Latest from Sawaleif
12 minutes ago
- Business
Pakistan's top brewery is betting on soft drinks
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan -- A pungent fug of malt and yeastiness hangs over Murree Brewery, Pakistan 's biggest and oldest producer of alcoholic drinks. The company is an outlier in a country where alcohol is outlawed for everyone except non-Muslims, who make up some 9 million people out of 241 million. Pakistan, an Islamic republic, banned booze for Muslims in the 1970s. Murree Brewery has strong financials despite the prohibition, thanks to its history, scant competition and a small, thirsty and predominantly elite consumer base. But the government exerts significant control over the sale and marketing of alcoholic beverages through red tape and high taxes, pushing brewery chairman Isphanyar Bandhara to expand the company's footprint in Pakistan's non-alcoholic drinks industry, which, although bigger, is more crowded and less lucrative. 'Even I tell my staff of about 2,200 that we cannot sit on our laurels by selling alcohol,' said Bandhara, the third generation of his family to run the 165-year-old business that was founded by the British. 'It's a restricted market, so we have to rely and focus more on the non-alcoholic side. That's where I think I would like to flex my muscles and take credit, rather than being a liquor baron.' The brewery already manufactures energy drinks, juices and malted beverages, but they are not as well known as products from big international brands. However, this part of the business is registering double-digit growth, and Bandhara wants to cash in on the country's youth bulge. Around 64% of the population is under 30. Pakistan's government determines the brewery's alcohol prices, points of sale and customer base. Last year it took $35 million from the brewery's revenue in taxes. The company cannot advertise its alcoholic beverages or expand that part of the business inside Pakistan. Online shopping is unavailable. The brewery is permitted to export beer to countries outside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a 57-member bloc, even though there is a 'big demand for liquor and beer' in Muslim-majority countries, Bandhara said. Meanwhile, more Pakistanis drink far more sodas and juices, with billions of dollars in sales every year. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola dominate, but there are also homegrown brands. 'The multinationals are thriving in Pakistan,' Bandhara said. 'It's a rewarding market. There might be less money (in non-alcoholic drinks), but it's more secure.' Murree Brewery's malted drinks line is packaged in a way that strongly resembles its beery counterparts. The taste, while not unpleasant, is distinctive, sweet and slightly yeasty. Alcohol is a niche item in Pakistan. Even cooking ingredients like red wine vinegar, and buying essentials like cough medicine, is hard because of their alcohol content, however minuscule. Five-star hotels slip a drinks list into the in-room dining menu or decant alcohol into a more discreet vessel, like a teapot. Some restaurants, usually upscale, allow diners to bring a bottle but seat them away from others or shield the pour from prying eyes. There is often a windowless, joyless bar in major Pakistani cities. Non-Muslims — nationals and foreigners — can get a liquor permit allowing them to buy limited amounts of alcohol. Diplomats and the elite are a rich source of booze, with well-stocked cabinets and sometimes entire rooms dedicated to drinks. There are also wine shops, but only in some provinces and run by non-Muslims. Some wine shops deliver to customers waiting in their cars, for discretion. Home delivery is also available. 'It's not expensive to buy beer,' said Faisal, a Pakistani Muslim drinker who is in his 30s and lives in the province of Sindh. He only gave his first name because he is breaking the law. 'A local beer will cost 500 rupees ($1.76), but you can save 50 rupees if you don't want it chilled." He added: 'Beer is cheaper than coffee in Pakistan, but you only need one coffee whereas you need a lot of beer." Non-sanctioned alcohol drinking in Pakistan is punishable by 80 lashes of a whip, although the Federal Shariat Court deemed the penalty un-Islamic in a 2009 ruling. Alcohol is considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam. Although a sin and not a crime, scholars and religious authorities typically point to a verse in the Quran that calls intoxicants 'the work of Satan' and tells believers to avoid them. They also cite sayings of the Prophet Muhammad and the effects of alcohol. Nonetheless, stacked on pallets at Murree Brewery on a recent day were boxes of booze. The beer was heading to government-authorized retailer Pearl Continental Hotel in the eastern city of Lahore. The whiskey was going to Sindh, home to religious minorities including Hindus and Parsis. Bandhara, who is Parsi, is one of the brewery's leading tasters. Only non-Muslims can sample the company's alcoholic products. 'We can't just force someone to drink an inferior drink, so it has to be quality,' Bandhara said. 'If the German Embassy, the Chinese Embassy and a lot of European embassies are my customers for beer, I'm comfortable on my quality.' Hundreds of Pakistani distilleries produce the intoxicating agent ethanol, which is mostly exported. Home brewers are another source of alcoholic beverages. But homemade liquor containing poisonous methanol has proved fatal, and dozens of people have died over the years. Murree Brewery's closest competition for alcohol is the Chinese-run Hui Coastal Brewery and Distillery Limited, which began making beer in southwestern Balochistan in 2021, largely for the thousands of Chinese workers there. Nobody from Hui was available to comment. The granting of a licence to Hui in conservative Balochistan took Bandhara aback. He said he was unafraid of competition but wanted a level playing field. Decades ago, his family wanted to set up a brewery in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. Bandhara said authorities told the family to keep their heads down because they were in a Muslim country. 'If the Islamic lecture is for me, why was the license given to the Chinese brewery?" he asked. "We are a liquor company, and we are the easiest to throw stones at and to criticize.'
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Oasis reunion tour LIVE: Excitement builds in Cardiff as Noel and Liam Gallagher reunite for first gig in 16 years
It is the gig that fans have been waiting 16 years for, but tonight Oasis will kickstart their long-awaited worldwide reunion tour. Excitement is already building in Cardiff, where brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher will perform together for the first time since their dramatic split in 2009. The pair announced the Oasis Live '25 tour last August, starting with two dates in the Welsh capital tonight and tomorrow, before heading across the UK and Ireland. It was the biggest concert launch ever seen in the UK, with more than 10million fans from 158 countries queuing to buy tickets last summer. Doors are not expected to open until 5pm but fans are already in the Oasis spirit.
Japan Times
13 minutes ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Okinawa city seeks special zone status for production of local distilled spirit
The city of Nanjo in Okinawa Prefecture decided on Tuesday to submit an application for special zone status to produce awamori, a type of shōchū liquor. The city plans to send the application jointly with the Okinawa Prefectural Government to the central government. Since the special zone designation system for shōchū production was introduced in 2017, five municipalities have been designated, including the village of Mishima, Kagoshima Prefecture. Nanjo would be the sixth such zone and the first for awamori production. If designated, small businesses in the city would be able to produce awamori, using locally grown rice, while being exempt from the legal requirement of producing at least 10 kiloliters, or some 14,000 720-milliliter bottles, annually. Currently, most awamori is made from rice from Thailand. Nanjo, said to be the place where rice production in Okinawa started, hopes to make awamori from locally grown rice. A Nanjo official expressed hope that a special zone designation would give a boost to the city. In Nanjo, a plan to launch a new awamori maker is under discussion. "We want to deliver to consumers awamori made in the birthplace of rice production in Okinawa using only locally grown rice," a person involved in the plan said.
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Where to watch Fluminense vs. Al Hilal live stream, TV channel, start time for FIFA Club World Cup match
Fluminense and Al-Hilal meet in a surprise quarter-final showdown at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, both fresh off historic upsets that reshaped the tournament bracket. Fluminense stunned Inter Milan 2-0 in the Round of 16, extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches as Germán Cano and Hércules struck decisive goals. Renato Gaúcho's men showed remarkable defensive organization to dispatch the Serie A giants, proving they're far from the weakest Brazilian side many expected. With confidence surging, Flu will look to replicate their controlled, clinical performance against an Al-Hilal side that thrives in chaos. Advertisement Meanwhile, Al-Hilal enter the quarters riding the high of a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory over Manchester City, arguably the tournament's match of the year. Despite having just 31% possession and fewer touches in the box, Simone Inzaghi's team created more big chances and shocked City with a stunning attacking display, highlighted by Marcos Leonardo's 112th-minute winner. The Saudis are unbeaten in nine straight games, making them dangerous opponents. The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news. Where to watch Fluminense vs. Al Hilal: Live stream, TV channel Here's how to watch this FIFA Club World Cup match in the U.S.: Advertisement TV channel: truTV, TNT Live stream:DAZN, DirecTV Stream This game is available for live TV broadcast in the United States on truTV and TNT. For fans who prefer to stream on the go, they can watch it live on DAZN and DirecTV Stream. Catch Every Game – Try DIRECTV FREE Today! Stream live Soccer, MLB, and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network, all included with DIRECTV. Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment. Fluminense vs. Al Hilal start time Date: Friday, July 4, 2025 Time: 3:00 p.m. ET | 12:00 p.m. PT Advertisement This FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 clash between Fluminense and Al Hilal will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, July 4, from the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Fluminense vs. Al Hilal predicted lineups, team news Fluminense will be missing a key piece of their defensive unit for this historic quarter-final, as left-back René is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament during their shock win over Inter. Manager Renato Gaúcho must reshuffle his back line as a result, while the absence of midfielder Otávio, ruled out for the season with an Achilles injury, further limits Flu's depth. Martinelli is also a doubt, though the Brazilian side will be buoyed by the form of Germán Cano, who has emerged as their talisman with crucial goals in recent matches. Advertisement Fluminense predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Fabio (GK) — Xavier, Silva, Freytes, Fuentes — Martinelli, Hercules — Arias, Nonato, Canobbio — Cano. Injured:Otavio, Martinelli Suspended:Rene For Al-Hilal, the dramatic win over Manchester City came at a cost, with influential captain Salem Al-Dawsari sidelined for the rest of the Club World Cup due to a hamstring injury. However, there was a boost as Musab Al Juwayr made his return from a knee issue to feature as a late substitute against City, adding an extra midfield option for Simone Inzaghi. The Saudi champions still face significant injury problems, with star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and defenders Hassan Al Tambakti and Suhayb Al Zaid unavailable, forcing Inzaghi to lean on squad depth as they aim to continue their fairytale run. Advertisement Al Hilal predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Bounou (GK) — Cancelo, Al-Harbi, Koulibaly, Lodi — N. Al-Dawsari, Neves, Savic — Malcom, Leonardo, Kanno. Injured:S. Al-Dawsari, Mitrovic, Al Tambati, Al Zaid Suspended:None. FIFA Club World Cup fixture schedule this week All times ET Friday, July 4 Fluminense vs. Al Hilal (3:00 p.m.) Palmeiras vs. Chelsea (9:00 p.m.) Saturday, July 5 PSG vs. Bayern Munich (12:00 p.m.) Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund (4:00 p.m.) Related Links
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'WWE SmackDown' Spoiler Results for July 4 Show: Big Surprises and 'Evolution 2025' Implications
'WWE SmackDown' Spoiler Results for July 4 Show: Big Surprises and 'Evolution 2025' Implications originally appeared on Athlon Sports. "WWE SmackDown" will air in its usual Friday night spot on USA Network, but stars on the blue brand won't be performing live on a holiday. Advertisement The Independence Day edition of "SmackDown" was taped on Monday following "Raw." There are major implications for "Evolution 2025" following the taping. There was also a surprise return from a top main event player who had been healing from an injury. During the "SmackDown" taping, a title match was announced for the "Evolution" PLE. A big match was also added to the upcoming "Saturday Night's Main Event" card set for July 12. Wrestling journalist John Clark provided spoiler updates on his X account. 'WWE SmackDown' Spoiler Results The show began with Cody Rhodes, who secured an Undisputed WWE Championship match by winning the King of the Ring tournament at "Night of Champions." Randy Orton interrupted "The American Nightmare" and made him promise that he will defeat John Cena at "SummerSlam." Advertisement Drew McIntyre then made an unexpected return. He attempted to manipulate Rhodes and Orton into fighting, but he ate an RKO for his efforts. Later on in the night, Orton vs. McIntyre was made official for "Saturday Night's Main Event." Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss Team Up "SmackDown" general manager Nick Aldis had a conversation with Charlotte Flair backstage. He urged "The Queen" to team with Alexa Bliss for a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Flair and Bliss ended up defeating The Secret Hervice. The Wyatt Sicks Continue Torturing Tag Team Division Given the friction between The Wyatt Sicks and the rest of "SmackDown's" tag division, Aldis booked the faction against a random quartet of names from different teams. The Wyatt Sicks ended up defeating Montez Ford, Johnny Gargano, Chris Sabin, and Berto. Advertisement Tiffany Stratton vs. Trish Stratus Official For 'Evolution' WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton made her way out for an in-ring promo, but she was interrupted by Jade Cargill. While Cargill has a guaranteed title shot at "SummerSlam," Stratton said she wants to defend her gold at "Evolution." She laid out the challenge to WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, who accepted the title match. Andrade and Rey Fenix Continue Surge After defeating DIY last week, Andrade and Rey Fenix were in tag team action again. They took on Fraxiom, a team that could've made a case for a tag team title rematch. Ultimately, Andrade and Fenix scored a big victory. Advertisement Tensions Rise Between Damian Priest and Aleister Black Damian Priest and Aleister Black had another backstage encounter, just as they did last week. Priest informed Black that he'll be in singles action against R-Truth next week. Priest and Black got a bit more testy with one another this time. Solo Sikoa Gets Last Laugh Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo were in tag team action against Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso. This is believed to be the main event for Friday's episode of "SmackDown." Fatu scored the pin over Sikoa, but he didn't get to celebrate. The night ended with Sikoa and his group, which includes Mateo, Tala Tonga, and Tonga Loa, putting Fatu through the announce table. Advertisement Related: WWE Makes Big Decision on Championship During 'Raw' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
