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5 Travel Preparation Tips for the Post-COVID-19 Era

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The world is waiting for the COVID-19 pandemic to come to an end so that we can all return to our lives as we used to know it, particularly to visit fascinating and exotic locations.

A lot of people are also waiting for the world to heal so that they can relocate in search of greener pastures.

Whatever your reason for travelling, here are 5 really great travel preparation tips to make your travel as hassle-free as possible.

Do your Research

Research makes things easy when it comes to travelling and, like any committed traveller knows, it is never too soon to begin planning your next trip. In fact, the earlier, the better. That way, should you face any unexpected challenges, you have plenty of time to fix them.

First and foremost, that means ensuring your passport is valid, current and you have everything you need to reach the country you want to visit.

Once you are confident your passport is valid, it’s time to research the city you want to visit. Some of the questions you may include:

·         What is the exchange rate in the country you visit?

·         Are there any relevant traditions you need to know about?

·         Are there some must-see places to visit?

·         How is the health situation currently?

These and even other questions will need to be asked, and luckily, almost all the answers you need can be found on various online resources. For example, Ausmove has tons of information that can help plan your Australia move.

Make a List and Double-check it

We recommend that you take it a step further: make a checklist of important travels essentials and review it three times.

The last thing you want is to arrive at the airport, only to find that your passport has been forgotten.

Your list should entail all the essential things you need on your journey, including all the relevant paperwork that will save you hassle. In fact, even the swimwear you will use when relaxing on the beach should be in your checklist.

Not only does a list make sure you pack everything you certainly do need, but it will also keep you from bringing items you won’t need.

Above all, if the weather is scorching hot every day, there is no point in packing three thick jackets. So, when the big day arrives, check your list and be sure you’re 100% positive you’ve got everything you need to make your trip a massive success.

Boost your Immune System

You should speak to a doctor if you have any medical issues before embarking on any trip.

Arranging medical and dental check-ups, if you are going to be gone for a long time, might be a smart idea. Vaccinations should also be reviewed and organised as necessary. If you need an appointment on short notice, consider a house call doctor. They tend to have fewer patients and better schedule flexibility, and lets you utilize the time that would have otherwise been spent in reception at the doctor’s office.

Bear in mind that vaccine courses will take up to a month and you need to prepare for a minimum of a month before you head out.

Anti-malarial treatment should also be obtained from your doctor or a valid medicine source. However, your doctor is the right one to counsel you on buying malaria pills, as well as any medications for any other medical problems you might have.

Also, don’t forget to also carry along a stack of sanitised hand gloves and face masks to stay safe from any corona virus residue.

Check the Weather

The weather is the single factor most likely to have a positive or adverse impact on your journey and one of the factors that many people take for granted most.

Even if It is going to be warm in Australia during your visit, it will not hurt to verify the weather situation before leaving so that you don’t get caught in a bad weather situation. Also, your packing plan should be driven by a weather forecast or else failure to check the weather could well result in tiring and disappointing travel.

Invest in Travel insurance

Last but not least, obtaining travel insurance will form a crucial part of your preparations. Accidents do occur despite our best efforts.

It is life. However, if you fly halfway around the world only to discover that your belongings have been shipped elsewhere, incidents such as these can easily turn into disasters.

It is at these moments that you will be glad you have acquired travel insurance.

It is no exaggeration to say that the difference between a nice, unforgettable trip and a full-blown tragedy may be the travel insurance.

The bulk of travel insurance plans cover such issues as delayed or cancelled flights, stolen, lost or damaged baggage or personal items, and medical expenses.

This is especially important, as not all countries have mutual health-care arrangements with Australia, and travel insurance typically covers more than just your medical care.

Accordingly, travel insurance will give you the peace of mind to enjoy your vacation, secure in the knowledge that in case of an emergency you are certainly protected.

Jenny is one of the oldest contributors of Bigtime Daily with a unique perspective of the world events. She aims to empower the readers with delivery of apt factual analysis of various news pieces from around the World.

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World

Criminal probe focussed on Mehtas shipping business

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From Monitoring Desk

DUBAI: An Asian family linked with the shipping business is facing criminal investigation in several jurisdictions including in Dubai and Far East where the family’s companies are under active investigation now, according to the authorities in three countries.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat, are facing investigations over money-laundering suspicions and suspected links to the Russian oil sector, sanctioned by the western countries, sources shared.

Sanjay and Gaurav Mehta, through their companies Best Oasis Ltd in Dubai and Priya Blue Industries in Gujarat have projected an image of environmental responsibility in ship recycling. They have tout certifications, attend global summits, and positioned themselves as ESG-compliant but their business practices have come under intense probe now. Their operations reportedly involve dismantling high-risk ships, using cash transactions, and leveraging political connections to avoid accountability, a source shared looking into the companies’ affairs. The investigation is being conducted in Dubai and the Far East.

The investigators are looking at the Mehtas operations dating back to 2006 when they came to attention of the law enforcement for the first time. Priya Blue dismantled the “Blue Lady” in 2006, a vessel containing over 1,200 tons of asbestos and radioactive waste, despite protests and objections from Greenpeace. Later, the “Exxon Valdez,” notorious for a major oil spill, was renamed “Oriental Nicety” and dismantled by the Mehtas in Gujarat, drawing international attention. In recent years, their transactions have become less conspicuous but reportedly more hazardous.

In 2025, Best Oasis allegedly acquired and dismantled at least four vessels linked to sanctioned entities, including Iranian and Houthi-controlled networks. These weren’t obscure ships; they were designated under U.S. terrorism sanctions for their involvement in oil smuggling and arms transport. According to investigators, here are the details of the sanctioned ships dismantled by Best Oasis in 2025: IMO: 9155808, Name: NOLAN (SOLAN), Sanction: SDN (SDGT), Beaching: 31 Jan 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9221657, Name: BLUEFINS, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); Beaching: 26 Feb 2025, Plot 16; IMO: 9105085, Name: CONTRACT II, Sanction: SDN risk, Beaching: Arrived mid-2025, Plot 27; IMO: 9209300, Name: GAMA II, Sanction: SDN (SDGT); and Beaching: Pending/Planned, Plot 34

All four vessels were reportedly dismantled in Alang on plots leased by proxy firms connected to the Mehtas. These short-term leases, approved on a ship-by-ship basis by the Gujarat Maritime Board, reportedly make regulatory oversight nearly impossible. Once dismantling is complete, plot registrations often lapse, leaving no long-term record, according to documents shared by the investigators in Dubai.

Rahul Mistry, a shipping compliance researcher, noted this as a growing pattern: “This is a pattern we’ve seen more frequently in the last two years   sanctioned hulls arriving under the radar, processed fast, with no digital trace.”

Payments for these vessels reportedly bypassed normal financial channels. According to sources familiar with the deals, transactions were settled in cash, either on-site or through offshore handlers. One source described entire ship values being paid in foreign currency bundles, avoiding Indian and Dubai banking disclosures, said one of the investigators familiar with the matter.

A retired port official Mr. Akin Yadav, familiar with Alang  and Gujarat Maritime Board approvals stated that short-term leases are routinely used to avoid scrutiny, adding, “It was never meant to be a permanent workaround. But it’s become one.”

Political connections also reportedly play a role. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Gujarat State Minister Jitu Vaghani have been linked to approvals granted for Best Oasis and its proxies. While there’s no direct evidence of personal gain, sources allege that both men used their influence to expedite approvals, slow down inquiries, and shield the companies from enforcement.

Despite these activities in India, Best Oasis is expanding under new branding. A recent joint venture in Japan with Hiroshi Abe is being marketed as a clean, regionally responsible recycling partner for Japanese shipowners.

Mariko Fujita, a Tokyo-based maritime consultant, observed, “They’re presenting themselves as a new entity with no reference to past controversies. But none of the underlying ownership or structure has changed.”

In Alang, the situation reportedly remains much the same. Plot numbers are reassigned, cash continues to circulate and the same network of breakers and handlers is reportedly involved. Individuals like Jayant Vanani (also known as Budhabhai Patel) and Ramesh Mendapara are frequently named in connection with specific beachings, including “Contract II” and “GAMA II.” Both have been previously linked to other shadow transactions involving distressed or sanctioned tonnage.

Several yards allegedly connected to Best Oasis, including Shantamani Ship Breakers and Sai Baba Ship Breakers, reportedly operate with minimal inspection, despite numerous reports of irregularities in worker safety, hazardous waste disposal, and compliance with Indian scrapping codes.

This system, according to multiple sources, appears to be intentionally designed to operate in plain sight with just enough paperwork to pass basic scrutiny but not enough to trigger meaningful enforcement. There is no indication that regulatory bodies including customs, port health officers, or environmental oversight panels have conducted full inspections of any of the sanctioned vessels listed. Most were reportedly cleared and dismantled within days of arrival.

Rahul Mistry said: “This isn’t merely a loophole; it’s reportedly a business model. Best Oasis and Priya Blue are allegedly running a high-volume, low-visibility operation that filters sanctioned, end-of-life ships through legal instruments to appear legitimate on paper. This reportedly involves routing untaxed funds and shielded actors through a well-connected political and industrial network. As global scrutiny of ESG practices intensifies, many of these activities are allegedly being whitewashed through new partnerships and branding, but the underlying mechanisms reportedly remain unchanged.”

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