Asia
India Gate, Delhi. Photo: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0
Delhi transport blocked by police stand-off
Police officers demonstrating against an anti-corruption investigation by Delhi’s chief minister Arvind Kejriwal have blocked roads around India Gate, a popular area for tourists. As the blockade enters its second day, four metro stations – Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udhyog Bhavan and Race Course – have also been forced to close. Source
Joe Bindloss, @joe_planet
Passengers flee burning hydrofoil in Vietnam
A hydrofoil travelling from Ho Chi Minh City to nearby popular beach escape Vung Tau, caught fire and sank yesterday. The 85 passengers, including 37 foreigners, reportedly jumped into the river to escape. There were no fatalities. Transport authorities say they will improve inspections of hydrofoils in the lead up to the Tet holidays next week. Source
Laura Crawford, @crawfplanet
Kit Kat opens a speciality shop in Tokyo
Tokyo’s Seibu department store has opened what is claimed to be the world’s first speciality Kit Kat shop. The Kit Kat ‘Chocolatory’ sells unusual flavours such as chilli, and has displays on the history of the Kit Kat. Kit Kats are a popular treat in Japan, where the snack already comes in a range of only-in-Japan flavours. Source
Laura Crawford, @crawfplanet
Plankton put on show for tourists to the Maldives
Known locally as the ‘sea of stars’, the ocean surrounding Vaadho island comes alive with phosphorescence every winter. The luminous glow is produced by billions of microscopic plankton. Source
Joe Bindloss, @joe_planet
Europe
Lake Tuz. Photo: Nyuepik. CC BY 2.0
Turkey’s Lake Tuz threatened by drought
Turkey’s second-largest lake and the source of 60% of the country’s salt is at risk after the driest winter in a decade. The lake, situated in central Anatolia, is already threatened by exploitation for its salt, but snow is urgently needed in the next two months if the lake is to be prevented from splitting in two. Lake Tuz is also home to Turkey’s largest flamingo colony. Source
Jo Cooke, @joannacooke1
England gets its first motorway-service-station pub
JD Wetherspoon’s has opened a pub on the M40 in Buckinghamshire. The two-storey venue, which will serve alcohol from 9am to 1am, is the first pub at a service station in England. Critics have slammed the move, which they fear will encourage drink-driving. Wetherspoon’s plans more branches and argues that ‘we do not live in a nanny state’. Source
James Smart, @smartbadger
Lost Romanian tourist wanders London for four days
Sixty-three-year-old Vasile Belea spent four days walking the streets of London after being separated from his son by the closing doors of a Tube train. He speaks no English, had no phone, was baffled by the Tube and couldn’t make police understand his predicament. He survived on gifts from restaurants and was reunited with his family only when he spotted someone reading a newspaper with his face in it. Source
James Smart, @smartbadger
International festival of illusionists to be held …read more