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Pair imprisoned following letterbox shooting linked to drug debt feud

The child was transported to a hospital, where it was determined that his injuries were not critical.

A pair of men from Bristol have received prison sentences totalling over 14 years for their roles in a shooting incident in Cardiff, where a teenager was injured after being shot through a letterbox with a double-barrelled shotgun.

Road sign showing Clos y Ffynnon, an estate in the Cardiff suburb of Pontprennau, where a 15-year-old was shot in a case of mistaken identity. — The 15-year-old was shot in Clos Y Fynnon, Pontprennau, Cardiff in a case off mistaken identity

On June 7, at 19:36, Efekan Karahan, 18, approached a house in Cardiff's Pontprennau area and fired his shotgun twice, striking the 15-year-old victim in the legs; Karahan was subsequently sentenced to 8 years and 4 months in prison.

Karahan's accomplice, Ashley Fernando Corbin, 21, also from Bristol, waited nearby during the shooting and received a 6-year prison sentence for his involvement.

According to evidence presented at Newport Crown Court, the attack was linked to an ongoing feud involving the drugs trade, which included a family member of the teenage victim who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Prosecutor Clare Wilkins outlined the events of the incident, stating that the 15-year-old victim was at home caring for his brother when he went downstairs to make a cup of tea, unaware of the danger that awaited him.

As the victim entered the kitchen, he was startled by a loud noise at the front door, which would soon be followed by a more severe and life-threatening event.

Wilkins described how the victim then proceeded to the hallway, where he saw a figure through the glass panel in the front door, immediately followed by the sound of a gunshot and the letterbox being dislodged; a second shot was then fired, striking the victim, who managed to move out of sight.

After being shot, the teenager returned upstairs to check on his brother and soon realised he was bleeding from his leg, prompting him to seek help.

From the bedroom window, the victim spotted Corbin filming Karahan on his phone, with both men wearing balaclavas, a scene that would later be recounted in court.

The court was shown footage from a mobile phone and CCTV, which captured Karahan slipping on the tiled entrance to the house and forcefully hitting the door, an event that the victim had initially mistaken for someone kicking the door.

After firing the shotgun through the letterbox, Karahan was seen tripping over a railing while fleeing the scene, further evidence of the chaotic nature of the incident.

Karahan lost control of the shotgun momentarily before regaining possession of it and making his way across a field to a waiting vehicle, which had been fitted with cloned number plates.

The prosecution argued that the two defendants had travelled from Bristol to Cardiff with the intention of carrying out the attack, which was part of a larger, ongoing feud involving the drugs trade and a family member of the victim.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the victim contacted his older brother, who arrived at the house shortly afterwards and attempted to follow the defendants' vehicle.

The older brother returned home and called an ambulance for his younger brother, who was described in court as being pale and scared following the traumatic event.

A subsequent medical examination revealed that the teenager had suffered injuries from 30 pellets in his left leg, which had ricocheted and caused the harm.

In his defence, Ieuan Callaghan argued that Karahan had been exploited by criminal gangs in Bristol, portraying him as neither a dangerous nor sophisticated criminal.

Meanwhile, Ruth Smith, defending Corbin, suggested that her client had been vulnerable to exploitation by drug gangs since being excluded from school at the age of 13.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, in sentencing Karahan, emphasized that he had played a significant role in the incident, stating, "You pulled the trigger, not once but twice, which is not a lesser role," while also describing Corbin as having a pro-criminal attitude and being dangerous.

Leighton Mawer of the Crown Prosecution Service noted that the two defendants had carefully planned their actions, including the use of a firearm, which resulted in serious injuries to the victim.

Mawer added that the discharge of firearms can often have fatal consequences, but fortunately, this incident did not result in the loss of life.

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Pereira to manage Forest through 2024

Nottingham Forest has appointed Vitor Pereira as its fourth manager of the current campaign, with his contract set to run until the conclusion of the next season.

Following his departure from Wolves, Vitor Pereira had been seeking a return to the Premier League.

A deal has been finalized for Vitor Pereira to take the reins at Nottingham Forest until the end of the next season, becoming the club's fourth manager this campaign, with the goal of guiding them to safety in the Premier League.

Pereira succeeds Sean Dyche, who was relieved of his duties early on Thursday, at the City Ground.

Although an official announcement from Forest is still pending, Pereira is poised to make a comeback in English football, having previously been in charge of Wolves for 11 months before being dismissed in November.

Nottingham Forest currently occupies 17th place in the Premier League standings, with a three-point cushion above the relegation zone, following a run of two wins in their last 10 outings.

Pereira is the fourth individual to manage Forest since September, preceded by Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Dyche.

The decision to part ways with Dyche came after a disappointing goalless draw against Wolves, who are currently at the bottom of the table, on Wednesday.

Pereira, who managed 14 wins out of 38 games during his tenure at Wolves and helped the team avoid relegation last season, emerged as the top candidate to replace Dyche, having previously worked under Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiacos.

During his six-month stint at Olympiacos, Pereira secured the title and Greek Cup in the 2014-15 season before moving on to Fenerbahce.

Pereira's tenure at Wolves began in December 2024, but was cut short three months ago, with the team having accumulated only two points from their first 10 league matches.

With a managerial career spanning over 18 years, Pereira is set to embark on his 15th role, having started out with Sanjoanense in 2004 and subsequently managed teams in Germany, China, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia.

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A lackluster performance saw Forest held to a draw by Wolves at home.

Nuno's tenure at Forest was terminated just three games into the season in September, after he disclosed a strained relationship with owner Marinakis, despite the team's seventh-place finish and European qualification the previous season.

Ange Postecoglou took over as Nuno's successor but failed to win any of his eight league games in charge, lasting only 39 days, with a record of two draws and six losses.

The appointment of Dyche initially brought stability, with seven wins in his first 12 games, but a recent slump led to Forest struggling to create distance from the relegation zone, with some players expressing dissatisfaction with his tactics.

In the aftermath of the Wolves draw, several players were summoned to meet with owner Marinakis, with further discussions taking place following the 3-1 defeat to Leeds on Friday.

Pereira's first match at the helm will be the Europa League knockout round play-off tie against his former club Fenerbahce in Turkey on Thursday, followed by a Premier League encounter against Liverpool at home on Sunday, February 22.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Nottingham Forest, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions or topics you would like to discuss regarding Nottingham Forest, please feel free to ask.

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Germany’s Merz Says Global Rules-Based Order Has Broken Down

At the Munich security summit, the German chancellor cautioned that individual freedoms are not assured in a world dominated by major powers.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cautioned world leaders that the rules-based global order is no longer in effect, speaking at a prominent security summit.

German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivers a speech during the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: 13 February 2026

In his opening address at the Munich Security Conference, Merz emphasized that the freedom of Europeans is not guaranteed in the current era of major power politics, and that they must be prepared to make sacrifices.

Merz also acknowledged a significant rift between Europe and the United States, seemingly alluding to US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks about annexing Greenland and implementing tariffs on European nations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended Merz's speech and is scheduled to deliver his own address on Saturday, previously discussed the emergence of a new geopolitical era.

Approximately 50 global leaders are expected to attend this year's conference, where key topics such as European defense and the future of transatlantic relations will be discussed.

The conference takes place amidst uncertainty surrounding US commitments to the Nato military alliance, as well as concerns over Trump's aspirations to acquire Greenland, which have eroded trust between the US and its European allies.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions between the West and China, and potential developments in the Iran-US nuclear deal are also on the agenda at the annual gathering.

Merz warned the conference that the rules-based order has effectively ceased to exist, stating, "I fear we must be more direct: this order, despite its imperfections, no longer exists in its current form."

He also noted that a significant divide has emerged between Europe and the United States, referencing remarks made by Vice-President JD Vance at the Munich conference the previous year.

Merz emphasized that Europeans do not share the same cultural values as the US, particularly with regards to the MAGA movement, and that they prioritize human dignity, free trade, and the constitution over protectionism and tariffs.

Vance's speech last year sparked a year of unprecedented tension between the US and Europe, particularly with regards to policies on free speech and immigration.

Despite these challenges, Merz expressed his desire to revitalize and restore trust between the US and Europe, rather than abandoning their long-standing partnership.

The German leader also revealed that confidential discussions are underway with French President Macron to establish a joint European nuclear deterrent, although no further details were provided.

Currently, France and the UK are the only nuclear-armed nations in Europe, while other European countries, including Germany, have traditionally relied on the US nuclear umbrella within the Nato alliance for deterrence.

Prior to the Munich conference, Rubio cautioned that the world is undergoing rapid changes, and that this new era in geopolitics will require a re-examination of roles and relationships.

Rubio stated, "We are living in a new era of geopolitics, and it will necessitate a re-evaluation of our positions and the role we will play in this changing world."

Tensions have escalated in recent months due to Trump's repeated assertions that Greenland is crucial to US national security, claiming without evidence that the territory is frequented by Russian and Chinese ships.

On Friday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans to meet with Rubio to discuss the US threats to Denmark's semi-autonomous territory of Greenland, which is a Nato ally.

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Ukraine’s Slider Remains Barred After Appeal on Helmet Issue Fails

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected an appeal by Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who sought to wear a helmet featuring images of athletes killed in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, thereby ending his bid to compete at the Winter Olympics.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected an appeal by Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who had sought to compete in the Winter Olympics while wearing a helmet that featured images of athletes who lost their lives during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A daily guide to the Winter Olympics is available, providing a detailed breakdown of the events taking place each day.

A comprehensive schedule of the Winter Olympics has been released, including the timings of all medal events.

The current medal standings for the Winter Olympics 2026 can be viewed in a dedicated table.