Neha Sharma, a former property and facilities manager at New Zealand’s child welfare agency Oranga Tamariki, and her husband Amandeep Sharma orchestrated a sophisticated fraud scheme that siphoned over NZ$2 million from the agency. Neha, who controlled maintenance contract allocations, secretly funneled more than NZ$2.1 million worth of work to her husband’s company, Divine Connection Ltd, despite it not being an approved contractor. She concealed their marriage and conflicts of interest, using forged documents, fake references, and manipulating internal systems to approve inflated invoices, some covering personal expenses such as household electronics.

The couple’s deception unraveled after internal audits flagged irregularities in late 2022. Neha abruptly resigned, but the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launched an investigation, raiding their Christchurch home in March 2023. Authorities discovered three properties, three vehicles, and NZ$800,000 in liquid assets. In an attempt to evade justice, the Sharmas altered company records, transferred nearly NZ$800,000 to Indian bank accounts, and fled New Zealand on a one-way business class flight to Chennai via Singapore Airlines, carrying 80 kilograms of luggage.

Despite their flight, Indian authorities cooperated with New Zealand’s Police Asset Recovery Unit to freeze the transferred funds, and the High Court imposed restraining orders on their New Zealand properties. Neha briefly secured a job at another government agency, Waka Kotahi, again using forged references, highlighting the couple’s audacity and persistence in deceit.

Neha Sharma pleaded guilty to multiple charges including deception, forgery, and money laundering, and was sentenced to three years in prison, currently held in the mothers’ and babies’ unit. Amandeep Sharma also admitted guilt, with sentencing scheduled for June 19, 2025. Oranga Tamariki’s CEO condemned the fraud as a serious breach of public trust and confirmed strengthened internal controls to prevent recurrence.

The case exposed critical vulnerabilities in New Zealand’s public sector oversight, especially in vetting and conflict of interest disclosures. SFO Director Karen Chang emphasized that such crimes damage public confidence and New Zealand’s reputation as a safe investment destination, prompting calls for rigorous vetting of public servants to safeguard government funds and institutional integrity.

Qatar’s travel and tourism sector is on a robust upward trajectory, projected to contribute a staggering QR124.2 billion to the national economy in 2025, solidifying its role as a key economic driver, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The sector’s growth outlook is optimistic, with forecasts estimating its value to reach QR166.6 billion by 2035. International visitors dominate travel spending, accounting for nearly 90%, while over 75% of trips are leisure-related, underscoring Qatar’s rising global appeal as a top destination.

Employment in the sector is also set to expand significantly, supporting over 350,000 jobs in 2025 and expected to exceed 487,000 by 2035. Spending by international tourists is projected to hit QR98.8 billion this year, with domestic tourism contributing an additional QR12.6 billion. By 2035, these figures are expected to grow to QR144.7 billion and QR16.7 billion respectively.

Qatar kicked off 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter alone. This surge is attributed to an integrated tourism strategy leveraging high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and diverse destination experiences. Visitors from the GCC (36%), Europe (28%), and Asia and Oceania (20%) highlight Qatar’s broadening market reach.

The country’s diversified access strategy is evident in visitor arrivals by air (51%), land (34%), and sea (15%), enhancing connectivity and convenience for travelers. Qatar’s leadership in regional tourism was reaffirmed by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East, focusing on sustainable tourism driven by sports, innovation, and infrastructure.

Qatar’s travel and tourism sector is not only a pillar of economic growth but also a beacon of regional leadership and international appeal, poised for continued expansion and global recognition.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rolled out important updates to its visa issuance policies at embassies and consulates worldwide, signaling a return to stricter entry requirements after pandemic relaxations. Notably, applicants for single-entry 60-day tourist visas must now provide proof of financial means, either through a foreign bank statement or a letter of guarantee, showing at least 20,000 baht (approximately US$600). This financial bond requirement, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been reinstated as part of Thailand’s efforts to ensure visitors can support themselves during their stay.

Meanwhile, nationals from 93 countries remain eligible for visa-exempt entry for up to 60 days, removing the need for a tourist visa. However, the Thai Prime Minister has formed a working group to review this exemption policy, with some insiders anticipating a reduction of the visa-exempt stay from 60 to 30 days. Any extensions beyond the initial stay will continue to be managed by the Thai Immigration Bureau within the country rather than foreign embassies.

All foreign visitors, regardless of visa status, must now complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online no more than 72 hours before arrival. Launched on May 1, 2025, this digital system aims to strengthen immigration monitoring and curb illegal work by tourists, a response to abuses by a minority who have worked unlawfully in sectors like taxi driving and cooking. This move aligns Thailand with neighboring countries such as Cambodia, which have adopted digital immigration systems.

It is important to note that not all Thai diplomatic missions have updated their websites to reflect these changes yet, and individual embassies retain some discretion in interpreting visa document requirements, especially for specialized visas like the Destination Thailand Visa. The foreign affairs ministry’s website does not cover visas issued domestically by the Immigration Bureau, such as the “O” retirement visa and its renewals, underscoring the shared responsibility among government departments for immigration management.

Additional updates on the ministry’s website include varying medical insurance requirements for long-stay visas, ranging from 600,000 to 3 million baht (around US$100,000), depending on the visa category. There are also specialized visas available for activities such as cookery courses, martial arts training, and football coaching, which offer shorter stays and overlap somewhat with the Destination Thailand Visa. Importantly, all e-visas must be applied for from abroad, as they are not available to applicants already in Thailand.

For comprehensive details and the latest updates, travelers are encouraged to consult the official Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa website at thaievisa.go.th.

In a landmark move for international travel, United Airlines has inaugurated the first-ever nonstop flight connecting Faro, Portugal—the gateway to the Algarve region—with Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States. The inaugural flight took off on May 17, 2025, launching four weekly seasonal services that promise to transform accessibility between southern Portugal and the U.S.

Operating with a Boeing 757-200, United’s new route is a centerpiece of its largest international expansion to date, enhancing Faro’s global connectivity and supporting the surge in tourism between the two countries. The aircraft offers 176 seats, including 16 Polaris business class flat-bed seats, 42 Economy Plus seats with extra legroom, and 118 standard Economy seats, ensuring comfort for all travelers.

Flights depart Faro every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11:40 AM local time, arriving in Newark around 3:00 PM, while the return service leaves Newark on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:35 PM, landing in Faro the following morning at approximately 9:50 AM. This schedule is designed to maximize convenience for both leisure and business travelers.

The launch was a collaborative achievement involving ANA Aeroportos de Portugal – VINCI Airports, Turismo de Portugal, and the Algarve Tourism Association, all working closely with United Airlines. Karen Stougo, Commercial Director of VINCI Airports in Portugal, highlighted the route’s significance, stating it not only bolsters the Algarve’s international links but also fuels the region’s thriving tourism industry and offers residents a direct U.S. connection.

This new Faro-Newark service is part of United’s ambitious global expansion, which includes six new destinations and nine new transatlantic routes, reinforcing United’s status as the largest U.S. airline serving the most international destinations. Alongside Faro, United has added direct flights to Bilbao, Palermo, Nuuk, and Funchal from its New York/Newark hub, as well as new routes from Washington D.C./Dulles to Dakar, Nice, Venice, and a seasonal Rome-Denver service.

By unlocking direct access to the Algarve’s stunning coastline, historic towns, and year-round sunshine, United Airlines is not only making travel easier but also positioning the region as a premier destination for American tourists seeking luxury, culture, and natural beauty.

Lien Khuong International Airport, the bustling gateway to Vietnam’s beloved tourist city Da Lat, is set to temporarily close for six months to undergo a transformative $40 million upgrade. Nestled in Lam Dong Province in the scenic Central Highlands, this vital airport will pause operations to allow for extensive renovations aimed at boosting capacity and modernizing infrastructure.

The ambitious project includes refurbishing runways and taxiways, installing advanced drainage systems, upgrading lighting, and implementing state-of-the-art warning technologies. While the exact closure date remains under wraps, officials assure that the shutdown will avoid peak travel seasons to minimize disruption for travelers, local residents, and businesses.

Provincial authorities are collaborating closely with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the project’s investor, to ensure the upgrade stays on track and meets its ambitious goals.

Located just 28 kilometers from downtown Da Lat, Lien Khuong Airport currently serves around 2.5 million passengers annually, welcoming a steady stream of tourists from South Korea, Thailand, and beyond.

Originally constructed by the French in 1933 and modernized by the U.S. in 1956, the airport has seen multiple expansions over the decades. Notably, its runway was extended in 1997 to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 3C standards, allowing larger aircraft to land. Further upgrades between 2003 and 2007 elevated the airport to ICAO 4D status, accommodating popular models like the Airbus A320 and A321.

Looking ahead, Lien Khuong Airport aims to achieve ICAO 4E certification by 2030, enabling it to handle wide-body jets such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. This upgrade will double its passenger capacity to 5 million annually and boost cargo throughput to 20,000 tons.

Beyond 2030, plans include extending the runway to 3,600 meters and expanding annual passenger capacity to 7 million, cementing Lien Khuong’s role as a critical aviation hub in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

This strategic overhaul promises to enhance connectivity for Da Lat, opening new doors for tourism and trade, and propelling the region into a new era of growth and accessibility.

Etihad Airways is charting new territory in the United States, announcing non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Charlotte, North Carolina, set to launch on May 4, 2026. The move marks Charlotte as Etihad’s sixth U.S. destination, joining the airline’s growing American network alongside New York, Chicago, Washington, Boston, and Atlantaa.

This new service makes Etihad the first airline from the Gulf region to connect directly to Charlotte, a city rapidly emerging as a powerhouse in finance, technology, and culture. The four-times-weekly route will be operated by Etihad’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner, renowned for its comfort and efficiency in both Business and Economy cabins.

“Charlotte represents a strategic addition to our U.S. network, unlocking direct access to one of the country’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “We’re excited to be the first airline from our region to serve this market, and we look forward to connecting more travellers to Abu Dhabi and beyond”.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, already one of the world’s busiest and ranked sixth globally for aircraft movements in 2024, will now offer travelers a direct gateway to the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Asia via Abu Dhabi. The schedule is designed for smooth onward connections, with morning departures from Abu Dhabi and midday returns from Charlotte.

The announcement comes on the heels of Etihad’s major order for 28 new wide-body Boeing aircraft, part of a long-term strategy to double the airline’s size by 2030 and meet rising global travel demand. Passengers flying to the U.S. will also benefit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, allowing them to arrive in Charlotte as domestic passengers for a faster, smoother entry experience.

With this expansion, Etihad is not just adding a new route—it’s opening the door for business and leisure travelers across the Southeast to experience the UAE’s renowned hospitality and global connectivity.