Global News Update: Olympics, Markets, and Celebrity Controversy

The United States is fielding its largest Winter Olympics team ever for the 2026 Games, with 232 athletes competing in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Team USA has won several medals, including two gold medals in women's downhill and figure skating team events. The article provides an update on the medal count, highlighting the performance of American athletes and comparing it to previous Winter Olympics. Norway leads the all-time Winter Olympics medal count, while the U.S. tops the overall Olympic medal count. The article also touches on the history of the Winter Olympics and the performance of other countries.

The US curling mixed doubles team, comprising Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse, has reached the final of the Milano Cortina Games by defeating Italy 9-8. They will face Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wrana for the gold medal. The duo, who have a strong curling background, won the US its first world title in mixed doubles curling in 2023. The final match is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 12:05 p.m. ET.

Asian markets mostly rose on Wednesday as investors assessed China's inflation data, which missed expectations, and shrugged off weak U.S. retail sales. China's consumer price index rose 0.2% in January from a year earlier, below economists' forecast of 0.4%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 1.43%, while South Korea's Kospi rose 0.6%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index added 0.13%, but the mainland CSI 300 lost 0.26%. Japan's markets were closed for a public holiday. U.S. markets were mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising to a record close, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined on AI concerns.

Joe Rogan criticized former podcast guest Lawrence Krauss for attempting to introduce him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2017. Rogan expressed his outrage and disgust at Krauss's suggestion, stating that he would never have considered meeting Epstein, especially after learning about his conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008. The revelation came after a Justice Department file dump on Epstein included an email from Krauss to Epstein discussing Rogan. Rogan's comments were made during a recent episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience' with guest Cheryl Hines.