Chelsea manager Liam Rosenoir says his team’s huddle in the centre circle of the pitch is a “show of respect” to each other rather than to annoy the opposition, after referee Paul Tierney disrupts the pre-match ritual in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
MATCH REPORT: Premier League – Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
Available to UK users only.
Who: Manchester United vs Aston Villa
What: English football’s Premier League
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom
When: Sunday March 15, at 2pm (14:00 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera’s live coverage begins at 11:00 GMT
Manchester United and Aston Villa face a crunch clash on Sunday in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.
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The pair hold third and fourth spots respectively in the Premier League, with United edging Villa on goal difference, while Chelsea and Liverpool sit three points behind the pair in fifth and sixth.
With only the top four being guaranteed a place at the top table of European football, the encounter at Old Trafford holds huge value to both with nine games to go of the season.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the match.
Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick on Friday said his players were “itching to get going” again, after suffering their first defeat under his leadership.
Last week, 10-man Newcastle United ended Carrick’s unbeaten run since he replaced Ruben Amorim in January.
“I understand the first defeat feels different but it was going to come at some point. Most teams have suffered that at some point,” Carrick told reporters.
“It has been a really good week in some ways, we have put ourselves in a position where there is a lot to play for.”
United’s defeat by Newcastle prompted a dig from former player Paul Scholes, who wrote on Instagram: “Michael has definitely got something special about him … cos Utd have been crap last four games.”
Asked about his former teammate’s comment, Carrick said: “It was nothing really, nothing to say about it really.
“I think that is just where we are in terms of social media and things, and captions and quotes. It can be taken in different ways, so just be calm about it and understand the real meaning of things.
“Listen, there are different opinions out there and it’s fine. People can have different opinions.
“It’s just things get taken from one extreme to another. It is what it is. I am not worried about it and don’t make a big deal of it either.
“There’s nothing to say about it, really,” he said.
Villa had a turbulent start to the campaign, as they failed to register a win in their first five league matches – losing two. A run of 12 league wins in 13, however, propelled them into a title challenge by the turn of the year.
A 4-1 defeat at Arsenal on New Year’s Eve marked the start of another downturn, though, with only three wins recorded in 11 games starting with the defeat in London.
The midlands club have lost three of their last five on the road in the league, recording only one win in that time.
United suffered their first defeat under Carrick in their match at Newcastle United on March 4.
The home side were reduced to 10 men when Jacob Ramsey was sent off on the stroke of half-time.
It came in a frantic end to the first half that saw Anthony Gorden give Newcastle an injury-time lead from the penalty spot, only for Casemiro to head home an equaliser to send the sides in level.
William Osula netted the winner in the 90th minute to give Eddie Howe’s side all three points despite their numerical disadvantage.
“It was disappointing the way the game ended (against Newcastle) but we have digested that, looked at it and learned from it,” Carrick said ahead of the Villa match.
“We have trained really well this week and the boys are itching to get going.”
Villa were 1-0 winners at Lille in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, ending a four-game winless streak that included three defeats.
Ollie Watkins scored the only goal of the game in the 61st minute.
The return leg will be played at Villa Park on Thursday.
Villa recorded a 2-1 win in the reverse Premier League fixture at Villa Park in November, despite an encouraging display for Ruben Amorim’s United.
Morgan Rogers scored both goals for Villa – his first was scored in the 45th minute but United were level in first-half stoppage time through Matheus Cunha.
United were 2-1 winners in the Premier League match at Old Trafford last season.
The Red Devils were greatly aided by the sending off of Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez just before the break.
Amad Diallo and an 87th minute Christian Eriksen penalty sealed the win for the home side.
This will be the 202nd meeting between the clubs with Manchester United winning 107 of the matches. Aston Villa have won 52 of the encounters, which date back to November 1892 and a 2-0 home win for United in the old Division One.
Carrick said Mason Mount had taken a “big step” and could return from a two-month absence against Villa this weekend.
The midfielder missed their last six league games due to injury.
“He is an important player for us,” he said.
“He is not 100 percent and he has only trained for a small period of time. But he is back and that’s good for us. We will see if he is involved on Sunday. That is it in terms of the players coming back.”
Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount all remain absent though, and Lisandro Martinez has been added to that list with a calf injury, while there remains an injury doubt over Luke Shaw.
The defender was forced off with injury in the defeat by Newcastle, but Noussair Mazraoui, who also came off injured in that game, is set to be available.
Midfielder John McGinn returned to action at Lille on Thursday night and could be in line for a start at Old Trafford.
Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara remain absent through injury, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the Villa lineup.
Right-back Matty Cash is also a doubt having missed the Lille match after picking up a knock in Villa’s last Premier League outting.
Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Martinez; Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Luiz, Onana, Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
With a population of just 900,000, Reunion is better known for its volcanoes, wildlife and tropical climate rather than professional footballers.
On the men’s side, former West Ham star Dimitri Payet and Newcastle winger Laurent Robert are two that fans may remember – but those that make it all the way form a short list.
Growing up, Malard tried her hand at boxing, karate, judo and handball before discovering football.
“When I tried football, I said ‘that is my sport’ because I could put in a lot of energy and could play free,” she says.
She began playing in the island’s capital for Saint-Denis FC before the chance meeting with Bompastor, who was managing the Lyon academy at the time.
“She tells me, ‘Mel, I like you, come to Lyon’. I had two months to think but I said yes right away because it was a big opportunity in my life,” Malard says.
The transition from sunny Reunion to the bitter winters of Lyon all alone at the age of 14 was a shock to her system.
“It was so difficult but I knew what I wanted and I knew it was football,” she says. “Every morning and every night, I would put my boots on, go to the pitch and I would be happy.”
Seizing those early opportunities has paid off handsomely for Malard – three league titles, four Champions League medals and the experience of playing alongside some of the best in the world at Lyon and the France national team.
Now, in Manchester, she is continuing to love her experiences – despite that gloomy weather.
“Every time I pass Old Trafford, it’s a dream for me,” Malard says. “The people are so nice when I play football, singing my name at the stadium. The club is very big, has a lot of history and I enjoy it a lot here.”
And it will be a full-circle moment for Malard against Chelsea, managed by Bompastor, in the cup final.
“I’m excited, it’s good for us and this club deserve that,” says Malard, who featured in the 4-0 win against Tottenham in the 2023-24 FA Cup final as United lifted their first major women’s trophy.
“I’m also excited to play against my [former] coach. If we win, we put the name again in history and that is what we want.
“I’m confident because I believe in this team – I believe in this club. We are here to win everything we can.”
Supporters of the United States and Israeli military campaign against Iran argue that weakening Tehran by degrading its missile capabilities, crippling its navy and reducing its ability to project power through regional allies will make the Middle East safer. But this strategy rests on an assumption that a weaker Iran would produce a more stable region. In reality, destabilising one of the Middle East’s largest and most strategically important states could unleash forces far more dangerous than the status quo.
According to briefings provided to congressional staff in Washington, DC, there was no intelligence suggesting Iran was planning to attack the US. Yet military escalation continues in the belief that weakening Iran will ultimately serve US interests. If that assumption proves wrong, the consequences could be severe not only for the region but also for American strategic interests.
The first danger is internal fragmentation. Iran’s population is ethnically diverse. While Persians form the majority, the country is also home to large Azeri, Kurdish, Arab and Baloch communities, among others. Several of these groups already have histories of political tension or insurgency, including Kurdish militant activity in the northwest and a long-running Baloch insurgency in the southeast.
A strong central state has largely kept these fault lines contained. But if Iran’s governing structures weaken significantly, those tensions could intensify. The result could resemble the fragmentation seen in other Middle Eastern states after external military pressure or regime collapse.
Recent history offers sobering examples. In Iraq, the dismantling of state institutions after the 2003 US invasion created the conditions for years of sectarian violence and ultimately the rise of ISIL (ISIS). Libya’s state collapse in 2011 left the country divided between rival governments and armed militias, a crisis that persists more than a decade later. Syria’s civil war produced one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of the century while turning large swaths of territory into battlegrounds for militias and extremist groups. At the height of the conflict, ISIS was able to seize and govern territory across eastern Syria, declaring a so-called caliphate that controlled millions of people.
Iran’s collapse would produce an even more dangerous scenario. Its population is far larger than Iraq, Libya or Syria, and its territory borders multiple conflict-prone regions. The emergence of armed factions, ethnic militias or insurgent groups inside Iran could quickly transform the country into another arena of prolonged instability.
Such instability would not remain local. Iran sits at the heart of the Gulf, one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors. Roughly a fifth of global oil supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz along Iran’s southern coastline. Armed factions, rival militias or uncontrolled naval forces operating along Iran’s coast could disrupt shipping lanes, attack tankers or try to block access to the strait, turning a regional crisis into a global energy shock. That would have consequences far beyond the Middle East. Higher energy prices would ripple through global economies, affecting everything from transportation costs to inflation. American policymakers often view energy instability as a regional problem, but in reality, it quickly becomes a global one.
The strategic consequences would extend further. Iran currently serves as a central node in a network of regional alliances and proxy groups that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, various militia groups in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. These actors operate within a framework influenced, to varying degrees, by Tehran. If the Iranian state weakens dramatically, that structure could fragment. Some groups might operate independently, others might compete for influence, and still others could radicalise further without central coordination. The result would be a far more unpredictable security environment across the Middle East, which would make diplomatic engagement more difficult and military conflicts harder to contain.
Another risk lies in leadership uncertainty. Some policymakers assume that weakening the current Iranian leadership will produce a more moderate political order. But regime change rarely follows a predictable script.
Iran’s political system contains multiple competing factions, including conservative clerical networks, reformist politicians and powerful elements within the security establishment such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran’s leadership transition is less about a single successor than about the balance of power between clerical institutions, elected offices and the security apparatus. If the existing leadership were weakened or removed during wartime conditions, that balance could quickly unravel. The IRGC, which already commands vast military and economic resources, could try to consolidate authority, potentially pushing Iran towards a more overtly militarised political order. In such an environment, more radical actors, particularly those who view compromise with the US as impossible, could gain influence.
There is also little evidence that sustained military strikes will generate pro-American sentiment among the Iranian population. History suggests that external pressure often strengthens nationalist sentiment rather than weakening it. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, for example, did not produce pro-American attitudes but instead fuelled resentment and insurgency. Similarly, repeated Israeli military campaigns in Lebanon have tended to strengthen support for Hezbollah rather than weaken it.
Beyond the Middle East itself, instability in Iran could also trigger significant migration flows. Iran already hosts millions of refugees from neighbouring countries, particularly Afghanistan. If internal conflict were to erupt inside Iran, even a small share of Iran’s population of more than 90 million people seeking refuge abroad could produce migration flows far larger than those seen during recent Middle Eastern crises.
Many of those migrants would likely move towards Turkiye and eventually Europe, placing additional pressure on governments already grappling with migration crises. While this may appear distant from American shores, the political consequences for US allies in Europe would inevitably affect transatlantic relations and Western cohesion.
Taken together, these risks illustrate a broader strategic problem. Weakening Iran may appear attractive to the US from a narrow military perspective, but destabilising a large regional power rarely produces orderly outcomes.
The United States has confronted similar dynamics before. The collapse of state authority in Iraq after 2003 did not eliminate threats in the region; it produced new ones. Libya’s fragmentation after 2011 created an enduring security vacuum. Syria’s civil war turned into a multisided conflict that reshaped the politics of the entire region.
For Washington, the question should be whether the long-term consequences of destabilising Iran would ultimately make the region and the world more dangerous. If recent history offers any guidance, destabilising Iran may ultimately create the very threats Washington hopes to eliminate.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
March 4 (UPI) — Venezuela state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. announced signing new contracts to supply crude oil and refined products for the U.S. market.
The agreements were signed with several international trading companies to ensure a stable flow of energy to refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast, according to a statement from the company.
Although PDVSA did not disclose the names of the parties, the contracts add to existing operations involving major companies such as Chevron, which plans to increase exports to about 300,000 barrels per day this month.
PDVSA said the agreements maintain a “historic commercial relationship” with the United States and reaffirm the company’s “commitment to the stability of the international energy market.”.
The newly signed contracts mark the official return of Venezuelan crude to U.S. refineries after the United States captured former President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3.
The agreements were facilitated after the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued licenses, signaling significant changes in Washington’s licensing policy this year.
The authorizations allow U.S. entities to participate in lifting, transporting, storing and refining Venezuelan oil. The current regulatory framework favors companies from the United States and Western countries, while maintaining strict restrictions on entities from countries such as China, Russia and Iran.
In addition to Chevron, four other oil companies — BP, Eni, Shell and Repsol — have received authorization to resume operations and sign investment agreements in Venezuela.
In its statement, PDVSA reiterated the Venezuelan government’s call for the removal of sanctions on the country’s energy industry.
“The Venezuelan nation reiterates the need for a hydrocarbon industry free of sanctions in order to boost national production and strengthen international trade,” the company said.
Through these contracts, PDVSA aims to restore its position as a strategic supplier in a global market that continues to demand heavy crude, while Washington seeks to use Venezuelan oil to stabilize domestic fuel prices and reduce dependence on other suppliers.
During his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump highlighted the arrival of 80 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, describing Venezuela as a “new friend and partner” in energy cooperation.
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Venezuela on Wednesday, marking a new step in the energy and diplomatic agenda between Washington and Caracas.
Since January, Burgum has led discussions with executives from Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips aimed at granting general licenses that would allow private operations in the country, local outlet Efecto Cocuyo reported.
The plan aligns with Trump’s “Energy Dominance” policy, a central strategy of the administration designed to position the United States as a global energy superpower.
Under the approach, U.S. companies would provide private capital without federal subsidies, while the government would guarantee security and stability for investments.
FLYING with United Airlines should be more peaceful after it vowed to boot off selfish passengers who refuse to wear headphones.
Travelers have applauded the rule change after being infuriated by audio blasting from fellow flyers binge-watching videos.
In what is believed to be an industry-first, the carrier has issued a permanent flying ban policy over noise in cabins, according to travel sources.
United Airlines updated its contract of carriage last month to include a section on listening to personal electronic devices.
It now warns that passengers who refuse to don headphones while listening to audio or watching video can be removed from the aircraft.
The threat comes under its “breach of contract of carriage – failure by passenger to comply with the rules of the contract of carriage” section.
United said it could “remove passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.”
UA also stated it had the “right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis.”
The warning was published under rule 21 – one of 30 rules published for passengers, including service complaints and baggage policies.
“The contract of carriage was updated Feb. 27 to add the headphone language,” a spokeswoman confirmed to The U.S. Sun today.
She said it followed last year’s introduction of Starlink Wi-Fi with connectivity across both personal devices and inflight entertainment screens.
“We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content,” she added.
“And our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones.
“With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”
United had “quietly amended its contract of carriage,” commented CBS News yesterday.
“It’s usually only a small number of folks on airplanes who are making noise by not using headphones, so this is a graceful way to handle those folks,” said travel expert Scott Keyes.
He told the broadcaster that he didn’t know of any other major U.S. airline with a similar rule.
United Airlines’ strong line has been widely applauded by flyers and travel experts.
“Some flyers have become such inconsiderate pigs,” said one man.
“If you’re one of those a***holes that blasts audio from your phone without headphones, United Airlines might just ban you from their flight,” warned another on social media.
“This is a rule I can get behind!” wrote one thrilled passenger.
“The sheer volume of people who seem to think I want to hear their phone conversations/video/music in public spaces is only growing.”
The new rule targets travelers using personal electronic devices
Rule 21 Refusal of Transport:
“UA shall have the right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or shall have the right to remove from the aircraft at any point, any passenger for the following reasons:
“Breach of contract of carriage – failure by passenger to comply with the rules of the contract of carriage.
“Passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.”
Source: United Airlines
One travel writer, Johnny Jet, said it was one of his “pet peeves.”
He said it had become a “widespread habit” that is “inconsiderate.”
United’s “revised language specifically includes passengers who fail to use headphones,” he noted.
The rule is aimed at flyers who “violate a basic form of etiquette and common courtesy,” reported Simple Flying.
The travel website added that many carriers – including American Airlines – have quiet cabin policies.
But, the difference with United Airlines’ stance is that it’s the first to ban travelers without headphones who blast audio from their devices.
March 2 (UPI) — A United Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday after a possible engine fire was reported, authorities and the airline said.
United flight 2127 from Los Angeles to Newark, N.J., departed LAX at 10:43 a.m. PST, but was diverted back to the airport about 40 minutes into the flight, according to flight traffic tracker FlightRadar24.
It landed at 11:20 a.m., the Federal Aviation Administration told UPI.
After the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner landed, slides deployed from its fuselage, which some passengers used to deplane. Uncorroborated video posted online shows passengers going down the slide, where firefighters met them on the tarmac before they ran from the plane.
United Airlines confirmed to UPI in a statement that the flight “safely returned to Los Angeles” and that the issue was “a possible engine fire.”
“Customers deplaned via slides and airstairs and were bused to the terminal,” the company said.
No serious injuries were reported among the 265 passengers and 12 crew, United Airlines said, adding that a second aircraft was arranged to take them to Newark.
According to a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department, no passengers required transport to the hospital.
The FAA told UPI that it was investigating.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for “genuine dialogue and negotiations” after the US and Israel launched massive military strikes across Iran, calling the attacks a grave threat to “international peace and security.”
Published On 28 Feb 202628 Feb 2026
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Munster secured a much-needed 21-7 win over Zebre in the United Rugby Championship, being made to work hard before pulling clear in the second half at a drenched Thomond Park on Saturday.
With three defeats in their last four URC outings – against Leinster, Ulster and Glasgow Warriors – and having made 10 changes from the side that lost to Glasgow Warriors last month, this result will steady the ship somewhat for the Irish province.
After going in level at half-time at seven points apiece, Munster edged ahead in the second period with a late brace of tries from Alex Kendellen and Lee Barron, those scores securing Clayton McMillan’s side their first win in Limerick since October.
Munster had the majority of early territory and pressure, with a beautifully judged kick from Tom Farrell handing the hosts a line-out just seven metres from the Zebre line.
That pressure intensified when Giulio Bertaccini was shown a yellow card two minutes in for a deliberate knock-on, as Munster threatened to score under the posts.
Despite being reduced to 14 men, Zebre initially stood firm, but winger Shane Daly demonstrated his explosive pace and stormed over in the left corner after six minutes, getting Munster off the mark, JJ Hanrahan adding the conversion.
A sudden downpour swept across Thomond Park, making handling increasingly treacherous, yet Munster continued to probe.
The hosts generated quick ruck ball and a clever grubber from Mike Haley almost put captain Jack O’Donoghue in under the posts, but the ball slipped forward at the crucial moment.
Munster controlled territory for much of the opening quarter, working patiently through phases as Zebre were forced into heavy defensive shifts.
Gradually the Italian visitors found a foothold and just after the half-hour mark, Samuele Locatelli broke Munster’s defensive line, with flanker Bautista Stavile scoring under the posts. Giacomo Da Re added the extras.
Munster had one final opportunity before the interval, but another spilt ball in the wet conditions allowed Zebre to clear.
Feb. 24 (UPI) — Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the United States, was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday after being arrested in London on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Metropolitan Police said in a news update that it released a 72-year-old-man arrested at an address in the Camden area of north London earlier on Monday evening, pending further investigation.
The force said the man had been taken to a London police station for questioning after search warrants were executed at two addresses in Wiltshire and Camden on Feb. 6.
Mandelson is 72-years-old and owns homes in Wiltshire and Camden.
The Met launched an investigation amid allegations that Mandelson passed details of confidential government documents when he was serving as Business Secretary in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009 after the latest tranche of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice show email exchanges in which Mandelson appears to share market-sensitive information.
In one email in 2009, Mandelson appeared to send Epstein information regarding Britain’s response to the then-financial crisis, including an “asset sales plan.”
In 2010, he apparently shared information about a “tax on bankers’ bonuses” and gave Epstein advance notice of a bailout package for the Euro, a day before it was announced.
The alleged emails were sent after Epstein’s conviction for sex offenses in the United States in 2008.
The BBC said it understands that Mandelson denies he acted in a criminal way or for personal financial gain in his relationship with Epstein, although he has not commented publicly in months.
Mandelson’s arrest came four days after the former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested and released under investigation by Thames Valley Police in a parallel but separate misconduct in public office probe in connection with his friendship with Epstein.
Mandelson was fired as Britain’s U.S. ambassador by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September after files from the U.S. House Oversight Commttee emerged showing the “depth and extent” of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was “materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.”
Andrew, who settled a sexual assault civil suit brought by the late Virginia Giuffre in 2022 for an undisclosed eight figure sum out-of-court, has also denied any wrongdoing — but has remained silent on the latest slew of allegations from 2010 and 2011 when he was Britain’s Trade Envoy.
Seven other police forces across the country are running live investigations into Epstein’s links to Britain including allegations he trafficked women and girls to and via Britain on private aircraft after Prime Minister Brown spoke about Epstein’s “Lolita Express” and its use of U.K. airports.
At least 87 flights that were related to Epstein arrived at or departed from U.K. airports between the early 1990s and 2018, according to an investigation by the BBC.
Sky Roberts and Amanda Roberts, Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law, praised Britain’s proactive approach in investigating possible wrongdoing revealed in the files and criticized U.S. authorities for not doing more.
“As Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s family, we commend the British authorities for taking meaningful action and treating the Epstein files with the urgency they demand. While these arrests aren’t for the underlying exploitation, they are a crucial step toward truth and accountability,” they said in a statement Monday.
“The contrast with the continued inaction in the United States is undeniable. Survivors deserve transparency, swift investigation, and real justice, no matter who is implicated.”
All the updates as a Nico O’Reilly brace gives City a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium.
Published On 21 Feb 202621 Feb 2026
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Manchester City’s win cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.
Nico O’Reilly’s first-half brace inspired Manchester City to a vital 2-1 victory over Newcastle United, which turned up the heat on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
City took the lead on Saturday when O’Reilly slammed in a left-footed shot in the 14th minute before Lewis Hall levelled.
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O’Reilly headed in Erling Haaland’s cross to restore City’s lead in the 27th minute, and it proved to be the match-winner as Pep Guardiola’s side cut Arsenal’s lead to two points.
Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, knowing that City are now breathing down their necks.
The stuttering form of Arsenal, who drew with the bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, opened the door for City, but victory over Newcastle was imperative.
It looked like a formality early on as they overran their visitors, but it was a different story after the break as they nervously held on to the victory.
Nothing illustrated City’s determination more than the sight of goal-machine Haaland working tirelessly back in his own area, blocking shots and making clearing headers.
Newcastle pushed hard for an equaliser, and when the final whistle blew, there was relief around Etihad Stadium. They will now be watching Arsenal’s Sunday derby with added interest.
City were slick at the start and went ahead when a surging Omar Marmoush played in O’Reilly. He could have touched it on for Haaland to his left, but the 20-year-old opted to trust his left foot, and his powerful shot beat Nick Pope.
Newcastle were level soon afterwards, though, as a weak clearance fell to Hall, whose shot took a touch off a City player before beating keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Haaland was not on the scoresheet but showed many other attributes to his game, and it was his measured cross that was met by O’Reilly, who directed his header past Pope.
City were nowhere near as effective as an attacking force after the break, but they defended doggedly when required and were always a threat on the counter-attack.
They now have 56 points from 27 games. Should Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham on Sunday, City will feel they have the title race firmly in their hands.
O’Reilly said he was “over the moon” about the goals and three points.
“The win was the most important thing: close the gap and apply as much pressure as possible,” he told TNT Sports.
“Very happy with the two goals. It is a dream of mine to win [the Premier League].”
Asked if City, unbeaten in eight games, can win the title, he added: “Yeah, definitely. We always believe we can win games.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Aston Villa’s faint Premier League title hopes suffered a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United, and Chelsea’s top-four ambitions were damaged when they dropped two points against relegation-bound Burnley.
Anton Stach’s stunning 31st-minute free kick past Emiliano Martinez looked like giving Leeds a vital victory at Villa Park, but substitute Tammy Abraham levelled late on.
Chelsea moved above Manchester United into fourth spot on goal difference, but it felt like two points dropped for the second week running as they drew 1-1 with Burnley at home.
Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead, but the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Wesley Fofana received a second yellow card and Burnley equalised in stoppage time through Zian Flemming.
Brighton’s James Milner broke the Premier League appearance record in their 2-0 win at Brentford.
The 40-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool player made his 654th appearance to go past Gareth Barry.
West Ham had the opportunity to really put some pressure on Nottingham Forest and Spurs in the relegation battle, but played out a turgid draw with visiting Bournemouth. It was the sixth successive Premier League stalemate between the sides.
Experts say newly recently released documents show the need for an independent investigation into Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring.
A group of United Nations experts have suggested that abuses carried out by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein could meet the definition of crimes against humanity.
On Tuesday, the independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) released a statement in response to the millions of files released by the United States government related to criminal investigations into Epstein.
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They explained that the records tell a story of dehumanisation, racism and corruption.
“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,” the experts wrote.
The UNHRC panel called for an investigation into allegations around Epstein and his associates, who include prominent figures in global politics, business, science and culture.
They added that the revelations from the files suggest a “global criminal enterprise”.
“All the allegations contained in the ‘Epstein Files’ are egregious in nature and require independent, thorough, and impartial investigation, as well as inquiries to determine how such crimes could have taken place for so long,” the experts said.
The latest condemnation follows the January 30 release of 3.5 million pages of files from the US government’s records on Epstein.
The files were required to be released as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation signed into law in November.
The act gave the US government 30 days to publish all of its Epstein-related documents in a searchable format, obscuring information only to protect victims’ privacy.
But the 30-day deadline came and went, with only a partial release of the files. Even the January 30 publication has been criticised as incomplete, with reports indicating that there could be more than 6 million files in the government’s possession.
The newly released documents have revealed new details about Epstein’s relationships with influential figures, but few have faced accountability.
Critics have argued that Epstein himself faced scant legal consequences for the sex crimes he perpetuated. He reached a plea deal in Florida in 2008, wherein he pleaded guilty to soliciting a child for prostitution and sex trafficking, but he only served 13 months in custody.
He was in jail in 2019, facing federal charges, when he died by suicide in his cell.
Epstein’s ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been sentenced to more than 20 years for her role in the sex trafficking scheme.
In Tuesday’s statement, the experts on the UN panel slammed the heavy redactions in the Epstein files that appear to shield the identities of powerful figures.
“The reluctance to fully disclose information or broaden investigations, has left many survivors feeling retraumatized and subjected to what they describe as ‘institutional gaslighting’,” the UN experts said.
Their criticism echoes similar accusations in the US. Lawmakers there have argued that the administration of President Donald Trump, a former friend of Epstein, has defied the November law by redacting documents beyond the guidelines set out by Congress.
The experts also noted that there appeared to be “botched redactions that exposed sensitive victim information”. They added that more must be done to ensure justice for the survivors.
“Any suggestion that it is time to move on from the ‘Epstein files’ is unacceptable. It represents a failure of responsibility towards victims,” they said.
THE Beckhams played happy families amid their feud with Brooklyn as their youngest son Cruz celebrated his 21st with a Beatles-themed party.
Victoria, 51, and David, 50, joined their other children Cruz, 21, Romeo, 23, and Harper, 14, on Sunday night for the event – which their estranged eldest son was not invited to.
They forget about their family drama as they posed for a photo, also featuring Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30, and Romeo’s partner, DJ Kim Turnbull, 24.
Cruz, who will turn 21 on Friday, hired out the restaurant at The Maine Mayfair in London.
Alongside photos from the event, which included a lavish dinner and concert, mum Posh wrote on Instagram: “Celebrating Cruz early!! We love you so much!!!”
Read more on The Beckhams
David added: “We love celebrating you Cruzie. A lot of love in the room for you last night.”
The lavish event was dubbed The Grand Beatle Ball and included a performance from the world’s No1 tribute band to the music icons, The Bootleg Beatles.
In videos shared online, Cruz could be seen joining them on stage to perform a guitar solo during a rendition of the 1969 song Something.
The fledgling musician also performed with his band The Breakers.
Victoria’s Spice Girls bandmate Emma Bunton, 50, was among the guests at the party, where his sister Harper gave a speech.
They enjoyed themed cocktails, including one named after his latest single For Your Love, and another named after the 1996 Spice Girls song Wannabe.
Cruz has not spoken to Brooklyn, 26, for months, amid growing family tensions.
He claimed that his brother had blocked him, but in his six-page Instagram statement last month, Brooklyn claimed it was the other way around.
The chef claimed Romeo and Cruz “were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last Summer”.
As his family were celebrating in London, Brooklyn shared a belated Valentine’s Day message on Instagram vowing to always “protect” his wife Nicola Peltz, 31.
In the gushing post, alongside a photo of them kissing, he wrote: “Happy Valentine’s Day baby x
“I am the luckiest person in the world to be able to call you my Valentine’s every year x.
“I love you more than you know and I will forever protect and love you x.”
The UN secretary-general says the absence of African seats is ‘indefensible’.
African nations must have permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, the head of the world body has told the African Union.
Latin American countries and most of those in Asia do not have a permanent presence either, despite their huge populations.
Can the UN be reformed?
Presenter: Rishaad Salamat
Guests:
Olukayode Bakare – visiting scholar in international relations and African politics at the University of Colorado Denver
Mukesh Kapila – former UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan
Tim Murithi – senior adviser at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
Published On 15 Feb 202615 Feb 2026
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Everton hold out after taking an early lead to beat West Ham 1-0 and secure their third straight win in the WSL for the first time in three years.
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Leaders gathered in Ethiopia’s capital for the African Union summit to discuss regional challenges. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa and said Africa should have a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Published On 15 Feb 202615 Feb 2026
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France and Germany call for UN special rapporteur for occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, to step down over her critical comments.
More than 100 prominent artists – including musicians, actors and writers – have signed an open letter in support of the United Nations special rapporteur for occupied Palestinian territory who faces international calls to step down.
In a letter from the group Artists for Palestine on Saturday, the signatories offered “full support to Francesca Albanese, a defender of human rights and, therefore, also of the Palestinian people’s right to exist”.
list of 4 itemsend of list
“There are infinitely more of us in every corner of the Earth who want force no longer to be the law. Who know what the word ‘law’ truly means,” the letter said.
Among the supporters were actors Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem, Nobel Prize-winning author Annie Ernaux and British musician Annie Lennox.
At last week’s Al Jazeera Forum, Albanese, an outspoken critic of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, said “we as humanity have a common enemy”, but a fake video that was later debunked had her accusing Israel of being the “common enemy”.
She later explained in a social media post she was referencing “the system that has enabled the genocide in Palestine” as the “common enemy”.
Still, European countries, including France and Germany, continue to call for her removal.
On Tuesday, a group of French lawmakers sent a letter to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemning Albanese’s remarks as “anti-Semitic”. A day later, Barrot called on her to step down, saying France “unreservedly condemns the outrageous and reprehensible remarks”.
On Thursday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called her position “untenable”.
Frank Barat, an author and film producer, said French President Emmanuel Macron and Barrot have repeatedly said they support international law “while the facts show the complete opposite”.
Albanese has highlighted for the past two years that under international law, “states have a duty to act to prevent genocide, and they’ve been failing completely” in Gaza, Barat told Al Jazeera.
“Because Francesca has been highlighting this hypocrisy, she’s been targeted by most Western governments. The political agenda of these governments is to crush any criticism of Israel. We’ve seen it in the streets of Europe. We’ve seen it in the streets of the US,” he added.
People who have spoken out against Israel’s war on Palestine are “criminalised while the perpetrators of genocide continue to be let go“, Barat said.
Marta Hurtado, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at a news briefing on Friday that her colleagues are “very worried” about the backlash against Albanese.
“We are concerned that UN officials, independent experts and judicial officials are increasingly subjected to personal attacks, threats and misinformation that distracts from the serious human rights issues,” Hurtado said.
Nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza since an October 10 “ceasefire” alone. At least 72,000 Palestinians have been killed and 171,000 wounded in Israel’s war since October 2023
Six vintage-style “luxury huts” spaced out around a lake make up The Shepherds Hut Retreat in south Somerset. They have modern kitchens and bathrooms, private areas with hot tubs, and fancy features such as telescopes, gin bars, pizza ovens, fire pits and hammocks. There is also a woodland sauna on site. The newest hut, 1898, is the grandest, and is inspired by the Pig hotels. It is a mile’s walk to the Lord Poulett Arms, a thatched 17th-century pub in the village of Hinton St George, and half an hour’s drive to the beaches of the Jurassic Coast in east Devon and Dorset.
From £169, coolstays.com
Boys Hall, a gorgeous Jacobean manor house near Ashford, is now a restaurant with rooms. The pub area has comfy chairs and a wood burner; lounges with inglenook fireplaces, sofas and books; there’s more than a hectare (2½ acres) of grounds, including a rose garden. The restaurant is a light, oak-framed space serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, including a weekly changing set menu of Kentish produce (three courses for £30; perhaps venison terrine, braised beef cheek stew and winter berry trifle). The nine rooms feature original stone mullion windows, oak panels and beams, plus rolltop baths and four-poster beds.
From £220 B&B, boys-hall.com
Wishbone is a 16th-century, fairytale cottage hidden away on an ancient fruit farm. The stone and timber barn is half-covered by foliage on the outside, but the inside has been beautifully restored and converted. There is a vaulted ceiling above the open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas, a bedroom with a king-size bed and an en suite shower room. Original wattle and daub panels, brick floors and beams add to the charm, and barn doors open on to the patio. Beyond the orchard in front of the cottage are fields with oak trees and a lake.
From £850 for two nights, uniquehomestays.com
The Sun Inn is a 17th-century, recently refurbished thatched pub in the riverside village of Felmersham. It has open fires, guest ales and food sourced from its own farm. Its curried kid goat offal with fermented chilli might not be everyone’s idea of a date-night dinner, but there are steaks, pork chops and veggie options too. Upstairs are two rooms: a deluxe, dual-aspect double, or, for those really pushing the boat out, a two-storey suite. The latter has exposed stone walls, wooden beams and a freestanding copper bath. Couples can visit Felmersham’s 13th-century church, St Mary’s, and take strolls along the River Great Ouse.
From £135 room-only, thesunfelmersham.com
A single-storey stone lodge on a private track between parkland and a wood, Lilylaw was once home to the gamekeeper of the Minto Estate. It is not for shy couples, being largely open-plan, with a low wall separating the bedroom from the living area, and a clawfoot bath in the bedroom (there is a separate bathroom too). The decor is inspired by English country house hotels; there is a wood burner, large windows and lots of contemporary artworks; and a garden with a partially walled terrace. Perhaps best of all, guests can request a key to explore Fatlips Castle, a 16th-century reiver’s tower on top of Minto Crags.
From £559 for two nights, crabtreeandcrabtree.com
Three off-grid cabins have just opened at Denton Reserve, a 1,000-hectare rewilding estate near Ilkley in West Yorkshire. The decor is pared-back and calm, and cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows, large skylights, king-sized beds and rain showers. Couples can stargaze from their cabin or around the fire pit (blankets and astronomy books are provided), and look out for the resident tawny, little and barn owls. The cabins are powered by solar batteries and named after plants now sown on the estate: Cotton Grass, Peat Moss and Cross Leaved Heath. It is a 10-minute walk to the Penny Bun gastropub, which serves Denton produce.
From £220, dentonreserve.co.uk
Lovers don’t need to cross the Channel to stay in a chateau – there is one on the south coast of Ynys Môn (Anglesey). Chateau Rhianfa was built by John Hay-Williams in the mid-19th century as a gift to his wife Sarah, inspired by her sketches of chateaux in the Loire Valley. The fairytale Grade II-listed property has a restaurant, wine cave, banqueting hall, drawing room and music room, and gardens with views over the Menai Strait to Eryri (Snowdonia). The 27 bedrooms are in the main chateau, lodge and cottages, and include a suite with a four-poster bed.
From £145 B&B, chateaurhianfa.co.uk
What could be more romantic than staying in a treehouse? Ty Coedwig (Forest House) is in a patch of ancient oaks, surrounded by farmland and four miles from Newtown in Powys. A wooden walkway leads to the open-plan kitchen and living room, which has a chesterfield sofa and French doors on to the decking. The bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and a kingsize bed, and the bathroom has a two-person shower and double sinks; both have huge windows. There is an outdoor bath and a slide down to the forest floor, where there is a fire pit and a swing. The nearest pub, the Dolau Inn, is 1½ miles away.
From £346 for two nights, uniquehideaways.com
The Lavendrye Barn is at the end of a tree-lined lane in the grounds of a Tudor manor house in Lydney, near the Severn estuary. The ivy-clad stone barn has a snug with a log fire, a vaulted kitchen, a mezzanine bedroom and a modern shower room. It has been recently renovated but is still full of original features, including exposed stone walls and oak beams. French doors lead out on to the walled garden, where there is a wood-fired hot tub with views over the Severn. The wildflower meadow beyond has recliners, hammocks, a fire pit, barbecue and pizza oven. Walking trails lead from the door through the surrounding ancient woodland.
From £180, hostunusual.com
The former rectory of All Saints’ church in the village of Crudwell, north Wiltshire, is now the Rectory hotel. The early 18th-century, Grade II-listed building is made from pale Cotswold stone, and has a simple, relaxed country house vibe. There are 15 bedrooms in the main house, all with rolltop baths, and a three-bedroom cottage in the grounds. Couples can sip cocktails at the bar and dine at the restaurant where the new head chef, Damian Clisby, serves set lunches (£25 for three courses) and candlelit dinners (mains include roast partridge with cauliflower, chanterelles and madeira sauce, and Cornish sea bass with shellfish sauce). The hotel has a sister pub just over the road, with log fires and local ales.
From £160 B&B, therectoryhotel.com
