Saturday Star 2025-03-29

In recent years, matcha, Japan’s iconic powdered green tea has become a global sensation. Once reserved for traditional tea ceremonies, it has now made its way into lattes, desserts, skincare products, and even cocktail menus worldwide. But behind the frothy green drinks and Instagram-worthy desserts lies a growing concern: Japan’s matcha industry is struggling to keep up with surging international demand. The global matcha obsession can largely be attributed to the power of social media and the post-pandemic travel boom. Platforms like TikTok have exploded with content showcasing matcha recipes, Japanese culture, and scenic tea fields, sparking a worldwide fascination with the vibrant green powder. Coupled with a weak yen and relaxed travel restrictions, Japan saw a record-breaking 37 million visitors last year, a 47% increase from the previous year,…

After five drama-filled seasons, Garcelle Beauvais has decided to hang up her diamonds and bid adieu to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH). The ever-glowing 58-year-old actress and former model took to Instagram to share the news, stating: “It’s been a wild ride, some amazing things have happened and some hard things have also happened but it’s been a ride nevertheless.” ​ From the get-go, she captivated audiences with her unfiltered honesty and sassy one-liners. Who could forget the time she confronted a fellow housewife with a sassy: “Honey, I’m Garcelle Beauvais, I don’t have to do anything!” Her fearless approach to calling out questionable behaviour and her loyalty to her friends quickly made her a fan favourite.​ Beauvais joined RHOBH in season 10, bringing a fresh dose of…

Hollywood and royal watchers alike were oozing this week as Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, hilariously addressed rumours of a supposed “beef” between them. In a lighthearted Instagram clip that is making waves online, the Goop founder and the former royal proved that there’s no bad blood – just good pie. In the video, the duo shared a lighthearted moment that quickly captured the hearts of fans. “Do you understand this?” Paltrow asked, showing Meghan casually enjoying a slice of pie in her kitchen. The Duchess simply shrugged and laughed, bringing a fun twist to the speculation surrounding their relationship. This playful interaction comes hot on the heels of Paltrow’s comments in a recent Vanity Fair interview, where she addressed the buzz surrounding Meghan…

Netflix’s latest documentary, Con Mum is the kind of true-crime story that leaves your jaw on the floor and your faith in humanity severely shaken. It unravels the shocking story of Graham Hornigold, a renowned British pastry chef who falls victim to an elaborate con which is orchestrated by a woman claiming to be his long-lost mother. This turns into a twisted web of manipulation, deceit and a desperate search for love that ends in financial ruin. At first glance, Hornigold’s life seemed like a success story. Born in 1974 on a British army base in Germany, his childhood was anything but easy. He bounced around in foster care before moving to Hertfordshire to live with his father and stepmother. His father, an ex-army man with a drinking problem and…

There are not too many rules to follow when you are travelling on an aeroplane. You must turn your data off once the plane is about to take off, put your seat back in the upright position, and remove earphones. This fellow sitting in front of me this week was getting himself cosy for our two-hour flight. The earphones were nestled in both ears – stereo style. The TikTok videos were flipping, and the seat was in full recline mode. He corrected all that on instruction from the attendant, but as soon as she turned away to ‘prepare for take-off’, mister’s earphones were back in, data was streaming TikTok (unless you can download these for later viewing), and the seat back was back in recline mode. I got annoyed and…

WHILE the world is divided on Nasa’s astronauts and uncovering the truth of what lies beneath the pyramids of Giza, leading African Independent Power Producer (IPP), Red Rocket, launched its mega 10GW wind farm in Antarctica. Red Rocket, well respected for its groundbreaking wind, solar, and hydro projects in Africa, set eyes on the icy continent following its successes at home – silently developing the project for several years. One could even say that the IPP took its tagline “A Force of Nature” and just ran with it to harness the power of Antarctica’s winds. Known for its extreme climate that comes with deadly blizzards, Antarctica is home to peaceful research initiatives by member states of the Antarctic Treaty. It will now be home to the biggest wind farm in…