During the trial, the three men had argued that they were defending themselves from Mr Afzal after he and another man emerged from a car.
When interviewed by police after his arrest, Hussain did not comment but gave a prepared statement.
His statement said that Mr Afzal had launched a violent attack on him, but accepted he had stabbed the 19-year-old several times.
At the opening of the trial, Mr Hamilton said that Mr Afzal and his friends had followed a grey Corsa to the Power League complex to target their car.
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Mr Hamilton said that on arriving at the Power League, Mr Afzal then got out of his car and approached it with a baseball bat in his hand and opened the door.
This then started the incident that ended with Mr Afzal being fatally stabbed with a blade described as a “Call of Duty” style knife.
Mr Ak, of Norman Grove, Longsight, was found not guilty of murder, while Mr Rayhan, of Chauncy Road, Failsworth, was acquitted of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Hussain was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, April 24.
Mr Nasser Afzal, father of Mohammed Afzal, read a victim’s personal statement aloud to the court in which he described the day of August 1, 2025, as “a day that lives in the depths of my memory uninvited and impossible to escape.”
He said: “No parent should ever have to imagine outliving a child.”
The statement went on to say: “He had a whole future ahead of him with big goals, goals that were never just about himself but about lifting everyone he loved.
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“That was who Isa was. Selfless, thoughtful, full of heart.
“That future has now been stolen. Dreams left unfulfilled. Goals that will now never be achieved. A life that will never be lived.”
Mr Afzal said that he buried himself in work “to escape the torment” of remembering his son and that it felt “wrong to smile”.
He went on to say his son had “a pure, generous heart” and “could not tolerate people feeling alone or bullied.”
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Addressing the court, he said: “Nothing can undo what has been done, but I ask the court, from one father’s broken heart, to try to understand the lifelong impact this had had on our family.”
He said his family had been left “with a lifetime of grief” that they “will never recover from”.
A second victim personal statement was read aloud to the court by the prosecution from Mohammed Afzal’s cousin, Sana Baber.
The statement described him as “full of love and life” and said that “life feels unbearably unfair”.
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It went on to say: “I wanted us to achieve our dreams together.”
It concluded: “If love alone could have saved you, I promise Isa, you would have lived forever.”
The court heard Mohammed Afzal was stabbed seven times within four seconds, one of these being in his back.
Sentencing Hussain, The Honourable Mr Justice Lavender said: “They (Mohammed Afzal’s family) have spoken movingly of the profound loss that you have caused.”
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He went on to say: “You stabbed him not once but seven times, with two of the wounds inflicted being capable of killing him.”
He said Hussain disposed of his clothes, the knife, and his phone.
He told the court only a custodial sentence would be justified and sentenced Hussain to seven years in a young offender’s institution, with a 12-month concurrent sentence for possession of a bladed article.
When the sentence was read aloud in court, Mohammed Afzal’s family left the courtroom.
The woods are covered in bluebells during the spring
Bluebells usually bloom from around mid-April and can still be seen throughout the start of May. The peak time to see bluebells is late April so you will need to get out soon to enjoy the beautiful flowers before they are gone until next year.
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Luckily for those living in Cambridgeshire, there are plenty of green spaces and nature reserves open to the public. Even if you live in a big city, there are lots of parks that you can escape to when you need a break from daily life.
Thorpe Wood is just a short distance away from the centre of Peterborough, and is looked after by the Wildlife Trust. It is described as “an unexpected treasure in an urban setting”.
The woods only cover 10 hectares but could be a great place to snap some photos of bluebells while not having to venture too far from the city. The woodland is made up of a canopy of oak and ash with a hazel and field maple below.
The woods are known for a diverse range of wildflowers, including wood anemones and a “spectacular display” of bluebells. You might be able to see some ramsons and wild garlic that has a very distinctive smell.
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The large mature oaks are home to many insects and birds including woodpeckers that can be heard throughout the summer. Thorpe Wood might only have bluebells blooming in the spring but it is still a pleasant spot to visit in other seasons.
Dogs are allowed in the woods as long as they are on a lead and people should keep to the pathways. Thorpe Wood is completely free to enter and has a small car park onsite for visitors to use.
After taking a walk around the woods and enjoying the bluebells, you could visit one of the pubs that are close to the area. The Fox and Hounds is only a short walk away and makes a good place to relax with a drink.
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The pub also has an extensive food menu with a range of traditional options to choose from as well as burgers and plenty of sides. If you want something lighter for lunch, there are a few sandwiches and smaller plates to pick.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) confirmed it had ‘sufficient information’ to launch an investigation into Peter Mandelson
18:50, 24 Apr 2026Updated 18:56, 24 Apr 2026
The EU’s anti-fraud office has launched a fresh probe into Peter Mandelson, who was sacked as UK ambassador to the US over his links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) confirmed it recently had “sufficient information” to open an investigation, following a request from the European Commission two months ago.
SunExpress flight XQ3688 declared an emergency as it approached England while flying over the North Sea.
An Edinburgh-bound flight from Turkey has declared a mid-air emergency. SunExpress flight XQ3688 departed Dalaman bound for the capital shortly before 3.45pm on Friday, April 24.
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The Boeing 737 MAX 8 declared an emergency in the skies over the North Sea as it headed towards Edinburgh. It landed safely at Edinburgh Airport just before 6.10pm.
Data from flight tracking app FlightRadar24 shows the plane continuing on its path towards Edinburgh after the pilots initiated an emergency procedure known as squawking 7700. The flight was the most tracked globally on FlightRadar24.
It is not currently known why the flight crew declared an emergency.
Emergency response squawking 7700 means a general emergency has been declared. It can cover a range of scenarios including a technical or medical emergency. The procedure allows air traffic controllers and ground crews to respond to the emergency in the most effective manner.
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SunExpress have been contacted for comment.
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Olympic legends Sir Chris Hoy and Lindsey Vonn have both suffered devastating broken legs recently
Sir Chris Hoy has sent a message of support to fellow broken leg victim Lindsey Vonn.
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The skiing legend came close to losing a limb after her horrifying crash at the Winter Olympics. Vonn broke her leg in a fall during the women’s downhill race on February 8 and has undergone multiple operations since.
She described the injury as “by far the most extreme, painful and challenging” she has ever had, adding that “everything was in pieces.”
The 41-year-old said she had compartment syndrome and credited Dr Tom Hackett for saving her leg through a fasciotomy. She said in an Instagram post: “Compartment syndrome is when you have so much trauma to one area of your body that there’s too much blood and it gets stuck, it basically crushes everything in the compartment.
“All the muscle and nerves and tendons, it all kind of dies. Doctor Tom Hackett saved my leg. He saved my leg from being amputated. He did what’s called a fasciotomy, where he cut open both sides of my leg, let it breathe and he saved me.”
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Hoy knows all about compartment syndrome, having suffered a badly broken leg in a cycling crash last year. The six-time Olympic champion has continued to ride his bike while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
Speaking on his Sporting Midadventures podcast, he said: “Looking at all her fractures, the X-rays and the media coverage, it’s a very similar injury [to his], a tibia plateau fracture.
“I was looking at the metal work. To be fair, her plates were a little bit further down than mine, so she’s outdone me on that one!
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“The doctors tell you that because compartment syndrome is the risk, there is a risk of amputation for anyone in that situation and I was given the same warning. That’s one of the things they’re hyper-vigilant about.
“She’s right in the thick of it [recovery] now and my thoughts are with her and with anyone else with an injury like that because it’s not much fun.”
Vonn, who entered the Olympics having ruptured her ACL in the build-up, also suffered a broken ankle and needed a blood transfusion due to the blood loss from her surgeries.
On how he’s recovering from his own crash, which he described as the worst of his life, Hoy added: “I’ve got a slight limp but on the bike, it’s the least painful, so I’m back doing two-and-a-half-hour rides.”
Mr Polanski said: “With all that going on, it seems absurd to me that we aren’t talking about sanctions on Donald Trump, this seems like one of the least sanctions possible is to say that he can’t come and enjoy the profits and the enjoyment of a golf course in a country that, quite frankly, can’t stand him.”
When Alcaraz wore a cast at the Laureus Sports Awards earlier this week, it was an ominous sign. The scan that he had in Madrid has not provided any reassurance.
Wrist injuries are notoriously problematic for tennis players – and taking a gamble when a problem arises can be very costly.
A player struggling with a wrist injury needs to carefully manage the issue and it was telling how Alcaraz spoke in his statement about needing to “be cautious”.
As was the fact he is not putting a time frame on his return.
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Clearly there is a huge load put through the joint – not just as a player prepares for each tournament in their senior career – but across all the years they have been honing their technique since first picking up a racquet.
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem, who had to retire in 2024 after his own wrist problems, says the repetition of hitting thousands of balls across so many years is what makes the wrist so vulnerable.
Different balls across different tournaments – with varying weights and bounces – is seen as another reason why the stress put on the joint is exacerbated.
An absorbing title race will get a fitting conclusion in the final round of Sports Direct Premiership action
Ian Cahoon
18:13, 24 Apr 2026
Larne boss Gary Haveron has hammered home the message that ‘nothing is won yet’ ahead of attempting to claim their third Premiership title in four years on Saturday night.
An absorbing title race will get a fitting conclusion in the final round of Sports Direct Premiership action – with the top three all in with a shout of lifting the Gibson Cup.
Larne lead the way by three points ahead of Coleraine and Glentoran – two sides who will meet at the Showgrounds.
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A point or more for Haveron’s men against Dungannon Swifts will see them reach the finish line in the race for the title.
However, should Rodney McAree’s men claim their second win of the season against Larne then the door will be open for a winner a the Coleraine Showgrounds to nip in and take the prize on Goal Difference.
Many pundits will have Larne as strong favourites going into the final weekend, boss Haveron is keeping everyone’s feet on the ground.
“This is not a foregone conclusion,” he insisted. “They’re a fantastic side and Rodney McAree has them so well organised and so well drilled.
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“They have some very good players, and we know we’re going to have be at our best to get what we need to out of this game.
“There is nothing won, nothing has been achieved.
“Glentoran was just the next game and once that was taken care of we have taken the same approach with this Dungannon test.
“We have worked hard all week to prepare, we have tried to fresh the players up the best we can after what has been a long and demanding season for everyone.
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“It has also given us the chance to get another week’s training into the legs of the likes of Leroy Millar, Dylan Sloan and Mark Randall who are all coming back from injury.”
The Invermen’s title bid was significantly boosted by last week’s 0-0 stalemate away to Glentoran.
It kept Larne’s noses in front and prevented Declan Devine’s men from going into the final day in pole position.
Haveron believes it was the latest in a string of performances which has shown great character from his side this season.
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“We had to show our resilience and willingness to dig in and put our bodies on the line in that game,” he added.
“We knew how difficult it is to come to the Oval. They have strengthened considerably in January, but we had to go there and show character and we’re about as a club and a group of people.
“To a man we stood up to the challenge which came our way and we got what we deserved on the night.”
That game also saw Larne claim a 20th clean sheet in their 37 games to date.
It is a statistic which underlines the solid foundation their season has been built on as they have led the way at the top since November. A trait which was also evident in previous title-winning seasons at Inver.
“I make no bones about it, I pride myself on clean sheets,” the former Carrick and Glentoran boss said.
“That’s what I feel I help to bring to the club, is that sense of stability and shape to the team.
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“I feel I’ve contributed to that a little bit over my time at the club.
“In a lot of those 20 clean sheets we didn’t give up too many chances to the opposition.
“That takes a whole team to make it happen, not just a goalkeeper and back five and we’ve had that from our team throughout the season.”
Anyone with an original Kindle during or before 2012 will stop getting updates from next month
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Amazon recently caused a lot of discourse when it was announced that older Kindle models would no longer be supported by Amazon. This means that Kindle devices from 2012 and before will not be able to purchase, borrow or download new books.
While the devices are still functioning and there’s the option to download a significant portion of books to the device before May 20, when Amazon support stops, leaving a huge number of Kindle users unable to access new books, only those downloaded before the date.
Our team bookworm, who has read 41 books so far this year, has rounded up the best alternatives for those who will be looking to update their original Kindle model. Including devices from rival Kobo or Kindle’s newest Kindle Scribe Coloursoft and Paperwhite models.
READ MORE:
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Kobo Clara Colour
This is one of the most obvious Kindle alternatives and a personal favourite of mine as it’s compatible with Libby. This means that it’s possible to borrow books from the local library using Libby or Overdrive. I’ve personally read 50 books over the years using Libby, which has allowed me to read them all for free.
For avid readers who don’t mind the limits of using a library, it would be a very cost-effective way of reading, as they don’t have to pay to read ebooks at all. The colour feature means that there are four different highlighter colours available, which can make it easier to highlight different themes. It also allows the user to see the book covers in a full colour option, although this is less bright than it would be on an iPad or phone. It is waterproof too, which is ideal for reading in the bath or poolside.
The screen has a paperlike texture, but at 6 inches, it is on the smaller side. This is my preferred way of reading an ebook, and since getting my Clara Colour, I stopped buying ebooks on Amazon, instead opting to rent books from my library or buy books through the Kobo store. There is a subscription available with Kobo that allows readers to loan books from the Kobo library for £8.99 a month.
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I will say it has a slightly shorter battery life than my Kindle, but I don’t have to charge it on a daily basis. This is the device I most often suggest to people if they don’t already have a large Kindle library. This is because Amazon hasn’t allowed Kindle ebooks to be transferred to other devices. Kobo does have a lot of 99p book offers, and always price matches Amazon, so I’ve found it easy to build up a new library.
The Kobo Clara Colour is £149.99 and can be picked up at Argos, Amazon and Curry’s.
Kindle Paperwhite
The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the more popular Kindle models amongst readers, and I do actually have this alongside my Kobo. The screen takes up more space, which gives a 7″ reading area; this is more than the Kobo Clara or the standard Kindle. It’s still quite lightweight and small enough to fit into pockets and bags – I’ve tucked mine into my Telfar bag before, and while it did poke out the top, I didn’t mind this.
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It’s got a very good battery life, I can read several books without needing to recharge it, and since it’s waterproof, it’s a great holiday companion. It is an Amazon Kindle device, which means that any pre-existing Kindle libraries can be downloaded directly onto it. It offers adjustable warmth, which sets it aside from the most basic Kindle model, as readers can make the screen warmer or cooler based on the time of day. Typically, I would increase the warmth level at night to be easier on the eyes.
For those looking to invest in another Kindle model, this is the option I would go for, although at £159.99 it is on the pricier side, and there is always the chance that down the line Amazon will choose to remove the support functionality as it has with other Kindle models.
Kindle
The most basic Kindle model is the cheapest one on the market, but at £94.99 it isn’t exactly cheap. It’s slightly smaller than the Kindle Paperwhite with a 6-inch screen that isn’t flush to the device. It comes in matcha green or black, and it is not waterproof. It also doesn’t offer adaptable warmth, but with 300ppi, it mostly gets the job done.
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I’ve personally not used this device, but Phoebe Barton on our team has and loved it. She said: “Arguably the biggest advantage of a Kindle is the fact that you can carry hundreds of books with you wherever you go. Having so many different worlds in your back pocket (or handbag, rucksack, carry-on) is incredibly thrilling. It takes the pressure off deciding how many books you need to pack when you go on holiday or trips away, plus the battery life is brilliant, lasting weeks if not months.
“It’s safe to say that the Amazon Kindle has converted me – I am no longer solely a paperback reader, I’m an e-book lover, too. It has made me a much more relaxed, patient and content reader.”
Narin Flanders, on our team, bought a Kindle Scribe and found herself disappointed by it. which led her to buy Kobo’s equivalent with the Kobo Libra Colour. She’s said it was ‘transformative’ for her reading and shared her thoughts:
I got my Kobo Libra Colour last Black Friday season, and it has transformed my reading. I’ve had several entry-level Kindles over the years, and they’re great for tucking into a bag to read on the go, but while I’d been tempted by both a colour screen of a Kindle Colorsoft and the note-taking capabilities of the Kindle Scribe, I just couldn’t justify the outlay of either. When I realised Kobo did both in one device – and at a reasonable price (£209.99) compared to the Kindles – I braved moving over, and it has been a game-changer.
While initially I thought a colour screen was merely ‘nice to have,’ over the months, it’s meant I’ve branched out more in the kind of books and graphic novels I can read because they display so nicely on the device. Meanwhile, I love being able to highlight sections and make notes with the stylus, as well as making notes on PDFs, which I can add to my device easily via Google Drive.
The screen isn’t as bright as a tablet or even my old Kindle, but I find the muted colours easier on the eyes while reading at night, and brightness can always be cranked up if needed while outside.
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My main concern about moving over was losing my existing library, but actually I found the transition ok – I downloaded the Kindle app for my phone and tablet, so I could finish up my virtual TBR pile there and revisit any favourites. Meanwhile, Kobo does 99p deals on plenty of titles for me to pack the Libra with things to read, no matter my mood.
I am a real convert to the Kobo now and can’t wait to take it with me on holiday – it has been tested to be waterproof for up to an hour, meaning I can even read by the pool without worrying about any accidents.
Kindle Scribe
For those who like to scribble their thoughts down as they read, there is the Kindle Scribe, which is the largest Kindle model and allows shoppers to write with a pen. This makes the device more than just an ereader, as there is a notebook option, but it is quite expensive at £379.99.
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Harriet Morphy-Morris on our team has tried it and said: “It’s the largest model in the Kindle family, and as an upgrade from the 2022 Scribe model, it has a larger 10.2-inch screen that’s anti-glare, so while I’m yet to take it on holiday and read in the sun, this will help reduce eye-strain.
“The third selling point of the 2024 Kindle Scribe, and one which pushes it in a grade above other Kindles, is the ability to import Word docs, PDFs (and more) through the web browser. The docs can simply be sent to your device through the ‘Send to Kindle’ option when exporting a file.” To see her entire review, it can be found here.
At the time of review, the newest Kindle Scribe Coloursoft wasn’t yet released, but this is now a great addition to the line-up. With all the textile features of the Scribe, but with the additional boost of colour notes.
The BBC announced on Thursday that Football Focus won’t return next season after 52 years on the air, with fears that Match of the Day could be next to receive the axe
Scott has hosted the show since 2021 following the departure of long-time host Dan Walker. But Keys doesn’t believe that her presence is why the show has been axed.
The former Sky Sports presenter, who now works for beIN Sports in Qatar, argues that ‘viewing habits have changed’ – and that’s why Match of the Day ‘will be next’. “It’s not Alex Scott’s fault Football Focus has folded – it’s a sign of the times,” Keys posted on X.
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“MOTD will be next. Viewing habits have changed. That’s why Grandstand & World of Sport ended. And Sportsnight. Pre-show & post-show wrapped around live games will go soon as well.”
Match of the Day was given a new look this season, with three news hosts sharing the presenting duties which were left vacant by Gary Lineker. Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan are now the co-hosts for the BBC’s flagship football programme.
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Scott also revealed on Thursday that she intended to leave Football Focus in May – and had already informed the BBC. “I always knew this would be my last season on the show, which the BBC were aware of too,” she wrote on Instagram. “My intention was to move quietly into the next chapter, but sometimes things change.
“When this show began all those years ago, social media wasn’t a driving force, podcasts didn’t exist, and there was no instant access to information in the way there is today. Now by the time we go on air the reality is you’ve already seen it, debated it and lived it across so many platforms. That shift has changed the whole industry.
Should the BBC cancel Match of the Day? Have your say in the comments section.
“TV audiences have been declining for years, while digital and on-demand viewing continues to grow. To have been part of it has been incredibly special, and I’m so grateful and proud of the eight years I’ve been involved , including the five years I’ve had the honour of presenting it.
“It has been such an important part of my life, working with some of the very best people in the business, both on screen and behind the scenes. I’ve loved so much of it, the conversations, the laughter, and sharing so many big moments with you, the audience. Thank you for being part of it.”
The final Football Focus is due to air over the weekend of Saturday, May 23 to preview the final round of this season’s Premier League fixtures.
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Championship club West Bromwich Albion have been docked two points by the English Football League for breaking profit and sustainability rules.
The deduction means Albion are now not safe from relegation, having previously thought the midweek win over Watford had secured their second-tier status.
The Baggies had been charged for exceeding the £39m loss limit for the three seasons to 2024-25, allegations which the club denied.
But during a two-day hearing, an independent club financial review panel (CFRP) found Albion’s losses “did exceed the upper loss threshold” and recommended a two-point penalty.
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That leaves Albion in 20th place in the table, six points above the relegation zone with two games to play, needing one more point to seal survival.
They host promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Saturday before visiting already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.
West Brom have two weeks to appeal against the deduction and should they do so, a decision on said appeal will then not be made for up to 28 days.
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