8am: The majority of Persian speakers and speakers of other commonly used languages in the country have expressed concern over what they describe as unfair and exclusionary language policies of past ruling authorities, as well as the language policies of the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Moldova bans Afghan airlines over safety concerns
Ariana: Moldova’s government has included Afghan airlines in its updated list of carriers banned or restricted from operating in the country, effective 19 February 2026, in line with EU aviation safety rules. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – February 21, 2026
What is it like to travel Afghanistan?
Bradt Guides: To the first-time visitor, Afghanistan feels at once familiar and utterly alien. It is a place many people think they know, thanks to the nightly news, social media or the headlines of the last four decades. Names like Kabul, the Hindu Kush, the Khyber Pass, Kandahar, Bagram, the Taliban, the mujahideen – these words echo with recognition. Yet to trace them on to real places, lived-in streets and ordinary people going about their day is disorienting and thrilling in equal measure. The country that looms so large in the imagination becomes something tangible, textured, and unexpectedly human. Click here to read more (external link).
Kyrgyzstan Reports Rise in Youth Recruitment by Extremist Groups
Khaama: Kyrgyzstan’s state security committee says recruitment of young people into extremist and terrorist groups has increased in recent months. Local media, citing the State Committee for National Security, reported that radical ideas and recruitment efforts are spreading through social media platforms. Regional governments have repeatedly warned about security threats linked to instability in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and the spread of extremist ideologies. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghan futsal player Reza Hosseinpoor joins UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli
Ariana: Afghan futsal player Reza Hosseinpoor has officially signed with Shabab Al Ahli Club, one of the leading sports clubs in the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1958 and based in Dubai, Shabab Al Ahli is well known for its football, futsal, and handball teams, regularly competing at the top levels of UAE and regional competitions. The club has a strong youth program and a reputation for developing local and international talent. Click here to read more (external link).
Other Sports News
Tolo News in Dari – February 20, 2026
Now, domestic violence legal in Taliban-led Afghanistan – as long as no ‘broken bones open wounds’
Times of India: Signed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, the 90-page criminal code permits husbands to physically abuse their wives and children, provided it does not cause “broken bones or open wounds.” Click here to read more (external link).
Pak Defence Minister Warns of Strikes if Taliban Fails to Curb Militants
Khawaja Muhammad Asif
Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has again urged the Taliban to rein in militant groups operating from Afghan territory, warning that Islamabad would not hesitate to carry out further airstrikes inside Afghanistan if no action is taken. Speaking to France 24, Asif alleged that attacks inside Pakistan are carried out with Taliban support. Click here to read more (external link).
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Rising food prices deepen hardship in Afghanistan as Ramadan begins
Amu: As Ramadan begins, rising food prices across Afghanistan are fueling fresh anxiety among families already strained by economic hardship, particularly in the country’s southern provinces. Residents say the cost of basic staples has climbed sharply in recent weeks, making it increasingly difficult to prepare meals for the holy month, when families traditionally gather at sunset to break their fast. Click here to read more (external link).
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