Sky customers can tune into every game of the 2026 World Cup on ‘the TV designed for football’ for a much cheaper price if they act fast

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World Cup fans have been urged to act fast as a Sky deal launched to mark the start of this year’s tournament ends in hours. With the 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup now in full swing, Sky is preparing to end its £4.50 Sky Glass deal.

This lets customers shaved 20% off each Sky Glass TV, which Sky touts as ‘the TV designed for football’. However, as the group stage at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA enters its final hours, so does Sky’s sale.

Football fans only have until 11.59pm on Wednesday (June 17) to secure the deal before prices revert to normal. Until then, monthly prices for the slim and sleek Sky Glass Air start at £4.50 (was £6) – the equivalent of 15p per day.

The discount also extends to the larger and more powerful Sky Glass Gen 2, which now starts at £11 (was £14). Both models allow football fans to watch all World Cup fixtures broadcast across BBC and ITV in stunning 4K HDR picture quality, while the Gen 2 also delivers Dolby Atmos sound through its built-in soundbar.

It comes as Sky rolls out a significant update specifically for the World Cup that reduces streaming delay between the live action and what’s on screen. The new Sky Real Time channels enhance BBC and ITV’s World Cup coverage for Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers, enabling fans to tune in with less lag and fewer spoilers, reports Wales Online.

Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’

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Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.

Sky Glass also features a dedicated sports mode that can be activated for ‘a crisp, cooler look, vivid colours and an electrifying burst of sound’. One important factor to bear in mind is that the reduced prices cover the TV itself only, meaning new Sky customers will also need to sign up for a Sky TV package from £15 per month.

This includes roughly 100 channels and a free Netflix subscription at no additional cost, while those opting for the £24 Ultimate TV package will also gain 35 extra channels plus free HBO Max and Disney+ access. There’s also an option to include Sky Sports channels for £20, offering hundreds of matches from the Premier League, EFL and more throughout the next two seasons, though this isn’t necessary to watch the World Cup.

It’s worth noting that the Sky Glass TV comes with a 48-month loan, with a £20 payment required upfront, while Sky’s TV subscriptions run for 24 months. Sky also states its prices ‘may change’ during this period.

While both Sky Glass models are designed with a crystal-clear 4K HDR Quantum Dot screen ideal for tuning in to the World Cup, there are a few notable distinctions between the Air and Gen 2, particularly when it comes to audio. The former delivers rich sound through a Dolby Audio speaker system, while the latter features a built-in soundbar powered by Dolby Atmos.

Both models do away with the need for a Sky box or satellite dish, operating via WiFi with a straightforward plug-and-play setup. Sky also confirms that the Glass TV can be delivered the following day when ordered before 3pm, Monday to Friday.

Meanwhile, EE is slashing hundreds off a range of televisions from Samsung, LG, Hisense and more in its rival World Cup sale, which also includes the opportunity to win free tickets to a Home Nations football match. Among the more budget-friendly options is the Hisense A7QTUK QLED AI Smart TV from £289, which customers describe as ‘outstanding quality for the price’.

Amazon is also reducing the price of its newest television, the Ember Artline, which is crafted to resemble framed artwork. Prices now begin at £769.99 (was £949.99) for the 55″ model, representing a saving of £180.

As for Sky Glass, technology experts at Uswitch say the Air model is ‘ideal’ for football supporters looking for ‘a great audiovisual experience at a relatively affordable price’. They said: “The 4K Quantum Dot panel gives vivid colours and strong clarity for both streaming and live TV.

“Its auto-enhance setting adjusts the picture and sound based on what you’re watching, but there are a number of dedicated picture modes, including Entertainment, Sports, Movies, Music, Vivid and Extra Vivid. Audio is probably the most significant compromise that Sky Glass Air makes in comparison to Gen 2.

“While it lacks the built-in soundbar of its big brother, it still has Dolby audio and a two-speaker stereo system inside that optimises sound. I experienced good depth of quality and clear dialogue, so no muffled [or] tinny sounds.”

Despite praising many of its features, the reviewer highlighted certain shortcomings of the Sky Glass Air, noting: “If you’re used to a more immersive cinema experience, you won’t get that with Sky Glass Air. Luckily, you can easily stream Dolby Atmos to a compatible soundbar if you want that full cinema experience.”

They continued: “One of the best features about Sky Glass is the Sky OS interface, which brings together content from Sky channels and streaming services all in one place. The more you watch and add things to your playlist, the more Sky OS learns and can give you better recommendations.

“If you want access to the best TV content in the UK [and] a sleek, good-looking TV that delivers a great audiovisual experience at a relatively affordable price, Sky Glass Air is ideal. However, if you’re a gamer or someone who takes home cinema very seriously, you might consider splashing out on the Sky Glass Gen 2.”

It’s a question big enough to make your head spin! Eight-year-old Ellie from Atlanta, Georgia, wants to know what came before the Big Bang?

Ellie joins our host Eloise to delve into the origins of our universe with astronomer Michael Lam on The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast.

In each episode of The Conversation’s Curious Kids, a curious kid joins host Eloise to ask a top researcher their burning question. If you’d like to join in with the experiment in this episode, make sure you have a balloon and a pen on hand while you listen.

To listen to season two, follow us wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on the Yoto Player via the Discover section on the Yoto interactive audio platform for kids.

You can also listen back to season one and read lots of answers to questions sent in by children around the world in our Curious Kids series.

Got a question? Pop it in an email, or record it and send us the audio to curiouskids@theconversation.com.

This season of The Conversation’s Curious Kids is supported by the University of Southampton in the UK, a world-leading research-intensive university with a global network of international students and campuses in Malaysia and Delhi.

Disclosure statement

Michael Lam has received funding from the National Science Foundation. He is also a research scientist at the SETI Institute.

Credits

This episode of The Conversation’s Curious Kids was hosted and mixed by Eloise Stevens. The producer was Katie Flood and the executive producer was Gemma Ware. Sound from Artemis II launch from CNN.

The British summer is well on its way, and there’s one pretty seaside town that’s in easy reach of Cambridge, with a traditional Victorian pier and golden sand beaches

An unspoilt UK seaside town with sprawling sand beaches, a seafood legacy, and a traditional Victorian pier is perfect for a seaside escape from Cambridge.

As we’re set to welcome another UK heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to a balmy 29C at the weekend, there’s no better time than to plan a quintessential trip to the seaside. While the UK is brimming with coastal resorts, charming seaside towns and picture-perfect vistas, there’s one destination that certainly deserves recognition.

Tucked away along the north Norfolk coastline, around two hours from Cambridge, lies the beautiful seaside town of Cromer. And it has everything you could ever need for classic coastal pastimes, whether you’re after a weekend getaway or a day out with the family.

The Grade II-listed Cromer Pier is undoubtedly the standout attraction in the town, extending 140 metres into the sea and home to the Pavilion Theatre. The pier is one of the only structures in the UK to host a traditional, full-season end-of-pier variety show.

The iconic Cromer Pier Show has showcased live music, comedy, magic, dance, and variety acts for decades, inviting guests to enjoy a unique entertaining show above the sea in one of their 500 seats. But since the pier opened in 1901, it’s certainly stood the test of time.

Due to its location in the North Sea, Cromer Pier has been hit by the elements, and in 1993, it was actually cut in half. During a major storm, a rig crashed into the pier and caused a huge 30 metre gap just behind the main entrance, leaving the theatre and lifeboat house completely cut off.

Thankfully, it went through repairs and continued to be a beloved attraction in the town. Today, it attracts thousands of visitors who want to walk along its Victoria decking, catch a show, or catch crab off the side, as it’s proven to be a popular spot for seafood.

Cromer is known for its local crab, which thrives in the shallow waters and chalky reefs, making it a prime fishing destination. The crab meat is sweet and tender, which can be enjoyed at a seafood shack near the beach or at a local pub, and it’s not unusual to see them being sold straight off a fishing boat, either.

The beach itself holds a Blue Flag Status, offering stretches of golden sand during low tide and shingle at high tide. Yet it’s known as a family-friendly beach, ideal for shell collecting, building sandcastles or setting up the picnic blanket and sun umbrella for the day.

For additional seaside entertainment, there’s often a funfair on the promenade for little ones to enjoy, or picturesque coastal walks along the Norfolk Coast Path for avid ramblers. Or it’s simply enjoyable to watch the comings and goings of this vibrant town, dubbed ‘Britain’s Great Barrier Reef’, and of course, grab a bag of fish and chips by the seaside.

The town itself, sitting on top of the cliffs, is packed with independent shops, boutique galleries, museums and an independent cinema, the Movieplex, against its Victorian architecture. Visitors will also find a selection of traditional tearooms, seafood restaurants, and welcoming pubs serving local Cromer crab, so they can really savour the flavours of this seaside town.

Whether it’s a fun-packed day out or a getaway by the coast, Cromer certainly won’t disappoint.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

After three months of war with two of the world’s most technologically and militarily advanced countries, Iran has proved far more resilient than anticipated. Indeed, strategically at least, Tehran appears to now have the upper hand in the conflict. How has this situation come about?

When the United States joined Israel to launch the latest war with Iran in late February 2026, the prognosis did not look good for the regime in Tehran.

In attacking Iran, the US and Israel set up a highly asymmetric conflict. It pitted the Islamic Republic up against two nuclear-armed adversaries who boast some of the most advanced military capabilities on the planet. And the scale of the US and Israeli intervention was far larger than anything Iran has experienced in decades.

Over the course of several weeks, Iran was pounded relentlessly with the full force of US and Israeli air and missile power. Precision strikes and targeted assassinations removed key members of Iran’s political and military leadership – including the supreme leader and commander-in-chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The country’s air and naval combat capabilities were decimated, hundreds of its missile launchers and air defence systems were destroyed and its internal security apparatus was severely degraded. The country’s nuclear facilities and missile and drone factories were bombed with thousands of pounds of munitions.

Iran moved quickly to replace its leadership and use its remaining military capabilities to strike back at its attackers and their allies. But by any measure, the Islamic Republic was facing an existential threat. At that point, it seemed almost inconceivable that Iran might avoid capitulation, survive politically, and recover its position so far as to gain leverage in its dealings with the US. Yet that is exactly the scenario that has played out.

As Jerusalem-based Middle East expert Daniel Sobelman explains, in an asymmetric conflict where a weaker actor is pitted against a superior adversary, the weaker actor must tilt the “balance of vulnerability” in its favour to avoid total defeat. To do this, it must ensure the survivability of its critical military capabilities and it must exploit the vulnerabilities of its adversaries.

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Middle East conflict looks increasingly like a war nobody can win

This type of logic has long been a feature of Iranian strategic thinking. Officials have often emphasised the importance of exploiting the points of vulnerability or weakness of Iran’s adversaries, while minimising their own, as a key element of both asymmetric deterrence and warfighting.

Tehran’s prewar deterrence posture clearly failed to prevent US and Israeli attacks. Yet over the past three months Iran has shifted the balance of vulnerability. It has imposed severe costs, escalated its attacks and exploited vulnerabilities in ways that helped it not only survive but also force its adversaries to a ceasefire.

Asymmetric warfare

By April it was clear that the US and Israel were unable to force Tehran to capitulate (or to “cry uncle” to as the US president, Donald Trump, famously put it). The attacking forces were unable to create the conditions for regime change. And they failed to destroy Iran’s arsenal of missiles and drones.

Iran absorbed all the punishment inflicted by its attackers. And, crucially, it retained the capacity to retaliate with missile and drone strikes on Israel and US bases in the Gulf. Iran also attacked energy and other infrastructure in Arab Gulf states. This undermined the stated US goal of protecting its regional allies and upended their reputation as havens of stability.

Iran’s attacks also signalled clearly that in this regional conflict, support for the US was a liability rather than an asset. In addition to all this, Iran caused havoc by closing the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels. This cut off a critical global supply artery for oil, gas and fertiliser with disastrous consequences for energy and food supply around the globe.

All the while, Iran has forced Israel, the US and the Gulf states to burn through critical, expensive and slow-to-replenish munitions, another vulnerability that emerged for Tehran to exploit.

In terms of escalation, Iran has threatened to further increase economic costs. It has threatened to expand attacks on Israeli and Gulf energy and infrastructure targets and to target undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz. And it has threatened to push its Axis of Resistance partners in Yemen, the Houthis, to disrupt the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea.

Counting the cost

The US and Israel may have largely achieved their stated military objectives – including degrading Iran’s nuclear programme, military capabilities and defence industries. But Iran has prevented its enemies from achieving their strategic goals. And it has inflicted strategic, diplomatic, military, political and economic costs on Israel, the US, the Gulf states and beyond.

Tehran remains at a clear military disadvantage and highly vulnerable to further US and Israeli military strikes. But Iran appears to hold the upper hand at the political-strategic level, at least for now. It has forced Trump to seek an off ramp, it retains the ability to close the Strait of Hormuz as well as to strike critical targets across the region.

Iran also appears to be revamping the Axis of Resistance – especially Lebanese Hezbollah and the Yemeni Houthis – as a key pillar of leverage, deterrence and warfighting. Tehran recently announced the creation of a “new security belt” of the axis and claimed a new doctrine of “unified resistance front,” where any attack on the axis would trigger a coordinated response by all Axis members.

Moving forward, Tehran will clearly try to leverage this moment of perceived strategic advantage to enhance and coordinate its efforts in both the “field of action” – especially its threat and use of military force – and the “field of negotiation” with Washington. It aims not only to survive this conflict, but to emerge in a stronger strategic position.

In doing so, the Islamic Republic will be able to pour available resources into rebuilding and enhancing its critical retaliatory capabilities – especially missile and drones – while continuing to find ways to exploit the vulnerabilities of its adversaries.

The 27-year-old has responded after allegedly imitating shooting a gun with his hands after scoring in the draw with New Zealand

Iran footballer Mohammad Mohebi has responded to accusations that he allegedly made a gun gesture while celebrating his goal in their World Cup 2026 match with New Zealand.

Iran twice fought back from going behind to draw 2-2 with the Oceania outfit, with Mohebi’s 64th-minute strike salvaging a point in an entertaining affair at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

But the manner of how he celebrated his goal stoked controversy amongst fans and pundits. The 27-year-old, who plies his trade for Russian club FC Rostov, placed two fingers towards his arm, before holding two fingers out on his right hand and wagging them about in the air.

The incident has sparked calls for an investigation, given the volatility of Iran’s place in the tournament in the United States. Mohebi has since responded, speaking alongside captain Mehdi Taremi to the media after the game.

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.

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The BBC’s acclaimed World War One period drama, has been praised by viewers as ‘truly remarkable’ and compared to Downton Abbey – and you can stream all six episodes

If you’re on the hunt for your next period drama fix, then this could be the ideal destination, with one standalone series you can binge-watch across six ‘inspiring’ episodes.

The British television drama, The Crimson Field, was first aired on BBC back in 2014, and while it was never commissioned for another series, viewers continue to discover it and heap praise upon it.

The show has fans ‘hooked’ as they follow the lives of various medical staff and patients unfolding during the harrowing times of the First World War.

It’s set within a fictional field hospital in France at the height of the conflict, capturing the essence of the era while bringing to life the stories and people behind this momentous historic event.

For many, it’s the ensemble cast that propels the series forward, with plenty of fresh and familiar faces delivering some ‘remarkable’ performances.

That cast includes Rupert Graves as Major Edward Crecy, alongside Oona Chaplin as Kitty Trevelyan, Hermione Norris as Grace Carter, Suranne Jones as Sister Joan Livesey and Kevin Doyle as Lt Col Roland Brett.

One viewer left a review on Rotten Tomatoes, saying: “I rate The Crimson Field with ‘Call the Midwife’ and ‘Downton Abbey.’ It is British drama at its best with a fantastic cast of those some of you may remember from other shows. However, there is no stereotype in their roles from previous shows. Truly remarkable acting.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Another review on IMDb added: “Within the first minutes of watching this series I knew that I was hooked. It gives an honest representation of life in the war hospitals of Northern France during the First World War. While many depictions of wartime focus on the absolute patriotism of those involved, this series shows that lines do get blurred when individual, real people are involved.”

The reviewer went on to say that it shares “a lot in common” with Downton Abbey, exploring similar themes in a “unique” fashion.

The review said: “Where D.A. explores the realities of hierarchy in early 20th-century British society, The Crimson Field does the same with the ranking within the army and hospital camps.”

Despite the show’s creator, Sarah Phelps, reportedly having mapped out four additional series, it was axed after just one season owing to poor audience figures and budgetary constraints.

Screenwriter Sarah Phelps is credited with penning more than 90 episodes of EastEnders, alongside numerous adaptations for the BBC, including Great Expectations and Oliver Twist.

Phelps took to social media to break the news that the show would not be continuing, confessing she was “gutted”. She said: “Gutted doesn’t even touch the sides of how I feel”.

The Crimson Field is available on Amazon.

A recommendation was made to the prison

A man was found collapsed in a supermarket car park after his prison release. Lee Chignell died aged 34 on August 12, 2025 – less than a week after being released from HMP Peterborough, according to a recent report.

Chignell had served a number of sentences in prison, most recently for the possession of offensive weapons, for which he was released on July 7, 2025. Four days later, he was recalled to Peterborough for a fixed term of 28 days for not complying with licence conditions.

During his initial health screen on July 11, Chignell tested positive for opiates. He told the healthcare nurse that he had a history of drug use and was referred to substance misuse services.

On July 14, Chignell told a recovery worker for the substance misuse team that he wanted to be released to Norwich. He declined to engage with the substance misuse service but agreed to a referral to Change Grow Live in Norwich.

The recovery worker did not share this information with Chignell’s prison offender manager (POM) or community offender manager (COM), according to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report.

Despite Chignell declining substance misuse treatment, a recovery worker continued to see Chignell throughout his time at Peterborough. The report said there were no concerns raised.

Chignell was released from Peterborough on August 6 without accommodation. Mr Chignell had told his recovery worker that he intended to live in Norwich on release. The COM was not made aware of this and completed housing referrals for areas where she knew Chignell had connections.

She had not been able to secure any accommodation for him before his release but the ombudsman considered that the COM’s made reasonable attempts to find him accommodation.

When Chignell was released from Peterborough, he was incorrectly advised that his release probation appointment was on August 7, which he attended. The licence conditions were sent to the COM where it was discovered that the wrong licence had been issued to Chignell.

On August 12, less than a week after being released from prison, Chignell was found collapsed in a supermarket car park in Peterborough. Despite the warm temperature, Chignell was wearing several layers of clothing and was hyperthermic. Paramedics were called and Chignell was admitted to Peterborough City Hospital but died later that evening.

An inquest into his death was held on April 15, 2026. The coroner concluded that Chignell’s death was drug related.

An ombudsman investigation found the following recommendation for the prison: “The Director and Head of Healthcare should review the processes for sharing relevant pre-release information between relevant departments, and with the community offender manager, in a timely manner so that release planning is effective.”

An action planned was created in response to the report. A HMP Peterborough spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with Mr. Chignell’s family and friends. The Prisons & Probation Ombudsman has completed an investigation into the post-release death of Mr Chignell. The prison has since implemented the recommendation detailed in the action plan in full.”

‘The city’s success has extended well beyond the centre’

Manchester has emerged as Britain’s leading hotspot for property growth over the last decade, with average house prices surging at nine times the rate of London.

New data released by property portal Rightmove highlights a stark geographic divide across the UK housing market. Over the past 10 years, the average asking price for a home in Greater Manchester has climbed by 63%, rising from £160,422 to £261,891 – an increase of approximately £100,000.

By contrast, London languishes at the bottom of the growth spectrum, recording a modest 7% uptick over the same period.

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Industry experts point to shifting employment trends and affordability constraints as the primary drivers of the trend.

“Greater flexibility through hybrid and remote working is still influencing where people choose to live, supporting demand in cities that offer better value,” said Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove. “Areas with lower starting price points have had more room for growth.”

The data reveals a distinct “north versus south” dynamic. No cities in southern England appeared in Rightmove’s top 10 list for fastest price growth, while the south dominated the list for the slowest growth.

The analysis also points to a “spillover” effect, where priced-out buyers cast a wider net into neighbouring areas.

This knock-on demand has boosted prices in locations directly outside major hubs, such as Salford, Wolverhampton, Wakefield and Bradford.

Within the Greater Manchester periphery, suburbs like Levenshulme, Atherton, Droylsden, and Failsworth saw average asking prices spike by roughly 80%.

Despite its stagnant growth rate, London remains the UK’s most expensive urban market by a wide margin, with an average asking price of £687,080, up from £639,593 a decade ago. Other high-cost southern cities, including Oxford, St Albans, and Winchester, also landed in the bottom ten for percentage growth.

While the price boom has significantly boosted equity for existing northern homeowners, it poses a severe challenge to aspiring buyers.

Mary-Lou Press, president of NAEA Propertymark, noted that Manchester’s rise reflects robust regional economics, transport upgrades, and regeneration. However, she warned that “increasing housing supply will be essential to maintain accessibility” as regional hubs become increasingly unaffordable for local first-time buyers.

The figures below outline the stark contrast between the fastest-growing property markets and the UK’s slowest-moving urban centres over the last decade.

Top 10 Cities for Asking Price Growth

1. Manchester, £261,891, 63%
2. Wolverhampton, £229,094, 63%
3. Newport, £235,275, 57%
4. Nottingham, £210,238, 53%
5. Wakefield, £231,581, 52%
6. Salford, £226,559, 52%
7. Bradford, £171,282, 51%
8. Stoke-on-Trent, £174,850, 49%
9. Doncaster, £186,378, 49%
10. Swansea, £215,866, 48%

Bottom 10 Cities for Asking Price Growth

• London, £687,080, 7%
• Oxford, £554,387, 13%
• Brighton, £416,440, 13%
• Winchester, £543,972, 14%
• Cambridge, £512,872, 15%
• St Albans, £657,627, 19%
• Canterbury, £367,271, 22%
• Chelmsford, £402,308, 22%
• Colchester, £300,714, 26%
• Dundee, £170,171, 27%

“We are still waiting for the hospital to tell us what the underlying issue was for Ravinder to have collapsed in the street like that.”

A builder died after collapsing and hitting his head on the pavement while walking to the shops in Glasgow. Ravinder Kumar had just finished a shift on a construction site on June 11 when the tragic incident unfolded.

The 33-year-old was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in a coma and put on a ventilator after suffering a serious head injury and internal bleeding in the fall. Sadly after two days, his cousin Ravi was told by medics at the hospital he wouldn’t regain consciousness and could not be saved.

Ravi was asked to contact Ravinder’s parents in Patiala in the Piunjab area of India to find out if they would like to turn off the life-support machine. Speaking to the Record, the 49-year-old said: “It is a decision that no parents should ever have to make.

“He was their only son and they were so happy he was making a life for himself in Scotland. They were so proud of him. It was a harrowing phone call to have to make and they were completely devastated.

“Through tears they decided the best thing was for him not to suffer and pass away peacefully. They are completely heartbroken by this it is such a senseless thing to have happened.

“We are still waiting for the hospital to tell us what the underlying issue was for Ravinder to have collapsed in the street like that. He was a young man with no underlying health conditions so it is just really hard for everyone to take in.

“He had just finished his work and was on his way to the local shop and his life was taken away from him in an instant.”

Ravinder moved to Scotland in March 2023 and stayed with Ravi while he looked for work. He found employment in England later that year and moved to Birmingham for two years, where he met a woman and entered into a relationship.

However when that ended Ravinder was desperate to return to Scotland and moved back in March when he found work at the building site. Ravi said: “Ravinder loved Scotland and wanted to settle down here so it was great when he returned.

“He had a big future ahead of him and now it has been cut short. He was such a lovely guy and so polite and nice to anyone he met so it is just completely overwhelming for me and all of the family.

“We are going to bring his body back to India so his parents can see him for one last time before he is buried there surrounded by family and friends.” Ravi has created a fundraiser to repatriate his cousin’s body back to India and help the family with funeral costs.

Donations can be made here.

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LONDON (AP) — Two men were convicted Monday of a plot orchestrated by a mysterious Russian-speaking figure to set fire to property linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The fires in May 2025 damaged the home Starmer moved out of when he became prime minister, as well as an apartment building he once owned a share of and destroyed his former Toyota SUV. Nobody was injured in the blazes.

A Russian-speaking ringleader who went by the name “El Money” hatched the scheme and offered Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych money through the Telegram messaging app to torch the properties and get video of the evidence that could be posted online to draw attention to the attack.

El Money’s identity was never revealed and he was not charged.

There was no evidence proving a hostile state orchestrated the fires because police never discovered El Money’s motive or who the figure worked for, said Cmdr. Helen Flanagan, head of the counterterrorism team at the Metropolitan Police.

“Clearly the tasking was to intimidate and create fear for the prime minister and to attack the U.K.,” Flanagan said.

Lavrynovych, 22, and Stanislav Carpiuc, a 27-year-old Romanian citizen, were found guilty in London’s Central Criminal Court of a conspiracy to damage property by fire. Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted of the charge.

Lavrynovych was also convicted of two counts of arson that could have recklessly endangered life.

Lavrynovych said he needed money and admitted he set the fires, saying he wanted the bounty of 3,000 pounds ($4,000) in cryptocurrency to pay for medical treatment his father needed.

But he said he only followed through because he had been threatened by El Money. He said he had no idea who owned the property until after the fires and said he didn’t intend to hurt anyone. He told police he didn’t even know who Starmer was.

El Money provided detailed instructions to Lavrynovych on the targets, how to mix flammable substances and steps to avoid being caught.

Messages recovered from Lavrynovych’s phone showed he discussed setting the fires as well as other vandalism he conducted for money, such as painting the windshields of cars black and putting up anti-Islam posters in Muslim areas of London.