Amu: Afghanistan signed off their T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 82-run victory over Canada on Thursday, posting their highest total of the tournament before dismantling the Canadian batting lineup. The victory was Afghanistan’s second of the group stage, though it was not enough to secure a place in the knockout rounds. Still, the
Amu: Taliban have burned around 600 musical instruments in Parwan and Laghman provinces in the latest enforcement of their sweeping ban on music. The Taliban directorate vice and virtue in Parwan said it had set fire to about 500 instruments that had been collected over the past year from the provincial capital and surrounding districts.
Amu: Residents of Panjshir said unidentified drones were flying over parts of the province on Tuesday night, particularly during late-night and pre-dawn hours, raising concern among local communities. Several residents said the drones were observed over the districts of Rokha, Khonj, Anaba, Bazarak and Dara, sometimes flying at low altitude and producing a loud sound.
Gulf News: Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the crescent moon. Thus, tomorrow [Wednesday, February 18, 2026] will be the first day of Ramadan. Click here to read more (external link). More Saudi Arabia, Taliban announce Wednesday as first day of Ramadan Afghanistan welcomes Ramazan; authorities emphasize security and support for citizens
Afghanistan International: The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) said its forces attacked a Taliban checkpoint in Bala Hesar Square in Kunduz on Monday evening, claiming two Taliban members were killed and two others wounded. Local sources in Kunduz told Afghanistan International that an explosion was reported in Bala Hesar Square around the same time. Click here
Ariana: Noor Jalal Jalali, the Minister of Public Health, said the ministry is making sustained and intensive efforts to address the gap and expand access to healthcare services in remote and underserved areas of the country. Click here to read more (external link). More Suspension of Medicine Imports from Pakistan Triggers Price Surge and Quality
Khaama: Ramadan is expected to begin Thursday across several Arab states, pending crescent moon sighting that determines start of Islamic fasting month globally. In Saudi Arabia and many Muslim-majority countries, the start of Ramadan is officially determined through verified sightings of the new moon after sunset. Click here to read more (external link).
Special Eurasia: Tehran’s potential recognition of the Taliban is a strategic security hedge designed to stabilise its eastern frontier and prevent Afghanistan from being used as a platform for hostile intelligence or militant activity. Deepening trade interdependence, energy exports, and border free-trade zones are embedding Afghanistan structurally into Iran’s economy, transforming geopolitical risk into geo-economic