July 8, Friday, 2022 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1.People across Japan are coming to terms with the shocking death of one of the nation’s most influential modern leaders. Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was shot and killed at a Friday campaign event. His alleged attacker was arrested at the scene.
2.China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said his country opposes any act that tries to take advantage of the Ukraine situation to instigate a Cold War mentality and fuel confrontation. He was apparently referring to moves by Western countries.
3.Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow has barely started its military operation in Ukraine, and challenged the West to take on its forces. Referring to the invasion, the president said, “Everybody should know that, by and large, we haven’t started anything yet in earnest.”