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Coup Attempt Rocks Chad

JUST IN: 19 People Killed As Coup Attempt Rocks Chad [DETAILS]

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JUST IN: 19 People Killed As Coup Attempt Rocks Chad [DETAILS]—-Gunmen attempted to storm the presidential complex in Chad’s capital N’Djamena on Wednesday, sparking a battle that left 18 attackers and one security personnel member dead, the government said.

Agence France-Pressse reporters heard gunfire near the site and saw tanks on the street, while security sources reported that armed men had tried to overrun the complex.

The government later said 19 people were killed in the fighting, of which 18 were members of the 24-strong commando unit that launched the assault.

“There were 18 dead and six injured” among the attackers “and we suffered one death and three injured, one of them seriously”, government spokesman and Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said.

Hours after the shooting, Koulamallah appeared in a video posted to Facebook, surrounded by soldiers and with a gun on his belt, saying “the situation is completely under control … the destabilisation attempt was put down”.

A security source said the attackers were members of the Boko Haram jihadist group, but Koulamallah later said they were “probably not” terrorists, describing them as drunken “Pieds Nickeles” – a reference to a French comic featuring hapless crooks.

He said they attacked four guards before entering the presidential complex, where they were “easily overpowered”, adding the surviving assailants were “completely drugged”.

Wednesday’s events coincided with an official visit by China Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Chad, which recently ended a defence cooperation pact with long-time partner France that had made it a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in West and Central Africa’s troubled Sahel region.

Landlocked Chad is under military rule and faces regular attacks by Boko Haram, especially in the western Lake Chad region that borders Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger.

Several security sources said that an armed commando unit opened fire inside the presidency on Wednesday evening around 7.45pm, before being overrun by the presidential guard.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. Photo: Xinhua

All roads leading to the presidency were blocked and tanks could be seen on the streets, according to an Agence France-Presse reporter at the scene.

As civilians rushed out of the city centre in cars and motorcycles, armed police were seen at several points in the district.

Hours before the shoot-out, China’s Wang met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and other senior officials.

Deby was in the complex at the time of the attack, according to Koulamallah.

The former French colony hosted France’s last military bases in the region known as the Sahel, but at the end of November, Chad ended defence and security agreements with Paris, calling them “obsolete”.

Around a thousand French military personnel were stationed in the country and are in the process of being withdrawn.

France was previously driven out of three Sahelian countries governed by juntas hostile to Paris – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Senegal and Ivory Coast have also asked France to vacate military bases on their territory.

The gunfire erupted less than two weeks after Chad held a contested general election that the government hailed as a key step towards ending military rule, but that was marked by low turnout and opposition allegations of fraud.

A call by the opposition for voters to boycott the polls left the field open for candidates aligned with the president, who was brought to power by the military in 2021 and then legitimised in a May presidential election that opposition candidates denounced as fraudulent.

Deby took power after the death of his father, who had ruled the country with an iron fist for three decades.

The desert country is an oil producer but ranked fourth from bottom in the United Nations Human Development Index.

To consolidate his grip on power, Deby has reshuffled the army, historically dominated by the Zaghawas and Gorane, his mother’s ethnic group.

On the diplomatic front, he has sought new strategic partnerships, including with Russia and Hungary.

Additional reporting by Reuters

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BREAKING: Ferran Torres the Hero as Spain Beat Argentina to Capture 2026 FIFA World Cup

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BREAKING: Ferran Torres the Hero as Spain Beat Argentina to Capture 2026 FIFA World Cup—-Substitute Ferran Torres struck the decisive extra-time winner as Spain edged defending champions Argentina 1-0 to lift their second FIFA World Cup title and complete a historic double as reigning men’s European and world champions.

Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 following extra time in a tense and tactical final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.

After 90 minutes of relentless intensity failed to separate the two footballing giants, substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the only goal of the match in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second World Cup crown, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa.

Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled much of the contest from the outset, dominating possession and creating the better opportunities against an Argentina team chasing back-to-back World Cup titles. Spain finished the match with 15 attempts on goal and won nine corners, while Lionel Scaloni’s men struggled to impose themselves in attack, failing to register a shot on target for long periods of the encounter.

Spain’s patient approach was finally rewarded early in extra time. Following sustained pressure around Argentina’s penalty area, Ferran Torres collected the ball inside the box before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike beneath the crossbar, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez with no chance and sending the Spanish supporters into wild celebrations.

Argentina’s task became even more difficult after midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time of normal time, forcing the reigning champions to play the remainder of the contest with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Argentina fought until the final whistle but were unable to break down Spain’s disciplined defence.

Goalkeeper Unai Simón produced another assured performance behind a well-organised back line marshalled by Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, while Rodri once again dictated the tempo in midfield. Teenager Lamine Yamal also impressed throughout the tournament, capping a breakthrough World Cup campaign by helping Spain reach the summit of world football.

The victory crowns a remarkable era for Spanish football under Luis de la Fuente. Having already won UEFA Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League, Spain now add the FIFA World Cup to their growing list of honours, becoming world champions for the first time since 2010. The triumph also makes Spain the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles.

For Argentina, the defeat brought an end to their bid to retain the trophy they lifted in Qatar four years earlier. Lionel Messi and his teammates had reached the final after dramatic victories over England and Switzerland in the knockout rounds, but they were ultimately denied by a composed Spanish side whose consistency and tactical discipline proved decisive on football’s biggest stage.

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BREAKING: Chelsea Reach Verbal Agreement for £117m Morgan Rogers Signature From Aston Villa

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BREAKING: Chelsea Reach Verbal Agreement for £117m Morgan Rogers Signature From Aston Villa—-The Blues have reportedly beaten Arsenal to the signing of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers in a British-record £117 million deal, with the England international set for a medical before completing a long-term move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Aston Villa to sign England international Morgan Rogers in a blockbuster deal worth £117 million, bringing them to the brink of completing one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history. The agreement, which is now being finalized, would make Rogers the most expensive English footballer ever if completed.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is expected to undergo a medical on Monday before signing a six-year contract running until 2032, with Chelsea holding the option to extend the deal by a further year. Personal terms have already been agreed, with new head coach Xabi Alonso playing a pivotal role in convincing the player that Stamford Bridge was the right destination for the next stage of his career.

Arsenal had identified Rogers as one of their primary attacking targets this summer and were preparing to intensify negotiations with Aston Villa. However, Chelsea moved swiftly to secure a club-to-club agreement before the Gunners could submit a formal offer. Reports indicate that Rogers made it clear Chelsea was his preferred destination after discussions with Alonso and the club’s hierarchy.

Rogers arrives on the back of a sensational campaign for Aston Villa, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers. He registered 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions, helping Villa lift the UEFA Europa League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League. His impressive club form also earned him a key role in England’s run to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The proposed £117 million fee surpasses Chelsea’s previous club-record signing of Moisés Caicedo and highlights the club’s determination to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title under Alonso. Rogers is expected to add versatility to Chelsea’s attack, with the ability to operate as a left winger, attacking midfielder or second striker.

For Aston Villa, the transfer represents a remarkable financial return. The Midlands club signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in 2024 for a fee that could rise to around £15 million, meaning they stand to make a profit of more than £100 million. Middlesbrough are also expected to benefit significantly through a sell-on clause included in the original transfer agreement.

While neither Chelsea nor Aston Villa has officially confirmed the transfer, all major terms are understood to have been agreed. Barring any late complications during the medical or final paperwork, Rogers is expected to become Chelsea’s marquee signing of the summer, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming days.

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