The Mancunian Way: An unsolved murder

Hello,

Junaid Khan would have turned 36 last month. Instead he lost his life in an Oldham car park after being gunned down from behind. He was just 21.

A gunman fired 17 bullets from a sub-machine gun at Junaid as he walked back to his car near the Block Lane surgery in Chadderton shortly after he met up with friends and his then girlfriend.

As he lay on the ground, Junaid was shot again at close range with an automatic weapon. Despite a criminal trial, nobody has ever been convicted over his death.

To mark the 15th anniversary of his killing, his devastated family have spoken out, saying they 'yearn' for his presence - and for justice.

For Junaid's sister, Raheela Durrani, it still 'hurts' when family milestones pass by without him. The health of her parents - Junaid's mother and father - is worsening 'daily as they age' and they still seek justice for their son, her brother.

She told the Manchester Evening News: "We yearn for Junaid's presence, his touch and joyful laughter everyday. It hurts so much when we unlock new milestones in life and celebrate these as a family without Junaid.

"We still can't believe his murder remains unsolved and we will never rest until we get justice and closure. The justice system may not be able to help us, but we trust God hears our prayers and he is the most just in all affairs."

The family, meanwhile, has also released one of the last ever photographs taken of Junaid. He's pictured weeks before his death at beauty spot Dovestones reservoir in Oldham.

Detectives have stressed 'a case is never closed until we have secured justice'. "We know that loyalties change over the course of time, and it just takes one piece of new evidence to help us get Junaid's family the closure they deserve," the force said.

‘I am not going home tonight’

Who had a bit of a sore head this morning then?

There were scenes of jubilation across Greater Manchester last night as England booked their place in the Euros final with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands. At the AO Arena, thousands of fans went delirious as Ollie Watkins scored a last minute winner for the Three Lions.

The excitement was palpable pre-match - although England's performances so far meant that there were some nerves too as fans took to their seats before kick off.

When the winner went in, tops were off, beers were sent flying in the air and tables were stood on as supporters sang themselves well into the night. Ramazani Mwamba was there to witness the celebrations.

New beginnings

It’s been a week since the general election - and plenty has changed already. The UK has a new government, a new Prime Minister and hundreds of new MPs.

After spending six weeks fighting for a seat in Parliament, the hard work has only just begun for the fresh-faced parliamentarians who descended on Westminster this week.

In Greater Manchester, 11 new MPs were elected last week, including two who have been MPs before. Of the 27 constituencies in the city-region, 25 are now held by Labour with two represented by Lib Dems. Politics writer Joseph Timan visited the Houses of Parliament earlier this week to see how some of our new MPs are settling in.

While understandably exhausted from the election campaign, they are now having to go through 'endless' training, learning about parliamentary procedures, setting up new offices and even just finding out where the nearest toilet is. Read more.

Thrift shopping

She may be one of the world’s biggest pop stars but Olivia Rodrigo is still partial to a bit of thrift shopping. The American singer surprised shoppers at a pop-up stall in the city centre at the weekend as she was seen perusing the garments on offer with her boyfriend.

The 21-year-old, known for mega-hits including Driver’s Licence and Vampire, is believed to have been in Manchester during a pause in her world tour and to support partner Louis Partridge as he films latest Netflix series House of Guinness in Stockport.

The pair were seen visiting the Lockup Vintage pop-up at Cutting Room Square in Ancoats on Sunday as they admired the collection of 00s and 90s outfits on sale. Adam Maidment has the full story.

The pride of Bolton?

It’s hit several stumbling blocks but Amir Khan’s long-delayed wedding venue is finally about to open.

After years of delays and spiralling costs, you could be forgiven for having thought the £16m venue may never be completed. The former world champion boxer first received planning permission for the project back in 2013.

The Balmayna, off Deane Road in Bolton, has now been granted an entertainment licence despite concerns from neighbours about potential noise. Bosses at the ‘opulent' venue have now said that they want to make it 'the pride of Bolton'. Chris Gee has the full story.

Weather etc

Friday: Overcast changing to light rain in the afternoon.

Roadworks: Kingsway in Stretford is closed eastbound due to long-term roadworks between Barton Road and Chester Road until August 31.

Manchester headlines

• Suspicious item: Residents were told to 'stay indoors' as streets were cordoned off by police following the discovery of a 'suspicious item' in a canal. Emergency services, along with explosives units, descended on Shawhill Walk, Miles Platting, yesterday. It followed reports that a child, who was thought to have been magnet fishing in the Ashton Canal, pulled up a device, believed to be a suspected grenade. Read more.

• Prison lockdown: Inmates at HMP Hindley have been locked in the cells since Monday as bosses battle a 'near-tsunami' of drugs. A friend of one inmate at the prison, near Wigan, said lags hadn't been allowed out for a shower or exercise for two days until yesterday. Read more.

• Camera cutters: Police have condemned attacks on two speed-cameras in south Manchester as they appeal for help catching the culprits. The two cameras, in Chorlton and Burnage, were cut with power tools within 48 hours of each other this week. They are two of four potentially linked attacks being investigated by police. Full story here.

Worth a read

Negotiate the succession of Ferraris, Range Rovers, Maseratis and Porsche whizzing through Prestbury, and you might actually find yourself one of the best Sunday lunches around.

That’s what Dianne Bourne discovered on a trip out to the Cheshire village famous for its Premier League footballer residents and multi-million pound mansions. Read her review here.