Table of contents for 2024-01-27 in Saturday Star

ACTRESS Lily Gladstone has wondered why it has taken “this long” for a Native American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award. The 37-year-old actress has become the first indigenous woman to be nominated for Best Actress at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards after wowing with her role as Mollie in Killers of the Flower Moon but argued that such a milestone should have happened before now, especially because of how many films are shot in her homeland. She told Deadline: “I also just know that I’m not going to be the last. “Why am I the first? Why did it have to take this long for me to be the first Indigenous North American? Most of the films that show up in these categories are shot on indigenous…

ENGLISH dramatist and librettist William Schwenck Gilbert once famously said: “It’s love that makes the world go round”. This is certainly the case for celebrity couples, whose every move is analysed by their legions of fans across the globe. From public displays of affection (PDA) on the red carpet, to luxurious and romantic dates and holidays, it seems like the world can’t get enough of loved-up stars. And while some celebrity couples appear to be a match made in heaven, others are full of controversy and scandal. The reasons vary from their level of success to age gaps, physical looks or culture clashes. They simply don’t add up, with fans often pondering what led these superstars to get romantically entangled in the first place. With this in mind and with…

A million streams, a million times an album is listened to on digital streaming platforms, is a significant milestone in any artist’s career. It’s an especially important milestone when you’re an independent artist, driven by a passion for your craft. A million streams is the ultimate validation – it means more. South African artist Jimmy Nevis dominated the music charts over the past 12 months with his new album, Things We Don’t Talk About, and confirmation that this smash success has come in the form of one million streams; an incredible achievement for Cape Town’s favourite pop vocalist, whose hits Heartboxing and Elephant Shoes live rent-free in the hearts of thousands of adoring fans. Now, with chart-topping hits like Ayo, F.B.A, Levels, and Small Spaces, Nevis’s new album represents a…

WITH the City of Joburg facing a massive headache following a spate of fires at both private and government-owned hijacked buildings, questions are being asked about its ability to address the problem. Recently, two people were burnt beyond recognition after a woman allegedly set a hijacked building alight, in Nugget Street in the Joburg CBD. A 35-year-old man identified as Sizwe Cele was one of two people killed when a fire ripped through the hijacked Express Building on Sunday. Cele and his partner were reportedly sleeping in the room adjacent to where witnesses claim Bonisiwe Gumede allegedly started the fire by pouring paraffin at the door of her boyfriend’s room following a heated argument. And Joburg citizens on Monday woke up to the shock confession by a 29-year-old man that…

A Grade 8 learner of Cravenby High School in the Western Cape is not only a pupil, but also a professional pool player – South African national champion in his age division – and a well-known music hitmaker. Luke Davids, 13, from Roosendal, Delft, started his career in pool at the age of 10 after playing for a club his dad was part of called Bad Boys Pool Club. “My dad and a few members from Delft started a community pool league, which is where my pool career grew stronger. I was then approached by a club called Invincible Pool Club to join in playing at a pool federation called Ikapa, where I was then chosen to go and play the South African nationals in Saldanha in 2022. I played…

In the 2023 admissions, across a spectrum of courses including medicine, engineering, veterinary science, law, and actuarial science, the University of Pretoria (UP) stands out as the institution of choice for many high-achieving students. A remarkable number of admitted students secured exceptional scores of 95% and above, accompanied by outstanding performances of seven or more distinctions. Gauteng’s first, second and third top matric students have all chosen to study at UP, all with 96%+ averages. In this highly competitive landscape, the University of Pretoria continues to attract and nurture the brightest minds, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence and cultivating future leaders. “UP positions itself on being a future-oriented university in all the programmes it offers,” said UP’s interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Themba Mosia. “We are ranked in the…

THE Springbok rugby team are heavy hitters on Instagram; Manchester City fans express themselves best on TikTok, while Liverpool receive the most Facebook fan reactions. Those findings emerged from a recent study confirming that social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok had rewritten the script on how sports fans connect with teams. The Gruelling Truth, an organisation offering predictions, analysis and unique insights on international sporting events, conducted the research and released their findings last week. The purpose was to determine who, among the best supported teams across certain sporting codes, enjoyed the healthiest engagement (likes, comments and shares) on social media platforms. Football, American football, basketball, baseball, rugby and ice hockey were the codes under scrutiny. While open days, meet-and-greets and autograph signing sessions were popular and…

LIKE many eco-conscious film buffs, I’ve seen Don’t Look Up many times, and shown it to my friends and family whenever anyone suggests a movie night. Now I’m looking forward to discussing The End We Start From, the new 2024 release starring Killing Eve star Jodie Comer. The Liverpudlian actress plays a new mother trying to find refuge with her baby as London is submerged by flood waters. As someone concerned about climate catastrophe, I rarely pass up the opportunity to educate my loved ones in an entertaining or thought-provoking way. It’s a refreshing break from the usual doom-mongering that conversations can often descend into. The power of cinema in communicating the climate crisis is undeniable. This is becoming increasingly apparent in my own research on the history of the…

South Africans who have been wanting to buy a Tesla will have to put their aspirations on hold for a long time with news that the electric car brand is still not on the cards for our market. There was a glimmer of hope in 2016 when the Tesla Model 3 was revealed and reservations were opened for Mzansi. However that quietly disappeared and in 2019 the South African- born Tesla founder Elon Musk told social media platform X that although he’d love to bring the brand here, high import duties were making this unfeasible. Although South Africa is in the process of releasing its White Paper on electric vehicles, that status quo remains and Musk is sticking to his guns on the brand’s local introduction or lack thereof. This…

According to Alexforbes chief economist Mpho Molopyane, 2024 appears set to be another year of uncertainty. Speaking at an Alexforbes Investments media briefing on economic trends and investment themes for the new year, Molopyane said the uncertainty would be brought about by the full extent of synchronised monetary policy softening. Given the upward risks to the inflation outlook, she believes central banks will maintain a cautious approach and ease policy rates in the second half of 2024, later than markets currently expect. However, with the turmoil of 2023 in the rear-view mirror, Molopyane said she is cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. “In the absence of adverse shocks, it looks like central banks will be able to bring inflation back to target without crashing the global economy – achieving the…

Should I take an early retirement? After 40 years in my career, I am thinking about taking early retirement this year after suffering a health setback recently. Will I be able to access my retirement savings, or should I rather continue working, even if I can only manage reduced hours? Name withheld Chrisley Botha, Wealth Adviser at PSG Wealth responds: As you consider early retirement after 40 years in your career, weighed against recent health issues, it’s vital to thoroughly evaluate your financial readiness and the lasting effects of this choice.In terms of legislation, retiring from a pension fund allows a maximum of one-third of your benefits as cash, with the rest buying an annuity for a steady income. Should your retirement fund’s balance be below R247 500, you…

THERE can be few more evocative fixtures at an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) than a meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon, and today’s last-16 encounter in Ivory Coast will surely bring back plenty of memories for Indomitable Lions coach Rigobert Song in particular. Cameroon’s tally of five Afcon titles is bettered only by Egypt’s seven, and their first three victories at the tournament were all secured by defeating the Super Eagles in the final. Roger Milla’s Cameroon came from behind to beat Nigeria 3-1 in the 1984 final, and a side coached by Claude Le Roy then came out on top when the teams met again in 1988 in Casablanca. Most recently, and most infamously, they clashed in the 2000 showpiece in Lagos, a match that went to penalties after…

THE beauty of rugby is the freedom to hit somebody as hard as you feel like in a tackle and you won’t get arrested for your malicious efforts. That is the amusing view of Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who at 158kg is almost literally larger than life. He is also 1.83m and with those physical dimensions it is little wonder that he enjoys throwing his weight around. The 24-year-old will have all the opportunity to do just that in this afternoon’s URC derby at Loftus Versfeld, and he is licking his lips. “Rugby is about the contact and you can hit someone according to the book, but how hard you hit them, that is not in the book,” Ntlabakanye grinned. “It is something I love and enjoy. The sport is measured by…

AS predicted from the onset, the 2024 Australian Open has been a roller coaster ride, with an unprecedented number of five-set thrillers and a record number of top seeds falling, faster than flies on melted ice cream. But the most significant face off – and arguably the most eagerly anticipated to date – has been the Quarter Final between sixth seed Alexander Zverev and World No2 Carlos Alcaraz, given that more than the title was riding on the result: It also dictated that defending champion, Novak Djokovic would retain his No 1 position, no matter who wins the final furlong. Above all it was an exhibition of mental fortitude on both sides of the court: Zverev, who had narrowly survived two deciding tiebreaks, in gruelling five setters against qualifier Lukas…

THE 2024 Women’s T20I World Cup is getting closer, with the showpiece event set for September and October in Bangladesh. For South Africa, having reached the final of the Women’s T20I World Cup here at home last year, it only makes sense for the team to look to go a step further – and return home with the trophy later this year. The preparations for the World Cup have gone well with regards to how the fixtures have been set up this season. Proteas Women have played in Pakistan this season, while also playing a majority of their home fixtures in East London and Pietermaritzburg, all venues that resemble Bangladeshi conditions. Also, from an opposition point of view, South Africa have been up against high quality opposition in Pakistan Women,…

The 2024 Oscar nominations that rolled in bright and early on Tuesday morning leaned toward artsy, prestige fare – and away from more obvious blockbuster success. When Greta Gerwig didn’t get nominated for best director for Barbie, you could almost hear a collective gasp across the country. The love for Barbie seemed weak everywhere, with eight nominations compared with 13 for Oppenheimer, 11 for Poor Things and 10 for Killers of the Flower Moon. Despite hitting double digits, Killers also landed fewer nods than many expected – no recognition for best actor or adapted screenplay, for instance. (Although Martin Scorsese just passed Steven Spielberg for the most-nominated living director and Lily Gladstone made history as the first Native American best actress nominee.) Surging movies? Those would be American Fiction and…

From a young age, we are taught that eating well helps us look and feel our physical best. What we are not always told is that good nutrition significantly affects our mental health, too. A healthy, well-balanced diet can help us think clearly and feel more alert. It can also improve concentration and attention span. What we eat not only affects our physical health, but studies now show just how much diet impacts our mood and mental well-being. How does what you eat affect your mental health? Founder of Newtricion Wellness Dieticians, Omy Naidoo, says South Africa’s growing mental health challenges make it imperative for individuals to make informed dietary choices. According to him, highly processed foods and those loaded with refined sugars can lead to rapid fluctuations in blood…

South Africa has witnessed an increase in the number of podcasts available, each offering distinctive content that speaks to their subscribers’ interests, goals, and way of life. DJ, radio host, entrepreneur, and media icon DJ Fresh, real name Thato Sikwane, has made a reputation for himself on YouTube with his podcast, WAW! What a week with DJ Fresh. With a career spanning decades, Sikwane has become one of the country’s most esteemed voices in the entertainment business. He celebrated bagging over 40 000 YouTube subscribers since joining the platform last year, which cemented the podcast’s status as one of South Africa's fastest-growing. He shared his ideas for the show, noting that he wanted to create a place where people could be celebrated. “I wanted to create a space where we…

Jamie Lyn Waller, a 28-year-old graphic designer and part-time lecturer from Sea Point in Cape Town, is diving into 2024 with a renewed spirit and profound gratitude. Her dreams of a bath, a swim, and a short run have all materialised, thanks to a precious gift – a new, healthy heart from an anonymous donor. Jamie’s journey to this moment began four years ago when she found herself on the waiting list for a heart transplant. The challenges heightened during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, adding another layer of complexity to her struggle. Recalling the onset of her health problems, Jamie said, “I was just 24, immersed in my first job when, on October 22, 2019, I suddenly fell ill. What seemed like pneumonia led to my hospitalisation, and…

The National Department of Health (NDoH) has cited budgetary constraints as the biggest reason South Africa is battling to ensure employment to thousands of young doctors. Reports indicate there are more than 343 young doctors sitting at home without a job, while the country battles to fill posts and deliver health services to an already compromised public health-care sector. Speaking to Independent Media this week, spokesperson for the NDoH, Foster Mohale, said even though there is “no definitive number” of how many young doctors are struggling to get placed at provincial health facilities, funds to ensure posts are filled to capacity were the reason young doctors were out of work. This week, a young doctor who spoke to the Daily Maverick said even though she did well in her studies…

THE City of Tshwane has reiterated its call for customers to pay for services they have consumed. The call was made by MMC for Human Settlements Ofentse Madzebatela in the face of a protest against estimated bills by some residents and political parties at Tshwane House on Wednesday. Madzebatela, who received a memorandum of demands, undertook that the municipality would respond within 14 days to grievances expressed by residents. “We are encouraging all of us to continue to pay our bills because it is important. The City is in serious financial distress. We saw during the strike that if there is a total collapse it is us black people that will suffer the most. So, if this City collapses we will suffer the most. Those who can pay must pay.…

TWO South African learners have earned the opportunity to exhibit their scientific proficiency at the 2024 Taiwan International Science Fair following their outstanding performance at the 2023 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF), where they will presented impressive research projects. Lethabo Molobi, a Grade 12 learner at Zinniaville Secondary School in the North West’s Bojanala region, and Johannes Jacobus (Jaco) Deysel, a Grade 11 learner at Hoërskool Jim Fouché in the Free State’s Bloemfontein region will participate at the Taiwan fair which takes place from 27 January to 2 February 2024 at the National Taiwan Science Education Centre in Taipei. South Africa actively engages in this fair each year, providing learners with a platform to showcase their research to counterparts from various countries. This participation fosters…

THERE’s something about Range Rovers that’s difficult to explain. I think it’s mostly their elegant design that sets them apart from the rest of the premium SUV contenders that often look like bigger and bulkier versions of their saloons. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it art, but damn, they’re good looking. They’re perfectly proportioned with smooth lines as if made of clay with nary a line to take away your gaze and the interior isn’t too shabby either. We often get comments on some of the cars we test but whenever we drive a Range Rover it’s as if people are more inclined to take a closer look. That was also the case with the Range Rover Velar P400e Dynamic HSE which also happens to be a…

The Department of Trade and Industry has produced a white paper (November 2023), relating to electric vehicles. The report states: “South Africa stands at a pivotal juncture, facing a challenge of profound complexity: how to transition both its automotive market and productive capacity to electric vehicles (EVs). The transport industry is South Africa’s third largest source of emissions, accounting for 11% of the total, and the sector is therefore important to ensure emissions reduction. “Leveraging southern Africa’s mineral wealth alongside its emerging capacity to beneficiate these minerals can serve as the region’s greatest contribution to the green industrial revolution, laying the foundation for a grand bargain between the African continent and the industrialised countries of the north and east.” Geopolitical risks will remain high in 2024, and there is no…

The year 2023 turned out far better for unit trust and exchange traded fund investors than many market commentators predicted. The JSE All Share Total Return Index was up 9.3% for the year to December 31, according to Sanlam Investments’ Markets in Focus newsletter for December. This is a considerable improvement on the 3.6% it delivered in 2022. According to the Corion Market Report for December, which sources its data from Morningstar, the best-performing sector was financials (up 21.8% for the year). Resources stocks fared the worst (down 15.4%) after enjoying a succession of good years – over five years to the end of December they averaged 12.5% a year. Industrials were up 17.3% for the year and listed property was up 10.1%, according to the Corion report. South African…

COSAFA had five countries at the 2023 Caf Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) but only three made it through to the last-16 round. South Africa, Angola and Namibia did the region proud, but Zambia and Mozambique ended up on the also-ran’s scrapheap after the pool stage. More woe will be in store for either Angola or Namibia as they clash in a last-16 Cosafa Derby tonight but does ensure that one Cosafa team will reach the quarter-finals. Angola’s Black Sable Antelopes had to deal with multiple setbacks before the tournament after Fiorentina’s M’bala Nzola and ex-Leeds United man Hélder Costa asked not to be considered for selection. During the qualifying competition, there was little to suggest that Angola would be the rock stars of Afcon’s group stage, which they completed…

LIVERPOOl manager Jurgen Klopp shocked the football world yesterday by announcing that he will leave the club at the end of the season because he is “running out of energy”. Klopp, who has returned Liverpool to being one of European football’s powerhouses since taking over at Anfield in 2015, said the decision to leave was one “I have to take”. The German led Liverpool to their first league title for 30 years in 2020 and to Champions League glory in 2019. Liverpool are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and the 56-year-old will be hoping to go out on a high by winning the title again. “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people ... Klopp said in an interview on Liverpool’s…

SPRINGBOK star Kwagga Smith is in danger of missing the two-Test series against Ireland in July after undergoing groin surgery this week. The 30-year-old loose forward – who was one of the mainstays off the bench in South Africa’s fourth World Cup triumph in France last year – sustained the injury on January 13 while playing for his Japanese club Shizuoka Blue Revs, incidentally while playing against Bok teammate Cheslin Kolbe’s Suntory Sungoliath side. The first Test against Ireland takes place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 6, with the second encounter a week later at Kings Park in Durban. SA Rugby also announced yesterday that the third July Test, against Portugal, will be held at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on July 20, which will be followed…

IT WELL may be the first time South Africa have not had all their main Test players available for a big tour and were forced, for good reasons, to send eight uncapped players on tour. However, regardless of the negativity surrounding the tour of New Zealand, this bunch have a rare opportunity to contest for spots in the Proteas Test team. Test bowling coach, Piet Botha, is leaning on the players’ vast experience in first-class cricket to carry them through the series against the Black Caps. “It is what it is,” Botha told the media yesterday, referring to the lack of Test experience in the touring squad. “It’s a magnificent opportunity for this team that has been selected. A lot of these players have excellent personal records. Sometimes in life…

Gut health has become a top wellness trend recently due to a blend of scientific discoveries, media coverage and consumer interest in holistic well- being. The term “gut health” broadly refers to the function and balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Here’s why there’s such a frenzy around it: Research around microbiome Scientific studies have shed light on the vital role our gut microbiome plays in overall health. The microbiome consists of trillions of micro- organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and other life forms. Researchers have found these organisms influence digestion, immunity and even mental health, through the “gut-brain axis”. Fermented foods There has been a surge in interest in probiotics (live beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (fibres that feed these bacteria), which are thought to support a healthy gut.…

MELGISEDEK buildings in Riviera that were declared unsafe for human habitation more than eight years ago will be among the derelict buildings targeted by the City of Tshwane in its fight against illegal occupation of properties in the inner-city. The infamous buildings located next to Steve Biko Academic Hospital continued to accommodate more than 500 people despite that it was condemned by the City before the 2016 municipal elections. Inside the building, some toilets had been turned into houses, leaving the people with no ablution facilities. There is no electricity and dwellers are struggling to get water. People living at Melgisedek are exposed to bad odours, mosquitoes and flies hovering in the air. So far, the City’s plan to conduct an audit of the people living there and work out…

The World Health Organization has said that the burden of cervical cancer in women has an economic effect on countries’ GDP (gross domestic product) performance, with a 0.5 to 2% loss due to premature deaths. They said 19 of the top 20 countries in the world who have the concerns and burden of cervical cancer are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Medical experts on the panel during a media briefing on cervical cancer this week, said in 2020 there were 604 127 cases, with 341 831 deaths globally; and in Africa there were 110 755 cases, with 72 705 deaths. They called on the media and government to create awareness, stating that “no women has to die because of cervical cancer” as there are screenings and the HPV human papillomavirus vaccine available.…

THE next generation Ford Ranger has been with us for a while now so it stands to reason that there will also be a next generation armoured version. Following on the success of the previous bakkie’s armoured option Ford has again partnered with SVI Engineering in Pretoria. SVI is an original equipment manufacturer that has specialised in armoured vehicles since 2004. The company has successfully completed Ford’s Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) programme. As a Ford- accredited vehicle converter, an SVI- armoured Ranger’s warranty and any service or maintenance plans purchased from Ford remain fully intact. It provides protection across the entire Ranger line-up, including all three body styles: Single Cab, Super Cab and Double Cab. There are two levels of protection available, level B4 Discreet and B6, which is…

Ninety-one percent of South Africans think that life with AI will look different five years from now, according to research released by search engine company Google. The research also shows that search interest in AI increased by 370% over the past year. The top searched questions included “what is artificial intelligence?” and “how to use AI”, while searches for “what is the current situation of AI” and “what is generative AI” increased by more than 5 000%. Google president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa Matt Brittin said: “It’s great to see people in South Africa showing such a keen interest in the potential of AI as a transformative technology. “People across the world are benefiting from responsibly developed AI tools every day – but we must get this…

South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill would, if passed in its current form, completely disrupt the medical sector in the country and inevitably reshape the role of medical schemes as well as gap cover. However, the implementation of NHI does not necessarily mean that medical aid and gap cover will no longer have a role to play because there are many possible scenarios in which they will continue to be an important part of the landscape. It is important to understand your current coverage from both a medical aid and gap cover perspective so that when the NHI does come into effect, you can make an informed decision that will be best for your needs. A long road ahead Given the potential for the current NHI Bill to face…

There is still no Kurt-Lee Arendse or Canan Moodie, but Bulls boss Jake White has gone with a loaded bench for this afternoon’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld (3pm kick-off). Springbok World Cup winners Arendse and Moodie are being given an extra week off, with the Bulls only playing again after today’s match on February 17 – against the Lions at Ellis Park – and then on March 2, against the Stormers in Pretoria. That is followed by another two-week breather before a tough run of fixtures from March 23, when they will face the Dragons in Wales, followed by Leinster in Dublin on March 29, before the massive Champions Cup last-16 showdown with Lyon at Loftus Versfeld on April 6. If the Bulls win…

PEP Guardiola took a cheeky swipe at Manchester United as the Manchester City boss claimed his club’s bitter rivals should name a stand after Omar Berrada if he revives their fortunes. Berrada quit his role as City’s chief football operations officer last weekend to become United’s chief executive. The appointment is a major coup for United as Berrada has played a significant role in City’s dynastic success under Guardiola. City have won five of the last six Premier League titles and landed an iconic treble last season. Berrada worked alongside City sporting director Txiki Begiristain to oversee their transfer policy – an area in which United have struggled badly in recent years. United’s new minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe wants Berrada to use the same template to rebuild the Old Trafford…

IT HAS been interesting to watch how all six teams are closely matched up both on paper and out on the park in the 2024 edition of SA20. This week alone, we watch the Sunrisers Eastern Cape completely destroy the Pretoria Capitals in Gqeberha, completing a bonus point nine-wicket victory only, to lose a nail bitter three days later against the same opposition in Centurion. Last week, we witnessed the Paarl Royals complete a quick turnaround, beating their archrivals, MI Cape Town, at Boland Park, thanks to local boy Bjorn Fortuin's heroics. This was after the Royals lost to MI Cape Town at Newlands Stadium two days prior, courtesy of yet another Ryan Rickelton masterclass. Today, coach Adrian Birrell’s Sunrisers take on MI Cape Town at Gqeberha’s St George’s Park…

THE shock-riddled Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ivory Coast saw the group stage completed with continental heavyweights falling by the wayside. Together Ghana (4 titles) and Algeria (2) boast six Africa Cup of Nations titles, but both teams were eliminated from the tournament after a forgettable group stage. At the other end of the scale, Equatorial Guinea (88 world-ranked) have arguably been the biggest surprise, rivalled only by Cape Verde (73) whose 4-0 victory over hosts Ivory Coast, stunned the former champions and one of Africa’s major football forces. Guinea (80) joined the list of sides that were hugely impressive by drawing 1-1 against five-time champions Cameroon. Ghana Team selection and playing formation were at the heart of Ghana’s demise. The decisions made by their English coach Chris Hughton…

The beauty of travelling by train lies in the fact that trains facilitate slow tourism and are more environmentally friendly than other forms of transport. Travelling on a luxury train, passengers get to relax and not worry about how to get to a destination. There is also a sense of peace and nostalgia. Travel on luxury trains and coaches is almost like cruising, exploring multiple destinations and different travel itineraries in comfort. As a passenger, you can see an ever-changing landscape rolling by From towns to cities to coastlines, there is always something different. There is plenty of space as well – all you have to do is be in the mood to travel. If you’re looking for a more relaxed form of travelling by taking a trip back to…

In a tiny village in northern Vietnam, Dang Thi Hoa ties up a bundle of freshly dried incense sticks ahead of the Lunar New Year and watches a line of tourists waiting to pose for pictures. Three generations of Dang Thi Hoa’s family have been dyeing incense sticks scarlet, or magenta, ahead of the New Year celebrations – known as Tet in Vietnam. But Hoa, and many other families living and working in the “incense village” of Quang Phu Cau, now also make sticks in yellow, blue and green, catering to visitors eager to snap shots for Instagram. In front of one village temple, hundreds of bundles of multi-coloured sticks were laid to dry in the sun – arranged in the form of a giant Vietnamese map. “Our village has…