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Will a ban on tourism help India's tigers?
11-year-old boards plane without passport, boarding card or parents
Olympics for freeloaders: 10 things that don't cost
Scorcher! Snapshots of Japan's blistering summer
Korea launches official foreigner-only national bus tours
Ultimate guide to Chinese dumplings

Will a ban on tourism help India's tigers?

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 02:36 AM PDT

India's Supreme Court banned tourists from core zones in tiger reserves on Tuesday to protect the endangered big cats.

It would seem like an obvious move -- reduced human access should lead to more intact wildlife habitats. However, the decision has provoked mixed reactions among conservationists and tour operators.

A two-person panel of the Supreme Court ruled that tourists can only enter peripheral buffer zones of tiger reserves, up to 10 kilometers away from core areas. The temporary restriction goes into effect immediately.

Conservationists who are against the ban are concerned that wildlife trafficking will increase as tourists empty out of reserves and poachers can move about freely without worry of being seen.

Some anti-ban groups further argue that forests not frequented by tourists have all but lost their tigers.

11-year-old boards plane without passport, boarding card or parents

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 01:33 AM PDT

by CNNGo staff

boy boards plane without passport Rome alone: the 11-year-old was able to evade security my mingling with other families. A young boy has managed to board a plane in Manchester, England and fly to Rome with no identification or boarding card, or even any guardians to accompany him.

Liam Corcoran slipped through security at Manchester Airport yesterday, July 24, having escaped from a shopping trip with his mother, and was only discovered after co-passengers on the Jet2 flight became suspicious of the "Rome-alone" traveler.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport denied there was a security problem. "This isn't a loophole in airport security. There was no threat to the airport or the aircraft or passengers."

However he admitted serious errors had occurred and staff members have been suspended as a result.

"He went straight from security … to the nearest aircraft that's boarding, which happens to be this Jet2 flight to Rome.

Olympics for freeloaders: 10 things that don't cost

Posted: 25 Jul 2012 12:36 AM PDT

by Sarah Sekula

Good things come to those who wait, and free things come to those who spend a few hours researching.

We've done the hard part for you, and picked out what we consider some pretty fine activities that don't cost a penny.

Some do involve a little travel expenditure -- such as a trip to Paris -- but they're worth it. And you can get to Paris from London in less than two hours and for less than US$100 these days.

1. Bell ringing: Various locations, United Kingdom

Hand bells, door bells, school bells, tower bells, bicycle bells. You name it, they will all be ringing at precisely 8 a.m. on July 27, the first day of the Olympics.

The bell-ringing bonanza is the brainchild of Martin Creed, a Turner prize-winning artist and musician who has titled the event "Work No. 1197."

Scorcher! Snapshots of Japan's blistering summer

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 03:00 PM PDT

With the notoriously unpredictable rainy season finally drying up and the sun breaking through the clouds, it can only mean one thing in Japan -- the summer silly season is officially upon us.

As in most countries, it's a time of year punctuated by annual rituals; some frivolous, some born of centuries of tradition.

We take a quick flick through the photo album to highlight a selection of some instantly recognizable seasonal markers.

From dangerous 40 C heat waves and lottery fever to fatigue-beating rituals and good, old-fashioned fun in the sun, here are a few of the highlights of a Japanese summer.

More on CNNGo: Thirsty? Check out the best beer gardens in Tokyo

Korea launches official foreigner-only national bus tours

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 01:30 PM PDT

by CNNGo staff

Bed, breakfast, transport, guide and admission tickets -- all for a fistful of Korean won? The latest tourism venture for foreigners in Korea dreamed up by the Visit Korea 2012-2012 Committee (the brains behind the Korea Grand Sale) looks like a pretty good deal.

The "K-shuttle" is a foreigner-only bus that trundles out of Seoul to 10 different cities around the country.

Visitors can choose to go on a package tour or just pay the fare to one of the destinations, which are Busan, Gyeongju, Andong, Wonju, Pyeongchang (host of 2018 Winter Olympics), Gangneung, Buyeo, Jeonju, Gurye and Yeosu, home of Expo 2012.

k-shuttle We like the selections. The two-night-three-day package costs ₩250,000 (approximately US$220) per person and includes accommodation, breakfast, an English-speaking guide, admission fees to various tourist sites including temples and folk villages and of course transportation.

The All Around Korea trips -- lasting five nights/six days -- cost ₩500,000 (approximately US$438) per person.

Ultimate guide to Chinese dumplings

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:30 AM PDT

by Joanne Yao

Rice is nice, and we drool over the very thought of noodles, but if an online poll were to solicit votes for China's most rational national food, surely dumplings would come out way ahead.

Stuffed with all things weird and wonderful, these edible snack packs fill up more than 1.3 billion tums across China in various shapes, forms and tastes on a daily basis.

And all dumplings great and small enjoy unique names, traditions and particular areas where they are scoffed by the bucket-load.

Here is a thoughtfully chosen buffet of the most iconic dumplings China has to offer.

Chinese dumplings -- inline 1 Chinese dumplings, pure and simple.