There is bad news today for any bald, guitar-playing Afghani who likes a hand of Bridge. Human hair wigs, musical instruments and playing cards are among the 30 items which the country's Taliban fundamentalist regime has added to its list of proscribed items.

Computer discs also feature on the roll-call of un-Islamic products, as do ties, lipstick, nail polish, catalogues showing pictures of people, movies, satellite dishes and pig fat.

Border guards have been instructed to confiscate the offending goods and hand them over to the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Head honcho Mullah Mohammed Omar - who has already banned TV - has additionally ordered that fireworks be seized.

Presumably when they have stockpiled enough, they will be put to good use blowing up any giant Buddahs still presenting an insolent fat belly to the regime. ®

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