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ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Travel influencers say they are helping the people of Afghanistan. Not everybody is so sure
Afghanistan has everything a tourist could want: stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine and unmatched hospitality. A land of rich history, invaded by empires but never conquered, left scattered with ornate mosques and ancient Buddhist sites. And it's also a place some say has become safer — less violent — than before the Taliban seized power again in 2021. Australian tour guide Paris Hailwood is one of them. "I know it's controversial, but the Taliban have been able to provide some security," she told the ABC on the eve of leading a 10-day, women-only tour of Afghanistan for women from North America and Europe. "The people causing trouble before are now the people in power. So it's within their own interest, really, to keep you safe." The Australian government categorically warns against visiting Afghanistan. "There are no Australian officials in Afghanistan, and our ability to provide consular and passport assistance is severely limited," says the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website. "Do not travel to Afghanistan due to the extremely dangerous security situation and the very high threat of terrorism and kidnapping." The regional offshoot of the Islamic State group is at odds with the Taliban and routinely carries out terror attacks. Three Spanish tourists and three Afghans were killed at a Bamiyan market in a March 2024 attack claimed by Islamic State. That didn't deter American adult film performer Whitney Wright, who earlier this year promoted her visit to Afghanistan during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Nor did the threat of violence put off UK-based content creator Kieran Brown. "This is your sign to book that lads' trip to Afghanistan," a video on his Instagram page declares. "I would encourage travel there but only to experienced travellers that have their wits about them," he told the ABC via WhatsApp from Bali, where he is based. "A lot of the things you read online are exaggerated," Mr Brown said. "Although the people in Afghanistan have a tough life, it's not as bad as it's made out to be." Around 85 per cent of the population lives on less than $US1 per day, according to the United Nations. Travellers argue they are injecting much-needed cash into the Afghan economy and that the flow-on to the Taliban authorities is minimal. "My $80 visa fee isn't going to fund all those activities," Ms Hailwood said. "When I'm in the country and I'm paying the restaurants directly, the hotels directly, that's how I'm contributing to the society." Mr Brown said locals told him how grateful they were that he was in their country. "I may have contributed money to the Taliban by spending money in Afghanistan, but I also helped local businesses," he said. The Taliban recaptured Afghanistan's capital Kabul in 2021 and have since enforced laws to "prevent vice and promote virtue". Women have been banned from education, most jobs, and visiting public places such as parks — a situation the UN describes as "gender apartheid". Nasima Kakae once worked for Afghanistan's ministry of women's affairs — which was abolished and replaced by Taliban morality police in 2021. She now runs a travel agency in suburban Melbourne and volunteers as the secretary of Women for Change, a non-profit organisation aimed at empowering Afghan women. "The people who are travelling to Afghanistan — if they are YouTubers, if they are tourists — they are in the coordination of the Taliban, absolutely," she said. "They go to the beautiful hotels, they are escorted by the Taliban … have they knocked on the doors of a [shut-down] school? "Have you seen any of them go to a prison and see where those activist women are who have been arrested by Taliban years back?" Afghan women's advocates were opposed to moves whereby the international community might normalise the Taliban regime said Ayesha Khan, a senior research fellow in gender equality at London-based think tank ODI Global. "On the one hand, you appreciate the interest in engaging with another culture and seeing how people live and wanting to spend your foreign currency in a country that you know to be poor," Dr Khan said of those travelling to Afghanistan. "At the same time, the voyeurism of going to travel in a country that is experiencing gender apartheid is something that I would encourage tourists to ask themselves: why are they doing this?" The Australian NGO Mahboba's Promise has worked in Afghanistan for 26 years with vulnerable groups such as widows and orphans. "Oftentimes you see in these [travel] videos, you see all these kids surrounding these travellers laughing, smiling — and that's pure and real joy," said the organisation's vice president, Nawid Cina. "But what's the story behind these kids? Why are they outside? Why are they trying to shine your shoe?" It is estimated that there are more than 2 million widows and 1.5 million orphans in Afghanistan — many of whom lost spouses or parents during decades of armed conflict. Mr Cina said Taliban prohibitions on women working or leaving the home without a male guardian had led to an uptick in child labour, as boys sought to help support their families. According to UNICEF, less than half of Afghan children under 12 are attending primary school. "If you're coming to Afghanistan, you need to be showed this reality," Mr Cina said. Officials in Afghanistan reported that foreign tourist numbers increased from 691 in 2021 to 7,000 in 2023. Ms Hailwood said the Taliban were "very happy" about receiving Western visitors — and that tourist visas were granted almost immediately. "They definitely want foreigners there," she said. "I think for them, as well, it's about legitimising their power and legitimising that the Taliban are the new government. "And I think whether or not we like it, they are." No nation has formally recognised the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government since it returned to power. The Taliban's foreign ministry did not respond to the ABC's requests for comment. Dr Khan said there were many ways people could support income-generating activities in Afghanistan without visiting, such as channelling money to women's education and employment programs that are run from abroad. "That might be more constructive in the long run," she said.
ABC News
25-04-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Anzac Day marks traditional start for grain planting but this year it's a gamble
Farmers across Australia's southern states are nervously watching the skies and waiting for rain as Anzac Day marks the traditional start of sowing. Under consecutive years of drought, many South Australian grain producers have begun planting crops into bone dry soil. On the Eyre Peninsula, in the state's south-west, Whitney Wright started planting beans, lupins, and lentils on April 11 — a week earlier than normal. Like many SA grain growers she and her husband had always dry-sown their crops, and this year is no different as they wait for season-breaking rains. "Last year we were able to dig to a depth where we could get to some moisture, and other years we have been able to do that as well," Mrs Wright said. Whitney Wright hard at work on the tractor planting crops into dry soil. ( Supplied: Whitney Wright ) But she said there was no point trying to get the grain deep in the ground this year because there is no moisture in the soil. South Australia's 2024-'25 grain production was the lowest since 2008-'09 with an estimated 5.2 million tonnes — 43 per cent below the five-year average according to the state government. And in more bad news the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting below-average rainfall to continue for most of South Australia throughout May. Farmers 'hedge their bets' Grain Producers SA chief executive Brad Perry predicted about half of the state's crop will be dry sown, with many farmers starting crop planting last week. Others will "hedge their bets" and wait on the chance of late rain. Whitney Wright's seeding equipment cuts a dusty path through the paddock. ( Supplied: Whitney Wright ) "The challenge is that there's virtually no sub-soil moisture so it's a really different game when it comes to dry seeding this year in the drought." Mr Perry said. "We're not looking at a large amount of rain in the coming months. I think a lot of growers will end up forced to dry seed." Seeding crops into dry soils is not uncommon but is a big financial risk for farmers if it then fails to rain enough to germinate the plants. Mr Perry said farmers needed a soaking rain of about 30 millimetres of rain over seven days to be considered a "breaking rain". Without that he is worried for those growers facing consecutive years of drought. Some farmers have received no rain at all but will push ahead with dry sowing. ( ABC News: Timu King ) "There have been some regions now that are in two, three, four years of dry conditions in a row, and the struggle is real," Mr Perry said. "We've seen the banks not extending finance in some areas. We know of cases of farmers having to go into farm debt mediation already. "I think it's going to be a really tough time, not only for farm businesses and income but also for mental health and wellbeing. " We've got to do everything we can to try and help those in need, and if there's a second year of statewide drought it's going to be as tough as we've ever seen it. " Summer rain provides critical soil moisture Over the border in Victoria's far north-west at Millewa, farmer Dale Ramsay had some welcome rain a fortnight ago and is flat out sowing this year's crop. But he is keen for more rain to get the crops established. Millewa farmer Dale Ramsay has started sowing winter crops after some timely autumn rain. ( ABC News: Timu King ) "We've brought our seeding program forward a couple of weeks to match in with the germination and basically going as business as usual from that," he said. In his low rainfall region conserving soil moisture is critical. So when he got summer rain in November and December last year they had to spend additional money spraying out the weeds that germinated. "We had good summer rains coming into last [season] and this year is looking pretty similar," Mr Ramsey said. "We had half a years rainfall in November, pretty much topped up the subsoil from the previous year, and then with that recent 25mm we've been able to kick off our seeding program." Minyip grain farmer Ryan Milgate has decided to grow hay instead of canola this year because of the dry conditions. ( ABC News: Sean Warren ) Last year in Victoria winter crop production fell 31 per cent compared to the year before to 7.4 million tonnes, according to the ABARES Australian Crop Report. It was about 7 per cent below the 10-year average. In the Wimmera region, about 300km north-west of Melbourne, Ryan Milgate is taking a conservative approach to his cropping program this year. Moisture probes on his farm show very low moisture in the soil so he has decided to not plant canola which is a more risky and expensive crop in low rainfall years. Instead he will plant oats for hay — something that is in demand from livestock farmers when the season is dry. "Hay stocks are at a very low level, or will be by springtime this year, so I don't think hay is going to be a hard thing to sell going forward," he said. He has got his fingers crossed the forecast rain on Anzac Day will deliver a welcome soaking. "There's a bit about, it's still trying, so fingers crossed it tries a bit harder," Mr Milgate said. Despite the dry conditions Mr Milgate remained optimistic about the season ahead. "I'm hopeful, we're always hopeful. We're farmers, we're the eternal optimists." ABC Rural RoundUp newsletter Stories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
Al Bawaba
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Porn star poses in hijab, abaya carrying AK47 in Afghanistan
ALBAWABA - American porn star Whitney Wright, 33, has caused wide outrage on social media during her trip to Afghanistan, where she was welcomed by The Taliban members. Also Read The Taliban to close all NGOs that employ Afghani women The porn star, who is from Oklahoma, posted photos from her recent visit to the Islamic country where she appeared in a very different look away from her usual lingerie pictures and X-rated videos. Whitney Wright visited many historical places in Afghanistan including the Herat Citadel and Sabz Masjid or the Green Mosque in Balkh, Daily Mail reported. In one of the photos, the American porn star caused fury online after she was seen wearing a hijab and abaya while carrying a AK47 in the Band-e Amir national park in Afghanistan. However, according to reports, the US adult star removed the pictures. Now-deleted photo of US adult star Whitney Wright in Afghanistan. (Instagram/Whitney Wright) Why did American porn star's Afghanistan visit caused this fuss online? Whitney Wright, the US adult star, has disturbed social media after sharing her images inside the Islamic country over the strict rules, The Taliban government is imposing on local women as they are banned and unable to leave their homes without a male guardian. In Afghanistan, women are being barred from their basic rights like education and work. In addition, in 2023, women were banned from visiting any attraction if they are not wearing the hijab 'properly' and 'going sightseeing is not a must for women', according to the all-male vice and virtue ministry. US porn star Whitney Wright in Tehran, Iran. (Instagram/Whitney Wright) Women's rights activists were angered how did The Taloban government allowed the America porn star inside the country alone without male guardian, while Afghan women are being banned from any basic rights. Before deleting the photos, Wright posted them with only one-word caption "Afghanistan". She had previously traveled to other Arab and Mulsim-majority nations including Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
American porn star Whitney Wright visits Afghanistan despite Taliban control
A US porn actor has traveled to Afghanistan in a trip unacknowledged by the Taliban, who have restricted the rights of women and girls and imposed strict morality laws since seizing power in 2021. Whitney Wright, who caused uproar with a visit to Iran last year as authorities there cracked down on women, posted images of her trip to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan on her Instagram account. They show a plane from national carrier Ariana on a runway, a tiled ceiling from the Western city of Herat, supermarket items and vehicles. Wright does not appear in the images. She did not respond to messages from The Associated Press on Friday. Nobody from the Taliban was immediately available for comment. The Taliban are keen to attract tourists and promote a different side of the country. Foreigners are visiting, encouraged by the drop in violence. Earlier this month The Taliban took over the operations of Afghanistan 's only luxury hotel in Kabul, more than a decade after they launched a deadly attack there that killed nine people. The Serena Hotel said it was closing its operations in the Afghan capital on Febuary 1, with the Hotel State Owned Corporation taking over. The corporation is overseen by the finance ministry. The Taliban first targeted the Serena in 2008 and again in 2014. Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani acknowledged planning the 2008 attack, which killed eight, including U.S. citizen Thor David Hesla. As a U.S. citizen born in Oklahoma City, Wright would need a visa to enter Afghanistan but there are no operational Afghan embassies or consulates in the U.S. Whitney Wright in Iraq: The Taliban have control of some 40 diplomatic missions around the world. The State Department says U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan for any reason due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, kidnapping and limited health facilities. It also says there is a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US porn actor visits Afghanistan in a trip unacknowledged by the Taliban
A US porn actor has traveled to Afghanistan in a trip unacknowledged by the Taliban, who have restricted the rights of women and girls and imposed strict morality laws since seizing power in 2021. Whitney Wright, who caused uproar with a visit to Iran last year as authorities there cracked down on women, posted images of her trip to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan on her Instagram account. They show a plane from national carrier Ariana on a runway, a tiled ceiling from the Western city of Herat, supermarket items and vehicles. Wright does not appear in the images. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. She did not respond to messages from The Associated Press on Friday. Nobody from the Taliban was immediately available for comment. The Taliban are keen to attract tourists and promote a different side of the country. Foreigners are visiting, encouraged by the drop in violence. As a U.S. citizen born in Oklahoma City, Wright would need a visa to enter Afghanistan but there are no operational Afghan embassies or consulates in the U.S. The Taliban have control of some 40 diplomatic missions around the world. The State Department says U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan for any reason due to civil unrest, crime, terrorism, kidnapping and limited health facilities. It also says there is a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals. Wright has traveled to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon in recent years.
