Hello, it's Friday, July 8. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
The big story right now is the shooting of Shinzo Abe in Japan
Here's what we know so far:
- Japan's former PM collapsed while giving a speech in the western city of Nara and was taken to hospital.
- It was later confirmed the 67-year-old was shot, reportedly in the chest and neck.
- A 42-year-old man has been arrested.
- Current PM Fumio Kishida confirmed Mr Abe is still alive but in a critical condition.
- Mr Abe had been campaigning for Mr Kishida in Nara ahead of upcoming elections on Sunday.
- Mr Abe stepped down as PM in 2020 but has been a prominent presence over the ruling Liberal Democratic Party ever since.
- Gun violence is very rare in Japan, which has extremely strict gun laws.
Here are some of the political reactions, starting with Australian PM Anthony Albanese:
Japan's ambassador to Australia Yamagami Shingo:
Indian PM Narendra Modi:
And soon-to-be former British PM Boris Johnson:
We also heard a lot about Jacinda Ardern's visit to Australia
The New Zealand Prime Minister met with Anthony Albanese today.
Here were the headlines from that meeting:
Australia will continue to deport New Zealanders convicted of serious offences.
- This policy has been a source of tension between Australia and New Zealand.
- It has seen hundreds of convicted criminals deported to NZ, even if they have next to no ties with the country.
- Mr Albanese has agreed that some discretion could be used in those cases.
- Ms Ardern said this was "exactly what we have asked of Australia".
New Zealanders living in Australia could be given voting rights in Australian election.
- Currently only Australian citizens and "British subjects" enrolled before 1984 are allowed to vote.
- But New Zealand allows Australians who have lived there for more than a year the right to vote in their elections.
- Mr Albanese said he at least wants a federal parliament elections committee to look into the matter.
The news Australia is searching for
- Liz Truss: The UK Foreign Secretary is considered one of the frontrunners in the race to replace Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader. Other contenders include former chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
News you might have missed
A former Sydney councillor who gave evidence at a NSW corruption hearing this week has been found dead.
The body of 62-year-old Clifton Wong was found in a Burwood office building on Wednesday.
Police say they are are not treating the death as suspicious.
He had been a witness at an ICAC inquiry into allegations three other ex- councillors accepted bribes from property developers.
That's it for now
We'll be back Monday with more.
ABC/wires
