Taliban warn barbers in one province not to trim beards, report says

The Taliban's religious police in Helmand province told barbers that they could be punished if they get caught trimming or shaving beards, citing their interpretation of Sharia law, according to a report.

Since the Taliban overran Kabul on Aug. 15 and seized control of the country, Afghans and the world have been watching to see whether they will re-create their harsh rule of the late 1990s. Many fear the Taliban will roll back two decades of gains by women and ethnic minorities while restricting the work of journalists and NGO workers.