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Taiwan's Top Alcohol Attractions – the best brewery and distillery tours

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Taiwan may not have a huge tradition of alcohol consumption, but there is no denying that it has begun to embrace a much wider variety of beers and spirits in a big way in recent years. For a long time, alcohol production in Taiwan was a state monopoly, with the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation holding the country’s sole license to brew and distill booze. It was not until as recently as twenty years ago that this monopoly was finally lifted and independent brewing was permitted in Taiwan. After a slow and steady start, it is fair to say the craft brewing scene has exploded in Taiwan in the past ten years. Whereas once most people would find themselves drinking either in a restaurant, an ex-pat pub or at the tables outside a convenience store, today you have to look far in any of Taiwan’s big cities to find a bar or a tap-house. There are no shortage of craft beer shops and off-licenses stocking locally produced drinks either. And tapping into the recent craze for factory...
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As Vatican and China talk, Taiwan looks on nervously

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VATICAN CITY/TAIPEI (REUTERS) - Five blocks from the Vatican, on the bustling, tourist-packed street leading to St. Peter's Basilica, a Taiwanese flag flutters from the window of a third story suite of offices that house Taipei's embassy to the Holy See. These days, the staff inside are anxious. They know that one night they may have to lower that flag - red and blue with a white sun - for the last time. As the Vatican and China move closer to a historic deal on the appointment of bishops, which would signal a warming of once-frigid relations, diplomats and scholars say Taiwan could lose the most from the deal. Under the deal, the Vatican will have a say in negotiations for the appointment of future bishops in China, whose Catholics are divided between an "underground" Church loyal to the pope and a government-backed Church. Even a partial resolution of the issue could open the way for eventual diplomatic relations between Beijing and the Vatican. That wou...
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Karachiites line up outside National Stadium with PSL final hours away

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The gates are open, security arrangements are in place and hundreds of spectators have started lining up to experience the first major cricketing event in Karachi in the last nine years. Nearly 32,000 inhabitants of the cricket-starved city will witness the showdown between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United as they compete for the Pakistan Super League 2018 title at National Stadium Karachi. The gates to the venue were opened at 12 noon, and some spectators had shown up as early as 12:30pm on a sunny Sunday. The gates will close at 5pm. The closing ceremony of the tournament will start 6pm, the toss will take place at 7:30pm and the match will commence at 8. Hundreds of shuttles had been arranged to transport fans from five designated parking points to the stadium. Spectators — many of whom are donning Zalmi and United merchandise, but also the national colours — are being allowed to enter the venue after multiple security checks. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Sha...
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Location: Pakistan
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Smith, Warner to stand down for rest of Test

“Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as captain and vice-captain respectively for the remainder of this Test match,” CA chief James Sutherland said in a statement. Sutherland said Tim Paine would step in as acting captain for the remainder of the Test. “This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim, we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands,” he added. “Both Steve and David will take to the field today under Tim's captaincy.” Sutherland earlier on Sunday announced an investigation into the scandal, which has plunged Australian cricket into crisis and resulted in widespread condemnation at home, including from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. CA's head of integrity Iain Roy and head of team performance Pat Howard were flying to South Africa to conduct the investigation. “All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of priorit...
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Five incidents that tarnished Steve Smith

Steve Smith was fighting to save his job and reputation on Sunday after admitting he was the chief plotter in a ball-tampering scandal. It is not the first time that the Australia cricket captain has been involved in controversy. Here are five incidents where Smith made headlines for reasons other than his batting since taking over the captaincy in 2015. DRS 'brain fade' Steve Smith set off a storm of controversy in the second Test of the four-match series in India a year ago when he looked to his dressing room for help while deciding whether to call for a review into his lbw dismissal in Bangalore — describing the moment a “brain fade”. Indian captain Virat Kohli accused the visitors of routinely abusing the decision review system, stopping just short of calling Smith a cheat. Bully retort England bowler James Anderson claimed the Australians were bullies who overstepped the line in the recent Ashes series and Smith returned fire, calling the England paceman one of ...
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The ‘Bajwa doctrine’

The existence of the purported doctrine was first mentioned by DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor earlier this year. Now, following a briefing by army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa to a group of journalists and anchorpersons, it has been indirectly revealed to the country as the so-called Bajwa doctrine. Ostensibly a template for bringing peace and security to Pakistan and the region, the doctrine also delivers a blueprint for addressing complex and ingrained governance and economic issues in the country. Several points need to be made. First, it is a welcome move by Gen Bajwa to speak to the media. His predecessor, retired Gen Raheel Sharif, was all too visible in public-relations campaigns, but opted not to address the media or answer questions. Given the pre-eminent position the army chief has in the national security, and also political, framework, the holder of the office should face the media and answer questions. Perhaps Gen Bajwa ought to consider making his media interactions more fo...
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Footprints: Longing to belong

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SPRING scatters dandelions across Islamabad, tiny yellow suns blooming over grassy greens. On a Sunday after a spell of rain, the air warm and scented with blossoms, Shakarparian is an anthill of human activity. Music greets visitors at Lok Virsa where at the entrance, under a covered area, people take turns to compete in open mic sessions with a band of folk musicians. A man finishes an off-key rendition of Teray bina youn gharian beeteen. As his voice cracks at a high note, it is easy to imagine Masood Rana turning in his grave. A woman takes over with a boisterous rendition of Sun way balori aakh walia, that makes people sway in their seats. A young boy who knows no song has a poem from school days: Lab pay aati hai dua. It is strangely affecting, this prayer sung atrociously in thick-accented Urdu. Nostalgia for a defunct Lollywood dominates the people’s repertoire. Or is it the longing for a Pakistan long lost? For others, it is a longing to belong. A little ahead...
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