10 things you need to know today: July 8, 2022

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe killed by gunman, WNBA star Brittney Griner pleads guilty in Russia, and more

Shinzo Abe shot
(Image credit: The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

1. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe assassinated

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died Friday after being shot as he spoke at a fellow politician's campaign event ahead of Sunday elections for the upper house of Japan's parliament. Public broadcaster NHK reported that Abe, 67, was rushed to a hospital showing no vital signs after being hit in the neck and chest. TV footage aired by NHK showed Abe delivering a speech when a plume of smoke rose behind him, at least two gunshots rang out, and he collapsed with blood on his shirt. A suspect was arrested on attempted murder charges, and police seized a double-barrel gun that appears to be handmade. Shootings are rare in Japan, which has some of the world's strictest gun laws.

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Harold Maass, The Week US

Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.