In Rajasthan, questions have been raised regarding the announcements made from mosques and loudspeakers playing during Azaan during the month of Ramzan. BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya from Hawa Mahal seat of Jaipur city has raised questions. He said that one should not play with the education of children and the health of sick people by unnecessarily playing loudspeakers in the name of Ramzan. The guidelines of the Supreme Court and the laws made by the governments should be followed.

BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya expressed his objection to loudspeakers playing from mosques during Ramzan and said, “If someone faces problem due to the noise of loudspeakers, then it is not right at all.” Everyone needs to take care of the society.” Although Balmukund Acharya also argued that he has no problem with Azaan, but the problem people face due to the noise of loudspeaker is not right at all.

Objection was also expressed in the assembly regarding the noise of Azaan.

He further said that people of all religions should not make unnecessary noise. There should be no pollution regarding faith. However, this time he has used restrained words. Two weeks ago, he had expressed his objection regarding the noise of Azaan in the Assembly.

What did Minister Suresh Rawat say?

However, many people in his party and the government do not agree with his objection to using loudspeakers on the occasion of Ramzan. When Rajasthan government minister Suresh Rawat was asked a question about this, he directly shrugged it off. Minister Suresh Rawat said that only the one who has raised objection in this regard will answer. At the same time, the Congress party has opposed the objection raised by BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya.

sighting of ramadan moon

On the other hand, the moon of Ramzan has been seen in Jaipur. Fasting will be observed from tomorrow (19th February). The month of Ramadan will start from tomorrow. However, on Wednesday (18 February) it was cloudy in most parts of Rajasthan including Jaipur. On the basis of people’s testimony, the sighting of the moon was confirmed. Taraweeh i.e. special prayers of Ramadan have started in mosques. Along with Rajasthan, people also saw the moon in many other states including UP. People are wishing each other happy month of Ramadan.

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 23:40 IST

Suryakumar Yadav Statement: After the victory over Netherlands in the T20 World Cup, captain Suryakumar Yadav has said that Team India will have to overcome some shortcomings for the Super-8 round. He said that there is a lesson in every victory and the team has learned some things from this match also. India will start its Super-8 campaign with a match against South Africa on 22 February.

Surya’s statement on preparations for Super-8

If your social media feed feels noisier, stranger, or more manipulated than it used to, you’re not alone. The internet runs on its own language now, and those buzzwords quietly shape what you see, what you don’t see and how companies target you. From viral “slop” content to shadowbans and targeted ads, these terms influence how information spreads and how platforms treat your account.

Let’s break down five key phrases so you can understand what’s really happening behind your screen and stay in control of your digital life.

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CLEAN UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED AND CUT THE NOISE

If your social media feed feels louder and more chaotic, algorithm-driven trends like “slop” and shadowbanning may be shaping what you see. (Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images)

1) Slop

The flood of low-quality content that is taking over your social media feed

“Slop” refers to mass-produced, low-effort digital content, often generated quickly by AI or churned out purely for clicks and engagement. This includes spammy articles, recycled videos, misleading thumbnails and content created without real value.

While slop may seem harmless, it can crowd out reliable information, spread misinformation and overwhelm your feed with noise instead of useful content. Platforms often struggle to control it because slop is designed to game algorithms.

Why this matters:

• Low-quality content can drown out trustworthy sources
• Slop is often designed to manipulate clicks and attention
• AI-generated misinformation can spread faster than ever
• Curating your feed helps reduce exposure to low-value content

The good news is you can take back control by curating your feed and cutting the noise. 

2) Burner account

The hidden identity behind anonymous profiles

A burner account is a secondary or anonymous social media account used to hide a person’s real identity. Some people use burner accounts for privacy, while others use them for trolling, harassment, spying, or secretly viewing content.

Because burner accounts are difficult to trace, they are often linked to online harassment, fake engagement, or manipulation of public conversations. Platforms attempt to detect suspicious behavior, but many burner accounts still slip through the cracks.

Why this matters:

• Anonymous accounts can spread misinformation or harassment
• Burners are often used to manipulate comments and engagement
• They make it harder to verify who is behind the content

Being cautious with unknown accounts protects your safety

3) Shadowban

When platforms quietly decide what you don’t see

A shadowban doesn’t only affect creators; it can affect what you see as a user. Platforms sometimes limit the visibility of certain accounts, topics, or types of content without telling you. This means posts may be hidden, pushed lower in your feed, or never shown to you at all, even if you follow the account.

This type of filtering is often driven by algorithms designed to reduce spam, harmful content, or policy violations, but it can also shape what information reaches you without you realizing it. Over time, this can subtly influence your perception of what’s popular, trending, or widely discussed.

Why this matters:

• You may not see all content from accounts you follow
• Algorithms quietly filter what appears in your feed
• Your view of trends and conversations can be shaped
• Platform controls influence what information reaches you

YOUR PHONE SHARES DATA AT NIGHT: HERE’S HOW TO STOP IT

From burner accounts to clickbait, online buzzwords influence how information spreads and how users are targeted. (Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

4) Clickbait

Headlines designed to make you click, not inform you

Clickbait uses exaggerated, misleading, or emotionally charged headlines to attract attention and drive clicks. While some clickbait is harmless, it often leads to low-quality or misleading content that doesn’t deliver on its promise.

Clickbait works because it exploits curiosity, fear, or surprise, powerful emotional triggers that drive engagement. It’s a core tactic used by low-quality publishers and viral content farms.

Why this matters

• Clickbait can spread misinformation or distort facts
• It’s designed to manipulate attention rather than inform
• Recognizing it helps you avoid low-value content
• Trustworthy sources focus on clarity, not shock value

5) Targeted ads

Why the internet seems to know what you want

Targeted ads use data about your behavior, searches, location, and interests to deliver personalized advertisements. This is why you might see ads related to something you recently searched, clicked, or even talked about near your phone.

Advertisers build detailed profiles based on browsing activity, app usage and online behavior to predict what you are most likely to buy or engage with.

What this does:

• Shows ads based on your interests and behavior
• Uses browsing history, location and app activity
• Builds advertising profiles over time
• Drives highly personalized marketing

One more thing to know: Targeted advertising relies heavily on data collection. Adjusting privacy settings, limiting ad tracking and regularly reviewing app permissions can reduce how much data advertisers use to profile you.

Pro Tip: Control the data that fuels the system

If targeted ads feel a little too accurate, it’s because data brokers are constantly collecting and selling your information. Beyond adjusting privacy settings, consider removing your personal data from broker sites to shrink the profile advertisers build around you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

Stay tuned for more in this series as we decode the internet’s most talked-about terms and answer the top questions we hear from readers like you.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

SUPER BOWL SCAMS SURGE IN FEBRUARY AND TARGET YOUR DATA

Understanding digital terms like “slop” and clickbait can help users take back control of their feeds. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The modern internet runs on more than just technology; it runs on attention, algorithms and influence. Understanding terms like slop, shadowban and targeted ads helps you recognize how platforms shape your experience and how companies compete for your clicks. The more you understand these trends, the easier it becomes to filter noise, protect your privacy and stay in control of what you see online.

Confused by a trending internet term or want something explained? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 23:29 IST

Shivam Dube statement: Shivam Dube performed strongly against Netherlands in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After this match, he said that he was under pressure when he came to bat, but he likes playing in such conditions.

Shivam Dubey’s statement after the match against Netherlands

At least 12 people have been killed after an explosion and fire at a fireworks shop in eastern China, the country’s state media has said.

Emergency services put out the blaze at the unnamed shop in the town of Xiangyang, in central Hubei province on Wednesday afternoon, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Flames engulfed a 50sqm (538sqft) area of the premises, state broadcaster CCTV said.

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Three things you might have missed from China this month, with Helen-Ann Smith

Firework-related blasts are not uncommon in China, where they are used widely and often indiscriminately during celebrations such as the Lunar New Year holiday, which began on Tuesday.

On Sunday, eight people died and two others were injured after a similar incident at a fireworks shop in eastern Jiangsu province, also in eastern China.

Someone had set off fireworks too close to the shop, according to officials.

In June, a blast at a fireworks factory ⁠in neighbouring Hunan killed nine ​people and injured 26 ​others.

Read more on Sky News:
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South Korean drone warning

Pyrotechnics have been banned in some Chinese cities for safety and air pollution reasons, but the measures are controversial ⁠as firecrackers are traditionally used ​to scare off evil spirits and remain ​central to the new year celebrations.

The latest incident comes a day after the Ministry of Emergency Management warned that “fireworks are still the biggest risks during the Spring Festival period”.

Investigators are now looking into the cause of the Xiangyang explosion, Xinhua said.

An illegal immigrant from Ecuador charged with sexual abuse of a child was arrested last week by federal authorities after he was previously released back onto the street because of Connecticut sanctuary policies, officials said. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers took Christian Espinosa-Sarango into custody on Feb. 13 in North Haven.

Espinosa-Sarango was charged on Dec. 19, 2025 with sexual assault, illegal sexual contact with a child, and enticing minors with a computer in North Haven, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. 

“These are the types of monsters Connecticut sanctuary politicians are releasing from their jails and onto the streets to perpetuate more crimes against children,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

‘WORST OF THE WORST’: ICE ARRESTS CHILD PREDATOR, VIOLENT CRIMINALS AMID SURGE IN ANTI-AGENT ATTACKS

Christian Espinosa-Sarango an alleged child sex predator, was arrested by ICE agents last week after he was relewased back onto Connecticut streets because of sanctuary policies, officials said.  (Getty Images; Department of Homeland Security)

Espinosa-Sarango was reportedly conversing with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as the aunt of a 13-year-old girl through an “online casual encounter platform,” the New Haven Independent reported, citing court records. 

After finding out the girl’s age, he allegedly asked for photographs of the young girl and sex, and made plans to meet with the child at a hotel room, where he was arrested.

Espinosa-Sarango attempted to flee in his vehicle and refused to roll his window down, prompting officers to break the glass, DHS said. 

SANCTUARY POLICIES LET ALLEGED CHILD PREDATOR ROAM FREE UNTIL DHS MADE PORTLAND, OREGON, AIRPORT ARREST

During an interview with police, Espinosa-Sarango allegedly claimed he was intending to “save” the girl, the news report states. He said he didn’t call the police department because he wanted to see her first, according to the newspaper.

ICE lodged a detainer request with local law enforcement on Dec. 23, but it was ignored. Consequently, Espinosa-Sarango was released back into the community, DHS said. 

DHS specifically criticized the Connecticut Trust Act, which limits information-sharing between local and state police and federal immigrant agents.

In April, the Trump administration listed Connecticut among states that have laws that impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

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“We need local law enforcement to cooperate with us to get these heinous criminals out of our neighborhoods,” McLaughlin said. “Seven of the 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE. This is a perfect example of why sanctuary policies make Americans less safe. 

“Thankfully, because of our brave ICE agents, Christian Espinosa-Sarango, a pedophile, will never walk American streets again,” she added. “Sanctuary politicians must stop releasing pedophiles, murderers, rapists, and kidnappers into our neighborhoods.”