning the band joined a unique group of artists that have topped the album charts twice within the same year.

Sheds’ frontman Rick Witter said the band was “excited” to announce their eponymously titled new album, to be released via Cooking Vinyl.

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The band have also released the new single, Stand Together, which Rick described as a “call to arms and a rallying cry for some kind of unity in the world we live in today”.

“We have taken great care in making this album what we believe to be our best yet, and we hope these songs are taken to people’s hearts,” he said.

“The brand new comeback single ‘Stand Together’ shows a statement of intent.”

The announcement of the new album comes as the Sheds prepare to play a sold-out acoustic show from London’s iconic 100 club on Thursday night (July 2).

At the end of the year, the band will head out for their Shedcember UK tour which includes two dates at the O2 Academy in Leeds on December 12 and 13.

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