BTW Daily News - Feb 7, 2026

Good morning and welcome to BTW Daily News. It’s February 7, 2026, and I’m your host, Alex Rivera. Let’s dive into today’s top stories.First, the winter Games are heating up in Milan–Cortina. Swiss downhill racer Joacim Von Allmen edged out the Italians to win the first gold medal, the Swiss nation’s first podium since 2014. It’s a historic moment for the country and a bright opening for the Games.Moving on to day‑one Olympic updates. Canada is leading the medal hopes in long‑track speed skating, with the team already snatching a gold in the 500‑meter. Meanwhile, the ski jumping event saw a close finish as the German athlete pulled ahead of the Austrians by just fractions of a point.In other Olympic news, the U.S. women’s hockey team is navigating a norovirus outbreak before their playoff match against Finland. The game is still on the schedule, but the U.S. squad is in isolation, with the coach expressing confidence that they’ll be ready.Shifting to a look back at the all‑time record holders, the United Nations database shows that the United States and China sit at the top of the medal tally, with the U.S. leading in golds and China high on total medals. The top individual athlete remains Lolo Jones with 26 medals, though the record is rapidly evolving.Now, politics. Former President Donald Trump has once again stoked controversy by refusing to apologize for a deleted racist post about the Obama family. Trump fired back at lawmakers who criticized him, calling the response “disgustingly racist.” The episode has dominated political commentary today.On a different but equally grim note, the disappearance of NBC newscaster Savannah Guthrie’s mother has prompted a fresh police probe. Authorities released a new message from alleged captors and have opened a community search, but the ransom note remains cryptic.In international affairs, Islamabad suffered a tragic blast at a Shiite mosque in the capital, killing 31 and wounding dozens. The Islamic State affiliate claims responsibility, intensifying security concerns across Pakistan.Back home, the United States and India have released a framework for an interim trade agreement, opening a $30 trillion market for Indian exporters while excluding certain GM crop imports. The deal signals a thaw in economic tensions that have simmered since the Trump administration’s tariffs.Turning to the world of sports, the Super Bowl LX preview highlights the Seahawks and Patriots as title chasers. Fans in Houston are hoping to see astronauts aboard the International Space Station catch a live broadcast from the packed stadium—an unprecedented view from orbit.In tech news, South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb accidentally sent 44 billion dollars worth of Bitcoin to users—a glitch that prompted a massive withdrawal and a scramble to recover the fund.And finally, the entertainment world is buzzing as Taylor Swift dropped her “Opalite” music video featuring retro Reebok sneakers. The viral clip not only showcased vintage fashion but also sparked a surge in sneaker sales, turning the clip into a cultural moment for pop fans.That’s a wrap for today’s briefing. Thank you for listening to BTW Daily News. I’m Alex Rivera, wishing you a wonderful day ahead. From us, we hope we added a little sunshine to your morning. Tune in tomorrow for more updates.