Politics
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid Agree on Joao Felix and Conor Gallagher Swap Deal
Chelsea have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid to bring forward Joao Felix back to Stamford Bridge, with midfielder Conor Gallagher moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal. The fee for Felix, though undisclosed, will see the 24-year-old Portugal international sign a six-year contract with an option for an additional season.
Felix, who previously spent a loan spell at Chelsea in 2023, scoring four goals in 20 appearances, is set to rejoin the London club pending a medical. His return marks a significant addition to Chelsea’s attacking options.
In exchange, England international Conor Gallagher is set to join Atletico Madrid on a five-year contract. Gallagher had been training alone at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground after a week of uncertainty surrounding his transfer. His move was initially delayed due to complications with Chelsea’s pursuit of striker Samu Omorodion, which postponed Atletico’s ability to finalize Gallagher’s £33 million transfer.
Gallagher’s switch to Atletico Madrid comes after he was spotted at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium nine days ago, anticipating the move before returning to London due to the delay.
With this swap deal nearing completion, Chelsea are expected to focus on player sales ahead of the transfer deadline on August 30. The club remains interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, as Napoli continues to pursue a loan deal for Romelu Lukaku. Napoli has reportedly made a second loan offer for Lukaku, which includes a £25.5 million obligation to buy, though this falls short of Chelsea’s £35 million asking price.
Politics
Sri Lanka swears in new left-leaning president
Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president, pledging to bring “clean” governance as the country continues to recover from its deepest economic crisis. The left-leaning leader, known for his stance against corruption, sees his election as a call for change and transparency in a country long troubled by political cronyism.
Dissanayake’s election follows the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 after mass protests driven by economic hardships. In his inaugural address, the 55-year-old president emphasized the need for a new political culture that restores public trust. “We need to establish a new clean political culture,” he said, while committing to safeguard democracy.
His speech underscored the importance of unity, with representatives from Sri Lanka’s Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities attending the ceremony. Dissanayake promised good governance, economic reform, and a focus on manufacturing, agriculture, and IT development. He also pledged to uphold Sri Lanka’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aiming to reduce the burden of austerity on the country’s poorest citizens.
Dissanayake’s swearing-in was preceded by the resignation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, setting the stage for a parliamentary dissolution as the nation embarks on this new political chapter.
Politics
Okpebholo Secures Victory in Edo Governorship Election
Okpebholo Monday, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election after receiving 291,667 votes. He defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes, and Labour Party (LP) candidate Olumide Akpata, who finished third with 22,761 votes. Fourteen other candidates also contested but received fewer votes.
Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Returning Officer from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, officially declared Okpebholo the winner at 09:27 pm at the collation center in Benin City, Edo State’s capital, amidst applause from APC supporters.
Okpebholo’s victory was dominant in over 10 out of the state’s 18 local government areas, while Ighodalo achieved marginal wins in the remaining councils. The APC also claimed control in two of the three key senatorial districts in Edo State.
News
Suspect in Alleged Trump Assassination Attempt Faces Gun Charges
Ryan Routh, the suspect in the alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, has been charged with federal gun crimes. During a brief court hearing in Palm Beach, the 58-year-old was charged with two offences: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years, and possession of a firearm with an obstructed serial number, punishable by up to five years.
Routh, dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit and with his hands cuffed, spoke to a public defender for several minutes before the hearing began. Initially displaying a calm demeanor with occasional smiles, he turned expressionless once the court proceedings got underway, responding to the judge’s questions with, “Yes, your honor.”
In a series of personal questions to assess his eligibility for a public defender, Routh revealed that he had “zero funds” in his bank account, made about $3,000 monthly, and owned two trucks in Hawaii, each valued at around $1,000.
Routh was brought into the courtroom just before 10:00 (14:00 GMT) and observed the scene, which included other defendants, press members, and attendees. After his brief hearing, he was escorted out as proceedings for other cases began.
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