Moutai is a sharp-tasting liquor from the town of the same name in southern China. It's also the world's most valuable alcohol brand, thanks to its popularity among the Communist Party elite and its use as a lubricant for business deals and favors.

The 25-year-old was reportedly upset that his friend who had no prior military experience had received draft orders. The shooting follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of partial mobilization.

Simon Case was leading the probe into alleged Christmas parties held by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's staff in breach of COVID restrictions. Case has quit after reports of parties in his own office.

Nicaragua is "one of the worst dictatorships in the world" with its President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo preparing "fake elections" to stay in power, Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief says. He made the blunt criticism in a news conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers that discussed the situation in the Central American country, which is to hold general elections on November 7.

For the first time in Algerian football history, four female match officials were appointed to referee in a match held on Saturday between ES Ben Aknoun and RC Kouba in Algiers. The referee committee of the Algerian Football Association appointed four female officials to run the 22nd and last round of the Ligue 2.

The move comes amid revelations this week that Denmark helped the US National Security Agency spy on political leaders in Europe, including German Chancellor Merkel.

Hamas said it expects a truce within days. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is also set to fly to Israel and Palestinian territories for talks over halting hostilities.

China has warned Western powers against "interference" after they raised concerns over Hong Kong's sweeping national security law and electoral reforms.

The US secretaries of state and defense are in Seoul for talks on regional security. North Korea's nuclear ambitions will be high on the agenda, as will China's growing territorial assertiveness.

Have you listened to Joe Boyofficial's debut album Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic? In this chat with The Guardian Life, he reveals his favorite track off SBBM, do you agree with him?

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