Author: David Great

While the initial reaction to Donald Trump’s re-election was optimistic and generated a stock and cryptocurrency rally, Finbold research found that his inauguration triggered a period of stagnation and decline. This trend is evident in the sharp decline in the number of Bitcoin (BTC) addresses holding more than $1 worth of the coin as they were, on February 18, 3.54 million fewer than on January 21 – one day after Trump returned to the White House. The drop in the number of BTC millionaire wallets was starkest as the number fell by 22,279, meaning that the first four weeks of…

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman said his coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s comments describing him as “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen after Tuesday’s Champions League exit were “deeply disrespectful”. Belgian side Club Brugge stunned Atalanta 3-1 in the second leg of their playoff tie to dump the Italian side out with a 5-2 aggregate win and reach the last 16. Lookman pulled back one goal for Atalanta when they were 3-0 down. But the Nigerian, who has scored 15 times this season, had a penalty saved as they crashed out, after which Gasperini said Lookman was not…

The United States and Russia have taken the first steps in direct negotiations over the Ukraine conflict, holding a 4.5-hour meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks a shift from Washington’s previous strategy of uniting Western allies to pressure Moscow. During the discussions, Russia made it clear it would not tolerate Ukraine joining NATO. Speaking to reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said he felt “more confident” after the meeting and predicted a meeting with Putin before the end of the month. Brushing off Ukraine’s concerns about being excluded, he stated, “I think I have the power to end this…

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis, who was hospitalized last week, is suffering from pneumonia in both lungs. Officials stated that his clinical condition remains “complex.” The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday after experiencing breathing difficulties. Initially diagnosed with bronchitis, his scheduled events have been canceled until the end of the weekend. “The laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the Holy Father’s clinical condition continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican said in a statement. According to the statement, the Pope is battling a polymicrobial infection on top of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis,…

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has criticized Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman for his missed penalty in their 3-1 loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League knockout round play-offs. Lookman, who had earlier scored Atalanta’s only goal, took a crucial penalty but failed to convert, dashing his team’s hopes of a comeback. Speaking after the match on Tuesday, Gasperini expressed his displeasure with Lookman’s decision to take the penalty, stating: “Ademola Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.” Lookman’s goal not enough as Club Brugge dump Atalanta out of Champions League The coach further revealed…

Ademola Lookman marked his return from injury with a goal, but it wasn’t enough to save Atalanta from a shocking 3-1 home defeat against Club Brugge, who advanced to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate victory. After a controversial penalty gave the Belgians a narrow first-leg win, Atalanta started with urgency. Sead Kolašinac went close early, but Club Brugge struck first in stunning fashion. Ardon Jashari dispossessed Éderson and flicked a brilliant backheel to Hans Vanaken, who launched a counterattack. Ferran Jutglà set up 19-year-old Chemsdine Talbi, who hammered a shot past Marco Carnesecchi. The…

Atalanta has received a timely boost ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League second-leg playoff against Club Brugge, as Ademola Lookman and Sead Kolasinac have returned to training. Lookman and Kolasinac’s availability comes as a relief for La Dea, who need to overturn a first-leg deficit to stay in the competition. According to Eco di Bergamo correspondent Giulia Mazzoleni, “both players were spotted participating in training at Atalanta’s facility on Monday afternoon.” Atalanta’s recent form has been inconsistent. While they were in contention for the Serie A title before the winter break, their performance has declined. The team has been…

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is optimistic that Harry Kane will recover in time for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Celtic, despite the striker missing training ahead of the game. Reports from German media suggest that Kane sustained a knock during Bayern’s 0-0 draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday in the Bundesliga. Although Kompany could not confirm Kane’s availability, he indicated that a final decision would be made on the morning of the match. “(It’s) definitely nothing bad. We’ve just had very little time to recover and sometimes you need an extra day,” Kompany said on Monday. Kane, along with…

Nigerian music star David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has strongly criticized the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba, accusing him of failing to uphold the rule of law. The controversy follows violent clashes in Osun State on Monday, which led to the killing of the sacked chairman of Irewole Local Government, Remi Abass, along with two others. The victims were shot dead by unknown gunmen at the local government secretariat in Ikire. Expressing his frustration on his Instagram handle (@davido), Davido vowed to continuously post the police commissioner’s photo online until he is removed from office…

Neymar scored his first goal in 16 months, converting a penalty to help Santos secure a 3-1 victory over Agua Santa in the Paulista Championship on Sunday. The Brazilian star, who last found the net in October 2023 for Al Hilal, has been recovering from a serious knee injury that limited him to just seven appearances since joining the Saudi club. “I’m happy to be playing again. I feel like I’m improving,” the former Barcelona forward said. “It’s only my fourth game back, but I’m getting better. I was anxious to score and wanted to dedicate this goal to the…