Tottenham Rally to Hold Man City, Boosting Arsenal’s Premier League Hopes

Tottenham’s stirring fightback — lit by a scorpion-kick equalizer from Dominik Solanke — dented Manchester City’s chase and handed Arsenal clear daylight in the Premier League title race on Sunday. Solanke scored twice in the second half to rescue a 2-2 draw for Spurs after City had cruised to a 2-0 halftime lead. The point leaves Arsenal six clear at the top with 14 games left, a cushion that widened as Aston Villa lost at home to 10-man Brentford. It was a wild, consequential day across the league, shaped by late drama,…

Somalia Election Talks Imperiled by Standoff as UN Urges Immediate Dialogue

Standoff threatens Somalia’s election talks as UN calls for urgent dialogue MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s latest push to unlock political talks on elections hit a new snag Sunday after a security dispute grounded delegations from Puntland State and Jubaland, prompting the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) to urge swift, good-faith dialogue to keep negotiations on track. In a statement posted on social media, UNTMIS said preparatory teams from the two regional states were unable to reach…

Somalia’s Jubaland Releases Opposition Candidate After 16 Months to Ease Political Tensions

Jubaland frees opposition Senator Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after 16 months, signaling reconciliation push KISMAYO, Somalia — The Jubaland administration on Sunday released federal senator and opposition figure Ilyas Bedel Gaboose after nearly 16 months in detention, a move officials cast as an attempt to defuse tensions and promote political reconciliation in the semi-autonomous region. Gaboose, who had been under house arrest since 2024, was freed in Kismayo. Hours later, Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe convened…

Somali federal government bars landings of planes carrying semi-autonomous regional security personnel

Somalia blocks planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security teams from landing in Mogadishu MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Monday blocked two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, citing national security concerns ahead of planned political talks in the capital. Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the arrival of a heavily armed contingent tied to the two regional leaders posed an…

Somali Government Blocks Planes With Regional Guards Over Security Concerns

Somalia bars planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security from Mogadishu ahead of talks MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Sunday defended its decision to block two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing in Mogadishu, citing strict protocols in place for the capital ahead of a planned national consultative meeting. The Ministry of Interior said the aircraft were transporting armed personnel and weapons in violation of security rules governing…

UN urges dialogue after federal government blocks regional security flights

Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 Mogadishu — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia urged the federal government and regional leaders to prioritize dialogue on elections and other national issues after a security dispute prevented advance teams from Puntland State and Jubaland from arriving in the capital for a planned consultative forum. In a brief statement posted on social media, UNTMIS said it regretted that preparatory delegations from the two semi-autonomous regions were unable to reach Mogadishu because…

Arsenal open seven-point Premier League lead as Liverpool beat Newcastle

Premier League: Arsenal surge seven clear as Liverpool finally win; dramatic Chelsea comeback caps a frantic Saturday Leeds 0-4 Arsenal Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle Chelsea 3-2 West Ham Brighton 1-1 Everton Wolves 0-2 Bournemouth Arsenal and Liverpool rediscovered their cutting edge on a pivotal Premier League Saturday, with Mikel Arteta’s side blasting seven points clear at the top after a 4-0 rout at Leeds, and the defending champion easing months of frustration with a 4-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield. Manchester City and…

Somali president convenes cabinet after plane carrying leaders’ guards was turned back

Somali president consults Cabinet after aircraft carrying leaders’ guards turned back MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has launched closed-door consultations with his Cabinet after aircraft carrying advance security personnel for the presidents of Puntland State and Jubaland were denied clearance to land in Mogadishu, a move that has intensified strains with the federal member states. Government officials said the talks are focused on the political, security and governance implications of the…

Jubaland, Puntland State accuse Somalia’s federal government of turning back security delegation flights

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Jubaland and Puntland State regional administrations on Sunday accused the federal government of blocking planes carrying their soldiers and presidential security guards from landing in the capital, an escalation that threatens a planned high-level consultative conference on elections. Both regional states said aircraft transporting advance delegations and security details were ordered to turn back shortly before landing at Aden Adde International Airport. The orders, they said, were unsafe, politically…

Puntland State, Jubaland accuse Somalia’s federal government of jeopardizing their delegation

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Puntland State and Jubaland on Sunday accused Somalia’s federal government of endangering their delegations and security personnel after aircraft carrying troops and advance officials were ordered to turn back en route to Mogadishu. In separate statements, the two Federal Member States condemned what they said was a federal government decision to deny air clearance to planes transporting security teams ahead of the arrival of Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubaland President Ahmed…