How to keep it kosher

Last week, Jews around the world celebrated Purim, one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar. At this time, Jews recall their escape from an evil plan hatched by a Persian minister to annihilate them. They wear costumes, drink copiously, put on plays, give gifts to each other and donations to the poor.

Religious beliefs make meal time decisions easy

Food is one of first topics you learn about when you move to a new country, or learn a new language. In China, where everything from the staple foods to the cutlery is different from the West, foreigners are frequently met with the question: "Are you used to eating Chinese food yet?"

Your say

There's no excuse!

Home to Hannibal, inspiration for Star Wars

When scouring the planet in search of suitable scenery for the fictitious Star Wars city of Tatooine, director George Lucas ultimately decided that "the force" was strong with Tunisia.

Life Travel

An ideal break

In a fast-changing country like China, people must adjust their plans to keep pace with the changing situation from time to time. As the government has revamped the country's holiday schedule this year, so must we.

Puff on a cigar, over a lip-smacking hotpot

I do not smoke and I hate second-hand smoke in public spaces. However, when asked about my hometown, I often proudly reply: "I come from Shifang, the home of Chinese cigars."

Hidden treasures of Xanadu

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan

Life Culture

Forty and fabulous

She loomed from backstage without much fanfare. The audience hardly recognized her until a few seconds later when her image was projected onto the giant screen right above her where she made her entrance. But when she belted out her first note, it was distinctly Celine. The audience burst into thunderous applause. Such was the magic of Celine Dion.

Celine, Whitney, Barbra ... the verdict is out!

A Celine Dion concert is much more rewarding than one by Whitney Houston, but it does not possess the rich texture from a similar outing by Barbra Streisand.

Crying till you laugh

Taiwanese playwright-director Stan Lai's most famous production, Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land, tells two intertwined stories. One is a modern tragedy about an old man reminiscing a long-lost love, while the second is a broad comedy about a cuckolded man who finds his way to Peach Blossom Land.