Friday’s assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in one of the world’s safest countries has stunned leaders and drawn condemnation.

In at least one sense, Scott Morrison is the most successful Australian prime minister in years.

India and Australia’s trade ministers say a shared security partnership with the United States and Japan has helped them strike a trade deal that Australia hopes will reduce its dependence on exports to China.

A spate of Chinese military flights off southwestern Taiwan in recent days has prompted alarm from the island, which Beijing claims as its own, and is increasing tensions in a region already on edge.

A former Australian prime minister has accused China of being a bully and expressed enthusiastic support for Taiwan while visiting the democratically ruled island.

A group of French senators visiting Taiwan as part of a regular parliamentary exchange met with President Tsai Ing-wen during a trip that comes in a particularly tense moment between China and the self-ruled island.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says France would have known Australia had “deep and grave concerns” that a submarine fleet the French were building would not meet Australia's needs.

An Australian special envoy says a free trade agreement between his nation and India would signal the “democratic world’s tilt away from China."

LONDON Prominent equality and environmental activists, including Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen, have urged the British government to drop plans to make former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott a U.K. trade adviser. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government faced growing criticism Friday over reports it will appoint Abbott, who led a conservative Australian government between 2013 and 2015, to the U.K.s Board of Trade. Opponents cite Abbott's opposition to same-sex marriage, persistent allegations of sexism and statements downplaying the impact of climate change. In power, his government repealed a carbon tax paid by polluting Australian industries. Abbott has been in London in recent days and said he has spoken to the government about a roleThe U.K. is seeking to boost trade with countries around the world in the wake of its departure from the European Union.

Barr has told people close to him hes considering quitting his post after President Donald Trump wouldnt heed his warning to stop tweeting about Justice Department cases. (AP Photo/Michael A. McCoy, File)Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:1. AP: BARR MULLS RESIGNATION The attorney general tells people close to him he’s considering quitting his post after Trump wouldn’t heed his warning to stop tweeting about Justice Department cases, an administration official tells the AP. ROD BLAGOJEVICH WALKS FREE The former Illinois governor is back in his Chicago home after being released from prison after Trump cut short his 14-year sentence for political corruption. ‘NOW IS JUST THE RIGHT TIME’ Eight years after the singer’s death, a holographic Whitney Houston will appear on a concert stage again with a European tour and U.S. dates expected to follow.