The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 for the first time in history on Friday, while the 2026 Winter Olympics officially kicked off with an opening ceremony in Milan, Italy. Simultaneously, tensions remained high on the international stage as a Russian general was shot in Moscow and talks between the US and Iran continued.
The Dow's record-breaking close, up 1,206 points or 2.4%, followed a market surge that reversed a selloff earlier in the week, according to ABC News. President Donald Trump celebrated the milestone on social media, calling it "the first time in History." The S&P 500 climbed 1.9%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq increased 2.1%.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics marked the official start of the games, with over 2,900 athletes from 92 national Olympic committees competing, CBS News reported. The United States had the largest delegation with over 230 athletes, followed by Canada with 210 and host nation Italy with 196. The ceremony took place at Milan's San Siro Stadium, with additional events around Milan and athlete parades in Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Highlights included the Parade of Nations and the lighting of the Olympic flame.
In Moscow, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, a high-profile figure in Russia's military and the number two in the GRU military intelligence, was shot several times and wounded in an attack, BBC World reported. The 64-year-old general was taken to the hospital in serious condition. The attacker fled the scene, and while no one immediately claimed responsibility, senior Russian officials blamed Ukraine.
Also, talks between the US and Iran were set to continue after a "good beginning" in Oman, according to Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, as reported by BBC World. The discussions, mediated by Oman, were "exclusively nuclear," and negotiators were returning to their capitals for consultations. US officials also aimed to discuss Iran's ballistic missiles and support for regional armed groups.
In other news, members of the federal vaccine panel chosen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were setting their sights on the next targets: the mRNA Covid shots, and vaccines offered to pregnant women, according to the New York Times. Dr. Robert Malone, a panelist, claimed the FDA was hiding data on the risks of Covid vaccination.
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