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- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
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- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
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- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
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- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
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- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
- Cyclone Chido death toll rises to 94 in Mozambique
#LetHerLearn: Afghans use social media to protest university ban
Afghans voiced outrage on social media Wednesday over the Taliban's ban on women attending university, using the hashtag #LetHerLearn -- one of the only ways people can still protest in the country.
Affected students poured their hearts out on Twitter and Facebook, lamenting how their dreams had been shattered by the announcement late Tuesday that tertiary education was now off-limits to women.
"The eighth semester is over and I have just four exams left," Kabul University student Zamzama Ghazal posted on her Facebook account with the trending hashtag.
"God! Don't take this last hope from me."
The ban comes less than three months after thousands of girls and young women sat university entrance exams across the country, aspiring to continue their education.
"We came to the university at 6:30 in the morning, the boys were allowed to enter and they pointed guns at us and told us to go home," Tamana Aref tweeted.
It was the latest encroachment of women's rights that have gradually been eroded since the hardline Islamist group returned to power in August last year.
"I knew this would happen one day," wrote Hadia Rahmani on Facebook.
"One day even going out on the streets and roads would be forbidden for women until further notice."
Social media was filled with video clips of university students crying in despair outside campus gates after being denied entry by armed Taliban guards.
- Devastation -
Samim Arif, once a deputy spokesman for former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, tweeted about his family’s distress at the news his sister won't be allowed to pursue her engineering degree.
"My 18 yo sister Wurranga worked extremely hard to make it to engineering school," he wrote.
"Now Taliban banned her from attending school. Her dreams are shattered, our family is devastated."
Many users employed the hashtags #LetHerLearn and #LetAfghanGirlsLearn to express their support for the right of Afghan girls and women to education.
"Acquiring knowledge is a must. There is no doubt that women make up half of society," tweeted Rashid Khan, the former captain of the national cricket team and one of the country's few truly international sports stars.
Some users shared images of male students from the faculty of medicine at Nangarhar University walking out of their exams in sympathy with their female classmates who were not allowed in.
A mathematics professor in Kabul also took a stand.
Obaidullah Wardak announced his resignation on Facebook, stating he didn’t want to continue teaching "where girls are not allowed to study".
Others tried to remember happier times.
Tweeting a photo from a previous graduation ceremony of women, Arifa Iran wrote:
"Talibs tears flow at such scenes when they see Afghans being educated."
P.Stevenson--AMWN