THE WHAT? The Taliban has ordered that all beauty salons in Afghanistan must close their doors for good next month, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

THE DETAILS The edict, issued by the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Propagation of Virtue, has been widely criticised by the western media, foreign governments, and the UN.

THE WHY? The Taliban’s stated reason is that beauty services place an unfair burden on the families of grooms-to-be who are expected to pay for treatments before the big day. However, the Wall Street Journal points out that salons are the among the last remaining places where women are allowed to work and gather.