This week’s edition begins with a look at South Korea, where the Korean Wave continues to reshape global tourism, with K-pop and K-dramas drawing fans into cafés, concert venues and filming locations that extend fandom into real-world travel.
Food and travel take us next across Asia, with a look at vegetarian-friendly destinations. We also explore how an MP temple in Omkareshwar is turning devotion into a life-saving mission by offering VIP darshan to blood donors, helping strengthen local blood bank reserves. We then turn to the growing likelihood of El Niño’s return and what it could mean for travel plans across continents, from monsoon patterns in India to safaris in Africa and beach holidays in Southeast Asia.
From there, we explore seven Indian regions where food has long functioned as medicine rather than just sustenance, long before wellness became a global trend. We also unpack why alcohol often triggers cravings for salty, high-calorie snacks. The edition also revisits one of Delhi’s most haunting crimes, the 1978 Geeta and Sanjay Chopra case, which continues to linger in public memory and has now inspired Prime Video’s Raakh.
And in our “What we read this week” section, we review a locked-room mystery set aboard a luxury train in Murder on the Maharaja Express alongside Liar Liar, a sharp and unsettling exploration of truth and deception.
Let’s get into it.
From BTS to blockbuster K-dramas: How the Korean Wave is reshaping travel
South Korea is increasingly attracting visitors who want to step into the worlds of their favourite K-pop idols and K-drama characters. From BTS-inspired trips and fan cafés in Seoul to drama filming locations on Jeju Island, the country is turning global fandom into a powerful tourism driver, encouraging travellers to explore far beyond traditional sightseeing.
7 vegetarian-friendly destinations in Asia every food-loving traveller should visit
From the spiritual kitchens of Rishikesh and Buddhist cuisine in Kyoto to the street-food cultures of Penang and Ho Chi Minh City, these destinations prove that great travel experiences don’t need to revolve around meat. Here’s a look at some of Asia’s most rewarding places for vegetarian travellers and food lovers alike.
Donate blood, get VIP darshan: How an MP temple is turning faith into a life-saving mission
At Madhya Pradesh’s Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, devotees who donate blood can skip long queues and access VIP darshan. The initiative has not only encouraged thousands of pilgrims to contribute to a life-saving cause but has also helped local blood banks build reserves of rare blood groups and support neighbouring districts.
El Niño is making a comeback: What travellers need to know
The World Meteorological Organization says there is a high likelihood of El Niño returning later this year, potentially triggering droughts, floods, heatwaves and other weather disruptions across different parts of the world. From safari destinations in Africa and beach holidays in Southeast Asia to monsoon travel in India, the climate phenomenon could influence travel plans far beyond the Pacific Ocean.
Prix Versailles 2026: Four Indian landmarks among world’s most beautiful designs
India has secured a strong presence in the Prix Versailles 2026 World Selection, with four entries recognised for outstanding architecture and design. Guwahati’s Terminal 2, Navi Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1, The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace in Khajuraho and Rosso in Pune Wine Country have been featured across airport, hotel and restaurant categories for blending local identity with contemporary global design.
Concerns over screen addiction, harmful content, sleep disruption and online safety have been prompting governments across the globe to take tougher action on children’s digital lives
From Kerala to Sikkim: 7 Indian regions where food has always been medicine
Long before wellness became a global industry, communities across India built food traditions around healing, nutrition and longevity. From Kerala’s Ayurvedic kitchens and Ladakh’s sea buckthorn berries to Rajasthan’s desert superfoods and Sikkim’s organic farming model, these seven regions showcase how India’s culinary heritage has long blended food with wellbeing.
Why alcohol makes you crave chips, pizza and other junk food
That irresistible urge to reach for chips, nachos or pizza while drinking may be more than just habit. Research suggests alcohol can activate biological hunger signals linked to protein cravings, making savoury, high-calorie foods especially appealing and increasing the likelihood of overeating.
FSSAI warns against a common kitchen practice that could contaminate food
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed food businesses to stop using rusted, corroded, chipped or damaged knives and cutting equipment, warning that they can contaminate food and violate hygiene regulations. The regulator has asked state authorities to maintain strict vigilance during inspections and said non-compliance could invite action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The crime that shocked Delhi: The real 1978 case behind Prime Video’s Raakh
Before it inspired Prime Video’s Raakh, the 1978 abduction and murder of siblings Geeta and Sanjay Chopra became one of India’s most infamous criminal cases. The brutal crime, the desperate fight for survival, and the nationwide manhunt that followed changed how Delhi viewed safety and left a lasting mark on the country’s collective memory.
What we read this week
Set aboard a luxury train packed with wedding guests, family feuds, ex-lovers and long-buried secrets, Prakhar Vishwani’s debut novel brings the classic locked-room murder mystery into a distinctly Indian setting. While the central premise is engaging and the pages turn quickly, an overcrowded cast and a predictable reveal prevent the novel from fully delivering on its intriguing setup. Still, Wedding on the Maharaja Express remains an enjoyable one-sitting read for fans of Christie-style whodunits.
Liar, Liar review: Sharp, unsettling exploration of truth and deception
Rheea Mukherjee’s Liar, Liar revisits one of India’s most notorious digital scams through the eyes of someone who lived through it. More than a true-crime account, the book examines trust, manipulation and the emotional fallout of being deceived by someone who built an entire identity on lies. Thoughtful, unsettling and deeply human, it explores why intelligent, compassionate people believe those they care about—and what happens when that trust is shattered.
