Good morning, everyone. It’s February 1 st, 2026, exactly midnight on the West Coast, and welcome to BTW Daily News.Let’s dive into today’s top stories.First from the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz snapped a career‑grand‑slam streak by beating Novak Djokovic in Melbourne to win the 2026 title. He’s now the youngest male player to complete that set of four majors.In the same final, Elena Rybakina pulled ahead of Aryna Sabalenka to capture the women’s title. Her powerful baseline work has made this season one for the record books.Moving to the Middle East, Rafah’s crossing with Gaza has reopened after nearly two years. Officials say the partially restored flow of people and goods is a cautious step toward humanitarian relief.Meanwhile, in Minnesota, a judge ruled that the five‑year‑old detained in an ICE raid must be released. The decision came after a public outcry over the child’s detention amid a broader debate on ICE’s procedures.Across the globe, Pakistan’s security forces reported that they killed 145 militants in Balochistan following a series of deadly attacks. The government says the operation was a response to escalating insurgent violence.On Washington’s fiscal desk, President Trump announced his nomination of Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve Chair. Analysts weigh how Warsh’s policy approach could influence U.S. interest rates and inflation.In Caracas, Venezuelan lawmakers approved a new law that opens the oil sector to foreign investment. The reform aims to boost production, though critics warn it could dilute state control.Back in Washington, a federal partial government shutdown began as funding deadlines slipped. House Democrats cited a deal’s shortcomings, leading to another pause in non‑essential federal operations.Turning to commodity markets, gold and silver prices dropped sharply following Trump’s Fed nomination. The dollar strengthened as investors braced for potential rate hikes.Finally, a new set of Epstein files revealed that former U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had planned a lunch on Epstein’s island years after the former official denied any ties. The documents add another layer to an ongoing investigation.That’s all for our morning briefing. Thank you for listening, and have a great day.
