ALL TN Comp Exams Prep

📢 Join us on Telegram: @exampreptn for Daily Updates!
The Website contains more than 2,00,000 questions. For each test, new questions are loaded.

February 06, 2026 February 06, 2026 - Current affairs for all the Exams: Global Security Shift: New START Treaty Expires as 2026 Winter Olympics Commence

On February 6, 2026, the global geopolitical landscape witnessed a significant shift with the expiration of the <b>New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START)</b>, the final remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia. Simultaneously, the world celebrates the opening of the <b>XXV Winter Olympic Games</b> in Milan-Cortina, Italy, while India advances its economic diplomacy by resuming <b>Free Trade Agreement (FTA)</b> negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The last 24 hours have been marked by a blend of high-stakes security developments and major international events. For students of competitive exams, the following highlights are crucial:

1. Expiration of the New START Treaty

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which limited the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and launchers for the U.S. and Russia, officially expired on February 5, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump declined to extend the pact, calling it a "badly negotiated deal" and advocating for a "modernized" tripartite agreement that includes China. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the expiration as a "grave moment" for international peace, warning that the world is now without a legal framework to prevent a nuclear arms race between the two largest nuclear powers.

2. 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially began today, February 6, in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The opening ceremony at the San Siro Stadium marks the start of the XXV Winter Games. Pope Leo called for an Olympic Truce, a tradition dating back to 776 BC, urging global leaders to use the Games as a platform for dialogue and fraternity amidst ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

3. India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Talks

In a major boost to trade diplomacy, India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) in New Delhi to formally restart negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. Presided over by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, this move aims to strengthen economic ties with the six-nation bloc (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain), focusing on energy security, food security, and technology transfer.

4. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks and Prisoner Swap

The second round of U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded in the UAE. While both sides agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange, they failed to reach a breakthrough on a permanent ceasefire or territorial arrangements. The lack of a joint security statement underscores the persistent differences regarding security guarantees and sovereignty.

5. Other Notable Developments

  • India joins BRICS BCIC: India has officially joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) to enhance manufacturing cooperation and support for MSMEs.

  • Balochistan Operation: Pakistan's military concluded a 40-hour counter-terrorism operation against the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), reporting over 200 fatalities.

  • ECB Policy: The European Central Bank (ECB) maintained its key interest rates steady for the fifth consecutive time, citing a stable inflation outlook.

Back to All Articles